Political Correctness Gone Mad……

That’s a phrase I have heard an awful lot recently, but usually in the wrong context.  We constantly hear that ridiculous rules and regulations are making our lives impossible to lead, and that we never used to need these rules.  Well I am not going to comment on that, as it could open up a whole can of worms.  What I would ask all of you to remember though, is that Barton Players is an unincorporated organisation.  What does that mean?…Well…it means that if Barton Players did something illegal, or dangerous, your committee would have a legal responsibility for it.  If there was an accident, and the organisation were sued, it would be the Committee who could be personally liable for any fines.  So next time you feel that a committee member is being shall we say officious? Or acting like a Jobsworth….Please dont sigh and announce that it is “Political Correctness gone mad”….It might just be a committee member trying to ensure they do not lose the roof over their head.  As a committee member, and the Child Protection officer, I find an increasing amount of regulations and laws that we need to be aware of.  In many cases, they are reported as being a waste of time by hysterical tabloid journalists who are not in possession of the facts.  The new Vetting and Barring process that comes into existence this October is a great example of this.  It has been widely reported as an expensive waste of time and an invasion of civil liberties.  The press reported that giving other children a lift to an after school club would mean that you have to pay £64 to get a certificate.  It is simply not the case.  Anyone, for example, who wishes to help with the Summer School will need to be registered with the scheme, but this is free of charge to voluntary workers.  I will have to pay £64 for mine, but as a professional, I would expect that.  What it also means is that ANYONE who works with children will be registered on the scheme as a matter of course, and that the scheme is transferable between organisations…so no more having to apply to get a CRB check for every single activity you are involved with.  Now the facts are clear that this scheme will actually save a lot of time and money.  Perhaps we shouldn’t let facts get in the way of a good old moan?