Ringing Forums

I think your first one is going to be hard to top to be honest, I don't know of anyone who wants to cock things up.

Some more suggestions:

• I will not shout, it only makes things even worse
• I will dispense at least as much encouragement and praise as I do criticism
• I will not look down on those who are less accomplished than I am

(OT) Sedgley! - I used to live just down the hill in Hurst Hill from age 3-8. Dad was the minister at Hurst Hill Methodist. We used to go kite flying from Sedgley Beacon.

A serious suggestion: only ever use bell numbers in giving directions. Being told "you're over my mother" when I was learning a method was no help whatsoever!

Suggest “I will be smiley and welcoming at all times”.. even when uncoordinated Ursula is making a pigs ear of things.

is looking for Ten Commandments a good idea?
The biblical ten were somewhat legalistic and represented Old Testement thinking. In the New Testement they were famously boiled down to two: Love God and Love your neighbour. In a ringing context we can discount the first (not all ringers believe in one, and those who do don't need ringers to remind them) so we can just interpret the second one in the context of the tower.
Do we need to list all the ways of 'loving' fellow ringers? The list could be long, people would argue about the details and it would inevitably miss something. So why not just stick with the principle, with the onus on us all to apply it in whatever situation we find ourselves in - to think what the effect of our actions would be and ask whether that's the outcome we intend.
If in doubt, one can always revert to asking WWJD (for those who remember that expression).

Love God and Love your neighbour. — John Harrison

I believe the second injunction is 'Love your neighbour as yourself' which is rather more explanatory.

Indeed, but I was trying to strip it down to basics. On reflection I'm not sure that 'as yourself' adds a lot in the context of a tower captain's behaviour. As well as a power difference there will often be a (potentially large) difference of experience and perspective. A lot of the skill of a leader is being able to see things from the other person's point of view and understanding the neds of someone different from him/herself..

Do we want something about maintaining a welcoming and safe environment?

I will not lose heart when nothing seems to go right on a practice night.

Be kind
Be patient
Be encouraging
Be fair
Be welcoming
Be confident
Be good humoured
Be flexible
Be reliable
Be very grateful if someone else wants to do it instead.

1. Be welcoming to all ringers regardless of their ability;
2. Give equal opportunity for band members to develop in their ringing;
3. Expect band members to take ownership of their own development;
4. Create a safe environment for asking questions;
5. If the first explanation doesn't work, try a different one;
6. Strive for the best striking that the band is capable of;
7. Push the band out of their comfort zone sometimes, but not all the time;
8. Share the teaching and calling opportunities with as many band members as possible;
9. Take all ringing sessions seriously, but have some fun too;
10. Never give up on anyone, but be honest and realistic with them as well.

nice list

..one can always revert to asking WWJD... — John Harrison

What Would John Do ?? :-)

What Would John Do ?? — PeterScott

No, the other rather more famous 'J'.