Why is there a Clash between the Tutors and the AFC Part 2

of course her are the pictures of honour of the 3 churches being sold.  Looking at their Facebook Pages you would never know that the sales are imminent. Very Strange.
Sheffield




Darlington I wish I could remember why this was a famous place once.




Hounslow




Well maybe the first ones of the big sale I predicted on the way to Spirittology

Nice about 1.8 mill pounds to the trust fund.

These have to be in addition to the 3 that were announced as closed last year in this years AGM notes So 7 Gone in 15 months.

Not small places these so maybe a new cheaper place will be found or they will arise again as independents with their old community but no premises of their own.

Thanks for the heads up on those three notabigjump." />

notabigjump wrote:Hi Mac and everyone. It has been a quiet week but I can only imagine there must be a stalemate in the next steps or pause for advice. I don't know but it appears possible.

I'm reminded that the official tutor dispute has been ongoing for 8 months now. Clearly, things were not right for a long time before this, but from exhausting all avenues and formally requesting action to resolve the dispute, we are 8 months on.

It's a long time to be hurting and plenty of time for a multi million pound company to have found solutions.

Shockingly, the HR expert Rachel Shannon's name is now not listed on the SNU website either.

In the fullness of time we will know more but there are so many issues around the dispute, the SNU, the promises made by the president about sale of churches and the revolving door staff, that it beggars belief.

Alongside all of this are several unresolved legal cases. Hmmmm

When the President kept stating 'churches first' did members believe she intended to protect them?

Was not it this HR expert, the one the President employed and praised highly, especially about creating a new complaints system fit for the purpose, who seems to have disappeared. After she got rid of the complaints committee that would not do what she wanted and found in favour of the tutors instead. Hmm Well she did, apparently, create the new tutor's contracts. However, that document was so unprofessionally written it looks more like a committee were involved mutually changing what should have been a simple, agreeable document into a Frankenstein's monster of a thing.

Lots to ponder about all this , if the HR expert has left they better have got the process right, HR experts tend to have excellent employment knowledge when they have freedom of action (you must ponder on how free she was to act)

On the SNU's Facebook page it is announced today that the Barbanell Centre is to close down. This is president who claims no church will close whilst she is in post. So thats 4 churches and one major centre now for sale. The statement below is from their facebook page:

"Statement regarding the future of the Barbanell Centre - Friday 1st November 2024...
Over the course of the past few years the SNU have engaged extensively with the staff and team at the Barbanell Centre in efforts to revitalise the centre and deal with the difficult headwinds and challenges they have been facing. The Centre has been a vital part of the Union for the past decade, providing an accessible space for learning, education and development, a venue for Union officials to meet, as well as providing the home for Stafford Spiritualist Church.
Regrettably, it has become apparent that the scope of the challenge and difficulties facing the Centre are not sustainable or surmountable in the long term. The running costs of the site are significant and the building itself is in need of extensive investment and rejuvenation in the coming years. Sadly, despite sterling efforts by all involved, the Centre is not able to meet even its running costs, let alone further investment and works.
It was therefore felt that the time had to come to accept that closure was unavoidable. The Board has therefore taken the very difficult decision to cease operations at the Barbanell Centre.
It was felt only appropriate to wait until after the Annual General Meeting in September before making any such decision or announcement, owing to a potential change of the Board. It would not have been appropriate for any outgoing Trustees to take such a decision and announce it as such, when an incoming Board may have opted to take a different approach.
We are also acutely aware of Stafford Spiritualist Church’s upcoming anniversary celebrations, and would ideally liked to have not taken this decision at this stage. However, we fully appreciate that the timing of any such announcement regarding the Centre was always going to be difficult, irrespective of when it was made.
It was additionally felt that delaying any announcement until the New Year would be unfair to both the staff and those expecting to attend courses during 2025.
The Board would like to reassure members that Stafford Church will continue to operate from its home at the Centre until such time as the site is sold. The Union, through Property Manager Andy Foley, is working closely with the members to find them a new home. The Union is committed to ensuring that the church remains a vibrant and welcoming place, and will do all that it can to safeguard its future.
It has been agreed that existing courses will proceed as scheduled until the end of 2024. You do not need to do anything if you are booked to attend any of the 2024 programme.
The course programme for 2025 is currently under review, and further details will follow shortly regarding this. We would like to ask that all involved show patience and respect for the staff who are also affected by this announcement and will be working during a particularly challenging time for them.
Students who are already embarked on Education and Exponents Committee courses will be able to complete their chosen course and shall be contacted by the committee regarding these. EEComm shall continue to offer courses in 2025, and these will be confirmed shortly.
It is appreciated that there will likely be many questions relating to this announcement and the closure of the Barbanell Centre, and we will endeavour to keep members as updated and informed as possible. Again, we kindly ask for patience and understanding as we all work through what is a difficult time, particularly for those at the Centre.
This decision has not been taken lightly, and has been actioned responsibly in light of the facts, finances and logistics. It is always a sad occasion to have to close a door or turn a page on a chapter in our Union’s long, proud history, but we give thanks to everyone who has helped make the Centre an inviting and exciting home for SNU Spiritualism over the past decade."

I now add the roll call to include Centres and Churches for sale:

Here is a roll call of honour of the growing list of people and roles who are believed to have resigned or had to withdraw their services or awards, since Jackie Wright became President. The list is growing and amongst some, are employment tribunals which are either ongoing or have been won in the complainants favour. I have removed surnames :

20 AFC Tutors plus Minister Matthew (withdrawn services)

Members and Staff resigned or pushed from committees, voluntary roles, or paid employment:

Christine
Alv
Ann
Danny
Pat
Jane
Anne-Marie
Adam
Richard
Rachel (SNU)
Julia (Resigned as elected Vice President)
Alessandro (AFC )
Dean (AFC)
Tanya AFC (AFC)
Kelly (AFC )
Will (AFC)
Minister Libby
Keith
Graham
Simone (SNUI)
Colin


Current Legal Proceedings Against The SNU

Employment Tribunals x 2
Civil Proceedings x 1

SNU Centres and Churches For Sale

The Barbanell Centre
Walthamstow
Hounslow (Under offer)
Sheffield
Darlington

In the annual report 23, a loss for the Barbanell Centre is already shown and it makes no sense to continue running a non-profitable place. What bothers me extremely about the matter, however, is the fact that there was no marketing support from the SNU. And then canceling well-running courses because the tutors are banned from the house is an indication for me that the SNU was never interested in keeping the Barbanell Centre. The whole thing is only topped by the fact that it was not announced before the AGM or the election. Incredible. Maybe some of you now understand what's going on.
What I find very interesting, however, is the fact that Jacky allowed Simon and Brian to stay at the center for a few months, as Brian was not allowed to fly due to a foot injury. Let's just hope that there is an invoice that shows that the two have paid for their accommodation properly. I heard something else.

aurora wrote: What I find very interesting, however, is the fact that Jacky allowed Simon and Brian to stay at the center for a few months, as Brian was not allowed to fly due to a foot injury. Let's just hope that there is an invoice that shows that the two have paid for their accommodation properly. I heard something else.

What was the something else you heard?

Slatewriter wrote:

aurora wrote: What I find very interesting, however, is the fact that Jacky allowed Simon and Brian to stay at the center for a few months, as Brian was not allowed to fly due to a foot injury. Let's just hope that there is an invoice that shows that the two have paid for their accommodation properly. I heard something else.

What was the something else you heard?

I'm still wracking my brains what sort of foot injury prevents flying for months?

So soon after the election, where so many were banned from commenting negatively about the president on social media, A major education centre is earmarked for closure and 4 churches are up for sale.

They kept all the bad news for after the election and the AGM. They knew all this before and kept it from the members for propaganda purposes. She cheated the members out of their say. Just burying bad news until it has to surface.

I wouldn't be surprised if the public posting about the churches for sale, has hastened this announcement, before it was 'accidentally' spotted for sale online.

Now I hope they redeem themselves by doing the right thing by the 20 tutors and getting the AFC back to being the spiritual home of so many and being profitable. The clock is ticking.

So soon after the election, where so many were banned from commenting negatively about the president on social media, A major education centre is earmarked for closure and 4 churches are up for sale.

They kept all the bad news for after the election and the AGM. They knew all this before and kept it from the members for propaganda purposes. She cheated the members out of their say. Just burying bad news until it had to surface.

She fought that election on a ticket of claiming transparency and no church closures. She has let all those voters down and done so much damage.

If the Barabnell needs to close so be it, but don't manipulate the members, who may not have voted for the current president if they had known what a calamity she is for the SNU and good relations. The roll call says it all!

I wouldn't be surprised if the public posting about the churches for sale, has hastened this announcement, before it was 'accidentally' spotted for sale online.

Now I hope they redeem themselves by doing the right thing by the 20 tutors and getting the AFC back to being the spiritual home of so many and being profitable. The clock is ticking.

Also, everyone recognizes in the SNU statement how selfish it all is. To know that the Barbanell Centre is going to be closed and then not to communicate it immediately is an impudence and deceit towards the members and also the students and teachers as well as the staff. Some international students may have already booked flights for 2025 or employees may have more time to look for a new job. More ego is not possible.

Wasn't there a court case due at Chelmsford today?

It was clear to many, at the time the Barbanell Centre was purchased it would be unsustainable. The process was rushed and members not consulted as usual. I have to say they did try to make it work, adding accommodation in time and a good manager.

Different models of work were tried for tutors and improvements were made to the centre. It is the sad, but a correct decision to sell it in terms of business sense. I am sad for the loss of employment for those concerned.

However, I find it all unsavoury that this was kept from the members and not mentioned at the AGM or during the election period.

The SNU now needs to get its ducks in a row. Failing centres and churches being sold off, may be necessary and prudent. The AFC now needs to be given priority, if it is to maintain its previous viability. That means sorting things out with the tutors without delay. There is no more time for SNU pride, ego, hidden agendas or any undesirable attribute to prevent this important resolution.

So with the Barbanell centre going what happens to Stafford Church which had to leave their home to move into the centre to make it more viable isn't Julie Almond involved with Stafford?

That makes 5 churches who's future must be in doubt plus one teaching centre. All kept quiet at the AGM. My North American Indigenous Guide tells me to beware of white women and their forked tongues ( i have considerable respect for Soaring Bird of Winter my second main guide, who my avatar represents).

I guess when the 20 Tutors were banned from even entering the building, let alone run courses, its future was gone. Hardly enough to keep the AFC going, let alone have a place for old crocked mediums to rest their legs.

Hmm talking in tongues led me to look back at the glowing words about the Barbanell Centre in the Presidents June Blog, just before the AGM. Words about it being invaluable.

You remember the blog.
this from the SNU Facebook page


Hmm I wanted to get the exact wording but just like magic this appeared on my screen when I pressed the link.


Technical issues (although these are also on the SNU's home page if you click the link there) or fleet footed PR work.

It is not a good look I reckon soon some people will ring up and find they are no longer full members because they are not tything their income (Brian and Simon will be pleased they are following their lead as this is what they do in their Canadian Centre).  No need to pre-notify members of pending changes.

Mushroom members kept in the dark, for their next feed of? hmm news. This is not how you run a business let alone a Spiritualist Organisation.

I must look at the actual Financials and the Presidents address, from the AGM this year, compared to each other and also to the information on this blog.

I am sure a completely different story would be presented if you unravel the various strings and tease them out properly.

Well the June Blog is definitely gone on the way to the archives one suspects and that takes a while especially if the words on it may be problematic.

However we can now read the October blog which may oy may nor illuminate our knowledege. After all Walthamstow was on the point of closing, the 3 other churches were on sale and, surely, by her own words the decision about the Barbanell centre, made previously but left to be confirmed by the incoming President and NEC could now have been released.

Well here is the full blog https://www.snu.org.uk/news/presidents-blog-2024

Lest us pick some pertinent facts as newsworthy but not breaching copyright. Before I start I must say that this blog is not as beautifully polished as the pre-election ones. It is like a different person produced it and their are significant grammar and spelling errors.

I will also add the denouement to save you all from hanging on to be let down later. There is no mention of closures, personnel changes, apart from Julie Almond standing down to become almoner. Nothing about the AFC or the tutors dispute. In reality a list of niceties all issues avoided. A pat everyone on the back and feel good. No need to tell members what is actually going on.

To start the normal's
October 5th & 6th 2024
"Your National Executive Committee held its first meeting since the AGM at the Barbanell Centre. We began by reaffirming our mission that we put members and churches first and that we are moving our Union forward. (sic) as posted by the SNU."

(Yes you are right, despite what is said in this sentence, the AGM was not at the Barbanell Centre it was the NEC meeting held there. Great, they are about to close it so meet there, but never mention closures in the president's blog.)

Then let us look at issues related to property. A hint of it with the reference to two great Teaching Centres in mentioning Colin Loam's duties as VP:

"Colin Lomax, Vice-President 2
Colin joins the NEC, overseeing our Lyceum Union link. The Lyceum Union is the oldest branch of our Union and we are determined to support the Lyceum to be successful in the 21st century. Colin will also lead our Safeguarding work and ensure that the Science Working Party sustains its momentum.
   
The Union has two excellent teaching establishments and it is important that we constantly consider whether they are meeting today’s needs.
As such, Colin will review how they are working and ensure that the Arthur Findlay College is cared for and modernised."

(But the closure decision for the Barbanell Centre, had as Madam President stated, been decided previously and just needed ratification.0)

Churches get a brief mention here the section in bold is poignant because, if you include Stafford as, until a new building is confirmed will close soon.

"Training Hubs
Matthew Mold and Andy Foley are hard at work establishing training hubs in each District Council for committee support and training for volunteers at Church and District level. I was clear that the casual attitude to Church closure and every church that closes weakens us as a Union."

Then  last words:

"Our Promise
We, as your NEC continue to serve you and the churches"

(That is it on property also all that is said about the AFC and the Barbanell Centre.. The only bit on personnel is the following by the president:

"I want to say a personal goodbye to Minister Julia Almond, who has stepped down owing to personal reasons. Julia will be sadly missed at the NEC table and I have thanked her for her hard work. I am delighted that we have not lost Julia completely from serving our Union, as she has agreed to continue to serve as the SNU’s Almoner.

Vice President
Given that the recent election was contended, the NEC has agreed that Colin Lomax should step into the position of Vice-President. Colin has served his district and churches diligently over the years and I am really pleased to welcome his expertise to the NEC."

(Blancmange for the members with vanilla essence, in reality there may be much people like the look of. But, is that what they will get? Given everything else that is going on and has been done you would have to question that.)

Let us go back to the churches and the issue of whether they are closing or not.

On her own personal Facebook page Minister Jackie Wright attacked the closures as fake news, interestingly this has not been taken up by the SNU's official site but that could be an oversight. She put up this post, which in fairness to her case I will repeat here




Saw it yesterday, read it in full today. It is a bit odd because it mentions neither Sheffield or Hounslow, which we know are being sold. So are these in fact Closing? Well in the next post I will comment upon Walthamstow's reply to it being Fake News.

It adds another one, Runcorn, which is very odd because I have never heard about this one.Here we goread the news about this. It appears they are now based at Grangeway Community Centre awaiting the finding of a suitable property. They are receiving phenomenal support from Sue Woods, Paul Jacobs and others, Certainly more than say Walthamstow. (or looking at facebook pages more than Darlington and Sheffield)


Stafford, well that is heartland for the NEC and SNU, but there is a problem, they were moved into the Barbanell Centre and there old premises have, presumably, been sold. Now if, and its a big if given the SNU found them suitable premises, rent free in the Barbanell centre, the monies received from that building were put in trust, then with 10 years growth, in what has to be a balanced, safe, trust investment, then the values of available properties will almost certainly be higher than the trust funds.

So that transition to maintain a vibrant community, will be hard, temporary rental premises which are likely to limit what they can put on and a hunt for a new place. The onus will be on their committee to succeed, i have just read a report of Scarborough SNU church who rented but could only achieve a Sunday Service a month so with the collapse of membership the money remains in trust not spent on a new building. However, technically that is not the SNU closing a church. Independent Spiritualist Churches have filled the void there

Now Walthamstow Challenge the statement that closure by the SNU is fake news. Now if you remember I put up some Facebook comments by the Lady who ran that page, Ann Cullimore. Now the following exchange has been posted elsewhere on Facebook (I am sure it has now spread widely).


Simply put The SNU closed the Church, it was repairable and could have gone on. Now the committee are trying to find somewhere else. So Walthamstow will be closed for a time, it may find somewhere, maybe rented premises (if it can afford them) for limited meetings, but probably by the time it does the congregation will have diminished. A reduction in attendance gives the SNU the necessary reason to not set up another Church. (as at Scarborough)

So yes the SNU closed the church; but it asked their committee to find alternate premises, so if it now fails it will not be because the SNU closed it. It will be because the committee could not keep it going. A classy switch.

I note none of the big fundraiser, like those at Runcorn, being put on for the other distressed churches, maybe they are coming.

The reality is, if the promise to maintain every church is real then closures and re locations should be broadcast by the SNU as a show of its intent to regenerate itself. Given her promise to the churches this should have been a powerful PR piece for the AGM but in an election that highlighted slick and skilled use of professional PR to promote Minister Wright, these things of substance were missing

Hiding them and not bringing this to the AGM sounds like secret squirrel business, attempts to hoard nuts (or pounds) against a future winter (or summer for those who get to feel the benefit of a bigger trust and larger incomes) famine

I also note that one of the key issues in the PR at the AGM is floating about. That Complaints Committee suitable for the purpose. Now we know she did not like the old one because it found in favour of the tutors so she cancelled it and fired the members.

It may appears she still has not, yet, fathomed out one that suits. However, the blog only speaks about her Complaints Committee but the AGM passes a motion to establish a new type of complaints committee, which the blog is silent about.

Surely the October Presidents Blog was a great time to reflect upon what this motion has done to her intentions in setting up the new complaints committee. An expression of how the new committee will be established and its structure to express the intent of the members in passing that motion. Or is it a slide away, to ignore it, as a new committee is set up.

Admin wrote:I have just read a report of Scarborough SNU church who rented but could only achieve a Sunday Service a month so with the collapse of membership the money remains in trust not spent on a new building. However, technically that is not the SNU closing a church. Independent Spiritualist Churches have filled the void there

Just need to set this record straight Jim as it was my own post you read on FB.
This all happened in Scarborough many years ago. I do not know where the money is now but I can only assume it is still held in trust. I was not part of the church at the time, nor since and I have no facts other than what I wrote. Nobody ever said to me that their membership collapsed though I know numbers were decreasing. It now has a healthy following I believe, judging by their own FB page many years on from when it happened. . Below is  a copy paste of 2 of my posts in the FB conversation you saw.

“It depends what the replacement premises turn out to be. Many years ago the Scarborough SNU church was sold and they set up a monthly divine service, the third Tuesday every month at 2pm, in a rented room at the local library. That is where it continues to be and it is still only once a month. Must be over 15 years ago since it was sold.
Still the original church president and wife running it. I would not call that the continuation of the church, though I take my hat off to them for keeping at it”

“was a very old listed building, very costly to do all repairs needed and being “listed” made alterations difficult. Plus, even when I was there, attendance was decreasing and no way could it pay for itself. I’m surprised they were allowed to keep it so long. I don’t know when or why the decision was made to go to the library, or whether it was just meant to be temporary”.

Thank you Janhar that story is similar to others I have heard. I am not going to say where I saw it.

This is merely my opinion as a medium, but it appears that someone is highly profiting from the situation.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why, after so many years, the "rats are returning to the ship." PJ’s lover Biaggio once attempted to establish himself as an employed wine expert in those days (while PJ was still a tutor), only 'e had the best contacts to winemakers in Europe, only he was the one who could guarantee best prices, but the College refused.

JW ridiculed Minister JS for decades when JS contemplated selling AFC, and now look at her... this cannot all be attributed to mismanagement.

Someone is clearly benefiting from this on a personal level. Mark my words

Isn't that simply the way of life incarnate generally?  Why would one expect things to be any different in the SNU/AFC business?  oh, the spiritual stuff???  Come on now....       lol

Hi Everyone,
I have been off grid being unwell and during this time I am proud to say that I have let my membership of the SNU lapse. It has been drawn to my attention that Minister Lyn Bradley has submitted her resignation because of a response to a friends post regarding the Bye-laws being disregarded, made on 24th July, and subsequently discussed by the NEC at their last meeting. So we were correct that they were indeed trawling the facebook pages (bit like the Russians I think) The letter received was to advise that as a Minister "conduct themselves at all times as a worthy representative of the SNU. Does that apply to Jackie Wright. Perhaps she should learn to not scream down the phone at someone because they said something she doesn't like. VERY SPIRITUAL. (Defo like being in an Russian state when you are not allowed to have an opinion especially when decisions are being made without the consent of the members)

Anniemillo1 wrote:Hi Everyone,
I have been off grid being unwell and during this time I am proud to say that I have let my membership of the SNU lapse.  It has been drawn to my attention that Minister Lyn Bradley has submitted her resignation because of a response to a friends post regarding the Bye-laws being disregarded, made on 24th July, and subsequently discussed by the NEC at their last meeting.    So we were correct that they were indeed trawling the facebook pages (bit like the Russians I think)    The letter received was to advise that as a Minister "conduct themselves at all times as a worthy representative of the SNU.   Does that apply to Jackie Wright.  Perhaps she should learn to not scream down the phone at someone because they said something she doesn't like. VERY SPIRITUAL.   (Defo like being in an Russian state when you are not allowed to have an opinion especially when decisions are being made without the consent of the members)

The mask is slipping and I expect we will see more that vindicates the tutors in dispute and demonstrates that such behaviour is abusive and unacceptable to all.

Hi,

Has anyone noticed the supplement charged for overseas students at the AFC? I can understand the payment for a translator, but how much does the translator receive?