TALES OF CHAIRMAN COMPO

[Compo]

Folowing on from advice on here I have done pretty well with the overgrown plots and persuaded three 'offenders' to give up half of their plots to new folk and it has all gone quite well.

Having said that I have decided to let someone else have a go at chair, for a working bloke it is a lot to take on, but I promised to write new rules and particularly a constituion. The idea being that we need a new fence and if the council wont help (and I suspect this will be the case) I feel that having a constitution and proper sensible rules will be essential for raising outside funds.

I have sketched one out which is a page long and quite simple.......does anyone have any examples?

And does anyone have a policy on double plot holders? What I mean is that in years gone by we have had a surplus of plots and people have taken on two and kept them very tidy, But the rules say if there is a waiting list and no surplus plots these plot holders should take twelve months notice to give up one of their plots. But if there are several double plot holders which ones should offer up a plot first?

Last on First off?
Untidiest plot?
Longest on First off?

My suggestion is that if no volunteers come forward then it should either be the untidiest plot or if the committee cannot agree on the untidiest then a draw should take place in the presence of the double plot holders and committee?

Anyone got an idea on this? Or a constitution example?

Compo

[GIULIA]

Oh that's a tough one - I suppose I'd go for untidiest (make sure you DO agree on that). I agree that a constitution is really useful - it gives the committee something to point to when quibbles or worse arise.
I've just started as chair at my allotments - I've been in the job all of 48 hours, fielded two complaints already and tomorrow I'm filling a skip with rubble off two derelict plots so the diggers can come in and clear them. As one who knows Compo - is shovelling ordure a key element to the job? I have a sinking feeling already.

[Weed]

Hi Compo

I think I may have just what you need...A couple of years ago I tried to convince the plotholders on the site to consider setting up a committee with a view to obtaining grants amongst other things.
They saw it as a Council ploy to shift responsibility to them and turned it down flat.....some are now regretting the decision taken on that night

I obtained and rejigged a draft constitution which had already been proved successful in obtaining grants... If you wish and you could let me have your e-mail address and I wil send what I have on to you

Regards

[Elderflower]

The problem with `untidiest plots` - - I can think of several plots on our site that are very untidy but very productive, others that are a picture of manicured lawns and flowerbeds with not an edible crop in sight. Hmmm - - -
We have several members with two or even three plots one with four! And a waiting list as long as your arm! Aint no way they are gonna give up an inch!

[Colin_M]

I can think of several plots on our site that are very untidy but very productive, others that are a picture of manicured lawns and flowerbeds with not an edible crop in sight

I can relate to that! I used to get letters from the council requesting I tidy up my plot. It generally had a good variety of stuff growing on it all year round, though it had a good sprinkling of weeds & grass too. My plot was surrounded by others where the soil had been finely raked and the borders mowed at least once a week.

Many of these plots had just a few veg on them between April and August, then virtually nothing for the rest of the year. Visually tidy, but lifeless and not very productive.

Colin

[Compo]

OK so I need to be more specicific, our rules state that plots should be kept clean, tilled and free of weeds, and that the plot should be used for the growth of vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs. The plot that is most out of kilter with these rules would be the one that would have to be handed back.

Thanks for the constitution offer Weed I have sent you my e-mail address.

[GIULIA]

In my experience the only good rules are the ones you can enforce - anything else is just 'policy'. All allotment societies really only have one sanction, eviction - everything else is at best a moaning letter or at worst just a threat to evict. Ties your hands a bit. Consent is the key of course, but that's never as easy as it looks is it? I suspect the only sensible answer is that constitutions and site manuals (house rules) need to evolve over time until they fit the bill and everyone's content with them. We have both, a constitution, which lays down the law, and a site manual, which sets out policy and best practice. We can't actually evict anyone from the site, but we can withdrw their membership of the society and its in the rules that they must be in the society to retain their plot - elaborate but functional.

[Weed]

I have today forwarded the documents on to you Compo.

The whole concept of the Constitution and accompanying Mission Statements is that the have to be correct and seen to be correct if using them to obtain grants.

Apparently you can have the best most worthwhile cause under the sun but unless the paperwork is correct the application will find its way into a waste bin

Good luck

[Beryl]

We took on our plots (25 rods) when the site was only half being used. It has taken 17years of hard work. I am pleased now allotments are becoming more popular and we have a waiting list of more than 50 but if I was to give up any of my plots there is no guarantee the newcomers would keep them in such good shape. Plotholders come and go - not many stand the test of time. I would be very upset if asked to give up after all our hard work.
Only when I am ready to will I do so.

Beryl.

[Compo]

That's an interesting comment Beryl, what could happen with that premise is that you could end up on a small site like ours (29 plots) with 15 people having two plots permanently depriving new people from ever having a go........I am not sure if that goes against the grain of what allotments are about, i.e. a small piece of land available for as many people as possible who would not normally be able to grow all that much produce normally due to not having space at home. Did you read the posting correctly, we are only talking about double plot holders who have enjoyed a privelege during times of surplus, still keeping one plot and reverting back to allotment use in normal times i.e. one full size plot per person / family or couple. Two plots for life is a bit greedy in my view no matter how hard you have worked on them.

There is no way anyone can guarantee a new plot holder keeping the plot up like the old one did, although it has been suggested that a deposit is levvied and refunded after a period of keeping the plot in good order. This then disables the poorer population from enjoying a fairly cheap hobby, I welcome wider views on this topic...........

Compo

PS Sadly Guilia I think that getting your sleeves rolled up when others can't / won't is a sad ereality that applies to officers on any small committee or voluntary organisation, there are three out of thirty five of us that regularly mow the communal track, everyone else thinks that the fairies do it when they are asleep.

[Beryl]

Compo - One more point I would like to make.
What do you deam as the 'poor population'?
and why should they benefit at my expense having planted fruit trees, bushes, erected 2 sheds, paved and edged. Spent any amount on compost, to enjoy the fruits of our labours in our retirement only to have it taken away - I think not.

Would you compensate me if I gave up? I doubt it.

We have campained tirelessly to improve allotments and you want to penalise us.

The answer is to encourage local authorities to provide more allotment land to meet the demand.

What if allotments were to fall out of favour again which they have done before?

I would be interested to hear other views on this subject to.

Beryl.

[oldherbaceous]

Well i have two plots of allotment, well three really, and i would rather see a Church fall down than give up my second plot.
As Beryl has done i have put an awful lot of hard work and expense into them.

I think if there was a rule in place saying that one had to give up there second plot of allotment if needed then no one would take on a second plot.

On our allotments they were actually set up with three double plots so it's not a problem anyway.

Another thought is to give all new members half a plot until they prove themselves, as i think we all know how many new allotment holders lose interest over the first year.

One more thought, i always wonder why some allotment sites have so many spare plots while others have a large waiting list, i suppose it must just be the location.

And i certainly don't class myself as selfish.

[Beryl]

Thank you for your thoughts OH.

Yes, I think location and facilities or lack of are another reason for vacant plots and of course where there are vacant plots it is an open invitation for local authorities to take over and use for building.

Beryl.

[Compo]

I guess we are usually ok and so far a second plot holder has not had to give one up, but why should someone have two council houses when someone is genuinely struggling in poor accommodation, i know its less important than shelter but the same principle, how can it be allotments for all if some have none and some have two?

When the double plot holders on my site took them on they knew it was with the caveat that in busier times they may have to give one up so they install their permanent crops and sheds on one plot and use the second as a simple 'land' extension for annual crops. But the good thing about this site is we can agree to disagree, i think all residents have a right to one good size plot, a second is a luxury nice if you can get it!!

I hope the second plot holders never have to give up to an uncertain tennant but still feel we have to have a procedure for equal access

Compo

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Compo, i do agree with you that if that is the rule about the second plot then they must abide by it. I would just not have taken on another plot if these were the rules.

But with out these rules, in place there is no way that i would give up my second plot, if it wasn't for some of us taking over the extra plots so keeping the rent coming in for them, we would have lost our allotments some ten years ago.

I also think that this is a little bit of a fashion crisis at the moment as regards owning an allotment, and that things will even out in another few years, you can then tell the old owners of the double plots they can now have their plots back, although they are covered in weeds as they were when they took them over in the first place.