[Mike_Boxall]

I'm not sure about other members here but I think that this whole Federation topic is turning into quite an interesting one!

Although I've seen how debates like this can get personal (not that this one has yet), I'm really keen to hear the Federations view on Andrew's comments. Having seen his posts on other topics it seems like they've lost an extremely enthusiastic and experienced member.

Mike

ps I'm sure the Fed Mans input would be taken more seriously if we knew who he was

[Bryan_Dolby]

Stooby
Sorry you have taken SLANDER the wrong way
others have been the problem
You have been fair with the questions asked
I personaly dont think the federation should have to explain its financial situation and what it is going to achieve during this year to this web site were non members are present
If members want to know then phone the chairman
or head office
come to the trade show/AGM AND SPEAK TO THE FED
Bryan
Chaiman (NFMWGC)

[Mike_Boxall]

Hi Brian

When is your trade show? It seems that many potential members dont know what all the benefits are - I would have thought this forum would be the ideal place to tell people what you have in mind.

Regards

Mike

[Polepro]

Bryan,

Reading these posts puts you in touch with grass roots opinion. If you believe that the opinions expessed are wrong you have a forum to express yourself too, please answer your critics.

They say that the best form of defence is attack, but why do you feel the need to be defensive amongst fellow window cleaners?

You make accusations of slander but fail to answer questions from those who are clearly concerned when they read Andrew Walkers posts. Your failure to reply does the Fed no justice. Is Andrew right about what he says?

Tom

[AMG]

HI Bryan,

Do you intend to answer any of the questions that have been put to you by Mike Boxall, Stooby, Andrew and Polepro? I enjoyed reading your carefully worded reply above but you haven't actually said anything. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I was thinking that as we are on a Window Cleaning forum, we are all Window Cleaners and you are the chairman of the Window Cleaning federation this would be a good time and place to discus it? Maybe not then..

I am not a member but am considering joining in the near future, I'm sure there are allot of non members here that would be keen to hear the feds plans, this is a good opportunity to recruit some more members. What say you?

Andy

[Mikey Warner]

how will joining the fed show that you are honest and respectable? im not a member so genuinely dont know.
         gerry.

Hi Mr. Griffin, i think it is probably different in different areas, but an example today was when i asked a work mate (or should i say EX-WORK MATE as i am handing my notice in sunday ) he said that the cleaners in his road work like this:, two estate cars turn up four guys in one three in the other. 3 go one side, 3 go other, 1 up ladder one on the door one on lounge window. they blitz the whole street then take all the money back to one guy who don't get off his fat a*s* in the car. Since i've started I have had new customers who have told me about other slap happy guy's who have scratched their conservs/windows and dissapeared. I have canvassesed and felt that the person has fort that i'm not trustworthy etc. So much that I have removed my "eye ring" but i would not say that that has made any difference.
Window Cleaners (as I see because i'm just starting) find it hard because of the afore mentioned fly by nites/heavies who give the the job a bad name. So  to me, being a member is going to help me greatly and show I have pride in my work etc.

ooops, i made a bit of a meal of that did'nt I : Sorry guys!  

Mikey

[g_griffin]

yes i  do understand it cant do any harm to join and their insurance would be good for you and your customers but whats to stop these fly by nights joining or saying they are members.remember some federations are much harder to join - doctors,police,the church and look at some of their members.

[Majestic]

The Fed Man /Tom
I am trying to put a face to the name  
Did you give a pole demo at the trade show in Blackpool

[andy]

im not a member of this fed stuff! but it seems very stupid that everyone has comments and to take the time to fight against each other on this site.

Weather your right or wrong! there is no point talking about this.

Get your heads down, make some seroius money and always go forward by your self.

Andy!

p.s. yes it is good to work with other window cleaners but i mean run your business on your own and try and shape it into somthing else. (what no one else does)

[g_griffin]

who`s fighting? its called discussion,maybe a bit heated but its shows people are bothered (like being a fed member does).discussing things and swapping tips can only help whether it be due to a federation or this excellent forum. been at it 16 years and still learning now.ive picked up more in a few weeks on this site than in all those years on my own or other window cleaners in my area.         gerry.

[Mike_Boxall]

there is no point talking about this

Sorry Andy - I disagree with that but I do agree that it shouldnt get personal!

A couple of points that I think we should all bear in mind:

I know of more than one 'anonymous' member who works for a very large contractor and contributes regularly to this site. Although they offer advice to those companies who are clearly not direct competitors their willingness to help others is not shared by the Companies they work for. There may well be genuine reasons why people want to remain anonymous - maybe we should just accept it.

As Gerry has pointed out there are members who have picked up more from discussions here than years of working on their own - lets continue to do it constructively. If people start to feel like they are being harrassed then they simply won't contribute and nothing will be achieved!

Is Bryan still with us here?

Mike

[andy]

g griffin:-

what makes you think to be the best and look the best, you have to be with the fed?

You might say that we can all stick stickers on our vechiles but how does that make you a better window cleaner then i am?   Is it cause i dont have those stickers on my vechiles?

People are even saying why join the fed? i know you can get good insurance and you can get tender lists and pro training.

But how are they making this industry move forwards?

I would much appreciate if you could answer a few questions of mine!

andy!

[g_griffin]

Andy im not a fed member so i can`t praise it. you said whats the point about talking about it- if you just meant the fed and not window cleaning in general then i misconstrued(what about that word for a window cleaner) what you said but talking about things through a federation or website can only help. if you have any more questions that need answering im sure someone on this site will oblige. besides i wouldnt dream of putting a fed sticker on my brand new lexus.     sorry did i say brand new lexus i meant knackered old astra.     gerry.              

[Mike_Boxall]

Hi

This may be a salient time to mention a proposal we have put to some of the members involved in this particular topic.

Since we launched this Forum in late July we have had many positive comments from members who have benefited from it (including representatives of the Federation)

This isn't the only cleaning forum around but it has attracted a lot new and experienced people from within the industry in the few months it has been going.  
Despite, this initial success we're obviously keen to develop it so that people keep coming back and contributing to it and it doesnt become 'stale' with the same topics being discussed time and again.

How does the Federation, and its members, feel about developing a seperate section on this Forum exclusively for Federation members. This would be an area that is used solely for specific Federation topics (such as European membership, for example).  

There is no doubt that the industry needs the Federation and we all know that running anything by committee is often easier said than done. Isn't one of the biggest problems for organisations like this the lack of input from general members - those that complain about things but dont get actively involved changing them? It's own section of the Forum would give these members the ability to get more involved in Federation policy by simply logging on and having their say rather than having to attend meetings or wade through pages of minutes. It would only work, however, if it was actively promoted by the Federation itself.

Somehow, I now suspect that Karl will get his membership sooner rather than later because other members have, or will, get involved. It won't get 'overlooked' because the issue has been so public.  

Isn't that a good thing for all those involved?

So, if we all agree that the Federation would achieve more if more members got involved, the questions are:

1) Would a Federation members area on this site be the place for these discussions?

2) What do YOU, the Federation members think

3) What does the committee think? Would it genuinely and enthusiastically promote it to its members

I look forward to your comments

Mike Boxall

[allseasons]

Hi , can any 1 tell me what i will get for my £50 from the federation , Apart from stickers , i have being going for 2 year's and had no problems yet ,  

[sam hughes]

hello allseasons, not much I say, everything they offer can be found cheaper elsewhere, I think alot of us want to be the best we can so being part of a federation to be at the top and be as proffesional as we can, but...
this post first started as whats the benefits of nmfw and I think the only answer was you get cheaper insurance but thats not true - ring around & you will match it easy.
I think that everybody wants a proper federation and the nmfw is the closing thing to it. like everyone said any 1 can join (cowboy or not) so baing a member doesn't necesarily mean your any good. trouble is if we support something that doesnt work/ do anything things will never change - If we had a fed that worked its ar*e off and made things happen (like this website) I'd be prepared to pay £100.

I was going to join to see for myself, but if I join now I'd have to renewagain in June. So I try then, but I know what I want but somehow I know already I wont get it.

[sam hughes]

Stooby
Sorry you have taken SLANDER the wrong way
others have been the problem
You have been fair with the questions asked
I personally dont think the federation should have to explain its financial situation and what it is going to achieve during this year to this web site were non members are present
If members want to know then phone the chairman
or head office
come to the trade show/AGM AND SPEAK TO THE FED
Bryan
Chairman (NFMWGC)

Surely, if you told people what you were planning, in front of non members, some of these might become  members as they can see something worthwhile they want to become a part of.

rather than
"To this web site its a great shame some people are using the site pages to SLANDER the federation "
at a bit of criticism

[allseasons]

Hi samm thanks for your help.
I have phoned them  and ask for an info pack hopefuly this might help me.

[STEVE71163]

Hi Samm
            Do you actually know how hard the fed work on members behalf then   :

Steve

[paul]

i am a federation member and over the past couple : of years i have found the federation most helpfull for a number of issues i have brought up exspecially beryl who was always prompt to reply .i must say the fed is what the members make it if there is a issue that needs to be addressed post it on this site as there is quite a few members on it who may be able to help you if the fed cant
paul
reflections cleaning services