Hi All A countless number of sporting clubs, musical and dramatic societies and business groups form an important part in our social fabric. Mostly they are supported by volunteers and pass on to future generations their accumulated skills and knowledge.
The gliding movement is well served by volunteers and this has been recognised by many contributors to this forum. The sticking point is that the Executive and Board of Directors are not elected by the popular vote of fee paying members, but by a convoluted system involving club committees, state associations and the Board then electing an Executive who may never have faced a vote of any kind. This separation of the Executive from the general membership is pretty unique. I know of no other organisation whose compulsorily fee paying members do not have a direct vote in electing the powers-that-be. Credulity is stretched by those who seek to justify this position. Arguments such as "we know best, can't trust the members to elect the right people" given to me by a former Executive member or "if you are interested in how things are run, then get yourself elected to the board" lack substance and are almost insulting to the general membership. General members should have the right to directly vote for those who wish to represent them, preferably through an optional preferential postal voting system. States rights can be protected by having Board members elected on a state electorate basis. The cost is insignificant if voting details were handled through Soaring Australia. Let those who seek to control our gliding destiny publish their skills and objectives by means of a resume in Soaring Australia. It is asking a lot for those who have gained office under the present system to give this up but lets hope they take this statesmanlike step. It will be almost impossible to change the status quo unless they do. Harry Medlicott
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