Why do we have a Club Chaplain?

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  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited April 2016 #62

    As some of you know, I am a Christian but apart from the scenarios suggested by Tintent, I must confress to being a little puzzled as to the role of a CC chaplain.

  • AlanPort
    AlanPort Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited April 2016 #63

    It's a shame that no one from the Club Council seems willing to respond to the question of why the Club has a Chaplain.  However, I understand that like the Club Chairman, Vice Chairmen and other members of the Club Council, all are voluntary/honary/unpaid positions, all being full  Club members, most with many years of caravanning experience. The Director General, Marketing Director, Executive Secretary etc. on the other hand are salaried staff of the Club and often have limited if any previous experience of caravanning prior to taking up their current positions.  They are appointed to run the business which the Club has now become.

    In my opinion it should be beneficial to have members of the Club Council representing points of view related to caravanning from a wide range of backgrounds and it could be strongly argued that a Club Chaplain represents one such point of view.  I'm sure that others on here will not agree but everyone is entitled to there opinion.

    Alan

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited April 2016 #64

    Alan, everyone is entitled to an opinion that is a given, that opinion should always be respected-not necessarily agreed with though. The positions you have eloquently related make sense & are viewed as good governance having them. The general view is-how
    does the need for Chaplaincy fit in?, how does a Chaplain do their duty, what is the duty, where is their duty administered, is the Chaplain on call, do we(the members) have access to the Chaplain, can we contact the Chaplain to make use of that Chaplain?.
    Or is it just for the staff at H.O. There is nothing sinister in the questions, just curiosity. Transperancy is also part of good governance in 21st century companys make up.

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #65

    Thanks for your post Alan.

    I agree with you that having folk from as many walks of life as possible on the club council can only be beneficial and those working in the community are particularly welcome from my point of view. 

    It is just the role that I'm trying to understand along the lines of Rocky's post above.   

     

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited April 2016 #66

    Until I read this thread, I had no idea that the CC business actually had a Chaplain.  Obviously senior management consider this position within the company important.

    I would like if someone from head office could please explain exactly what function an Eclesiastical figure would perform.

    Who can access this Chaplain's services and how does one  make contact

    K

     

  • AlanPort
    AlanPort Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited April 2016 #67

    As I said in my previous post, It's a shame that no one at HO appears able or willing to answer the question.  I am not a member of the Club Council so do not intend to suggest a reason.  My personal feeling however is that it does no harm.  I do however know from personal experience that the last chaplain gave me and my family considerable support when we tragically lost our son several years ago.  He had caravanned with our family for many years prior to this.  I also know of many others who have received similar support.  I am sure that the present chaplain is doing an equally good job in this respect.  I have nothing more I can add on this thread.

    Alan

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #68

    I'm sorry to hear that Alan and I'm glad you were able to get support. 

    I too am sorry that Club Council have not answered this query. It has certainly been 'seen' by a member of the Council. 

    Other members may be able to benefit from the support of the Club Chaplain but seeing as many long standing members weren't aware that there was one it's hard for me to see how they may access support when needed. 

    From my point of view I'm not saying whether there should or shouldn't be a person occupying that role in the club. I can see benefits. I can't see any disadvantages. However for purely personal reasons I would much prefer to be a member of an organisation
    that is entirely secular and would really appreciate some input from those in the know prior to my renewal date 

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited April 2016 #69

    Further to my previous post, What I don't know is (and I am attempting to say this without introducing any religious discussion) In this era of multiculturalism, does the CC rotate the Eclesiastical dutes annually around the many faiths to which it's members belong. ?.  This only needs a Yes or No answer.

    Please fellow posters --do not introduce a discussion on the different faiths. 

    K

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited April 2016 #70

    Good inciteful post KHappy, & a timely reminder.

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #71

    Well I don't know about anyone else but I'm finding this thread rather typical of the CC.

    There are a few rather straightforward questions that members have asked for answers.  The thread has been reported (by me) and it's been seen by a Club Council member. Somewhere at EG there has to be a piece of paper which outlines the role and remit of the Chaplain and how the services of the Chaplaincy can be accessed - surely?

    We've gone to 8 pages (within the T&Cs as well, so thanks for that) and all we have to go on is Alan's understanding which was very helpful.  I'll report the thread again but to be honest I think I've made my own personal decision

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited April 2016 #72

    Good inciteful post KHappy, & a timely reminder.

    my apologies K, it should've been-insightful not inciteful, my lack of proofreading & pred textEmbarassed

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited April 2016 #73

    Well I don't know about anyone else but I'm finding this thread rather typical of the CC.

    There are a few rather straightforward questions that members have asked for answers.  The thread has been reported (by me) and it's been seen by a Club Council member. Somewhere at EG there has to be a piece of paper which outlines the role and remit of
    the Chaplain and how the services of the Chaplaincy can be accessed - surely?

    We've gone to 8 pages (within the T&Cs as well, so thanks for that) and all we have to go on is Alan's understanding which was very helpful.  I'll report the thread again but to be honest I think I've made my own personal decision

    Jay, there's the rub, because of no answers(official) is given all the interested partys to this thread will make their own mind up. A simple statement would then put it to bedSad 

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #74

    Agree, quite a few threads have asked politely for answers to polite questions only to be ignored. Is it too much to ask for a reply to say it will be forwarded onto the appropriate department for an explanation. Why the ignorance to ignore, can't understand
    it.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #75

    Good inciteful post KHappy, & a timely reminder.

    my apologies K, it should've been-insightful not inciteful, my lack of proofreading & pred textEmbarassed

    with K I think you were right the first timeWink

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #76

    Agree, quite a few threads have asked politely for answers to polite questions only to be ignored. Is it too much to ask for a reply to say it will be forwarded onto the appropriate department for an explanation. Why the ignorance to ignore, can't understand
    it.

    +1

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #77

    Hi everyone,

    I have taken note of the comments in this thread and am seeking clarification.  I can say that Alan Port is right in saying that the Chairman, Vice Chaimen, Executive Committee, and Club Council members - including the Club Chaplain are all voluntary/unpaid positions.  Taking that into consideration, I would imagine that the role of Club Chaplain would be fairly limited.  As far as I'm aware, amongst her duties, the Club Chaplain provides religious services and support during the National.  The Club Chaplain is an experienced caravanner and often takes part in rallies.

    These are my own personal observations and I await any further official clarification.

    David

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #78

    Thanks David

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #79

    If it's an unpaid and voluntary position then I personally don't have any objection. It does not appear to have had any impact on my stays on site, but may be of use to the staff of the club

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #80

    Yes, thanks David. 

    Thanks, too, Alan, for relating your personal story which has given an insight into the work of the Chaplain.

  • RochelleCC
    RochelleCC Forum Participant Posts: 337
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    edited April 2016 #81

    Hi everyone,

    Revd Hazel Charlton has a full time position within the Church and her role with The Club is voluntary and unpaid, as indeed are all of our Committee and Club Council members.  She is an active caravanner and also happens to be a Caravan Club Centre member
    in her local area.  She is appointed by the Executive Committee, also happens to serve on Club Council as a Nominated member, more of which can be found under the
    About Us section on the website. 

    She conducts religious services at The National, last year at Cornbury, this year at Weston Park, and has also attended some Centre rallies to do similar; however, her role is inevitably limited by her other commitments, but she is able to provide advice
    to the Chairman and the Executive Committee on matters related to her profession, which will be in support of all that they are doing for The Club and its members.

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #82

    Thanks Rochelle that explains things.

    I wasn't aware that the Club had such a strong link to organised religion when I joined and as such I shall be reviewing my membership when it is due

    I appreciate the response

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #83

    Thanks for that, Rochelle. 

    However, I can't envisage issues that the Chairman and Exec Committee would need pastoral advice about in relation to caravanning.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #84

    There are religious services at Club rallies ?  I had no idea ! 

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #85

    There are religious services at Club rallies ?  I had no idea ! 

    It would appear that there are!

    I've just called another nationwide leisure organisation whose arrangements are very different and probably better matched to my personal preferences

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited April 2016 #86

    I am a person who has no religion. Does it matter to me if the club has a chaplain and conducts religious services? Not in the least. Live and let live.

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #87

    I am a person who has no religion. Does it matter to me if the club has a chaplain and conducts religious services? Not in the least. Live and let live.

    That is your view.  Mine differs from that.  Allow me the courtesy of your final sentence.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #88

    Thanks for that, Rochelle. 

    However, I can't envisage issues that the Chairman and Exec Committee would need pastoral advice about in relation to caravanning.

    I can Tinny, think back to last Wednesday evening, some guidance might have been most welcome Surprised

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited April 2016 #89

    I am a person who has no religion. Does it matter to me if the club has a chaplain and conducts religious services? Not in the least. Live and let live.

    That is your view.  Mine differs from that.  Allow me the courtesy of your final sentence.

    I have no wish to impose my view on anyone else at all. My comment was intended say exactly that and I believe the final sentence in my view qualifies that.  

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited April 2016 #90

    Sorry Mitsi I may have misread you there Embarassed

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #91

    Hi everyone,

    Revd Hazel Charlton has a full time position within the Church and her role with The Club is voluntary and unpaid, as indeed are all of our Committee and Club Council members.  She is an active caravanner and also happens to be a Caravan Club Centre member
    in her local area.  She is appointed by the Executive Committee, also happens to serve on Club Council as a Nominated member, more of which can be found under the
    About Us section on the website. 

    She conducts religious services at The National, last year at Cornbury, this year at Weston Park, and has also attended some Centre rallies to do similar; however, her role is inevitably limited by her other commitments, but she is able to provide advice
    to the Chairman and the Executive Committee on matters related to her profession, which will be in support of all that they are doing for The Club and its members.

    Rochelle, one more question, please. Is the Rev Charlton's role within CC non-denominational? For instance, would she comfort, counsel and advise people on matters outside of CofE (which appears to be her in denomination) and outside of Christianity?