Disgruntled CAMC Warden Joining Here!

[David and Sally]

He was one of the worst people I have ever worked under and he was useless at "managing".

But not as bad as the people who appointed him!

 

[Oldwarden]

Back from the computer shop with my rebooted laptop ,virus free and zipping along at great speed so I'll start again
Just finished cleaning the bogs and like most wardens we like it.gives us a time out from pointless emails and non productive work in the office
As for the old ,"transferable skills" chestnut mmmmmm wouldn't let a plumber stich me up in hospital would you?

Anyway I digress

So il will get back to the role of regional managers later as it's an interesting but dry subject

staff moral

Moral amongst site staff has now got so low, our new leader decided to give a pep talk via zoom with all wardens appearing in little video box's,,,this was quicky canceled when staff organised a protest( we planned to All turn our backs or turn the video offwhen he started speaking)

By now all wardens have been asked where they want to work next year( it's a process called selection) many have indicated they're off whilst a few will quit just before contracts start in spring as a protest

Moral hit rock bottom last year as it emerged that our new leader had decided he was going to cut our pensioners pension rights and privileges uproar again and Several hundred wardens contributed into a pot worth £6000 to fight it in the courts....sadly our leader played the long expensive game ensuring we couldn't afford legal fees of our legal team and we had to withdraw our high court challenge...BANG!!. What s that .it's the sound of our leadership team shooting it's self in the foot again as staff morale went underground

 

[AndyPK]

In my experience, parachuting "managers" into jobs that they have no direct experience in rarely ends up well. We had a boss at work who said "I don't need to know the process, I only need to know how to manage my staff", I think he had an Honours Degree in Arrogance !
He was one of the worst people I have ever worked under and he was useless at "managing".

Nah - he probably had an MBA too……

 

[GirlyVanGirly]

A few weeks before getting my van I joined the forum on the Caravan and Motorhome Club, 'Club Together' it was called ... I made my first post to introduce myself. It took TWO weeks to get my post approved! I joined the Camping and Caravanning Club.

 

[138go]

As for the old ,"transferable skills" chestnut mmmmmm wouldn't let a plumber stich me up in hospital would you?

Of course not because a plumber doesn't have the necessary skills, whereas leadership and management skills are transferable.

I can see you're an unhappy warden, Oldwarden! Perhaps time to move on? We've used a few club sites this year. I always make a point of chatting to the site managers and thanking them for their hard work. To be honest the ones I spoke to, seemed okay

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[uzsnowdrop]

Mildly interesting, I suppose. Two things I would comment on. Firstly you don't need to have been a caravaner/motorhomer or worked in that industry, to provide leadership and management to the C&MHC. Employing individuals from all walks of life into organisations, to provide leadership and management, is common place. The reason for this is, the skills needed are transferable skills.

Secondly, the OP has mentioned cleaning the toilets. Well, I'm sorry to have to point this out but didn't you realise this was part of your job?

We need a new toilet thread

 

[Oldwarden]

Back from checking early arrivals in,no problems yet..but another 20 plus to roll in later

Why don't we complain?
Oh we do but we have no route to pass on staff ideas,poss problems or suggestions

There's a staff council thing which meets a few times a year,you can apply to sit on it to represent your areas staff and raise issues ....but....you won't believe this....all items on the adjenda have to be approved by management first.yep would make Stalin proud and it reads like something out of a George Orwell novel
So guess what happens,no one bothers to go

Another route is via your Regional Manager..great..his main role is as a fire break fence between seasonal low paid staff and the elite at HQ on full-time contracts,final salary pensions,company cars,lunches . All paid out of your subs.
As a result the club has split into 2, with seasonal site being regarded as little more than enhanced members allowed to manage sites to generate income for East Grinstead

 

[Puddleduck]

Perhaps it is time that the fee paying members to actually took an active part in the organsiation and ask questions.

I am as much to blame as the next person as I have never taken an active part in the running of the club for all sorts of reasons.

 

[houdini]

Back from checking early arrivals in,no problems yet..but another 20 plus to roll in later

Why don't we complain?
Oh we do but we have no route to pass on staff ideas,poss problems or suggestions

There's a staff council thing which meets a few times a year,you can apply to sit on it to represent your areas staff and raise issues ....but....you won't believe this....all items on the adjenda have to be approved by management first.yep would make Stalin proud and it reads like something out of a George Orwell novel
So guess what happens,no one bothers to go

Another route is via your Regional Manager..great..his main role is as a fire break fence between seasonal low paid staff and the elite at HQ on full-time contracts,final salary pensions,company cars,lunches . All paid out of your subs.
As a result the club has split into 2, with seasonal site being regarded as little more than enhanced members allowed to manage sites to generate income for East Grinstead

Couple of suggestions:

1. Staff write to ‘main top man’ with their individual suggestions. It’s not so easy to ignore things in writing.

2. Staff have their own Facebook Group so everyone knows what is being experienced nationally.

 

[Northernraider]

I am a Freemason what do you want to know?

Everything

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[M-J]

When will you tell us more about what’s coming up for members rather than what they have already done to staff?

I have conversations with a lot of wardens when on site and they always seem happy with what they are doing.

 

[Langtoftlad]

If you book you should pay money up front.

Why ? Plenty of hotels I've worked in, you pay your bill on departure.
Credit card guarantee against non arrival perhaps

wouldn't let a plumber stich me up in hospital would you?

But I might a "seamstress"

As for morale - nothing unusual there.
A lot of companies are cost cutting - and that means staff wages & benefits too sadly. No-one is immune.

 

[Gellyneck]

I have conversations with a lot of wardens when on site and they always seem happy with what they are doing.

Been on a number of C&MC sites and agree, generally, every warden seemed to be OK with the current situation with the exception of the throughput on site, "never seen it so busy" being the general comment. Another half a dozen sites booked this year using the last of our 20% discount vouchers. Can "confirm" OP comments on "new warden sign-up rewards" and consideration being given to "booking deposit". Understand the latter being tabled at next AGM.

 

[Northernraider]

Dam….. that’s me out then…..

Yeah ...everytime i see you you're legless

 

[csd4t]

Everything

First thing you need to have is "an interesting grip"

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[JJ]

As for the old ,"transferable skills" chestnut mmmmmm wouldn't let a plumber stich me up in hospital would you?

Of course not because a plumber doesn't have the necessary skills, whereas leadership and management skills are transferable.

I can see you're an unhappy warden, Oldwarden! Perhaps time to move on? We've used a few club sites this year. I always make a point of chatting to the site managers and thanking them for their hard work. To be honest the ones I spoke to, seemed okay

Jeeeeeeeeeeeez!


JJ

 

[68c]

As for the booking deposit OK if returned when cancelling in reasonable time. Prefer a system whereby everyone is given a small number of free booking deposit refunds, do it too many times and you lose your deposit. Do that very often and lose club membership. The problem with deposits though is some folk could afford to pay a penalty every weekend so they can pick and choose whilst denying others a chance.

 

[Oldwarden]

A round up

Yes staff do have a private Facebook page and it's very busy

We do write individually but we are all on seasonal contracts which don't have to be renewed so you can guess how that might affect individual complaints

Despite everything going on behind the clubs closed doors you never ever let it influence your welcome to guests, for guests at arrival we always do our best.running a nice friendly campsite is not that difficult in itself. If you ask any warden you will always get a positive response, we never let that smile slip...it's a weapon in our armoury

Project booking capability
the new booking system
It's the Preloved booking system the club is trying to redesign for our use

so all staff have been introduced to the new booking system which is provisionally going live in the first quarter. A non returnable deposit will be taken with the option to pay in full or pay the deposit on arrival .

If a non member makes a few bookings the system will automatically offer them membership and new reduced cost for the booking( a very clever way to boost membership)

All pitch bookings will be easyJet style "reactive booking" 2 for 1 offers,coupons out of mags,corporate discounts etc, the van pitched next to you may be paying more or less than you depending when and how and where they booked.poss goodbye to the mag and membership cards become digital

A mixed reponse from staff as we have little confidence in the ability of the club to deliver ,we understand the site is needed to manage the proliferation of glamping pods,statics etc which have sprung up on site in the last few years

The only question is
When will it be ready and deposit amount
A new system is needed ,however the use of non refundable deposits is a new direction and head office has been keen to let complaints flourish about block booking making its introduction seem a membership demand.

Our understanding is it's done deal 100% whatever people on pesky committee s might vote

 

[bobnick]

Welcome Oldwarden.
Reading the last 198 posts has not encouraged me to join any of the C sites anytime soon.

 

[Tombola]

Im liking all this cloak and dagger stuff, I feel like Esther Rantzen under cover

Ive never had a problem with site wardens, just usually the snobs on some pitches...no offence like

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[robnchris]

This explains what is going on at the clubs newly acquired Carnon Downs site.

 

[David and Sally]

This explains what is going on at the clubs newly acquired Carnon Downs site.

What's going on please?

 

[AnnieB]

Have been a member of the CAMC for 9 years and unfortunately have had to cancel a few bookings over the years - but single figures only.
One of the attractions of the club for me has been the non-deposit system because with caring responsibilities for a 90 year old mother-in-law and a few health issues of my own the past couple of years have been a bit challenging.
We rarely book more than a couple of weeks in advance but if non-returnable deposits are introduced I will be less inclined to do so and will just see what is available a couple of days before. If that means we will be charged more than a ‘neighbour’ who was in a position to book well in advance then I would seriously consider whether i Wanted to remain a member.

 

[dash300]

Im liking all this cloak and dagger stuff, I feel like Esther Rantzen under cover

Ive never had a problem with site wardens, just usually the snobs on some pitches...no offence like

CCC on an increasing number of sites offer free Wifi which for the pitch price should be offered by the C&MHC as standard in my view.

 

[mitzimad]

Everything

YOUR WILLING TO DIE?

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[mitzimad]

CCC on an increasing number of sites offer free Wifi which for the pitch price should be offered by the C&MHC as standard in my view.

does anyone use campsite wifi now most of us get our internet connection via our phones offering free wifi now is a gimmick

 

[ChrisLon]

What's going on please?

The pricing is different to all other CCMC Sites, as far as I know. With no premium for national holidays. There are also discounts for longer stays of 1 or 2 weeks.

Personally we like the Club Sites as they are a very high standard and you know what to expect and generally get. Albeit at a cost but sometimes it's worth paying.

As motor-homers we like the spontaneity. Booking last minute, probably for a short time, then staying longer or moving on depending on how we like the site, area etc. I feel that if the Club goes down this route it will alienate us along with many other motor home users.

 

[Riftzoner]

Hello & welcome - Live long & prosper

 

[Lenny HB]

All pitch bookings will be easyJet style "reactive booking" 2 for 1 offers,coupons out of mags,corporate discounts etc, the van pitched next to you may be paying more or less than you depending when and how and where they booked.poss goodbye to the mag and membership cards become digital

Says it all, not interested in members, a club should be aming for the lowest price for all members.

 

[mpdcymru]

Oh! For a moment there I thought you might be a village in Bedfordshire. But you’re not,
so

Did my driving examiner course near there ar Carddington in the late 70’s!

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