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</SPAN></FONT></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Gill Sans"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14pt'>Dear all<BR>
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There has long been a need for more joined up regional working within CMA and this fact has not been lost on staff and council. Our great frustration in recent years has been a lack of capacity to do more to make this happen on the ground. Jaqui and the team go well beyond the call of duty on a daily basis to hold the line for the sector, to make sure we are represented at the key conversations, to provide the tech and information support which is so useful to us all. But holding the line is necessarily where we have been at for quite a while and as a sector we need to look at how we can work more effectively together to addresss this - and for me the key is in regional working.<BR>
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Again, capacity rears its head - yes we're all busy - but also at times we are short-sighted when we build alliances with others and fail to key in our collective strength to the bigger picture .<BR>
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As has been observed, there is too often a disconnect between the passionate ideas expressed and the ability of the tiny over- stretched core to follow up the ideas - the ones couched in reality at least! If we were meeting regularly at a regional level we could do much more to mobilise grass roots campaigning. <BR>
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Just here in Somerset we have at least six CR stations and other CM projects within a fifty mile radius and while there is at times I know, good and positive communication flowing between projects this rarely translates into joined up campaigns which key into the bigger picture. Let's really tackle this one at the AGM this year - it's overdue and would I think obviate some of the frustrations expressed recently on this list. I've got a year left at most as Chair and would like to to do as much as possible in that time to put the beginnings of a working regional structure in place. Let me know what you think.<BR>
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And yes to echo others, if you've got time and energy to give,please do consider standing for council. We need all the expertise and energy we can muster to help take us all forward.<BR>
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Best wishes<BR>
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Phil<BR>
Chair of Council<BR>
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