This is my opinion, I await the onslaught to be stuffed down my neck, and if you don't like it don't read it or compalin to me I won't be entertaining them. I await to see if it is pulled or if I am issued an ASBO, however I do want civilised non stock answers, and please don't send me what you think I might want to hear answers! they make my blood boil!

Maybe its as well that the mailing list is closed, I thought I would miss it. Sadly I don't. What I want to ask the Council and Exec. and forum users is; "When does all the bickering and back biting, smart comments etc. within the IWAI and eachother stop, people don't seem to be able to put forward their opinion without an onslaught of abuse or self opinions from fellow users been stuffed down their neck. I have been just scanning down the Dunrovin topic and I see rather heavy handed and self opinionated tow the company line replies by PG and our old favourite Froggie and others, I see that MWF had been given another ASBO for an opinion? Is it not time that the association stopped driving members away and tried to get them? I gave up on the association for a number of reasons and if pushed I will happily lay it out here! I thought I might rejoin, but thus so far I have not been encouraged to do so, nor do I think I will in the near future (though this might make some happy). The association is a voluntary organisation, not a business, guys you/we need to cop on, anybody reading the material here would run and never look back, can you not wash your laundry in private, I thought this forum was for information not bitching and forcing opinions on each other. When do you grow up.

Niall G

Niall

Members have real and genuine concerns on the Dunrovin project and as is their right they expressed those. Questions were posed and the best answers were given, this may involve some tooing and froing but it would be wrong to ignore such concerns. Other members feel that the forum should provide a channel of communication for the Association, this can be a difficult thing to do in such an open place, but it is here. With the new membership system now being rolled we hope to provide such a membership channel.

Some debates can be uncomfortable for all but to hide or refuse to engage is even more damaging. I have asked that users of the Forum be civil, considerate etc. these are essential components of a healthty debate.

I can take the odd jibe and no doubt I have given one back, however the introduction of either national or local politics to such Fora is defintely a non-runner to call such a reminder is not an ASBO.

I agree and do take your point that we need to revert to the founding principles of this Forum - The Waterways Forum is a lively discussion group, where everything and anything of waterways interest is up for debate.

Best wishes

Greg Whelan
President IWAI

Niall I have entered the Dunrovin debate as I'm on the subcommittee and I have no problem engaging in a debate on the subject, even a robust one. However you cannot have debate when the thread veers away from "a sober discussion of the facts" towards cynicism or people begin to "tackle the man and not the ball".

But I agree with you, side swipes etc have no place here. I have subject to them myself and its not nice. I would even go further then Greg, and say that the forum is no place for even the "odd jibe".

Dave

The Dunrovin project post was only an example, as you are all aware there are many many posts that you know I am talking about. However thanks for your comments. The Dunrovin project is probably a good one and I would probably support it if it does not put the association under. I still think and I agree with Dave & Greg that we need to encourage members to stay and new ones to join, and maybe go back to basics. Let us do something about it and though there has been a bit of a split recently, there is not room I feel to split our waterways over the web and different groups. Please folks try to listen to what the members and people are saying and encourage the growth of the association. I don't have an interest in sport, GAA, rugby etc. this is my interest (the waterways) and it hurts to see it going the way it is going!

Still a supporting (non)member

Niall G

Hi Niall,

Nice to hear from you.

I though you had left this list. Glad you didn't.

Whats the story over on the other channel? Do they read this channel?

Sure I'm all confused.

Regards

Kieran

Niall,

Many thanks for the thoughts. As well as being President and on the opposite side of the debate, Greg's also a friend, so when he took offence, an apology was naturally in order.

M(W&W)F

IPSO FACTO ABSO....!!

Quote:

Please folks try to listen to what the members and people are saying and encourage the growth of the association. I don't have an interest in sport, GAA, rugby etc. this is my interest (the waterways) and it hurts to see it going the way it is going!

I don't share your view there Niall. Numbers are holding up , even in these hard times. We must be doing a lot right. Sometimes we (one) can get engrossed in petty feuds that have little relevant to the 100s of ordinary members and the wood and the trees thing occurs.

Anyway the cabin fever is nearly over, I splash tomorrow, I look forward to debating in the real world over a pint and maybe less of the interwebby thing


Piss up in barrets (lakeside) over the weekend all welcome. Well squeeze any boaters in somewhere!

Dave