Greetings folks,
Initially may I declare a personal interest in this Post since I was recently expelled from Membership of the TRF. Those of you who know me, or of me, will know that I have disagreed with a particular Director over the past two or three years.
Unfortunately two documents were publicly circulated recently making totally false claims against myself and three organisations to which I am affiliated. I can prove that those claims are untrue but I am sure that you may not want to read the paperwork, if you do then send me a PM.
I still serve those organisations although I am not recognised by the TRF Directors for one of them. There is a section in the TRF Bylaws which allows the Directors to not approve the choice of Group Officers thereby giving the Directors the option to make censorship upon the Group or as in this case just myself. Most folk do not want to get involved with the politics and running of clubs but that reluctance can effectively be turned against Members as has been the case over the past few years. I understand that a number of Groups are currently considering their options and that at least two have already chosen to opt out - will others follow? Sad day if they do.
Please understand that I do not wish to harm the TRF in anyway as it has been and still could be a great organisation to help stave off the closures that we see happening to lanes, however the simple fact is that as a Member you must agree with the Directors or risk being expelled. Alternative views will not be tolerated and dissenters will be censured, a few of those Members are now contributors on here.
Last year the hotly challenged and formal AGM only just made quorum by on the morning of the meeting hurriedly 'phoning some local members and getting them to attend. I carried a number of Proxy Votes which meant that there was a significant number of votes cast against certain Directors, approximately one third of the votes if my calculations are correct. If somebody else could attend this year and coordinate the Proxy Votes then perhaps a more democratic set of controls could be introduced but be prepared to be vociferously challenged and be labelled as an enemy of the TRF, especially if one certain Director can attend which he did not last year!
I do agree with the Directors in that the Membership fee does need to be increased but other internal costs could I am sure be reduced. The full accounts do not need to be made publicly available to the Members so there is no transparency and hence therefore some scepticism. In my mind I question if the future cost of Contractors is to be reduced by one of the Directors becoming more 'employed' in that role? A lot of the excellent work done by the TRF is undertaken by local volunteers to whom I and no doubt you hold much admiration and give thanks.
I have since joined an alternative trail riding association which holds common values to the 'old style' TRF in its aims and objectives. I must emphasise that it is not in conflict to the TRF and neither are the other organisations of which I am proud to hold membership, they just offer a slightly different method of approach and courtesy.
TTFN
Hugh.
