Chairman's Chatter - September 2018

Chairman’s Chatter is published in the quarterly ART WORKS magazine for ART Members and those on the ART Training Scheme.

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We thought 2017 was a really successful year for ART, but it looks as though 2018 will surpass last year by a long way. In the first half of this year we have had – a record number of new ringers registered, a record number of accreditations for both Modules, the number of courses run this year is well above previous years, and more are still being added to the events timetable. There is also a growing interest in ART Workshops.

Looking ahead, the ART Conference is taking place on 2 March 2019 in Worcester and a programme of speakers on a variety of subjects is already booked. The Sunday of the Conference weekend will be run by the CCCBR Volunteer and Leadership work group and will focus on Youth. It is particularly pleasing that we are beginning to work with the V&L workgroup in a number of areas which will be to the benefit of ringing as a whole.

With the Conference in mind do remember that the ART Award winners will be announced on the Saturday evening of the Conference. Now is the time to see if you or your group may be eligible to apply for an award and plan your application. There are, as usual, a variety of categories, including youth & school groups, leadership, universities, recruitment & retention and technology, as well as prizes for the best performers on the Learning the Ropes Schemes. Applications for the awards will open in October.

» ART Awards

The number of ART Centres & Hubs is steadily increasing. These groups have ART centred teaching at their core and are run by ART Members. We are keen to develop and implement new ways of supporting these groups in the future. If you teach as a group and work with other local towers and teachers, then why not get in touch to see if your group can be officially recognised as an ART Hub or Centre?

» ART Hubs and Teaching Centres

More and more Workshop Leaders are available to run workshops. Although coverage is not yet full national, that will develop. If there are opportunities to run a workshop near you, particularly the Tower Leadership Workshop, do contact us make a booking.

As we develop, we continue to need increasing help from volunteers who take on a wide variety of tasks. Do you have skills that could help us? Currently we are looking for additional IT supportbut there are opportunities to help in many areas.

I think the recent issues of Tower Talk, the online magazine for ringers by ringers, are a clear demonstration that the work we are all doing to recruit and develop our teaching is improving the learning experience of ringers – our organisation’s mission – well done everyone. Let’s keep up the good work!

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Graham Nabb, ART Chairman