Current state of the Dexter Cattle Society

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Current state of Dexter Cattle Society

Many members of the Dexter Cattle Society are well aware that there is considerable discontent in our Society at present. There are a number of reasons for this, and there are a number of ways in which this is showing itself.
Many of you will know that I have been a member of the society for more than 30 years, I have served on Council as an Honorary Vice President in the 1990’s, and more recently as an elected Council member. I have worked for the good of the Society in many ways, on sub committees, as an Inspector for sales, Bull Inspector, Field Advisor, and was made an Honorary Life Member some years ago.
We had a constitutional crisis some years ago when a group of people took over a meeting and hijacked the Society, styling themselves the “Steering Group”. This was largely the result of poor interpersonal relations within the society, which I had spotted and had offered to get someone I knew who was an expert in such organisational matters to help, at my expense.. The help was refused before the Steering Committee, during the time of the Steering Committee and by the new Council when we got back to a constitutional council again.
Since that time an obsession with control has taken over, with several changes being made which make it much easier for a small group to totally control the Society. This is being achieved through a very small number of individuals influencing matters from committee level through to council and indeed to control of AGM matters. The membership are becoming increasingly irrelevant to these people who will use many techniques to maintain their control. Rules are enforced when it suits their purpose, but ignored when it benefits them to ignore the rules.
So called “confidentiality” is widely abused, pressure put on all council members to treat any discussion in council as confidential whilst those “in the know” are given all the details immediately – I was well aware of this when last serving on council, since contacts in the south east and south west of England would already be aware of proceedings before I got back to Bute after council meetings. Council minutes are regarded as totally secret, and in fact Company Law is being ignored and current council members are not allowed to have access to previous council minutes.
Legal advice is used to back controversial decisions, but members, who are paying thousands of pounds every year for this advice, are not allowed to see either the points put to advisors or the answers given. Even council members are not allowed to see the actual full advice given.
As a result of this situation three former council members got together and put a resolution to the AGM, with the backing of well over 60 DCS members, including past presidents, past chairmen of council, very active show people, indeed a wide cross section of our membership. The resolution has been discarded on technicalities by those in control, not even discussed by full council, and resulting in the disgraceful letter from Tim Sparrow to the membership which grossly misrepresented the situation.
At the moment the best course of action is unclear. I would encourage as many as possible who support us to attend the AGM and make their feelings known. Decisions on next moves will follow depending on AGM outcome.
Anyone wishing to contact me can do so on 07775854441 or email duncan.macintyre@btopenworld.com

Duncan MacIntyre, DCS membership no 00316]

[Mark Bowles]

Oh dear, I am getting drawn in here but I have to point out something.
Duncan, you have had lots to say and I agree there is a lot of merit in what you say. I must pick you up on one thing though which I feel is unjust.
You state about your proposed resolution, quote "resolution has been discarded on technicalities", that is absolutely true, but that resolution, which was to remove 6 members of council was because of councils cock up on technicalities, you cant have it both ways.

[Jac]

... resolution has been discarded on technicalities

Perhaps someone would care to explain what the 'technicalities' were?

[Mark Bowles]

Now theres a thing, do I tell or get a possible frown from my fellow trustees, that's the problem these days when you have certain responsibilities, you cant say what you think without checking.
Ask Duncan.

[Pennielea]

Mark
I am glad that you agree with the excellent summary of present governance chaos within our Society which has been posted by Duncan. You would appear to have been party to the rejection of that resolution. We have not been given a reason why it was rejected but there was a clue in a letter to us which suggest that the 'technicalities'were errors in Council understanding and not in the submission.
If you believe there was a mistake, why will you not tell us what it was?

Ian

[Jac]

If you believe there was a mistake, why will you not tell us what it was?

3. Modern social media, such as Twitter and Facebook lend themselves to instant communication. Posts on these in relation to the Society by staff and Directors should therefore only be placed after careful thought. All such material must also be copied to the Breed Secretary.

[Jac]

I sincerely hope that members vote by proxy or in person to amend bye-law 10.2 (ordinary resolution 6) and restore the publication of the Council Minutes while they still have the opportunity.

[Mark Bowles]

Ian, ref my words
"Mark
I am glad that you agree with the excellent summary of present governance chaos within our Society which has been posted by Duncan"
That's not what I said so please do not imply that I did.
Mark

[Pennielea]

Mark
Your words 'I agree there is a lot of merit in what you say' about an article written by Duncan which I have described as excellent.
I do not think I got it wrong and I have not implied that my version was a quotation.
Ian

[Rob R]

Ian, ref my words
"Mark
I am glad that you agree with the excellent summary of present governance chaos within our Society which has been posted by Duncan"
That's not what I said so please do not imply that I did.
Mark

The full transcript is there for all to see (unlike the proceedings of the society) for people to make their own minds up. That's why there are problems, as far as I can see - noone has a clue what's going on.

[Jac]

Having just returned from the AGM I was very pleased to see ordinary resolution 6 passed. No doubt someone will come along later to give a full account of the proceedings.

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Let us hope that council respects the overwhelming majority of the vote on this today.

Duncan

[Jac]

The AGM seemed to be well attended this year, whether that was due to the size of the venue I was not sure but all the tables were filled in the meeting room. Di was on sentry duty booking everyone in and the tea was flowing well. It was so nice to see our new president at the meeting having recovered sufficiently from her cancer treatment to be with us.

I was very pleased that the chairman had decided to follow the latest government recommendations for general meetings letting everyone have their say and although the services of a solicitor had been engaged he didn’t really have very much input.

There seemed to be lots of love flowing between the membership and I left the meeting feeling more positive than I have done in the past and although one or two got a bit excited mainly about the voting procedures and the by-laws, the meeting passed off without incident.

Unfortunately, we were unable to stay for the lunch (it smelt lovely) and the presentation as we had to get back for feeding round so look forward to seeing the bits I missed in the member’s area on the DCS website which I am sure will be updated shortly.

[Jac]

Just a quick note (for those interested) the member's area on the DCS website (Council Matters) has been updated to include the draft Minutes of the recent AGM.

[Rob R]

Thanks for the bedtime reading