Should the ABPA be funding this forum ?

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yes, it is, but you make a fair point. He had Bill Kearns there a few years ago, and he was a big hit, of course.

[keats]

Sorry, I meant Darren Kearns. Bill is a big hit anywhere, that is why we always include him in the shows.

Neil

[Bob Pacey]

Pretty bloody hard to have a discussion on the value of a forum when you do not know the costs but I'm sure that it does have its place in the association. If we end up having to pay someone to administer the site then that is a decision that should be taken at the time.

Until then I will say that I enjoy the forum I read every post if it were not for the forum I like heather would never have met a lot of the great people I have eg Heather, Glenny, Zondrae and Wayne, Maureen, Brenda, Dave, Neil, Bill Kearns, Marco, Muzza, Greg and the list goes on ( hope I have not left anyone out.). They have all encouraged me to keep on with both my writing and performing.

The promotion of the ABPA is squarely up to all of us and I do so at every opportunity I take old mags to every performance and give most of my old copies away to interested people be they members of the audience or kids at schools. I also refer heaps of people to the site of all ages and hopefully they come and have a look and from the number of guests on the site from time to time I believe they do.

Bob

[Bob Pacey]

I say again " Pretty bloody hard to have a discussion on the value of a forum when you do not know the costs" or do you know something that we don't Marty ?

Going around and around in circles does not achieve anything.

Bob

[Bob Pacey]

Sounds a bit like a politicians answer.

Still does not answer my question ?

Bob

[keats]

I think the thing being forgotten here is that there are very few on the Committee. Why should we expect someone already giving up there time in a capacity that involves the ABPA to take on extra work? Manfred is currently President and Webmaster. That is a lot of work for one person when they are also trying to work and fulfill their Poetry bookings (not to mention 'enjoying' their Poetry). Also there is the flack that Committee members cop, generally from those who do absolutely nothing for the Association. Yes it would be great to pay someone to do the Website. Do we have the money? I would not think so. If someone cannot take it on voluntarily in the future, then yes, it's viability has to be questioned. The workload needs to be reduced on some Committee members and spread to others willing to help, and thus reducing the workload on everybody. That of course is just my opinion, but I do know as Editor that the members who complain the most to me are always those who have never submitted anything whatsoever. It's a thankless job, but if we can't get someone to run this site, then as I said before, it will simply not be viable.

Neil

[Bob Pacey]

Then why Marty if you had such concerns not raise the subject with your state rep or Manfred so that they could be discussed at committee level and then if needed they could distribute the required information to members for consideration or vote if need be ?

Seems an odd way of raising what may be a genuine concern.

Bob

[Stephen Whiteside]

In a sense, Marty, you give the forum great legitimacy by raising your concerns about the forum on the forum.

[Bob Pacey]

Never said I had a problem, never mentioned closed doors, never said every discussion had to be positive but a genuine discussion cannot be held until all the information is at hand and would it not be right to assume that such information is readily available from our committee.

Seems reasonable to me ? bit like putting the cart before the horse.

More than happy to discuss it further once this information is supplied.


Bob

[Kym]

Marty, is your beef really with the costs associated with running the forum, or something else? As Treasurer, I can tell you that the forum costs the ABPA absolutely zip, zero, zilch! There are no monthly fees, no ongoing costs, no outlay for wages. Manfred does the job voluntarily, as Tom does as Secretary, and I do as Treasurer. If we did have to pay someone, perhaps it would all go down the gurgler, but as the situation stands now, it's very affordable.

I personally see the forum as a huge asset to the ABPA and it has been the starting block for many writers, myself included. Also, as Heather mentioned, it is a wonderful way for people to form friendships, which can only be a positive thing. Bickering can only be a deterrent and detrimental, so can we please stop the bickering?

If the forum folds, so does a very positive form of exposure for our poetry. Let's hope that doesn't happen ...