Hi, I'm an ex member of both BOCA and BA so have no particular allegiance to
either. I suspect that some intended readers may have my comments blocked as
being too controversial or unworthy but I hope this gets through. However,
I'd like to put the following points.
Yes, if the merger comes off there will be some heartaches, losses of
position, control and status within, I suspect, whichever turns out to be
the weaker organisation, and a using up of hard earned funds of the lesser
by the stronger to patch up any financial shortfalls. These things are bad
enough in themselves, but mergers ( takeovers) always involve a new broom
which may provide some new direction, but which almost always sweeps away
long standing and previously important members ( seen as the "dead wood") of
the lesser organisation, plunging them into unfair and undeserved obscurity.
With them will go the history, traditions and loyalties of their lost
organisation, again swept away in the end by new and younger incoming
management of the combine who hold these things as less important than their
own objectives. No matter what assurances are given at the negotiating stage
the above outcomes inevitably occur as new power bases are established.
Whatever has happened to the fundamental reasons and differences for the two
organisations being split in the first place? Surely these haven't just gone
away. The often unspoken rift in focus between the "professional
ornithologists" and the more socially orientated "birdwatchers" is still
very much alive and well, and for the sake of birds both sides must be
preserved.
All in the name of expediency and progress? Progress for whom , birds and
the environment or the new hierarchy? Of course the former will always be
the argument used by proponents of the change, but I'd query the veracity of
that.
I've been through a few of these "mergers" on both sides myself and have
seen it all happen - every time.
So who are to be the decision makers in this venture? Will the decision be
taken behind closed doors by the management committees? I'd hope not. I
think it would be useful and fair to put a referendum to the memberships of
both parties to see what they want. If the majority of both give it their
blessing then so be it, but I think they should be given an informed and
balanced opportunity to express their views and not just be bulldozed into
the change.
Tony.
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Alan Gillanders
Sent: Tuesday, 2 February 2010 8:37 AM
To:
Subject: Combining BA - BOCA About Bloody Time!
From: "Tony Russell" <>
> I wonder which one will gobble up the other's funds as usually happens in
> a
> merger and which management group will come out on top. Interesting .
> Tony
Of course there will be difficulties but more importantly perceptions of
dominance and loss of control. This will happen at all levels. If one wants
a particular outcome then it needs to be worked towards. I would like to see
one well functioning peak bird watching and bird conservation organisation
and believe there is a lot of goodwill towards achieving that end. I think
that the timing of this could well hinge around the end of term for the
current CEOs. We will need to retain many of the staff of each organisation
to maintain that corporate knowledge.
We need a structure under which local groups and regions (what ever they are
called) can exercise independence while still maintaining a unity of purpose
and direction.
Regards,
Alan
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