MBPA Contact Scheme
Scheme suspended for administrative shortcomings which we are working to overcome.
In 2005 the MBPA Executive Committee devised and agreed that a ‘Contact Scheme’ should form part of our mechanisms to provide support to our full members. The purpose of the scheme was to ensure regular contact with our members.
Past contact with members can often be ad-hoc, reactive and based on immediate need. This is inappropriate and is generally unlikely to detect any issues, which if detected early enough, could be prevented from escalating.
The format of the scheme is thus:
- The full membership list should be equally divided between the Executive Committee.
- The Chair will select certain members whose issues he is already familiar with, were a relationship has already commenced to ensure consistency and continuity.
- Executive members will make contact at least once a month with each of the full members on their list. There should be an element of mutuality about this i.e., you may agree with a member that you should contact them more or less frequently than this. However, the Executive member should endeavour to ensure at least one contact per month with the full member.
- A record should be kept of all contacts. In most circumstances, the record should reflect the nature of the conversation i.e. what was discussed, with whom, how, time & date etc.
- The record can be brief & /or bullet point, but should ensure the salient points are captured and included (it is recognised that in rare circumstances, it may not be appropriate to record the specifics of a contact due to the sensitivity of an issue or demeanour of the member etc).
- It is likely that many contacts/conversations will be uneventful and mundane. That is fine. The conversation need not necessarily even be work/race related. As we know, people who are suffering often do so in silence and mundane conversation may eventually lead to a sufferer informing us of this. Irrespective of the nature of the conversation, the scheme will let the member know we are here, we are active and we care.
- This may also assist to identify and effectively deal with any developmental issues.
- Any issues of significance, should be referred to MBPA Chair (or Deputy in my absence) as a matter of course, as appropriate.
Apathy within the membership is a major concern for us. The scheme will also be way to capture input from the full members who ordinarily cannot or do not attend our quarterly meetings. It is hoped that the scheme will also serve to inform the members and stimulate their interest in our business.
The scheme has borne fruit and has proven to be useful, but has also proven difficult to maintain due to a number of issues, some of which is related to administrative support and the upkeep of our records but we continue to work on this to ensure the scheme is the best that it can be.
Vinny Tomlinson
Chair
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