Dev Conf and EGM

[HOCOLITE]

Surely they have a constitution, and thus need to follow protocol. I wouldn't have thought that vice chairman can be co-opted, although he might be able to until the next AGM.

So in other words you don't actually know. So how about doing some basic research before you start slagging off people, when you don't know whether what they are doing is right or wrong.

Its quite likely that it is you that needs some education in "constitutional procedure" and there is indeed a documented procedure that is being followed.

In the meantime just shut up about things that you know nothing about.

I don't hide as a guest and I certainly do know about procedures as I have served on many and various committees, however I have also been to a handful of BOF AGM's and it has been very evident that the officers have not researched or been briefed as to protocol or procedure. I did not go to the recent one but have heard from people who did.

[graeme]

If you bother to read the articles of association on the link Simon provided you'll see that co-option is the only allowed way to appoint a replacement officer mid-term.

Quite right too, calling another EGM to vote on multiple nominations would be insane.

So come on ladies - give the volunteer councillors credit for getting this right (or better still, volunteer).

Graeme

[Mrs H.]

Well firstly Bob Roach has asked for names to be put forward even though he has someone in mind and secondly as we have just had an egm prior to which the vacancy was known, by some at least, to be pending - it would,t exactly have been too hard to organise a vote. What will happen now if more than one name is put forward?

As for volunteering to help BOF central - once bitten twice shy I'm afraid Preferring fresh air to hot air I'm giving my all to MADO and given that Hocolite is already vice-chairman on the BSOA I suspect she might also be rather busy.

[Simon]

If you bother to read the articles of association on the link Simon provided you'll see that co-option is the only allowed way to appoint a replacement officer mid-term.

Possibly, but it should work like this:

1) Ask for people to volunteer to fill the vacancy.
2a) If only one [suitable] person steps forward they get co-opted in by council.
2b) If multiple [suitable] people step forward then council selects one and co-opts him/her to fill the vacancy.
3) If no one steps forward, or all the people who do are unsuitable (under the articles), then someone should be approached the fill the vacancy.

The problem I see with the announcement is that the BOF chairman has already selected the person he feels should have the job. The chairman can have a preferred candidate, but this should not be announced in the same note as calling for people to volunteer for the post. It takes a strong person to stand against such a nomination.

Also there is the question of if this person will be the chairman's nomination to replace him [as chairman] when he resigns (and the implication of the letter from Bob Roach to Ranald Macdonald is that this will be at the next AGM).

@Mrs H. - Not enough time. The resignation is dated the day before the EGM and people would have cried foul if at the EGM a ready replacement was voted in with little warning.

[Guest]

...and I certainly do know about procedures as I have served on many and various committees, ...

Based on Simon and Graeme's posts you clearly don't know the BOF procedures. So check-up before you start having a go at people and if they've got it wrong then complain but don't just have a go for the sake of it. No wonder Ranald chose to resign.

And as for ignorance Mrs H, I neither expressed an opinion as to whether BOF's actions were correct or incorrect, just suggested that Hocolite actually check before starting the usual round of BOF bashing. But when did you ever let facts get in the way of a good argument.

[Mrs H.]

Ha ha ha - you give yourself away - on this occasion I meant Ignorant in the colloquial sense of being bad mannered as unlike hocolite you did not have the courtesy or courage to make your comments in person

[Guest]

Now why do the words pot, kettle and black spring to mind?

[Mrs H.]

Nah! If I'm going to be rude to someone I like them to know it's coming from me - not some BOF guest glove puppet

[RJ]

Ok.... the implication in the discussion over Bob Roach's sugggestion that a co-opted replacement Vice Chair would then stand as his replacement at the next AGM......

Any thoughts on the next Chair. Obviously the next three years are going to be difficult. We need someone with a strong vision of where the Federation should be going and how to take us there. Surely someone can direct the efforts of us all into finding and retaining new members, and rebuild this membership pyramid that no longer has an adequate base!

Is Bob Roach the best person to suggest a successor for himself?

There are only a few months left before nominations will be required. Search your souls!

[awk]

Now why do the words pot, kettle and black spring to mind?

Well, they might to you, but they don't here. Mrs H. may have been forthright in her opinions, but then she has never failed to stand publicly by her views, whilst you have simply offered abuse anonymously. Pretty contemptible.

A pity really, as you completely ruined what might have otherwise been a fairly reasonable argument, in that the chairman has followed the letter of procedure in seeking a replacement for Ranald (even if it sounds as if the EGM was rather less successful in its organisation).

As to the spirit? Well, I tend to agree with Hocolite that announcing that you have headhunted a replacement whilst asking for volunteers doesn't exactly promote the image of even-handedness that a chairman needs to employ. But Bob Roach has always been just that - one of the most even handed people I know - and I'm sure it's more a genuine effort to be open and honest about what has happened, than one of putting potential volunteers off, even if it might have the latter effect.

The problem is that BOF has got things so badly mixed up on this front now, that it's all to easy for the (growing number of) disaffected to see shadows where there are none. Little wonder that membership is apparently so badly in decline when participation has actually levelled off and maybe even increasing, (And to require people to be members is simply barmy - a guaranteed way to decrease participation, and one that no other sport I participate in has been suicidal enough to contemplate let alone attempt). If there's any doubts over levels of disaffection or lack of interest, just look at the pretty dreadful numbers, not just attending the EGM but also even bothering to proxy vote.

I suspect that Neil Cameron's expertise is badly needed. One thing that is also badly needed is a greater focus at the top end on what BOF can do for the membership rather than what the membership can do for BOF.

[John Morris]

For what it's worth...

I nominated Neil Cameron, in an email to Bob Roach timed at 13:32 on Sunday 25th September.

I wrote:-

"Following Ranald Macdonald’s resignation as Vice Chairman, I would like to nominate Neil Cameron as a very worthy successor. I’m not sure whether in these circumstances a formal seconder is required, but it shouldn’t be hard to find one.

"Neil acquitted himself ably in his previous stint as Vice Chairman of BOF and would be able quickly to pick up what were Ranald’s responsibilities. Neil’s earlier experience as Secretary General would make an invaluable contribution to the induction of Robin Field’s replacement as CEO.

"Looking at the longer term, Neil’s experience with the International Badminton Federation provides the insight, and the clout, that we shall need in our campaign to hold on to as much of our Excellence/International funding as possible. Lastly, Neil’s willingness not just to take an interest in the governance of BOF but also to get involved in the nitty-gritty of such issues of the BOF Office study is clear evidence of his commitment to the Federation.

"I understand, as I’m sure Neil does, that the term of any such appointment made by Council under the provisions of Article 11.2 (c) runs only until the next AGM.

"Given the volume of work facing Council, the Officers and the Management Committee, I urge you to circulate this proposal to other Council members and to obtain a decision as soon as conveniently possible."

I don't know whether Bob invited Neil to volunteer before or after receiving this email. Either way, I commend his judgement.