Thursday, June 05, 2008

Why is it so complicated?

The other day Bob sent me an updated SAMAA Application Form to post on the web site. I wondered what had changed so I had a look at it.

What struck me was just how much information is now required. I say required because on the form is the intimidating warning that; “Complete the application form in full. Incomplete information may lead to a delay in processing”.

There’s a lot to fill-in, including id number or passport number. It’s more like a form from Home Affairs now than a simple application to join a modelling association.

It’s not clear to me how most of the detail requested can be of any benefit to members.

I thought I’d have a look at the BMFA application form. Here’s the SAMAA form and here’s the BMFA one. Makes you think doesn’t it?

Surely, all we need are members’ current name and address details? One of the bugbears of membership admin. is the amount of time it takes. With 3500 members this can be as much as one man-year! Most of this time must be spent at the start of the year. See rough calculations here.

The committee should be working to reduce the time spent rather than increase it. Besides, as I mentioned before, what use is the information to members?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The one thing that really bugs me is that you must give your race! This is ridiculous in a nonracial society. One thing that has always bugged me about SAMAA is the fact that its management were quick to commit to “transformation” but has never committed SAMAA to be a non discriminating organization. I think it is time that SAMAA ad a “code of conduct “ to its rules and condemn any form of discrimination whether it is against race, sex, sexual orientation or any form of disability. I suppose on the next form they will want to know your sexual preference or preferences and your drug or drugs of choice (this includes alcohol). I suggest that we show our discontent about this by answering NA to any question that we are not comfortable with. The one thing that really bugs me is that you must give your race! This is ridiculous in a nonracial society. One thing that has always bugged me about SAMAA is the fact that its management were quick to commit to “transformation” but has never committed SAMAA to be a non discriminating organization. I think it is time that SAMAA ad a “code of conduct “ to its rules and condemn any form of discrimination whether it is race, sex, sexual orientation or any form of disability. I suppose on the next form they will want to know your sexual preference or preferences and your drug or drugs of choice (this includes alcohol). I suggest that we show our discontent about this by answering NA to any question that you are not comfortable with.

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