Neil
As you have already gathered, I am a passionate believer in what the NCCA stands for.
I am no longer a Director of the NCCA but, as previously, I am, like some others, an "active" member.
Most of the Directors, like nearly all of our industry's manufacturers and suppliers, have decided not to contribute to internet forums. Both myself and Derek Bolton, and more recently Nick Johnston, whilst we broadly agree with this action, also believe that some presence is beneficial. We all realise though, that if you stand there as a figure head, you are just waiting to be shot down. Perhaps one reason why the barrage of non-believers will appear to "win" membership debates purely by force of numbers.
One of the major problems is that we (the Association) can have significant projects that can involve 2, 3 or more years work and effort. It would be improper to discuss these things publicly before completion, sometimes they can be delayed for a miriad of reasons and even be cancelled, plus there can be commercial confidentiallity issues too. A recent project was over two years old. It had to be scrapped and started again
And not because of anything within direct control of the Association.
I am (quite rightly) still bound by a confidentiallity agreement not discuss Board issues with others. There have been in the past, especially in the early years of forums when some other directors participated, issues raised which a director refused point blank to answer because of the confidentiallity issue about a project in development. Incidents like this can cause so much ill will because some forum members can't understand why there's no answer forthcoming. Hence no Directors on forums Ditto manufacturers.
As for open meetings, Non Members will never be allowed to attend the AGM. Everything else that is organised by the NCCA is open to both Members and Non Members alike.
As for promoting the Association to the public, Derek Bolton is still very active in this area. Articles are frequently requested by various national journals and newspapers. Just this week an article has been written for a weekend newspaper about Spring Cleaning soft furnishings. The Association has advised for TV programmes, radio programmes too. A few weeks ago I was at my dentists, I picked up a better homes type of magazine and there was information supplied by and credited to the NCCA. This type of thing is happening every month.
As for an "Old Boys Club" being realistic, that will always be a view held by many. Because of the nature of the beast ie a trade association run by carpet cleaners for carpet cleaners, it will typically be the more senior members of our industry who have accumulated the necessary business and trade experiences and are then able to devote the time to put in the work. Although directors can claim expenses, it is not practical to account for every penny or pound. In reality, it usually costs directors money to be a Director of the NCCA. That's not a moan, just a reality. How many young/fledgling businesses can spare the amount of time required to become involved in our Association? And young familys are another demand on their time. So yes, as a rule of thumb the NCCA Board will be predominantly the more senior members of our industry.
Safe and happy cleaning
Ken
