Judy McKnight's Napolog

Web log of Napo's general secretary

June 30, 2008

Last Day, Last Blog

Today is my last day with Napo, so this is my last weblog entry.

I was really pleased that my last major project for Napo was giving the Bill McWilliams Lecture at the Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University, last Wednesday, 25 June.

The title of my lecture was “Speaking up for Probation.”

I attach a copy of the speaking notes that I used for the lecture along with a copy of the PowerPoint I used showing the various organograms we have been subjected to over the past few years.

Speaking Notes for Lecture:

Download file

Herewith also the Powerpoint presentation I made on the various NOMS Organograms we have lived through:

Download file

And is here is Napo's commentary them:

Download file

I will be writing the lecture up as an essay for the 'Howard Journal' where it will be published next year.

It is amazing when we remind ourselves of what the Service has been subjected to, and continues to be subjected to, that it performs better than ever against all objective measures.

That is a major tribute to probation staff.

CAFCASS staff can also be proud of their contribution to a now well established and successful service.

I had a question at last week’s lecture from a TPO asking how they as an individual could speak up for Probation.

My answer was to join and get active in Napo.

My last words –in this blog at least- to all those in the Probation Service and CAFCASS, who care about their professions as well as about decent terms and conditions, is to join and be active in Napo.

I have been privileged to have been Napo’s General Secretary for the past fifteen years. I leave Napo in good hands with Jonathan Ledger replacing me as Napo General Secretary.

I have been a committed trade unionist all my working life because I identify with the values of the trade union movement and also because I am a passionate believer in acting on ones beliefs.

Working people don’t have to sit passively and watch employers and politicians take all the decisions. Sometimes they get it wrong!

In our campaigns as trade unionists, be it on pay and conditions or, be it on professional issues, we may not always win out-right, but we can and often do, make a big difference.

We can only do that by being strong, and that means having as many members, and as many active members, as possible. And then acting collectively.

Napo is not about those who lead Napo from the centre. It is about Napo members.

So keep Napo strong. Ensure you are a Napo member, attend Napo meetings, and contribute to Napo policies.

I will keep an eye on Napo’s website and I will always be rooting for Napo and its members.

Thanks to all of you for a great fifteen years.

Judy

Posted by jmcknight at June 30, 2008 01:06 PM