I love "organisations". Sometimes a misnomer! I've been a member of many going back 40-50 years, led a few.

I guess family was the first "organisation" I joined. You don't get much choice, do you. Then neighbourhood, a pretty poor council estate in post war Brum. It had it rules:- old Mrs Payne was respected, just because she was. All other adults were Uncle & Auntie, even though they weren't.

Then came school. My first day, aged 4ish, the head mistress Miss Jones gave me a slip of paper with my name on it to give to my new class teacher. But I know my name, I offered. That was ignored. When you see me around school, never did, you must say "Good morning Miss Jones", but I won't know your name, so I will just smile at you. She demonstrated.

Then came the Cubs & Scouts. I loved them. The badges, the camping, the organisation. I was helping at the 8-11s Cubs by around 15, Helping Akela & Baloo etc.

I got involved in various things at University & after, in working life, joined the union, the Council etc.

But there are a myriad in size, shape, location & purpose around us. Nearly 5000 in Lancashire alone. Was there ever a Bare Women's Institute near Morecambe? Or a Mellor Dramatic Society?

I used to be a member of a working men's club. On a Saturday teatime, a club stalwart would don a special apron & go through selling raffle tickets "hamper & a tin of biscuits" was his cry. What's the prize? people would shout. They were ignored. But he loved it.

Some people have a mission:- to make a place or a cause a bit better, som just want to belong, some want to organise! Some simply want to be members & just whinge about everything!

Are you in an org? Why? What's your role? What do you love or loathe about it?