It's interesting -- no actually it's sad -- how the
BC Conservative Party seems to bumble from one wrong move to the next. On December 31st Party President, Ian
MacDonald, sent out the latest In House Communicator to 93 Directors of Associations,
Regions, Provincial Board and Chairs. It
wasn't long of course before I had been forwarded a copy of the memo, along
with the following message:
Alan: Just received your message today and would like to
acknowledge your greeting.
... I am forwarding a copy of the latest news release. I
remain dumbfounded at the stupidity. Ian MacDonald doesn't appear to be in
touch with reality. Threats are probably not the best way to build a party and
the whole idea of establishing ones own benchmarks to measure success leave me
with my mouth hanging open.
I'm thinking of maybe providing some benchmarks ... All the
best for the New Year....
Now here's the text of the message from the BC
Conservative Party's Ian MacDonald, as
posted in the "In-House Communicator"
A Word from The President
This is excellent news for the
Party because we are finally moving forward. There is still much work to be
done, so this is no time for apathy.
From my perspective, we have far
too many Constituency Associations doing nothing - no new members, no financial
contributions, no involvement with growing the Party. That will all change on
January 1, when local entities become
accountable to the Party with the introduction of "benchmarks." If we are going to be a contender
in the 2017 Provincial election, everyone has to "lead, follow, or get out
of the way."
We have our AGM coming up on February 20, 2016; it's an
important opportunity for each of you to have a direct and immediate impact on
the Party. I hope to see you there, in support of our Party, its goals and
objectives. If you can't attend personally, please send a donation to support
the event.
This newsletter goes out to over
90 Party "leaders" in our Province. I urge each of you to consider
running for a Provincial Board position at the AGM. Perhaps you believe you can
do better, or that you have something more important to offer; well now is your
chance to "step up" and take the lead.
Working together, let's
maintain the momentum begun in 2015; let's build on what we've achieved this
year. Through our combined efforts, let's be ready to offer the people of this
Province an alternative to the status quo. If not you, then who? If not now,
then when?
With Best Wishes to you and your families for a happy and
prosperous New Year.
Sincerely
Ian W. MacDonald, President
BC Conservative Party
Honestly, there really is nothing new -- as usual --
except for a rather heavy handed reference to 'Benchmarks", that he and
the Party are now planning to impose on the few remaining willing workers.
My FIRST question would be, "Where are the benchmarks for the Board and Executive?". Where is the election readiness team, where is the social media campaign, where are the newsworthy media releases, where is the campaign war-chest. And of equal importance, what success has there been in bringing former and disillusioned members back into the Party?
Those truly are the benchmarks that MEMBERS should be asking these individuals about ... and I doubt VERY MUCH if there has been any success in any of those areas.
Further, talk if trying to save money on postage for the AGM only leads to further questions on the finances of the BC Conservatives.
Personally, for one sitting outside the party (and not because I want to be), getting a new team in place can't happen fast enough! That said, Ian is right about one thing in his missive to those 90 individuals who got his memo, "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
It's time for those at the top of the BC Conservative Party to lead, follow, or get out of the way.
Well those are my thoughts today. I'm sure those at the top of the BC Conservative Party will be thinking their own very shortly, once they see and hear about this. Meantime, please feel free to share your own thoughts in the Comments section below.
My FIRST question would be, "Where are the benchmarks for the Board and Executive?". Where is the election readiness team, where is the social media campaign, where are the newsworthy media releases, where is the campaign war-chest. And of equal importance, what success has there been in bringing former and disillusioned members back into the Party?
Those truly are the benchmarks that MEMBERS should be asking these individuals about ... and I doubt VERY MUCH if there has been any success in any of those areas.
Further, talk if trying to save money on postage for the AGM only leads to further questions on the finances of the BC Conservatives.
Personally, for one sitting outside the party (and not because I want to be), getting a new team in place can't happen fast enough! That said, Ian is right about one thing in his missive to those 90 individuals who got his memo, "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
It's time for those at the top of the BC Conservative Party to lead, follow, or get out of the way.
Well those are my thoughts today. I'm sure those at the top of the BC Conservative Party will be thinking their own very shortly, once they see and hear about this. Meantime, please feel free to share your own thoughts in the Comments section below.
In Kamloops,
I'm Alan Forseth.
I wish I was able to to take exception to your comments, Alan, but regrettably I cannot. I have being trying for more than a year to 'get through' to to the BCCP Executive concerning what is required to run a viable and accountable political party - and ultimately win enough votes to elect MLA's. All productive suggestions continue to fall on deaf ears and a virtually unelected Board continues to believe that it has some mandate to represent the membership - when in fact it has none.
ReplyDeleteThis continuing disconnect with reality would be funny - if it was not so sad. More than once I have suggested to the Board that it cannot expect the BCCP and its CA's to increase membership and generate an election war chest without supportable policies and a vision that resonates with BC voters. Sadly, the truth is that leadership is lacking - and there is no vision.
The membership has one last chance to restore the BCCP to an acceptable level of respect and purpose and it is all too apparent that the necessary changes cannot take place with the prevailing unelected Board at the helm.
"Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others". John Maxwell
The current Board, while comprised mainly of 'nice', well-intentioned people, is deluding itself if it thinks it has done a good job. I defy the Board to identify even one matter in which it has furthered the interests of the BCCP. And no, Ian, Ian and Dan, a horribly flawed and draconian constitutional and bylaw document that further divides the BCCP is not a 'shining light' to which you can proudly point.
Collectively, as a Board, you have not led, you have not followed ideas, suggestions and initiatives that would have benefitted the BCCP and given us the outside chance for a respectable showing at the next election and yes, it is time for you to get out of the way.
I urge all members who truly care about the BCCP as well as the political necessity to have a meaningful and accountable small 'c' conservative perspective in BC to find some way to attend the forthcoming AGM in Richmond February 20th. Only with the support and vote of the committed BCCP members who are feeling alienated and disenfranchised by the current unelected Board can we attempt to right a floundering ship about to destroy itself on the rocks by a group of self-congratulatory, self-aggrandizing individuals who do not represent the general membership nor the interests of the BCCP and ultimately the voters of British Columbia.
It is time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party.
I couldn't agree with you more Glen ... well said
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