Thread by @peterholt99, A lot of my campaigning in #CIPRElection is via video. For variety, [...]

A lot of my campaigning in #CIPRElection is via video. For variety, here’s a Twitter-thread, for anyone who prefers that as a format. I’ll set out my positive & ambitious vision for the future, working inclusively with our members – CIPR’s best days are ahead #VotePete

An election really should be the time to tell the truth though alongside soundbites and warm words, and not gloss over uncomfortable issues, so in this thread I’m also going to share some potentially hard-to-hear facts, figures and perspectives. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Rachel and I had a great hustings on Monday night: civilised, mature, cordial. I’d say we agreed on about 2/3rds of issues. But it showed up some clear dividing lines, on membership fees, on HQ-centricity, and on whether radical change is needed. #CIPRElection #VotePete

To deliver a positive future, I think CIPR needs radical change – I’ll leave Rachel to speak for herself on that point, like she did here yesterday. A perfectly respectful difference, but a clear difference nonetheless. Decide for yourself. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I have a positive vision for CIPR being much bigger, where we don’t lose so many of our members every year, but get people early and keep them throughout their career. We currently have about 10,000 of 80,000 PR practitioners, and should have many more. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I particularly want to focus on new entrants to the profession, to make them more welcome and included, and involved at all levels – and then to keep them throughout their careers. #CIPRElection #VotePete

My growth agenda includes investing in time-limited initiatives in different sectors, regions, Nations (UK & International) to develop & deliver new member drives. Imagine how far £50k would go in recruiting new members in Singapore or Scotland? #CIPRElection #VotePete

Rachel talked on Monday about investing £50k in another staff member supporting the groups to deliver more. I agree 100% - that’s sounds like what I’m proposing too. The scale of my ambition is perhaps a lot bigger and bolder. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I want a more diverse and representative Institute and profession alike. I want to take concrete measures including those already designed by our members, and let’s start with actually diversity monitoring our own membership – a specific pledge of mine. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Part of not losing so many members and key to recruiting new members is giving better value for our membership subs. At the moment, on CPD for example, it feels to me like joining gets me lots of low value materials, but not the higher quality stuff. #CIPRElection #VotePete

One example (of many) of the better value I want members to get included free in their subs is a top-quality development package for every member in Artificial Intelligence in PR, an absolute top skill for the future. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I want members all from over to feel that CIPR is more for them, even if they don’t live in London. I want to support the work of all the volunteer regional, National and sectoral volunteers – like me and Rachel – where I for one feel short-changed. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I’m going to share some hard truths here, backed up by evidence, facts and figures. Before anyone accuses me of leaking confidential information, please know that every single fact and figure shared here is already in the public domain. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Here’s an uncomfortable truth – our Institute has become just too HQ-centric imho.
Fact: in 2018 (last year figures available) every single sectoral, regional and National group put together received £28,125 in HQ grants, less than 0.7% of £4m+ budget. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Here’s another uncomfortable truth – CIPR staff are passionate, dedicated, hard-working professionals who deserve our thanks, and not a word of criticism: but, it is their strategic direction given by us as members that has gone badly wrong imho. #CIPRElection #VotePete

One more uncomfortable truth: our (pre-Coronavirus) budget spend on direct member benefits was just hundreds of thousands of pounds – a fraction of our c£1.6m subscriptions income. We became too HQ-centric and lost sight of our members imho. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Another example of how CIPR is too HQ-centric: our training function is brilliantly run and the trainers are top notch. But the courses are far too expensive for many members, with many trainees not CIPR members as we are priced out. #CIPRElection #VotePete

In 2019, 92% of HQ-organised training courses were in London (source: our website) & the mark-up on courses was over 100% (source: our own published annual accounts) – so no wonder so many members have said they feel CIPR is too London-centric #CIPRElection #VotePete

This has left the heavy lifting for learning and development on the shoulders of our under-supported volunteers – like me and Rachel – in the regional, National and sectoral committees which got a paltry 0.7% of £4m+ budget from HQ (2018). #CIPRElection #VotePete

When you hear those figures I’ve shared, are many of you not as shocked as I was? And the reason you haven’t heard those facts and figures shared before is another part of the problem: CIPR is too secretive, even from its own members. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I was asked on Monday about how some of my policy ideas are affordable, like providing a top quality training package for all members on AI, but included in our membership fee. Good question – there is nothing responsible about over-promising. #CIPRElection #VotePete

This pledge is affordable by just spending more of c£1.6 million subscriptions income on direct member benefits, & having a leaner HQ function. I’m a member of CIPR Finance Cttee and know my way round the budget – it’s all about priorities. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Rachel and I are equally well-qualified for this role. I’m the assistant chief executive of a local authority – I’ve managed huge change programmes, budgets and staffing, and been the non-exec head of many bodies too, inc. much larger than CIPR. #CIPRElection #VotePete

Times are incredibly tough through the Coronavirus; huge numbers of our members are suffering hard, and need real support. We need to build back our Institute too, and I hope my vision will reassure you that we can build back so much better. #CIPRElection #VotePete

I hope that my bold and ambitious plans for CIPR will attract you, and that my truth-telling, my detailed practical plans, and my personal skills will give you the confidence that a vote for me will help deliver the improved CIPR I think we all want. #CIPRElection #VotePete

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