Yesterday at the AGM, I asked the current board why they made the decision to not allow our out-of-area members to vote. I said that if we were going to be a membership-based club and going to promote our membership to regional Eels then we could not afford them second-class citizen status by not allowing them to vote.
The chairman said that proxy voting was disallowed in the constitution. However, subsequently it was pointed out to the chairman by other members that there was no such clause in the constitution and that he was probably thinking of Leagues Club membership why proxy voting is limited due to gaming department regulations.
The chairman then said the situation would be reviewed.
If nothing else happens between now and the election this issue MUST be addressed. We cannot continue to treat our regional membership with such disdain. Quite clearly the fact that the chairman had no understanding of what was or wasn't in the constitution on the matter, shows that no consideration was given to this issue.
REGIONAL MEMBERS MUST BE TREATED WITH THE SAME CONSIDERATION OF THOSE IN THE AREA. THIS MUST BE A NON-NEGOTIABLE COMMITMENT BY THE CLUB GOING FORWARD,
Eric Grothe Jnr made the ridiculous tweet that proxy voting was open to rigging and suggested "people will do anything to get into power". It's an insult to out-of-area members that their rights to vote would be used in such election propaganda We need to ensure that for the next election, voting is outsourced to the Australian Electoral Commission and that we allow people to vote via online mechanisms so that every eligible member can have their say.
There is a whole host of reforms that we can put in place going forward for future elections to bring our voting systems up to the level of other professional sporting clubs, like those in the AFL. If we are truly to be a membership-club then we have to do the right thing by each and every member and afford EVERY SINGLE one of our members the opportunity to have input the direction of the club, via the ultimate form of democratic expression - which is one's voting rights.
Replies
I must admit I was disappointed - as a member of 6 years standing - that I could not contribute on Saturday. Cliche but it if you feel you need to effect change it would be nice to be able to vote to achieve this (regardless of geography)
Phil, I agree with you 100%. We must put a 'proxy voting' motion forward at the next AGM and get plenty of members to attend so that motion gets carried.
If Ken Edwards want to achieve his target of 40,000 members by 2017 there must be more of an incentive to join and thant would mean that REGIONAL MEMBERS MUST BE TREATED WITH THE SAME CONSIDERATION OF THOSE IN THE AREA. THIS MUST BE A NON-NEGOTIABLE COMMITMENT BY THE CLUB GOING FORWARD,
THis was mentioned i'm sure before the 2008 election but the feedback it seems is thats it's too hard.
I know i didn't get to vote as i was in sydney the weekend before and wasn't coming back again just for it.
I don't think it makes me any less a member by not being ablt to vote, i pay my membership because i love the club and want the club to be here for my kids and thier kids to support in the years ahead.
Some sort of online voting or even postal voting would be great for us out of towners.
But to me i'm happy that my $75 is keeping my club here for the long term.
From the amount of candidates at the election it seems thier are a lot of passionate members out there who feel the same.
Well done to all the candidates for having your hearts and minds on the blue and gold.
I just posted on this in your Election De-brief blog.
I am of the opinion that BLOCKING postal and / or proxy votes is ILLEGAL.
That said it must be challenged at the highest level.
I am not aware of any legislation that allows any organisation to BLOCK members from legally voting in elections for the board.
Edit] - in fact I believe legislation requires ALL members to be advised of elections - the candidates and be presented with an opportunity to lodge their vote.