National Farmers' Union of Scotland : 11 February 16 - Inverurie Team Wins Union Recruitment Honour

Article date:

11 February 2016

News Article Number:

35/16

Brodie and Silvers named as winners of NFUS Flame Award

The Membership Flame - an NFU Scotland award that recognises outstanding efforts in recruitment and retention of members - has gone to North East secretaries Tommy Brodie and Ross Silvers.

Working out of the busy Thainstone office at Inverurie, Tommy and Ross - both relative newcomers to the group secretary network - have shown drive, enthusiasm and verve in re-energising their Aberdeenshire branches.

In 2015, they recruited 19 new members to their branches, securing a net increase in membership and brought in 100 percent of their subscription income target for the year. A tremendous achievement.

The Union's unique local secretary network - which works on behalf of both NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual - continues to provide an excellent service to members. It also generates great loyalty amongst those providing that service.

In 2015, Iain MacPherson (Stranraer) recorded 35 years' service to farmers in the area and Michael Coutts (Castle Douglas) and Mary Fisher (Bearsden) both recorded 30 years with NFUS/NFUM. Marking 25 years of service were Elizabeth Drever (Westray and Papa Westray); Robin Gawn (Perth); David Rendall (Sanday) and Scott Lang (Castle Douglas). And at the 20 year mark we had Euan Warnock (Oban); Gill Johnston (Islay) and Nicky Brown (Lanark).

In 2015, the Union also added two new names to its Group Secretary network - Valerie Neil (Kilmarnock) and Graham Laing (Dingwall/Thurso).

Speaking after presenting the Flame Award, NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker said: 'Tommy and Ross, relative newcomers to the post, have thrown themselves into the job and have been working hard for our membership locally.

'They have built up a presence both in the office and in attending local shows and have taken the time to engage with the Young Farmers clubs in their patch, building links that will stand their branches in good stead in the future.

'Both Tommy and Ross display a passion for the community they represent and are always positive and willing to try new things to improve the lot of our membership. 'NFU Scotland continues to generate huge levels of loyalty, not just amongst members but in our important secretary network as well. Between them, Iain, Michael, Mary, Liz, Robin, David, Scott, Euan, Gill and Nicky have clocked up an astonishing 255 years of service to our members, working on behalf of ourselves and NFU Mutual.

'And it is reassuring that the new generation of group secretaries are just as enthusiastic and committed to the Union as the old guard.' Ends

Notes to Editors

• NFU Scotland's AGM, elections and annual dinner are taking place at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews today (11 February) and tomorrow (12 February). Speakers include Defra Minister for food and farming George Eustice and Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead.

• Former NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren started an award in 2011 called the Membership Flame. It is given each year to recognise those who have made significant progress in securing subscription income. The 2011 winners were Dumfries and Galloway Region and in 2012 the award went to North East Region. The winners in 2013 were Rob Beatty and Jeremy Parker from Forfar and in 2014 the title went to Skye secretary Jake Sayles. In 2015, the award returned to Rob Beatty and Jeremy Parker.

• A photograph of Scott Walker speaking at the AGM and Tommy Brodie and Ross Silvers receiving the Membership Flame will be available after 5.00pm on Thursday 11 February from [e-mail].

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006