The meeting was remarkable for its passionate unanimity. The NGC has had to review its future under threat of withdrawal of funding by the Department for Education and Skills. The department says that if governing bodies want a national association they should pay for it. We feel that if the DFES wants a representative governor organisation it should pay for it. The DFES tells us that our enormous voluntary contribution to the education system is valued. Let it put its money where its mouth is. pound;150,000 a year to run an effective national organisation is peanuts.

Certainly we need to raise our profile, improve communications with grass roots members and involve them in the democratic process of consultation - never easy, as most governors have enough to do managing their own schools. We also need to encourage the establishment of associations in every LEA. What we do not need to do is chase project funding, seek sponsorship or run nationwide jumble sales. Will the DFES think again?

Joan Dalton