Afterword to AIUK AGM and all that: following my reasonable performance at speaking in front of large crowds (I was dead pleased with my nerves, they deserve an extra special cheer, usually they care feck all about where and how I want them), and following a seriously rubbish Saturday night (ear blowing Samba music and socialising don't mix in my world - you either speak to people or listen to music, anyone who can do both at the same time, Hut ab, but not for me), I decided to be all proactive.

First, I spoke to the Sheffield AI Group who too are in a dispersal area, and who too want AIUK to prioritise refugee, or more precisely, asylum issues. Their motion was much debated and opposed by the Board of AIUK, mainly because they were specifically calling for an extra person to do extra work, which of course means lots of dosh. And AIUK only has so much, and other campaigns are important too, and affect more people than the few thousand asylum seekers who actually make it to Britain thanks to effective border controls etc. Their motion went through anyhow, in spite of not being very clearly phrased and bringing together a few separate issues, and in spite of the Board being against it. This indicates that there is a large number of AIUK members who would like to work on asylum issues specifically, and the AGM instructed the Board to take this on board if you excuse the pun. It transpired that what the Sheffield group had in mind was some sort of coordinator, whether this would be an employee on a part time or full time basis, or a volunteer coordinator similar to the already existing country or activist network coordinators was insubstantial. I took the opportunity to suggest the establishment of such a volunteer run specialist network to the head of activism (via someone else) and offered my input should it be needed.

To be honest, I was reluctant though tempted to offer to volunteer for the role of coordinator - reluctant because realistically I don't have the time. Tempted because I know a lot, have a passion for refugee issues and would gladly give up other roles for this. However, offer I did not. Yet the quick initial response from the activism team which was passed on to me seemed to suggest that I had. It also seemed to be miffed about my initiative. Yet again. I don't know if maybe I don't communicate in a manner which appears to bulldoze into everything, thus calling for a gentle rebuff. It's the second or third such response I've had from the same person, and I'm starting to be stunned and slightly annoyed. I merely passed on an idea and expressed my interest to partake in such a network, yet it seems that my initiative is unwelcomed and greeted with extreme diplomatic care. What happened to enthusiasm, vision and creativity? Amnesty is a grass roots organisation, but grassroots initiatives seem to a certain extent to be discouraged. I know the pressures of the staff, after all, I work in the voluntary sector too, but never would I dare to carelessly stifle initiative from any of my volunteers. Exploration of possibilities should always be an option, no matter how pressurised people are. This is what it's all about, isn't it?

Well, it's not all doom and gloom, after all, this is an initial feedback and surely the success of the motion will have the Board think themselves, and potentially instruct the activisim team to take this on in one form or another. And, to be fair, the suggestion that the revamped website ready for launch in a month or two will offer opportunities to direct association of interest across the UK is truly promising. In fact, it may be the best way to proceed. This new website (which I was lucky to explore in its current pre-launch form at the AGM) will be simply marvellous. It will be so much easier to navigate, offer a volunteer space that can be customised, will host local groups and even feature a blog by Amnesty activists. I can't wait for it to go live and I'm sure it will contribute to greater involvement of, networking among, and the creation of communities of, activists.