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"Appeal to prevent Gorgie City Farm closure"

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  1. gembo
    Member

    Looks like the board panicked as 2017-18 - £70k overspend, maybe going same way in 2018-19 accounts??

    Staff costs always going to be greater than revenue at GCF. Needs a permanent fund raiser who generates their salary and contributes to the income coming in as donations rightly set low

    Many people will donate currently despite kids being all grown up - but they need tapped regularly

    Posted 4 years ago #
  2. chdot
    Admin

    Maybe someone needs to talk to Anne Budge (fast).

    Posted 4 years ago #
  3. MalkyB
    Member

    I thought they had a permanent fundraiser.

    Posted 4 years ago #
  4. gembo
    Member

    @Malky B. I did not know that. I imagine it is tougher to raise money continuously compared to donations when there is threat of closure. Or indeed closure. Also reported to be 18 staff (presume not all full time)- wage bill even if not great pay likely to be the strain?

    Posted 4 years ago #
  5. SRD
    Moderator

    the manager who came in after the last crisis seemed to have expertise in such things, but left quite quickly. always wondered if there was a story there. but who knows.

    (didn't he come off his bike on the tram tracks?)

    Posted 4 years ago #
  6. unhurt
    Member

    @gembo

    Looks like the board panicked

    Not sure any level of panic justifies leaving your staff to find out on social media.

    Posted 4 years ago #
  7. gembo
    Member

    @unhurt

    I am of course sympathetic to the staff and agree this is a very poor way to not tell your staff they are out of work.

    Ever been managed by a board?

    Usually good people who give up their own time. Sometimes they do not realise they could lose their houses if the liquidation goes wrong.

    Posted 4 years ago #
  8. unhurt
    Member

    I've been a company director for a consultancy & secured the company overdraft on my own home, I'm a volunteer board member at present, and I work for an organisation overseen by a volunteer board - so my opinion is based in actual experience, yes...

    Posted 4 years ago #
  9. gembo
    Member

    @unhurt, I have been a member of staff managed by a board too. So we maybe have similar experience?

    The project I worked for abides despite many vicissitudes down muirhouse. But if the major funder withdrew its grant the board would have to wind the project up toot sweet. This is why we all need to be members of a trade union innit.

    The board of the farm have I think panicked. But I do not know the facts, I am merely speculating

    Posted 4 years ago #
  10. chdot
    Admin

  11. chdot
    Admin

    there is a meeting tomorrow at 7pm at Gorgie Dalry patish church to discuss saving GCF

    https://twitter.com/bassicallypaul/status/1191131278885695488

    Posted 4 years ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

    Already at £40k

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-gorgie-farm

    Posted 4 years ago #
  13. chdot
    Admin

    Mmm

    As part of the next stage of our development we’re looking for a new Chair to join our Board. Our current Chair has been in the role for 5 years and now feels the time is right to step down and let someone else take the Farm forward in our next exciting stage of development. We’re open to applicants from any sector and farming knowledge isn’t a prerequisite. We need someone with sound business skills, a good communicator with the ability to run Board meetings and lead our strategic thinking into the future.

    The time commitment for the role is reasonably small – we have 6 Board meetings each year and an AGM usually around November. We also have sub-committees tasked with overseeing and helping with strategy for a specific area of the Farm which usually between each Board meeting; although the Chair isn’t part of any specific committee, attendance happens from time to time. It would be expected that a level of informal visits would also take place at the Farm to familiarise themselves with the team and operation.

    https://goodmoves.com/vacancy/a4s0N000000H3ZTQA0/chair-of-board-of-trustees

    Posted 4 years ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    The city council, who helped fund the farm and own the site, have said there are "credible charities" who have expressed an interest in taking over the farm.

    Ms Ryan said everyone had been encouraged by the news and also a statement by the council that the site is not for sale.

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/former-staff-edinburghs-gorgie-city-farm-overwhelmed-public-support-crowdfunding-campaign-nears-ps64000-919508

    Posted 4 years ago #
  15. chdot
    Admin

  16. chdot
    Admin

    Now Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) has agreed to steer talks and come up with a robust plan for the future of the farm, with options for a ‘community-led’ approach will be at the heart of the plans. It comes after councillors voted to use £250,000 of funding in a last-ditch attempt to save the farm – but it's unlikely council funding will be able to sustain the farm in the long run, amid rocketing costs.

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/gorgie-farm-edinburgh-hope-for-beloved-urban-farm-as-charity-appointed-to-come-up-with-plans-future-4048013

    Posted 1 year ago #
  17. chdot
    Admin

    You're invited to join us for guided walks through the site on Sat 25 Nov: bit.ly/3svw3zi

    12 people can book on to each of the 4 walks and you'll get the chance to share your ideas for the future of the site too.

    https://twitter.com/gcfarmsite/status/1724140071132049517

    Posted 5 months ago #

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