[vicsireland] Re: EGM of VICS
- From: "Gerry Ellis" <gerry.ellis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:52:04 +0100
Hi, Kerie and friends,
Like Michael Lavin, I was a founder member of VICS. In fact, I was its first
Chairperson way back in 1986. I served as Chairperson again some years later
and also in other positions on the VICS committee over several years. I think I
am right in saying that Michael served as Chairperson for longer than anyone
else.
I agree with everything that Michael says. VICS is not just about holding high
visibility events, although I think it is useful that this happen from time to
time. VICS is about the members who never, or almost never, send an email to
the list, but who avidly read and learn from other peoples' emails. It is about
people who attend training sessions to learn what they cannot find out about or
are embarrassed to ask about elsewhere. In short, it is about people first and
constitutions or technologies second.
Of course the email list could continue without VICS as a formal organisation,
but I do not think that it would last too long and it is even less likely to
gain new members unless there is activity backing it up such as training days.
The VICS web site needs attention and if members do not have the time or
expertise to make it the vibrant heart of the organisation that it could be,
then maybe it is time we linked in with a third level institution or technology
industry partner to start it pulsing.
To address some of the criticisms, it is not unusual for members of a voluntary
organisation to elect other volunteers and then expect them to act like
full-time paid employees and criticise them when they cannot deliver a
professional service. On the other hand, it is not unusual for the elected
volunteers to feel that they have been deserted and staked out in the sun to
frazzle. VICS is far from unique in this regard. This, however, should not be a
reason to abandon the project, but a spur to find a wayso that each group can
support the other.
VICS is well regarded. In the same way as VICS members reach out for support on
the email list, if the society reaches out for support I think that we might be
surprised how much goodwill there is out there. As we found when we organised
lunchtime talks on accessibility under the auspices of the irish Computer
Society some years ago and were later told that they were the best attended
ones that ICS ever put on, VICS might also be surprised how much people and
organisations are willing to learn from our experiences. Disability and
inclusion are becoming increasingly mainstreamed and we are the real experts.
That said, I do not know if I can attend on the 26th. My wife will be away that
weekend and I may have to stay at home to mind my two children. However, I am
working on getting there.
Please don't give up on VICS ... there are a lot of people who want this to
continue and gather a rejuvinated and biggerr momentum!
Take care,
Gerry Ellis
If you don’t know where you’re going,
How will you know when you get there?
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael Lavin
Sent: 17 April 2014 13:00
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: EGM of VICS
Hi Kerie
Firstly, I wish to send my apologies that I am unable to attend the
meeting on the 26th April. Unfortunately the general meeting of the
National League of the Blind of Ireland Trust is clashing with this
meeting and since I am the Secretary of the Board of Trustees my
attendance at the meeting in the League is paramount as I will be
presenting the Board's annual report.
As someone who has been a life-long member of VICS and as I have
served on the committee both as an officer and ordinary member for
many years, I would be very saddened to see the demise of the Society.
It is important to highlight the strong points of a Society like VICS
and in my opinion they are:
the comradery and knowledge of its members;
the training events;
the various presentations and demonstrations;
the VICS website;
but above all the mailing list.
The importance of these cannot be stresed enough and the VICS
committee should keep these in mind at all times.
I know it can be difficult to maintain the impetus that VICS has built
up over the years but we have gained valuable contacts and friends
along the way and the Society is very well respected in technology
circles.
I hope that the meeting will think long and hard before taking a
retrograde step like winding up the Society.
A lot of members rely on VICS and what it stands for and while they
may not always be very vocal, there is no doubt that the loyalty built
up over the years should not be easily shrugged off.
As Secretary of the League, I have always welcomed VICS to Hill Street
for any event they care to hold and that invitation still stands.
We have broadband facilities and a fine function room with a bar and
that is available to the Society.
With every best wish for the meeting,
Regards,
Michael
On 4/11/14, Kerie Doyle <kerie.doyle1987@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Paula
> This is great and thanks for letting me know.
> Kerie
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On 9 Apr 2014, at 08:23 p.m., Paula Dorrington <pauladorrington@xxxxxx>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Gus and I will attend the meeting.
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Paula
>> Gus Dorrington
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kerie Doyle
>> Sent: 21 March 2014 10:43
>> To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [vicsireland] EGM of VICS
>>
>> Good morning to all members
>> I am writing this message to announce an extraordinary general meeting of
>> VICS
>> This will take place on Saturday 26th april
>> time: 12:00 PM
>> Location: NCBI training centre, NCBI head office, Drumcondra Dublin 9
>> Agenda for this meeting consists of only 1 item:
>> What is the future of VICS?
>> In recent years, it is clear to you all I am sure, with the
>> development of smart phone technology, and technology in general, as
>> well as most people's by now, fluent use of the internet to access
>> information and training, as well as training now being provided by
>> organisations apart from VICS that our role has changed significantly
>> over the past number of years.
>> I am of the opinion, along with the other members of the committee,
>> that now the only way to go forward is to get members together and
>> discuss, where, if anywhere, VICS should proceed from here and what is
>> the right way forward.
>> I would ask people to RSVP please no later than Friday, April 18th at
>> 3:00
>> PM
>> Lunch will be provided on the day so it will be necessary to give
>> numbers for this, also I would just like an opportunity to gauge
>> general interest.
>> I really do hope to see as many of you there as possible, to discuss
>> what is, no doubt a pivotal point in the existance of VICS
>> Many thanks
>> Kerie Doyle
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
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