QNews for June 30th 2024

Q-News AR News from Queensland

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.

Welcome to the end, no not the Universe but the end of the financial year when wage earners and small businesses collect those important documents that support the claims that will bolster the hoped for tax return.

There is an area which we should all spend some time on when we think about building our clubs. That is something called group dynamics. Really it is just understanding how we can help provide the best experience within our organisation.

Satisfied people will return and support a club in so many ways and it is important we do a bit to smooth that process.

If our club is open in its discussion and shares and invites participation, it means everyone has the opportunity to take part in the decision making. I am aware that some clubs exist with a small executive committee which deals with all the necessary formalities and organisation and then presents a sealed package at the next AGM and probably goes on to select the same people for another 12 months. Then there are those bodies that encourage members to talk amongst themselves and come up with ideas which are discussed at the next formal meeting. I wonder which clubs then have the most satisfied and interested participants in activities? People respond well when they feel they have a sense of ownership whether of a physical item, ideas or activities.

Part of the inclusion process is ensuring that messages get out to members and especially potential members. Once it was regular newsletter and then the regular posts on the web site and now perhaps social media. Whatever method is used it needs to suit the people on the other end. Like a newsagency with racks of magazines that no-one buys, if the communication is ignored or just glossed over then it has failed to serve its purpose.

These are positive drivers of a successful group dynamic but we also need to think about the things that spoil interaction, also.

It can be awkward and just bloody hard, at times, to stem a tendency for gossip to spread. Often it is a sign of leadership failures that the hidden rumours are spread. If we think back to the old schoolyard game of Chinese Whispers, you can get the idea of how worthwhile most gossip is. In other words, what could be something constructive and positive can get passed on to be destructive and negative. This is where openness and free discussion sets a pattern which others can take up for themselves. How much better is it to say something openly and if there is any error in it, have it corrected without rancour and then things can move on without disruption.

Sadly one of the things that we see, especially from overseas politicians, is that opinions that aren’t greeted with total agreement by an audience are then followed by invective and personal insults. There is no reason to adopt this immature way of behaving if you honestly want to see growth and progress amongst your fellows.

We should aim to be our best and share our best and share in the good outcomes that result.

I’m VK4ZPP Geoff Emery and that’s what I think….how about you?