Porsche Club EGM
Discussion
Just received emails from PCGB about an Extraordinary General Meeting calling for the board to be replaced. All sounds very dramatic. Didn’t know these things were that important, but we are in a post Handforth Parish Council era I suppose. Didn’t really understand the background of the issue.
For those wishing to get involved ... this is the existing board summary of "FAQ's"
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/getmedia/f935659d-d6...
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/getmedia/f935659d-d6...
I'm sure that those wishing to usurp the existing Board have a point of view ... I as one would like to see it.
Since the normal AGM takes place in April ... why try to force a change earlier ?
Obviously some people think the situation requires desperate "solutions" if that is what is offered.
?? Who knows enough to have a qualified opinion ??
Since the normal AGM takes place in April ... why try to force a change earlier ?
Obviously some people think the situation requires desperate "solutions" if that is what is offered.
?? Who knows enough to have a qualified opinion ??
It’s something to do with the organisers of R5 being dismissed and the board not explaining why (assume there must have been a reason ?) .....and a lack of communication from the board and minutes of board meetings not being published. Some of the board have already resigned and been replaced.
It seems to me though that ego’s are out of control on both sides.
It should be a really simple organisation to run....and it should be really simple to communicate with members. People with too much time on their hands perhaps ?
It seems to me though that ego’s are out of control on both sides.
It should be a really simple organisation to run....and it should be really simple to communicate with members. People with too much time on their hands perhaps ?
911uk has a thread on it with some good sleuthing....it appears a number of members who have family memberships (12 possibly) have gathered to collectively force the EGM. The Club have also rightly taken some stick over ignoring protestations about shady activities of certain specialist dealers in the Malton area of Yorkshire. I understand the EGM will be held online so it’ll be interesting to know what goes on?!
Edited by MrC986 on Saturday 6th February 20:17
Why is the meeting being called?
The requisitioners have raised the following issue:
• the manner of the dismissal of the former Region 5 Regional Organiser and his committee,
and in addition, they have made the following allegations
• Failure in the Board’s ability to show strategic leadership,
• Failure to make the best use of financial resources,
• Failure to deal with grievance issues in an open and consistent way,
• Failure to show openness and transparency in Board related matters, and
• Failure by the Board to publish minutes of meetings of Board meetings in a timely manner, despite requests that the Board do so.
The requisitioners have raised the following issue:
• the manner of the dismissal of the former Region 5 Regional Organiser and his committee,
and in addition, they have made the following allegations
• Failure in the Board’s ability to show strategic leadership,
• Failure to make the best use of financial resources,
• Failure to deal with grievance issues in an open and consistent way,
• Failure to show openness and transparency in Board related matters, and
• Failure by the Board to publish minutes of meetings of Board meetings in a timely manner, despite requests that the Board do so.
I noticed a lot of those calling for the meeting shared surnames and wonder how much of that 50 odd were just a few mates and partners. Problem is as it seems many members myself included don’t really have much of an opinion on the issue and don’t involve themselves enough to care. I attend the odd trackday and read Porsche Post from time to time and will pop by the stand if I get the chance. But I’m unlikely to make time to attend the EGM though it might be entertaining, thus those voting will be a certain subset who may or may not have an agenda to swing control of the club. It’s almost a coup!
Maybe I’ll tune in for the crac after all
Maybe I’ll tune in for the crac after all
They only needed 50 people to call the EGM and stopped counting/recording once the target was hit, therefore it's not a complete list of those in support of it. 50 is the limit set in the articles, rightly or wrongly. Note that the current board likely only revised a small number of votes to be in post already anyway, not many of the 22,000+ members vote at AGMs.
Once those involved in the EGM are allowed to publicly publish their concerns, which the Board seem to be blocking at the moment, people will be able to make their own mind up.
I'm certainly curious to hear both sides of the story.
Once those involved in the EGM are allowed to publicly publish their concerns, which the Board seem to be blocking at the moment, people will be able to make their own mind up.
I'm certainly curious to hear both sides of the story.
shost said:
It’s almost a coup!
Based on the info released so far it certainly looks and feels like a coup/ insurrection of sorts. Very very sad for the club, not a good look. But I’m just a regular member, not a disgruntled/aggrieved party or privy to the other side. Timing is odd considering normal elections are due soon.
If new board is selected now, what happens to the planned election timetable?
I’m sure we’ll see EGM bylaws changed immediately after this event to prevent this type of thing happening again or a retaliatory action being brought to bear by such a tiny cohort (50 out of 22k) normally requires a much larger representation to trigger an EGM.
TDT said:
Timing is odd considering normal elections are due soon.
If new board is selected now, what happens to the planned election timetable?
They'd all be up for re-election at the AGM.If new board is selected now, what happens to the planned election timetable?
The current board have left the EGM until the last possible moment under the rules, so both parties appear to be vying for position and posturing as it were.
It's a mess.
It is completely embarrassing for the Club, How funny that the Handforth Parish Council meeting went live just as protagonists largely from Wilmslow question the Chair's authority and demand that the standing orders are followed!
I was Chair from 2016 to 2018 and left the Club is great shape so find this very disheartening to say the least.
My personal opinion is that the Board and the Clubhouse team have done a pretty good job during unprecedented times, they have kept the magazine going and introduced a series of online events with some big names. Membership retention has been amazing, new members are still joining and there is more cash in the bank than ever before as spending on events was so limited in 2020.
The Board are in an invidious position. There are demands for explanations for decisions made in relation to issues which obviously have to remain confidential such as personnel issues or about commercially sensitive information.
As highlighted above, the Board couldn't give Notice of the EGM until it had managed to find a way of hosting a secure online meeting that only current paid up members can attend, with a voting system and a capacity for an audience of 22,000 people. Anyone who endured the July 2020 AGM will recognise that such a task is not wholly straightforward. The Board is not allowed to give less than 28 days notice under the rules. Such a delay in holding the EGM was inevitable and wholly predictable (as it was, by me) and caused the EGM to back up into the AGM in April, the date of which was announced last November.
An EGM to discuss regional issues or wider constitutional issues would probably have been a healthy exercise for those interested in such a thing but, sadly, such agenda quickly moved to an attempt for seven named individuals to take over the Board of Directors, whilst avoiding an imminent, transparent election process - which, as it happens, has already now started. Those that wish to take over have refused to answer many questions, most notably, who they propose takes over as Finance Director because, as yet, they haven't announced one and don't have a mechanism to appoint one! Given the value of the Club's assets, that may send some alarm bells ringing.
Fundamentally, there has been no opportunity for all the Club's volunteers to meet up together since April 2019 (the normal November conference trialled a North / South split) and you can't help but feel that all of this could and should have been sorted over a pint, and that people have too much time on their hands, frustrated at not being able to go out for a decent drive with their mates.
Appreciate it can be a tough crowd on here, with many preferring other Clubs or other more informal online groups but to those who have people they class as personal friends working at the Clubhouse, whole livelihoods depend on PCGB, it becomes a bit more serious than the typical keyboard warrior argument. Whatever judgment calls the Board made which are open for criticism, there is certainly no smoking gun and no need for collective summary dismissals. Am sure those interested will follow, form their own views and vote accordingly, Personally, I will be glad when its over.
I was Chair from 2016 to 2018 and left the Club is great shape so find this very disheartening to say the least.
My personal opinion is that the Board and the Clubhouse team have done a pretty good job during unprecedented times, they have kept the magazine going and introduced a series of online events with some big names. Membership retention has been amazing, new members are still joining and there is more cash in the bank than ever before as spending on events was so limited in 2020.
The Board are in an invidious position. There are demands for explanations for decisions made in relation to issues which obviously have to remain confidential such as personnel issues or about commercially sensitive information.
As highlighted above, the Board couldn't give Notice of the EGM until it had managed to find a way of hosting a secure online meeting that only current paid up members can attend, with a voting system and a capacity for an audience of 22,000 people. Anyone who endured the July 2020 AGM will recognise that such a task is not wholly straightforward. The Board is not allowed to give less than 28 days notice under the rules. Such a delay in holding the EGM was inevitable and wholly predictable (as it was, by me) and caused the EGM to back up into the AGM in April, the date of which was announced last November.
An EGM to discuss regional issues or wider constitutional issues would probably have been a healthy exercise for those interested in such a thing but, sadly, such agenda quickly moved to an attempt for seven named individuals to take over the Board of Directors, whilst avoiding an imminent, transparent election process - which, as it happens, has already now started. Those that wish to take over have refused to answer many questions, most notably, who they propose takes over as Finance Director because, as yet, they haven't announced one and don't have a mechanism to appoint one! Given the value of the Club's assets, that may send some alarm bells ringing.
Fundamentally, there has been no opportunity for all the Club's volunteers to meet up together since April 2019 (the normal November conference trialled a North / South split) and you can't help but feel that all of this could and should have been sorted over a pint, and that people have too much time on their hands, frustrated at not being able to go out for a decent drive with their mates.
Appreciate it can be a tough crowd on here, with many preferring other Clubs or other more informal online groups but to those who have people they class as personal friends working at the Clubhouse, whole livelihoods depend on PCGB, it becomes a bit more serious than the typical keyboard warrior argument. Whatever judgment calls the Board made which are open for criticism, there is certainly no smoking gun and no need for collective summary dismissals. Am sure those interested will follow, form their own views and vote accordingly, Personally, I will be glad when its over.
Thanks,
Again, apologies that this is very dull, but under the Club's rules, the accounts have to be approved by the members within 4 months of the year end and this is done at the AGM - which is why it is always held in April (Covid exception applied in 2020).
If a new Board is elected and chooses to push back the AGM, not only would they frustrate the current live election process, the result of which would still be binding on them, they would also have to hold another EGM before the end of April to get the accounts approved.
It's very difficult to say that this was all properly thought through. It's like watching a car crash.
Again, apologies that this is very dull, but under the Club's rules, the accounts have to be approved by the members within 4 months of the year end and this is done at the AGM - which is why it is always held in April (Covid exception applied in 2020).
If a new Board is elected and chooses to push back the AGM, not only would they frustrate the current live election process, the result of which would still be binding on them, they would also have to hold another EGM before the end of April to get the accounts approved.
It's very difficult to say that this was all properly thought through. It's like watching a car crash.
rob.kellock said:
Thanks,
Again, apologies that this is very dull, but under the Club's rules, the accounts have to be approved by the members within 4 months of the year end and this is done at the AGM - which is why it is always held in April (Covid exception applied in 2020).
If a new Board is elected and chooses to push back the AGM, not only would they frustrate the current live election process, the result of which would still be binding on them, they would also have to hold another EGM before the end of April to get the accounts approved.
It's very difficult to say that this was all properly thought through. It's like watching a car crash.
Hi Rob,hope you are well.Again, apologies that this is very dull, but under the Club's rules, the accounts have to be approved by the members within 4 months of the year end and this is done at the AGM - which is why it is always held in April (Covid exception applied in 2020).
If a new Board is elected and chooses to push back the AGM, not only would they frustrate the current live election process, the result of which would still be binding on them, they would also have to hold another EGM before the end of April to get the accounts approved.
It's very difficult to say that this was all properly thought through. It's like watching a car crash.
agree terrible state of affairs at this period of time,some of them must be bored while on furlough
I asked to see who the potential new board to be are, and no surprise who,s involved, we dont want to go back down the road of ex grand poopas again, especially after my experience of two of them.
As you say It could be sorted over a pint,some just cant leave things alone,very sad,its a tuff time for every one especially the board.I don’t entirely agree on the direction of the club now with the big hungry animal its created, and sometimes the interference of porsche as i see it, but thats just me.
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