In my Lands End post here I said "Lots of "political chat" on the way round, ranging from the letter Dennis has published here through to the restarts on Bishops Wood and BH1 and why the MCC doesn't send out a committee nomination forms. No I don't know how members know which positions fall vacant and I to think you shouldn't have to ask a member of the committee. It's certainly different to any other club or trade association I have ever belonged to, maybe thats part of its charm
"
"Alan Foster has sent me a reponse which I publish here with his permission.
Michael
"I was interested in the aside comment in your account of the LE about
Executive nominations etc. A fair question. The MCC is a Limited Company
and its proceedings are set down in the Memorandum and Articles of
Association ("Mem and Arts"). I have an electronic copy (
alan.foster@pins.gsi.gov.uk <mailto:alan.foster@pins.gsi.gov.uk> ) if you
can't find your Handbook (A5, blue cover). A root and branch review of
these has been on the cards for a very long time but the task is daunting,
and has made little progress. If you know of trialists who are expert in
company law, current democratic processes and effective and inclusive
management with weeks of spare time on their hands, the Executive would love
to hear about it.
"The Mem and Arts stem from nearly 100 years ago, before women had the vote.
The concepts of democracy, proxy votes, nominations in advance and so on
were very different: the Club was London based: it's members were
'gentlemen'. The whole historic process revolves around personal attendance
at a General Meeting. Article 17 sets out the management structure. All
the officers (except, it seems, the Secretary - which we don't currently
have) and one third of the Executive stand down at the General Meeting and
are eligible for re-election (Article 18). It is open, as I read it, for
other nominations to be made on the day (others may take a different view).
In theory there could be more nominations than places on the Executive which
would involve a ballot - or a resolution to change the number. How all this
could be handled at a General Meeting is a frightening thought: an
adjournment to another day I suspect.
"The general principle adopted by the Executive for many years is that
everyone has a job - it is not just about attending meetings. So if there
are folks out there who think they can put the MCC on a better track, there
is a need for a General Secretary, possibly a re-invented Competition
Secretary, a 'shadow' Sec for the Exeter, a Sec for the Edinburgh and a
Regalia Secretary (all have been mentioned in MCC material over the last 6
to 8 months). Drop me an e-mail if you want to know more - please don't wait
until the AGM."
Executive nominations etc. A fair question. The MCC is a Limited Company
and its proceedings are set down in the Memorandum and Articles of
Association ("Mem and Arts"). I have an electronic copy (
alan.foster@pins.gsi.gov.uk <mailto:alan.foster@pins.gsi.gov.uk> ) if you
can't find your Handbook (A5, blue cover). A root and branch review of
these has been on the cards for a very long time but the task is daunting,
and has made little progress. If you know of trialists who are expert in
company law, current democratic processes and effective and inclusive
management with weeks of spare time on their hands, the Executive would love
to hear about it.
"The Mem and Arts stem from nearly 100 years ago, before women had the vote.
The concepts of democracy, proxy votes, nominations in advance and so on
were very different: the Club was London based: it's members were
'gentlemen'. The whole historic process revolves around personal attendance
at a General Meeting. Article 17 sets out the management structure. All
the officers (except, it seems, the Secretary - which we don't currently
have) and one third of the Executive stand down at the General Meeting and
are eligible for re-election (Article 18). It is open, as I read it, for
other nominations to be made on the day (others may take a different view).
In theory there could be more nominations than places on the Executive which
would involve a ballot - or a resolution to change the number. How all this
could be handled at a General Meeting is a frightening thought: an
adjournment to another day I suspect.
"The general principle adopted by the Executive for many years is that
everyone has a job - it is not just about attending meetings. So if there
are folks out there who think they can put the MCC on a better track, there
is a need for a General Secretary, possibly a re-invented Competition
Secretary, a 'shadow' Sec for the Exeter, a Sec for the Edinburgh and a
Regalia Secretary (all have been mentioned in MCC material over the last 6
to 8 months). Drop me an e-mail if you want to know more - please don't wait
until the AGM."
Want to know what went on at the AGM. See my comments at the link below: http://www.wheelspin.org.uk/blog/2004_07_01_wheelspin_archive.html#108953643334056511 Andrew
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