Streamlining my commitments

Well, In recent months I have been evaluating the numerous commitments I have as a family man, as an RAF serviceman, as an Independent Councillor and as a community volunteer on a large number of projects and activities and I have come to the decision that I need to do some streamlining and prioritising in order to make the very best use of my time.

For personal reasons I have felt the need to reduce the number of hours per week I dedicate to such a plethora of community activities. My first thought was to consider how I can hand over  responsibility for some project management and some team leadership roles so that I can take on more of a mentoring and supporting role which should greatly reduce the hours required. Next I have considered which roles can easily be given to equally dedicated and dynamic people who perhaps have more spare time to offer and who currently have less of a significant involvement. and lastly I have considered how my time should best be allocated between work, family and Council and what there is left to share between other projects and activities.

The result has brought me to the very difficult but glaringly obvious conclusion that I am currently spreading myself amongst so many different activities that something simply has to give. and these are the difficult decisions I have come to so far...

The Extreme Wheels Project has grown from year to year and is now a hugely successfully but rather time consuming project, but it does not need me to lead it. Alex Oliver and Mandy Williams (two great people who I am proud to call friends) will lead the project from today. I will of course be on hand to advise and I will continue to support the project in any way I can.

I have chaired the Neighbourhood Action Group since 2005 and the group has proved to be an invaluable forum for intelligence gathering, problem solving and objective setting for our local neighbourhood police team and the Safer Communities Partnership. The group does not require me as its chairman and so I will opt to stand down and I will support the election of a new chairman.

I will now need to consider my other commitments such as School Governor, Director of CCC and all the many committees that I currently serve on to see what other streamlining is necessary.

I remain totally dedicated to my family, to my service in the Royal Air Force and to my service to the Town of Carterton as an Independent Councillor. Streamlining is necessary to maximise my effectiveness and my dedication to the many important aspects of my life.