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Would all WTA members please bend their minds to the post in the Whitegoods Trade Association Forum HERE as a matter of some urgency.
I regret that if you are not a WTA member the link will not work.
Chris Chantrell,
Secretary to the Commitee,
Whitegoods Trade Association.Re: WTA Elections 2009/11
Asides that I think the TA have now filled the vacancy…
I’m pretty surprised that there’s not been a queue for this. And, since I’m on a brutally honest with no mamby pamby rhetoric streak at the moment…
There’s plenty people on here that are all too willing to “gob off” (intended in a good way, couldn’t think of a nicer way and for some, that’s as nice as it’s gonna get) on many subjects on here and, quite a few within the TA forum when the mood takes them as well.
But few seem willing to actually put their money or, time, where their mouth is. Plenty would happily snipe and criticise from the sidelines, few will put their head above the parapet. Or, on the block.
But there are a few that work through a lot of things, business and personal problems, to try to help others. Freely.
For those reasons alone, if no other, I would ask that you at least show a little courtesy and respect for the people that do and are actually working like little Trojans to try to make life that little better for the repairers as a whole.
Not only that, they have almost all to a man, stupidly have volunteered to do it again!
So they must be idiots right?
Perhaps.
Only time will tell if they are or are not to be considered to be “off their collective rockers” and it may well turn out to be the case that they are. But, I can assure you of this, they may well be little unstable after a few hours at the bar but these guys are smart, very smart. What I’ve learned from them has proved to be exceptionally useful. They may well be as mad as hatters but they sure ain’t stupid.
You could do a lot worse for yourself and your business by spending a little time with the insight that you get from being a part of that working collective. Free personal advice and consultancy for you as well as the chance to impart your experiences on others.
So, I’d say that if you get the chance at this, grab it.
Not a lot of effort involved, lots to be gained. More to come if all goes to plan.
K.
Re: WTA Elections 2009/11
Made a long post, thought twice, deleted it.
UKWG has been a benefit to me, I haven’t put no where near as much in as I’ve got out. I suspect that’s true for most.
I wouldn’t normally understand some of the criticism, but I’ve been on a few committees in the past and know that no matter what you do there’s always some out there there that will slag you off and suspect foul play. It’s in their nature, you have to accept it and just get on with things. As I guess you guys do.
Having met John from Notts, I was tremendously impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism he displayed with regards to ISE, it proved to me that here was not only people who knew what they were doing, but people who were passionate about it as well.
Wish I could be half as good.
Anyway, point of the post… I for one appreciate what people on this site give to me as an independent tradesman, I just hope at some stage I could/and will give as much back.
A big thank you to all that put in the time and effort it takes to get things done, some of us really do know what you’ve done for us.
Trev.Re: WTA Elections 2009/11
Thank you for those kind words, Trev.
The original post refers to the re-election of the Commitee – a topic originally posted in May. There are seven of us and two wish to stand down. Four months later, you will understand that we are getting somewhat frustrated and worried at the lack of response……..
Two nominees have now come forward, and in the absence of further candidates, we look forward to working with them for the next two years.
What all UKW members have to understand is that the government will seek, eventually, to legislate this business. Quite why they can’t go and knock over the sparks or plumbers first is quite beyond me, but in the fullness of time, the spotlight will be turned on us.
The principal, over-riding, item of business is to present and have accepted a Code of Practice in place before this happens. If we do it, it will be accepted on our terms and managed by us. This should mean little pain to the membership of the WTA, who are signed up de facto to the Code of Practice when it all happens.
It’s not a problem now or tomorrow, but it’s on the horizon and the very last thing we want to see happen is the kind of legislation applicable to the CORGI or presumably GAS SAFE lads. Do you really want to fill in a form (Which you have to pay for) for clearing a blockage or fitting a set of brushes? Somehow, I don’t think so.
Those of you who choose not to sign up to the WTA (Membership is dead cheap! We don’t really want your money, we need your numbers.) may be answering awkward questions about “compliance” to the ministry a few years from now….
Join us, help us, let’s do this on our terms.
Chris.
Re: WTA Elections 2009/11
The F gas regulations and compliance scheme is one area that has affected this trade, so the thin end of the wedge is already holding the door open……. 😉
If we have the numbers, we have a voice. If we do not unite, then the Government will just tell us what to do and that will not be good news for the independent repairers. The Code Of Practice will limit their interference and beaurocracy so giving us all a better chance of steering or own destiny. Public perception will be enhanced; we will be taken seriously.
I, for one would like to see this trade not only survive, but offer future employment in it for the youngsters. With the economic downturn teaching a lot of wasteful customers a stark lesson in common sense, there should hopefully be a brighter future for repairers. To use the Government’s own words, “The future is in our hands”.Steve.
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