The AGM

[BuntonRules]

OK, after the last 6 months this is the most important AGM in memory. As one that paid to upgrade my membership so I could have my say, I still want to be heard.

I cannot be there in person, so how do I give my proxy to someone that will be, and what issues are to be voted on-

1. the jumper - recent communication from the club seems that the return of the premiership jumper is a given but IMO it is still important to have a sizeable % of members vote, to give this move legitimacy.

2. The EGM challengers had a policy of capped terms on the board - 4 years for the chair, & 10 over all I believe. I feel this is too important to be forgotten & should be adressed.

I want Ross Thornton there & Cameron Milner gone.

4. Pinkstergate & the whitewash 'investigation' from the club should not be forgotten.

5. Any other issues we need a united front on?

So,are we going to present a united front & who is collecting the proxies? I am sure there are many in my situation, with similar wants.

 

[POBT]

Good idea for a thread BR. I was going to start it myself.

The Board

For those who haven't received the communication from the club, there will be no change in directors. As per the Constitution, Mick Power resigned and, because there was no other nomination for the position of director, he was reappointed. Therefore, people shouldn't expect a vote on the make-up of the Board this year. However, going on previous reports, the Thornton-Milner swap should play out next year. It is something that I am very keen to see happen too.

Life Members

The mooted proposal to ensure life members have the same rights and privileges as full members is included. On my quick perusal last night, it seems in order and will ensure life members can be elected to the board, forever avoiding the Matthews-Thornton farce of a couple of months ago.

Jumper

This is included as a non-binding resolution. It specifically refers to the Fitzroy and triple premiership lion so there is no grey area there. However, the resolution does simply say "as soon as reasonably practicable." I think there is definitely a need to get some clarity there. I also think that I'd like some clarification on the jumper design - no point returning the lion if it is on a hot pink background with a return of the piss stain on the bottom. All in all though, we're getting there.

Other Issues

The issues that stick out in my mind are:

1. The Leak - this has not been handled well IMO and we're entitled to answers.

2. The Finances - I want greater clarity on projected timelines. When will the Springwood debt clear and what impact will that have?

3. Training/Admin Base - What is going on?

4. The Exodus - What specifically has the club done to rectify this?



I think it is a good bet that you'll hear from The Lions Roar about the AGM.

 

[GingerGreatness]

It comes up every year, and lord knows I don't want the club spending thousands on it (like they apparently did a while back - why it cost so much, I'll never know) but a stream for our Vic and non-Brisbane based members would be a pretty good start.

The club has "gone live" with streams of various pressers in the last few months.

Appreciate the take up last time might have been low, but I think the membership base has never been so interested tbh. If it's a low take up this time around, then fair enough.

 

[Lockie]

OK, after the last 6 months this is the most important AGM in memory. As one that paid to upgrade my membership so I could have my say, I still want to be heard.

I cannot be there in person, so how do I give my proxy to someone that will be, and what issues are to be voted on-

1. the jumper - recent communication from the club seems that the return of the premiership jumper is a given but IMO it is still important to have a sizeable % of members vote, to give this move legitimacy.

2. The EGM challengers had a policy of capped terms on the board - 4 years for the chair, & 10 over all I believe. I feel this is too important to be forgotten & should be adressed.

I want Ross Thornton there & Cameron Milner gone.

4. Pinkstergate & the whitewash 'investigation' from the club should not be forgotten.

5. Any other issues we need a united front on?

So,are we going to present a united front & who is collecting the proxies? I am sure there are many in my situation, with similar wants.

Totally agree. Would also like to give my proxy vote to someone who will raise these issues? Any ideas???

 

[LionKing]

Full members can nominate another full member as proxy or the chairman Bob Sharpless.

I think I'd like nominate another member attending the AGM as my proxy rather than Sharpless. If anyone is happy to act as proxy please PM your name, address & membership number. Cheers

 

[luthor]

As above for me too.

After champing at the bit for months to go, I now realize that I'm going to be way interstate on the night.

I'd also really like to give my proxies (2) to a like minded member

 

[Voss the boss]

And the same for me as above. I won't be there but would like to give it someone who is. TLR rep maybe? If someone could contact me that would be great.

Pinkster need not apply!

 

[BuntonRules]

I think it is a good bet that you'll hear from The Lions Roar about the AGM.

Top post. If TLR are interested in representing us, they get my vote. Am I correct in saying proxy forms must be posted? That is 1 reason I am instigating action now.

 

[Lion for Life]

For those wondering about what is currently happening with TLR in regards to the AGM, i received this reply over facebook when i asked them about what is planned:

"Hi Marc, we're currently discussing internally how we approach the AGM, including the issue of proxies. Hopefully we'll have something out in the near future."

So, should hear something more soon

 

[POBT]

There doesn't seem to be any info about the AGM up on the website. Or am I just not looking in the right place?

 

[Always a Lion]

There doesn't seem to be any info about the AGM up on the website. Or am I just not looking in the right place?

AGM info pack arrived to me by post a couple of days ago, so if you don't receive it today, perhaps give the club a call.

 

[POBT]

AGM info pack arrived to me by post a couple of days ago, so if you don't receive it today, perhaps give the club a call.

I've received my letter too but just wondering whether they have or will put the details up on their website.

 

[Fatcat08]

Worth noting that with proxies, while you can name another full member, whoever you name the proxies must be sent to the lions not the person you're giving the proxy to. They can be mailed faxed or according to the proxy form received, scanned and emailed by the 16th of December.

 

[Last of the Roys]

I think it would be a great idea for TLR to gather a lot of proxies just to show the Club the strength it has, even if both the Chairman and TLR are voting in favour of the proposals.

I am dissappointed though that members weren't allowed to just provide a postal vote on the two key issues - the change to the Constitution for Life members and the jumpers. Surely that would be the appropriate thing to do to make it easy for everyone. I would dalso efinitely sign up to see a stream of the AGM if it was available. I know they did it when Angus first came in (we also got to send in written questions as well, which he answered) and then quietly shelved it from then on.

Everyone has already listed the most important issues - but here is what I would like to see asked / answered:

• How can members believe the Lions board is now stable and united when it is now basically a composite of two formerly opposing factions?
• Why is it appropriate that an unelected board member be made Chairman of the Brisbane Lions within the first year of his appointment as a Director?
• What is the Club doing to overcome the numerous potential conflicts of interest of Board members surrounding the potential Springfield training facilities?
• What is the Club doing to ensure significant financial commitments are forethcoming from the various levels of governments in relation to our training facilities given the QLD State Government has not committed any funding and now the Federal Government has indicated the project will need to be reviewed again?
• Other than winning more games and maitaining the healthy profit from the Springwood gaming venue - what are the Board's specific plans to ensure we can overcome our current financial dependency on extra AFL handouts so we can be sustainable and competitive on an ongoing basis?
• Does the Board really believe that our Club can become competitive on-field while being dependant on significant additional AFL handouts just in order to survive?
• Will the Board renew its commitment to attempt to ensure the AFL upholds the Deed of Arrangement to the Merger Agreement so that 6 Lions Home and Away games a year are played in Melbourne in the future, enabling the survival of the Lions as a true two-city Club?

And the key question that is still annoying me:

• How is it possible that Henry Pinskier got access to the final voting members database just as the EGM was being scheduled - this included access to email addresses that were set up and used only for voting memberships purchased in the last few days before the membership cut-off. It also included people's first and last names and whether they were Victorian or QLD members. This information could not possibly be gathered from public sources. How can we be confident in the Lions investigation into the affair given the potential links between Henry Pinskier and certain former and current Board members? How can we be confident that Henry Pinskier did not obtain credit card information that is also stored with member's details? Will the Club now refer the matter to the Police and ASIC for further investigation, and if not why not?

 

[Lionwest]

Guys,

just a quick question, being in Perth obviously I'm going to have to lodge a proxy. I support both the amendment to allow Life Membership voting rights etc as well as the change back to our rightful guernsey (wish it was for 2014).

The Chairman will vote in favor of both matters, is there anything else I'm missing by giving my proxy to the Chairman? Certainly I'm happy to give mine to a fellow like minded member if that's the best approach.

 

[Skoob]

Guys,

just a quick question, being in Perth obviously I'm going to have to lodge a proxy. I support both the amendment to allow Life Membership voting rights etc as well as the change back to our rightful guernsey (wish it was for 2014).

The Chairman will vote in favor of both matters, is there anything else I'm missing by giving my proxy to the Chairman? Certainly I'm happy to give mine to a fellow like minded member if that's the best approach.

Has he stated this?
What if he decides he should remain neutral and abstains?

 

[POBT]

Guys,

just a quick question, being in Perth obviously I'm going to have to lodge a proxy. I support both the amendment to allow Life Membership voting rights etc as well as the change back to our rightful guernsey (wish it was for 2014).

The Chairman will vote in favor of both matters, is there anything else I'm missing by giving my proxy to the Chairman? Certainly I'm happy to give mine to a fellow like minded member if that's the best approach.

The above is all technically correct Lionwest.

However, you may wish to consider the message giving your proxy to the Chair might send. I am someone who is more than happy to give Sharpless the benefit of the doubt and, while I think he is an AFL appointee, I don't necessarily believe he is an Angus stooge or is in it because of Springfield. I'm willing to give him a chance.

But I also don't want to send the message that whoever holds the position of Chair automatically has the support of the membership, just because of their title. I will be attending the AGM. If for some reason I can't, I will be giving my proxy to a third party - TLR or, if they aren't going to hold proxies this year, another member who will be attending and who will vote in favour of the two resolutions.

That's my personal view though. At the very least, by filling out your proxy form, you'll be showing the club you're engaged - if enough people do that, it sends a message that we, the members, aren't going to be passive in the future.

 

[Lionwest]

But I also don't want to send the message that whoever holds the position of Chair automatically has the support of the membership, just because of their title. I will be attending the AGM. If for some reason I can't, I will be giving my proxy to a third party - TLR or, if they aren't going to hold proxies this year, another member who will be attending and who will vote in favour of the two resolutions.

Thanks POBT, you make some valid points. I'll give mine to TLR or another member that will attend the AGM. If someone can PM (POBT perhaps), i'll be happy to sign my proxy over.

 

[adey115]

I'm also a Vic Member looking for a proxy signover. Lookig forward to the instructions/advice from TLR as to how to handle this.

 

[BuntonRules]

Top post POBT (as usual).

Lionwest, & all others wondering.The club's letter to members containing the proxy form specifically states the members should vote in favour of both resolutions. However, IMO, it would send the wrong message. To give your proxy to the chair merely lines you up with the sheep that do not really care, those who are prepared to allow the status quo - and unlikely to scrutinise the board's actions. THat is largely what got us in this mess in the first place.

If TLR garners a solid support both through both attendees and proxies it confirms them as credible players in club affairs, and leaves a solid reminder the board that their every action is under scrutiny.

To those good souls who do all the work in organising TLR, I hope you are prepared to continue to be active in club affairs, as I feel we benefit greatly from having a strong member's voice.

I am quite happy for you to act as my proxy, and have full faith in your decision on other votes.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Got to make them squirm in their seats over Pinkygate. Even if they argue the end justifies the means.

 

[Rizzler]

Does anyone else think it's worth asking the board at the AGM what exactly has Can Do Newman's wife done as our No. 1 ticket holder and whether there's a chance she can be replaced with someone who actually wants the position?

 

[Skoob]

Does anyone else think it's worth asking the board at the AGM what exactly has Can Do Newman's wife done as our No. 1 ticket holder and whether there's a chance she can be replaced with someone who actually wants the position?

Fair question.
Although #1 ticket holders aren't actually required to do anything, they are supposed to have a public profile and publically acknowledge and support the club. Unless she is privately pouring money into the joint, she is of no value. It has been suggested by plenty that Mel Schlenger would be much better.
Personally I would hope we can find someone higher profile than that, but at least she is supportive and publically so.

 

[POBT]

Other than the fact that she was named the #1 ticketholder, I can't find any record of her doing anything with the club.

 

[Rizzler]

What do you think the odds are of our no. 1 ticket holder even turning up the AGM?

I agree that number 1 ticket holders aren't required to do anything..... but she seems to have literally done nothing since she was announced.