I am pleased to start my message with the good news that the Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed that we will receive a grant next year at the same level as this year £15,000. It is much appreciated by us all. This news now gives the Federation time to reassess its priorities and direct its resources to achieving these.
My first year as Chairman was mainly devoted to ensuring that the Federation’s core functions remained intact notwithstanding a 50% cut in its income. Meeting these needs enabled me to gain a more thorough insight into the Federation’s activities and to recognise its strengths and weaknesses - a personal perspective.
From this experience and my recent discussions with members and the Executive Committee, I came to the conclusion that falling membership is the main and central issue that has to be tackled. We have been busy, at the centre, with activities that have been part of the Federation for many years. We need to ask ourselves whether these matters have been of the kind that would have an impact on non-members and encourage them to join. Membership statistics show that this is not the case. To meet this challenge the Federation will have to redirect some of its resources - perhaps by not doing some of the things we like doing - or find additional input from our volunteers.
To attract new members the Federation must be able to respond immediately to current consumer issues and pursue those campaigning initiatives that have media potential. At present I feel we are not doing either of these things. I hope to establish in the New Year an ‘immediate response’ network to enable grass roots reaction to consumer issues to be quickly obtained and published. To work well this approach will require that the identification of and reaction to issues of consumer concern be two way.
Issues that offer such a potential are food safety, availability of understandable consumer information in respect of financial services, freedom of information, extending the powers of the OFT and Trading Standards Officers, the new financial services ‘overlord’ proposals, pensions, the environment, statutory consumer advice services and those issues that, I am sure, will be identified by Groups and IMs. This should be enough to keep us busy!
Fortunately the enthusiasm and commitment of members is present for all to see. The Federation will have to call on this good will if it is to maintain the prominence that will enable it to improve the consumers’ lot and attract new members.
I am sure we will succeed.
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