Naismith Men's Shed leadership structure

The leadership structure of the NMS has evolved with people volunteering to fill certain roles. There
have been no elections, but this structure seems to be working at the present.

We started with a leader (Dave Steventon), secretary (John Peters) and treasurer (Jay Parr) and quickly
these latter two roles were combined into one secretary-treasurer. We then wanted a back up for the
leader and Neil McBride agreed to fill this role. Soon a series of possible projects popped up and we
devised an 8 or 9 point set of criteria to help us decide which projects were most appropriate for us and
Neil agreed to look after checking and coordinating projects. At this point it seemed wise to be known
as a Co-ordinating Team with each member being know as a coordinator with certain responsibilities.
When the Shed membership decides where it wants to go (we are all the Shed's “leaders”), the
Coordinating Team attempts to put wheels under the ideas – i.e. an executive function.

When we were provided with a workshop in Appleton, we needed a person with training and
experience to look after that part of our activities and Ron Lavoie (former shop teacher and safety
person) agreed to do that for us. On Nov 8, 2018 we signed documents with the Mill of Kintail making
us volunteers of the Mill in return for which we were given meeting space in their gatehouse board
room. Now we needed a person to look after our connection with the Mill and David Hinks stepped
forward to be our liaison coordinator. Soon Nick Fry offered to put together a web site for us and
became the Web Site coordinator. Still something was missing – something foundational to what Men's
Sheds are about – care of one another and building of community spirit through social events beyond
Breakfasts and beyond and through our meetings. Doug Johnston took on this responsibility.

So here is our present structure:

No leader – we as a Shed are all equal together.

But our Coordinating Team helps to make the things the membership wants happen.

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Team Leader(President): Bob McCormick: calls and chairs meetings of the team as needed and is the main media contact;

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Assistant Team leader: Neil McBride: is the back up to the leader and takes on specific activities at the request of the Team Leader;

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Financial Coordinator(Treasurer): Jim English: looks after the finances and keeps the bank account straight;

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Records Coordinator(Secretary): Jim Dagg: tracks things that are in process; sends out notices and reminders.

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Membership Coordinator and Newsletter editor: John Peters: keeps the membership list up-to-date;​ John is assisted by Keith Sheldrick;

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Workshop Coordinator: Ron Lavoie: makes sure the shop is in good operating shape; checks to make sure people are competent to operate equipment safely before they begin using equipment;

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Games Day Coordinator: Dave Bustard: arranges locations and games for member to play and socialise.

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MoK liaison Coordinator: David Garcia; brings info from the MoK to the Shed's attention; arranges work parties to do maintenance projects at the MoK

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Media Coordinators: : who are:

• Nick Fry: the Web site: keeping it current, accurate, attractive and user friendly;

• Ron Veeneman:the Facebook: keeping it current, accurate, attractive and user friendly;

• [open position]:external media: contacting the various branches of media to inform the community and beyond.

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Events Coordinator: Ritchie Argue: reaches out to members whose activity level has declined in order to encourage their participation; plans events that helps us get to know one another better; 

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​Project Coordinator: Ivan Mitchelmore: identifies and coordinates projects that the Shed undertakes.

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Anyone wishing to make suggestions or ask questions can approach any of these coordinators for