RNLI Rescue of Peterhead

[pathfinderstu]

I think there would be shock waves around if it was disclosed how many people where on an actual salary from the RNLI in relation to every one unpaid crew member ...

 

[dom]

Back to the RNLI, I can see why they might see drown-proofing in overseas places as a worthy aim, but I hope they do it by funding local partners and not by trying to run things themselves. The world has quite enough white saviours already.

On which note:

Find out About the RNLI's Executive Team

 

[fien397]

I think there would be shock waves around if it was disclosed how many people where on an actual salary from the RNLI in relation to every one unpaid crew member ...

how many do you think it is?

 

[NotBirdseye]

how many do you think it is?

The fact that the people on the front line saving lives and not being suitably rewarded...? I mean do you expect doctors, nurses, firemen, paramedics to save lives for free. Sure it's nice... but seriously?

 

[Sybarite]

Yes but the crews that actually do the job work for nothing ?

I first took up the cause many years ago when I noticed that the RNLI had more people earning more than £50k per year than the total numbrer of paid employees in France (who were mainly the mechanics in the service stations).

 

[Sybarite]

More than that, they are legally required to spend a great deal. They can't hoard wealth because, quite reasonably, the Charity Commission will be on their case again.

Coming up with ways to spend less is not helpful to an organisation that needs high outgoings.

Are you happy that this is so? There are so many other worthy needs for people's money.

 

[Biggles Wader]

If the fishing boat had used the correct anchor there would have been no need for the RNLI at all

 

[fien397]

The fact that the people on the front line saving lives and not being suitably rewarded...? I mean do you expect doctors, nurses, firemen, paramedics to save lives for free. Sure it's nice... but seriously?

No absolutely not, but for the most part crews can get on with normal paid work. Someone who's a full time doctor clearly can't do that. Don't forget we do have volunteers in our frontline roles elsewhere, specials in the police, the TA, St John's, the air ambulance, mountain rescue, blood bank drivers.... probably loads of others that I can't think of right now.

 

[NotBirdseye]

No absolutely not, but for the most part crews can get on with normal paid work. Someone who's a full time doctor clearly can't do that. Don't forget we do have volunteers in our frontline roles elsewhere, specials in the police, the TA, St John's, the air ambulance, mountain rescue, blood bank drivers.... probably loads of others that I can't think of right now.

Army Reserves are paid. They get paid for their training and they get paid for duty. There is no such thing as the TA any more.
St John's is a registered charity and the majority of their staff are unpaid, though they do have paid roles, including those on the front line such as Paramedics, Trainers, Ambulance Crew, Mobile Responders... (the list goes on)
Air Ambulance crew are paid.
Mountain Rescue should be paid, they're no better than the RNLI.
Blood Bank Drivers are (according to the NHS) paid, some are volunteers but are paid an allowance/expenses for their vehicle.
PCSOs are paid 21k a year, but Police specials are paid expenses and are not expected to undertake the work that the PCSO is. Their roles tend to be limited to providing advice, making door to door inquiries.

 

[fien397]

Are you happy that this is so? There are so many other worthy needs for people's money.

Well that's up to the people who donate to the RNLI to decide surely. Or perhaps you have become judge and jury for that also.
I have to say I find your whole issue with the RNLI a tad strange, unless you are a volunteer, which I assume you are not.
On the whole, volunteers for the RNLI are pretty happy doing what they do. It's a good cause, made up of great people, who can choose to leave if they wish. Some do, lots don't for many years.
I just don't get it, you're fighting this bizzare argument, seemingly on behalf of people you don't represent.
You say you have respect for front line crews, may I suggest this isn't reflected in the way you constantly find fault with the way the RNLI is run, which I must add is largely by volunteers at the sharp end, despite what you may think or hear otherwise.

Edit.. I dont disagree that there are other more worthy causes, there certainly are. didn't mean to come across that way.

 

[fien397]

Army Reserves are paid. They get paid for their training and they get paid for duty. There is no such thing as the TA any more.
St John's is a registered charity and the majority of their staff are unpaid, though they do have paid roles, including those on the front line such as Paramedics, Trainers, Ambulance Crew, Mobile Responders... (the list goes on)
Air Ambulance crew are paid.
Mountain Rescue should be paid, they're no better than the RNLI.
Blood Bank Drivers are (according to the NHS) paid, some are volunteers but are paid an allowance/expenses for their vehicle.
PCSOs are paid 21k a year, but Police specials are paid expenses and are not expected to undertake the work that the PCSO is. Their roles tend to be limited to providing advice, making door to door inquiries.

My bad, yes army reserve not TA. It was only an example of other organisations using volunteers, I didn't say everyone envolved with them were unpaid.

 

[NotBirdseye]

Well that's up to the people who donate to the RNLI to decide surely. Or perhaps you have become judge and jury for that also.
I have to say I find your whole issue with the RNLI a tad strange, unless you are a volunteer, which I assume you are not.
On the whole, volunteers for the RNLI are pretty happy doing what they do. It's a good cause, made up of great people, who can choose to leave if they wish. Some do, lots don't for many years.
I just don't get it, you're fighting this bizzare argument, seemingly on behalf of people you don't represent.
You say you have respect for front line crews, may I suggest this isn't reflected in the way you constantly find fault with the way the RNLI is run, which I must add is largely by volunteers at the sharp end, despite what you may think or hear otherwise.

Our point is that those in the office shouldn't be paid because they are not putting their lives at risk. Those at the pointy end should be paid.

Edit:

I'm not saying everyone has to be paid depending on experience of course but the majority of those on the pointy end, should be and should be discouraged from working without pay unless they're volunteering extra hours after being paid.

 

[fien397]

Our point is that those in the office shouldn't be paid because they are not putting their lives at risk. Those at the pointy end should be paid.

Edit:

I'm not saying everyone has to be paid depending on experience of course but the majority of those on the pointy end, should be and should be discouraged from working without pay unless they're volunteering extra hours after being paid.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I wouldn't want to be paid. Being volunteers means that we (mostly) all do it for the right reasons. The people who join to play hero or just mess about it boats soon leave. I honestly think that if we were all paid the very essence of what the RNLI is would be gone, for good. I agree that the organisation looks a tad like a top heavy corporate machine at times, but on the whole it works.
Ill give Mark a few more years in the job before I stick the knife in...

 

[JumbleDuck]

So can I ask, why does not the RNLI offer lifeguards either at no cost or reduce their charges to Councils etc who pay for the Lifeguards in an effort to saves lives on our Beaches

I believe that the RNLI does indeed now supply the lifeguards (who are paid) for free. Their efforts to scare councils into buying their services backfired, because when council budgets were cut and they refused to pay, the RNLI could not wind back the fearful predictions they made before and had to continue with the service, which now soaks up a huge amount of money. It's one of the reasons for the gathering financial storm alluded to above.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The fact that the people on the front line saving lives and not being suitably rewarded...? I mean do you expect doctors, nurses, firemen, paramedics to save lives for free. Sure it's nice... but seriously?

St John Ambulance? Médicins sans Frontières?

 

[JumbleDuck]

If the fishing boat had used the correct anchor there would have been no need for the RNLI at all

That's soooooooo 2015. Nowadays it's whether they used the right snubber. Made out of old climbing ropes, natch.

 

[Capt Popeye]

For the same reason that you're not working full time for less than the market rate right now. The number of capable people I know willing to devote their life to good works for a token salary is zero.

Ah well Mr M 1 suggest that you are not circulating with the best persons then, perhpas you lead a sheltered life style, there are many of us out there who do our bit for a Charity or other organisation without charges, fees, salaries, payments, etc etc

 

[NotBirdseye]

St John Ambulance? Médicins sans Frontières?

As pointed out the medics are paid in St Johns Ambulance... I am not sure about Doctors without Borders, I have a feeling that they are also paid but not by the country they operate in (as usually the places they're operating in simply wouldn't be able to afford it).

@Mark-1 Provided I was fed, clothed, had a roof over my head I'd be happy with a much reduced salary. (90% of my pay goes directly to bills so same diff).

 

[Capt Popeye]

I believe that the RNLI does indeed now supply the lifeguards (who are paid) for free. Their efforts to scare councils into buying their services backfired, because when council budgets were cut and they refused to pay, the RNLI could not wind back the fearful predictions they made before and had to continue with the service, which now soaks up a huge amount of money. It's one of the reasons for the gathering financial storm alluded to above.

Thank you for that info Mr J D well might say its what some of the donations are for from holiday makers at seaside collection boxs and fetes etc plus that RNLI shop
Might suggst that owing to the casualities and deaths of a few years ago the public and press reactions to the response, or lack of it, from the RNLI to providing Life Guards where needed despite the having adequate funds available, might steer the RNLI into being far more accountable to their Donaters than previously noticed;
Surely the RNLI can absorb a vast reduction in donations for a while without undue reduction in operations; bearing I guess that the RNLI cater far more to Holiday Makers on beaches that Seamen at risks at Sea ?

Guess that any gathering storm is mainly as a result of Directions from the top of the RNLI where I guess the Tonks or Wonks have goton a foothold due to again duff decisions at the very top

Might mention that Mr S is very experienced, at Accountantcy I understand; he has that benefit plus experience of being involved in running very very large Companies; plus knowledge from working abroad mainly in the EU , so his comments and observations come from very well aquired information and expertise, so guess that he can see what others maybe cannot see

 

[Mark-1]

Are you happy that this is so? There are so many other worthy needs for people's money.

People can spend their money how they like. Personally, I'd rather contribute to independents in my own area. Other people see it differently, that's fair enough.