Members’ disappointment in the National Trust

Two long-standing members have written to the Director-General to express their dismay at how the charity is run

These members object to the use of the Quick Vote at the AGM

Somehow we feel the Trust has forgotten that it belongs to its members. Whatever may be acceptable in commercial practice, it seems to us quite inappropriate that the Trust Board should preselect the members it would prefer to see on the Council. This manipulation, appealing to the inertia of members, is quite wrong, as has been pointed out repeatedly at AGMs, and your Chairman should put a stop to it. Indeed, your Chairman seems not to recognise, still less understand, that there is significant widespread concern at the way the Trust is being led and managed.

Further examples of disillusionment include treatment of its tenants, treatment of its staff and particularly its volunteers, and quite frequent negative publicity about incidents at various properties. This potentially wonderful organisation has strayed beyond its remit and needs to get back to a membership organisation that leads on their behalf and not from the top down.