Page 1 of 3
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:35 pm
by justmalc
I cannot be the only one who does not know or has not been told why members recently "expressed their discontent with Council" as I was told in a statement received from the DCS yesterday. What were we apparently disconted with? To be honest I was quite content.
Now, however, I find that a Steering Committee have been introduced to run the DCS none of whom do I know - except Mark Bowles which gives me some degree of comfort. The fact is that I know two members of the council who have now resigned. I have met George Godber at a number of shows and have found him to be a thoroughly knowledgeablegentleman, willing always to explain his decisions and judgements. I have spoken to and met Mick Oliphant on many occassions through his role as field officer co-ordinator. Can anyone who has met him doubt his knowledge about the breed, his decency in dealing with others and the fact that he is exactly the sort of person in whom we should be entrusting the future of our society?
Similarly, I have enjoyed a good working relationship with Yvonne but now feel that we are being given only half the story. Sylvia expressed her delight at the result achieved at the meeting on 1st November so perhaps she or members of the Steering Committee can explain why the Council's resignation was accepted and why Yvonne is now being encouraged to retract her own resignation? There are usually at least two sides to any story and we are not being told either of them. Why am I allegedly discontented with the Council and how does Yvonne apparently lie at the heart of all this?
What was the problem?
In addition, please can the new Steering Committee explain to me, in the context of these mythical problems, how they are qualified to review the rules of the DCS? What is their background in corporate governance and how will members be consulted beyond this web site?
I am not trying to sound difficult but nobody has told me why I was supposed to be discontent with the former Council and, until someone explains this situation I don't know if I agree with the outcome or whether there has been some sort of coup.
Edited By justmalc on 1195045247
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:14 pm
by Broomcroft
justmalc, you need to ask the old Council that question because it is they who decided to resign. And it is they that set up the S/C. If you think I know what precisely happened, you are mistaken. It is not a "coup" and if I had the slightest thought it was, I walk away from it immediately and I also don't like the hidden accusation that the word "coup" contains.
I didn't put my hand up to be appointed and did not expect or even want to be appointed. I have been asked to help and do a lot of work which I could quite honestly do without. The last Council indicated, as have the Steering Committee and others, that they feel that the constitution needs a review, so we are doing a review. It could end up with it being decided that the current constitution is fine but I have to say that is highly unlikely in my opinion. So you know me a bit, my background is about 35 years in all as a finance director, then managing director, then chairman of a small UK plc.
Edited By Broomcroft on 1195046130
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:24 pm
by justmalc
The word "coup" was used largely because for some time there have been vague expressions of discontent on this page and, as I have stated, Sylvia applauded the outcome of the meeting so clearly there was some drive to achieve this outcome.
The statement posted to members, presumably sanctioned by the Steering Committee, states "ordinary members expressed their discontent with Council".
I ask again; What were ordinary members discontented about?
To date ther have been 27 views of this topic and nobody has answered these questions so I am not alone in feeling that I am being kept in the dark.
What specific complaints were raised?
Where are the minutes of this meeting? Someone must have stood up and said "I have the following problems with Council...." What were those problems and why did Council feel a need to resign?
Edited By justmalc on 1195046777
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:06 pm
by Louisa Gidney
To paraphrase Oscar Wilde "to lose one secretary may be accounted a misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness". To have a second secretary resign, on grounds that could be construed as constructive dismissal, so soon after Sandra Mansell was placed in the same invidious position strongly suggests that Council was not working with the secretary for the benefit of the breed and the membership. Such a situation, with the financial implications for DCS, could not be allowed to continue unchecked indefinitely. This time, people were prepared to stand up & be counted in saying that this was no way to continue.
Do ask for a copy of Yvonne's resignation letter to be sent to you, which clarifies the situation.
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:05 pm
by redhill
perhaps, justmalc, you would have been better informed had you bothered to attend the meeting on the 1st Nov, you may not have attended because you are a fulltime farmer and farm singlehandedly and therefore could not leave your farm, in which case your absence is justifiable, but unless you have been on another planet for the last few years you must have known that there were problems within the society.
Bill.
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:23 pm
by Rob & Alison Kirk
Justmalc.......I am a member of the Steering Committee and stand by my posting of the 26 Oct. Have you read Yvonne's resignation letter?
Had you been at the meeting on 1 November, you would have been all too aware of the feeling of the ordinary members and that of Council.
I have been a member of the Society for some 17 years. I am a past President and Council member. I was part of the committee that organised the successful First World Dexter Congress. Whilst on Council I was responsible for Breed Promotion, during which time Society also saw a significant increase in the membership. I have a good insight of how Council should operate. For some time, Council have spent more time arguing between themselves than looking after the little black cows.
I too have a very busy life, being a working farmer, running a herd of 150 home-bred Dexters, producing superb Dexter beef.
I felt something had to be done. Since 2001, Council, have employed three secretaries, numerous Council members have resigned after a short time, and elections have not been held because members have not put their names forward to sit on Council.
What has been going on?
Robert Kirk
Boram Dexters
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:08 pm
by Felicity
Dear Justmac
It is a shame you were unable to attend the meeting on the first of November and I agree that you should read Yvonnes letter of resignation.
If you would be so kind as to send me your details I will happily put a copy in the post to you.
Please send your details to.
thewisecow@hotmail.co.uk
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:54 pm
by Mark Bowles
Just to add that Felicity ( Felicity Thompson) was the Council Chairperson at the 1st Nov meeting, for anyone who didnt know.
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:27 am
by Martin
As a member of The Steering Committee I endorse the explanations given above. As I have said before, yes some good people have been lost from Council, the problem was that they could not agree on a way forward for the Society therfore progress was slowing almost to a standstill.
You cannot 'force 12 people to resign on mass' there must have been a general concensus that it was for the best or they would not have done it.
I did not reply sooner to your post as I prefer to know who I am talking to. Your post suggests that you are a member of the Society but gives no clue as to your true identity. This forum is open to all and you do not need to be a member of the Society to be allowed to post or view.
To give you an idea of my background, I run a small successfull company of which I am the managing director/owner. Before that I was the UK operations manager for a Dutch international logistics and transport company.
Corporate Governance may not be my or other members of the Steering Committee's 'thing', but advice is available, and we will be consulting with others to find what we believe is the best Constitution to carry the Society forward.
Communication has been and remains a headache, mailshots to 1300 members is expensive, time consuming and frustrating for the membership. In an attempt to resolve this we will be asking for members email addresses so that communication can be quicker and cheaper, we know that all do not own a computer, and will be continuing with snail mail but hopefully to a much reduced list. We wish to keep all informed as much as possible but cannot 'mailshot' members after every meeting, as it is likely that after two meetings of the Steering Committee at least another two are to be held before the New Year. The Official webb site will be used as much as possible to keep members informed of developments.
Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:31 pm
by ann
Hi Justmac
I have a real problem with members who post on this site and are not prepared to reveal their identity.
Even if you prefer to use a nick name it would be nice if you and the rest of the people on this site would at least fill in their profiles and confirm that they are in fact members of the DCS if they choose to post on matters relating to the society.
I do not know all the members on the Steering committee personally however I can assure you that they are endevouring to sort out a problem which was not of their making.
I'm sure if you are a member of the DCS when the minutes of the meeting are available you will be able to request a copy
Ann
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:59 pm
by Jo Kemp
This is an open site - I for one wish it had not been used as a political organ.
The forum after the AGM showed none of these 'problems' and if anyone was unhappy then that was the time to raise matters ... less than 3 weeks before the 1st Nov. meeting.
Most of the what... 1200 approx. members had no possibility of being present at the meeting on 1st. indeed, no one was able to give the required 10 days notice of their impending presence to the office.
I feel hijacked.
I too know members on the council and regard George Godber very highly as an honest trustworthy lover of our little cattle. It is appalling that our President of a few weeks has felt compelled to resign.
Sandra Mansell was mentioned. I wrote to the AGM then in support of her... she had done sterling work for those of us facint Foot Mouth disease round the corner and her help and advice were much appreciated. She did not resign, she was hounded out by a few who led others by the nose.
I did not know Rob Kirk but am sure that he, like George, is a good man and I was very saddened to hear of his resignation in 2001.
At that time people picked up the reins in an attempt (I believe) to reduce the bad press.....
I strongly believe that our constitution is being flouted so where does that put us all.
It would be nice to know who everyone is but whatever, my sentiments lie with 'justmalc' and many others
The society is for all not a few and the Council members were voted for by the UK membership
a very unhappy Jo
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:43 pm
by justmalc
I am touched that both Ann and redhill missed me so much at the meeting on November 1st. I and the majority of the members were unable to attend and now have to live with the consequences of ann and redhill's "discontent". Still nobody has the candour to tell me what members attending , as well as myself and the majority of members by proxy, are apparently discontent with.
The majority of correspondents on these pages do not give a full name. Mine is Malcolm Robinson. Why do you take such exception with my use of my e mail prefix "ann"? Let's face it, "ann" is hardly a reveal-all way to sign off is it? As for my membership status, I am a fully paid up member. My initial post states that I received a statement from the DCS. I hope you read other paperwork relating to this situation.
As for the resignation letter it presents one side of a case and I have yet to hear another. While I have no reason to doubt Yvonne I also have great trust in a number of ex council members.Presumably the vocal minority who attended on the 1st have investigated both sides thoroughly?
Edited By justmalc on 1195145574
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:33 pm
by justmalc
Having spoken to one of the ordinary members privileged to be in attendance on the 1st at the emergence of the Stoneleigh Six I am yet further dismayed.
It appears that he and others received an e-mail specifically inviting them to the meeting from someone called Felicty who then proceeded, unelected and apparently unauthorised to chair the meeting at which the elected representatives were bullied and harangued to the point of resignation. (I can't confirm this - I wasn't there and I didn't receive one of the alleged invitations. Can anyone confirm or deny?).I recall reading on these very pages that the meeting on November 1st was not one at which members could speak, only observe. So how did it happen that the selected twenty odd in attendance, presumably specifically marshalled for their shared views, were able to express their discontent?
They were surely acting against the constitution?
Have the Charity Commissioners been asked to comment on how 12 ELECTED representatives were apparently bullied from office and how we are now being governed by 6 self appointed members of a steering committee who are now presumably crafting a new constitution in their own image? Who gave the steering committee their authority?
Louisa, your Oscar Wilde point about the carelessness of losing 3 secretaries appears poorly made. Surely it overlooks the fact that we have now lost 12 elected representatives? I have no reason to doubt the points made in Yvonne's letter but you seem to be treating it with the awe formerly reserved for Moses' stone tablets. Has anyone checked the facts and the evidence?
Thought not.
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:14 am
by welshdexterboy
Justmalc- It would appear you are not happy with the outcome of the last meeting however you have not voiced your opinion till now? This topic has raged on this site and privately between members since the announcement of Yvonne's resignation, Where have you been? The fact that all have resigned from council does not, I would think, stop them from standing again. So whoever you feel was doing a great job for the Dexter will surely rise again. I would have gone to the meeting if I was able but work made it impossible however I didn't receive any Email summoning me. As for the Steering Committee they are temporary and may well stand for a permanent post later on. I think you just need to hold hard and wait for the election. The only other alternative for you if you are as angry as your posting sounds is to withold your membership in protest.
P.S. You still have your cows and your health and at the end of the day the Council does little to interfere with our normal, everyday living
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:17 am
by welshdexterboy
Sorry the little angry thingy should have been at the end of protest Whoooops damm technology.