en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3968279 Comments by battered http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/debate/21#IDComment255280166 Meanwhile, our Branch doesn't have a Rep & hasn't for sometime! That's because anyone that gives it a go gets sabotaged & undermined by the branch bullies. Our members hear nothing about the WSC meetings. Wed, 4 Jan 2012 22:07:58 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/debate/21#IDComment255280166 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/20#IDComment248265126 ".. or better still that the members they have treated badly do!" That is sadly true, & the behavior is carried through to some Branch Management Committees - that there is a trend to hope certain members will go away - they are ignored, not responded to, drop off lists or become "Unavailable" without them knowing. The incidences I know of are NOT because of poor standards (quite the contrary), they are because the member asks questions, or is strong enough to try & correct things they see that they know are wrong, or disagree on certain issues with Board / WSC / BMC decisions. In our Branch some members have received written warnings, with often obscure reasons, to not do certain things, under threat of expulsion. Once a member has received such a letter, even being vague & unsubstantiated, they are easily kicked out if the member does anything (eg asks questions, sends emails) again. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:40:19 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/20#IDComment248265126 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment234851011 I notice that comments made under this photo on the WRIES facebook page, that tried to point out the facts of how ducklings should be more appropriately housed, have been removed. How typical. Don't address the problem; instead, silence those who try to improve things; pretend everything is OK; label anyone who speaks out as being trouble-makers with ulterior motives. Shooting the messenger has long been a WRIES tactic. The reality is, our motives ARE about animal welfare. Free speech? Not in this organisation! Thanks to ReformWIRES we have an avenue to speak out about the injustices to wildlife & carers. Thu, 8 Dec 2011 23:44:29 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment234851011 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment233638558 "Yes - they all survived and were released" stated Guest. According to the Facebook page, this photo was taken during the week of 25th November, & the ducklings "had sadly lost their parents". That is less than 2 weeks ago; & you say "they were raised in the appropriate method & released"! That is either a poorly considered porky, or yet further confirmation of the sub-standard care they seem to have received! You may be able to fool some of the people some of the time ...... but .... nuh .... not me .. not this time. Tue, 6 Dec 2011 12:36:12 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment233638558 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment233631949 "It was a temporary holding pen when they had just been delivered into care" stated "Guest". My training & experience is that baby birds, including ducklings just delivered into care require warmth & quiet secure environments to recover from the stress of the events leading to their rescue. I think you should really assess the photo "Guest", before "mouthing off" about "sweeping generalisations". A MOP might naively hold ducklings in this manner while awaiting the WIRES Ambulance, but surely you would agree it is a less than satisfactory example of appropriate care from a supposedly professional rescue & rehab organisation! Tue, 6 Dec 2011 12:22:17 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment233631949 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment232978076 Does anyone know how many of this batch of ducklings actually survived their "trained care"? Mon, 5 Dec 2011 08:00:32 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment232978076 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment232977791 I always wondered why other Carers spoke of ducklings dying, & if this pic is an example, I now understand WHY! My rehab wild ducklings & pet / domestic ducklings at this age are given small water bowls that they cannot get into. Also, small feed bowls that are shaped to avoid being contaminated with faeces (as much as is possible with ducklings).They have a heat source readily avialable at all times; & a cosy sheltered area. They have non-slip mats, to avoid leg injuries, as newly hatched poultry & waterbirds are prone to. These mats are so cheap, & so easily cleaned, why would a "carer" not use them? The poor little ducklings in this pic are absolutely drenched. They appear to have no warm cosy spot to dry off. There is no natural green vege. How long were they kept in these conditions??? This pic was / is used on the Facebook page!?! Good grief! The professionalism of this organisation, & the care provided to wildlife is worse now than it ever has been. God help our wildlife if OEH (or someone) doesn't care enough to crush the current culture of suppression of members' serious concerns, & the blinkers being on WIRES management allowing animal neglect. Mon, 5 Dec 2011 07:59:27 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/whistle/18#IDComment232977791 http://reformwires.st/index.php/debate/14#IDComment225650894 What's happening in Mid North Coast Branch? Why is this Branch as with other Branches apparently, losing some of their most experienced carers? Not from choice or personal reasons, but reluctantly from finding the current system failing its responsibility to wildlife & carers OEH ..... seriously .... with little if any competition, & a stranglehold of non-progressive management, WIRES throughout the State is smugly using unhealthy cronyism with disregard to wildlife, carers, & often your own Policies! Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:14:24 +0000 http://reformwires.st/index.php/debate/14#IDComment225650894 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/reformwhinge#IDComment224303128 THAT, 'Animal Lover', would be an ideal option. If there wasn't a monopoly on a geographical area, where only ONE group is allowed, then wildlife carers unhappy with the management practises, or poor standards of care & non-adherence to policies in WIRES, could quit & join the alternative group! That would solve the problems, as hoardes of experienced carers could gain authorities under a different, more progressive group, & leave the archaic festering WIRES system. Those power mongers remaining would have to address WIRES current failures to both the wildlife & the carers to enable the organisation to continue. So, despite your intended nastiness, & crudeness in the delivery, you actually have suggested an ideal solution. :) Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:17:26 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/reformwhinge#IDComment224303128 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/debate/11#IDComment222622533 Regarding the appointment by the Bored of a member to the NSW Wildlife Council: how can this happen? What policy or criterion is written into our Constitution regarding this important role? Our previous representative on NSW Wildlife Council was less than satisfactory. Is the new appointee more qualified? Why is there not a transparent process in place? It smells awfully like more of the same dictatorial rule we’ve suffered for years. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:51:34 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/debate/11#IDComment222622533 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/debate/11#IDComment222539695 Very good point white ant. Such an important voluntary position should be just like a paid position. There should be position description, essential requirements, minimum qualifications etc. It's peculiar, but obvious, that some professionals are the ones that have been hounded from the organisation. I recall years ago the recommendation about WIRES needing to offer greater remuneration to attract high quality applicants for the vacant (at time) CEO position. This was done. However, soon after, the SMC (as the Board was then) made changes which enabled one of themselves to take on the position; convenient cronyism. This was supposed to be temporary, but to WIRES detriment, it went onnnnn... So, our Chairperson, SMC Rep of a country branch, also became CEO. From my understanding, he certainly didn’t have the skills that had been previously required; did they reduce his pay accordingly? I presume not. So how many other WIRES members are allowed to reside 400klms from the Branch they are members of? Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:13:17 +0000 http://www.reformwires.st/index.php/debate/11#IDComment222539695