G'day all WAMUGGERs. There are three special resolutions being put to the vote at the annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday. The first is about amendments to the constitution as recommended by the Department of Commerce to ensure our constitution complies with the Associations Incorporation Act 1987 (the Act).
The second resolution is about a change within our "Objects and Purposes" to better reflect what we do. It is simply a change from the term "Macintosh Computers" to the term "Apple Macintosh Computers and other Apple products". This proposed change came about during discussions of the change of name of WAMUG. The third resolution is about the change of name from “Western Australian Macintosh Users’ Group Incorporated” to "Apple Users WA Incorporated". Voting for these special resolutions can be done in person at the AGM or by use of the proxy voting form available from the website. The form is a PDF form that can actually be filled in and saved. You can then simply email it to the address on the form. Please note, however, that when completing the form this way, unless you have a digital signature that you can affix to the form, you will need to type your full name in the signature box and, either way, the form must be emailed from the email address you post to the list from. Only current financial members and life members are eligible to vote. (Have you paid your fees this year??) Full details of the proposed special resolutions and the proxy voting forms can found at <http://www.wamug.org.au/amendments-to-constitution/>. The committee urges you most strongly to vote and have your say. Each resolution requires a 75% yes vote from members who do vote to be passed. (The current rules or constitution that we have says we only need two-thirds, however, the Act requires that we have three-fourths. This is actually one of the proposed amendments to ensure we comply with the Act.) Name Change. The name change garnered some discussion on the list when first mooted in September last year. (See the archives if you like:- <http://www.mail-archive.com/search?q=Proposed+name+change+to+Apple+Users+WA&l=wamug%40wamug.org.au>.) The Committee took a deliberate decision not to push, encourage or recommend a vote either for or against. It was our view that the resolution should be put (and obviously the arguments for it) to the members and then accept arguments either for or against it on the list and that you, the member, should be allowed to make up your own mind as to whether you wish the name to change or stay the same. The one recommendation that the Committee does make, though, is PLEASE VOTE. Having said that, I have gone through the emails that I have kept and extracted the arguments both for and against that I could find. I have tried to reproduce them as accurately as I can, although some have been briefly summarised. They are reproduced here in the standard order of "for" then "against" but otherwise in no particular order. I have probably not included all and there are some comments made; eg sad to see it go; that I have also not included. The number of arguments does not reflect the number of people who put up those arguments. Arguments "FOR" - change name to Apple Users WA (AUWA) - The organisation's description would be its name. For example, a poster that reads Apple Users WA Meeting has already selected those who have an interest in the topic. Those that choose to read on will be seeking information as to how to get to the meeting, those not interested (say Android users) will know not to waste their time. - The current name WA Mac Users' Group does not describe that we also cover iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs, etc. - WAMUG has to be explained to all on first hearing, Apple Users WA obviously describes a group of Apple product users. - The name change would greatly help with public recognition of what our group does. - We support the whole range of Apple products and services in addition to the much loved, time honoured Mac. - A name that better reflects our activities and sounds more accessible will help us promote the use of the Apple product range and provide a obvious support group for the growing collection of new Apple users. Arguments "AGAINST" - retain Western Australian Macintosh Users’ Group (WAMUG) - A great reputation was built under that name. - We might have to explain WAMUG but that is good as it means people are enquiring about us. - Apple Users WA will become the acronym AUWA; we have to explain WAMUG, we'll still have to explain AUWA. - Macworld magazine - I find it hard to imagine that anyone would feel the need to change the name to Appleworld to attract more buyers (if it ain't broke etc). - WAMUG is well known & appreciated by a lot of people, not just members. - WAMUG has earned a reputation of providing high quality assistance both nationally & internationally. Re-badging would result in having to build that reputation again. - Efficient marketing can sell any name, and history IS important. - Has WAMUG been marketed? - WAMUG is known throughout the world - eg, Canada, USA & UK. - It is even known in The Beautiful Glass building in central New york. - Some concern about the AUWA acronym (associated with UWA - University of WA). I apologise in advance if I have accidentally misrepresented anyone's views from last September. Regards, Pete Smith on behalf of the WAMUG Committee. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.wamug.org.au/pipermail/wamug.org.au-wamug/attachments/20130301/110ce444/attachment.htm -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Settings & Unsubscribe - <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug>
