Letters / Avoiding rather than inviting scrutiny?

I note with interest the timing of Shetland Arts’ planned AGM later this week.

I have a great affection for the organisation, and some of the most rewarding experiences of my life have been facilitated by Shetland Arts, including the much-lamented Wordplay festival more moons ago than I care to remember and one of the most treasured performance experiences of my life with in December 2021.

I have a great deal less affection for AGMs, many of which I have had the misfortune of attending, and thankfully a good deal fewer the even greater misfortune of having to organise.

One primary concern in constructing these crucibles of scrutiny is making them as accessible as possible to as many potentially interested parties as may be willing to put themselves through the experience. This will often involve finding a physical venue as well as a digital one, in order to include those who are digitally excluded.

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Another factor to consider is timing. A weekday evening is often a sensible time to schedule such an ordeal.  5.30 pm, though, does feel a bit more like an afternoon.

With all sympathy to everyone concerned, I find myself struggling not to wonder whether some of those involved see this as a way of avoiding, rather than inviting, the robust dialogue so richly deserved by both the organisation and the Shaetlan community it is entrusted to serve.

Christie Williamson
Glasgow

This response was received from Shetland Arts:

“For the past five years our AGMs have been held online and this has increased our attendance, this format makes them more accessible overall, particularly for those who live outside Lerwick and for people who benefit from online tools such as closed captioning.

“The meeting time of 5.30pm reflects what works best for our volunteer trustees, while aiming to remain accessible to the wider public.

“We understand concerns about digital exclusion, though no one has ever contacted us to raise this as an issue. We’re always happy to provide AGM papers on request if this is an issue for anyone.”