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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:26 pm
by Peter thornton
I've just received my AGM papers and I don't quite understand the situation re the Council numbers.
If the EGM is before the AGM and the EGM adopts the resolution that there are only 9 Council members then there will presumably be an election to choose 9 from 10. I would like to vote for my preferred 9 but will not be at the meeting. At present, I have no way of indicating my preference. Is there any way I can do this? And will giving the chairman my proxy then allow the chairman to use my vote in the Council election - without my direction?
Any ideas?
Peter
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:10 pm
by Sylvia
Is the DCS jinxed or what?
I can't think of a much more undesirable situation than having to vote off just one of a new group of eager committee members. What a shame.
And that is leaving aside the problem that no-one seems to know how it will actually be done.
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:17 pm
by Rutherford
I am open to correction, but as I understand it, the proxy is free to vote or abstain as he or she thinks fit unless they have been instructed to the contrary. OK if you know your proxy well and feel you can trust them to vote as you would wish, but not so satisfactory if you are using the chair or other unknown quantity.
I have asked my proxy to use his own discretion.
Beryl. (Woodmagic)
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:38 pm
by Peter thornton
Beryl is right, but the form we have doesn't cover the election of the committee. I wonder if we can add this in freehand?
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:21 pm
by redhill
If we are to vote off one of the 10 nominees after the EGM
why does the blue slip of paper say " The profiles attatched are of the nominees which will form your next Council. The 2005 constitution requires twelve elected members and as there were only ten candidates THERE WILL BE NO ELECTION THIS YEAR.
The new Trustees will decide on their terms of office "
Can anyone clarify what is happening ? Sue Osborne
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:51 pm
by Peter thornton
This slip of paper refers to the current situation, as of now. However the EGM may (or may not) change this. Now I'm not sure whether or not constitutional changes made at the EGM, just before the AGM, take place immediately. If they do, then there will be an election. If they don't, then there won't be an election.
Can someone enlighten us?
Of course, someone might ammend the EGM motion to insert a different size of council. If that happened then how do the proxy votes play?
I'm not trying to be difficult but these situations are always easier if they are anticipated.
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:07 am
by Rutherford
I am told by those better informed that a vote can only be taken legally on items on the EGM agenda. Any vote involving the change in Council membership numbers would have to be taken later.
Beryl (Woodmagic)
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:25 pm
by Broomcroft
That is correct. I understand that at previous AGM's and maybe EGM's, people got together and votes were taken and decisions made by the members present. That is no longer how it works. Everyone in the society has a vote by postal proxy or by attending, whichever they prefer to do. There is actually in those terms, no reason to attend because nothing can be changed on the day. A level playing field for all because those attending should not have any more "say" than those not attending. You may wish to attend for social reasons etc, and you can maybe speak to people and learn something that might change your vote, but other than that, as I see it, you might as well just post your vote and save petrol. In a way, votes for everyone and saving costs is what the new laws are all about.
Edited By Broomcroft on 1222198210
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:10 am
by Mark Bowles
Sorry to be political.
Just a reminder to the membership to send in their postal votes for the EGM on 11th Oct.
You can appoint the chairman of the meeting as your proxy or anyone who you know who will be attending. Their names must be stated on the form. Send forms into the office in plenty of time.
As they say... your vote does count so don't be lazy and leave it to others.
Thanks
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:52 am
by Louisa Gidney
Just to say the new proxy voting system is wonderful. No minority clique can pack a meeting to push the vote in their desired direction. I had intended to attend the EGM/AGM this time but have been reminded that I'm actually doing a medieval cookery display instead!
Justmalc has been rather quiet of late. It's interesting that we are not actually having an election as insufficient people were prepared to stand. Hopefully once we get used to the new system, more people will be willing to consider being proposed for election.
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:40 pm
by Peter thornton
Mark
Your comments are not "Political", just sensible!!!
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:29 pm
by Rutherford
Just to point out to anyone who like me didn’t realise it, that the original form needs to go back to the office and a copy to your proxy, if the latter is not to be the chair. Otherwise your vote may not be in order.
Beryl (Woodmagic).
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:06 am
by justmalc
Louisa,
Glad you've missed me. Postal voting and council member numbers were two of my original concerns so this looks like a result to me.
My third concern, the availability of council minutes is something I've lost track of - what's the position?
Still, 2 out of 3 can't be bad can it?
Hope you enjoy your cookery demonstration. I'm off shooting that day so will be exercising my postal vote as well.
Regards,
Malcolm.
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:41 am
by Broomcroft
It's proxy voting not postal and proxy voting is mandatory in law whatever your rules say which is why you're being asked to vote for proxy voting by appointing proxies!!! If the proxy vote (i.e. the EGM) to install proxy voting is rejected, then you'll still have proxy voting :D. Tell me if I'm wrong, it has been known but not usually more than once a day!!! However, it is a recommendation you alter your rules (i.e. as is being done by the EGM vote) to include proxy voting and to lay out the precise mechanism and forms for it, but whatever you vote you'll still have a proxy! Don't you just love the law :D
Edited By Broomcroft on 1222674360