AGM 2021

[drysdale demon 4,836]

2 minutes ago, deanox said:

 

Yeah terrible idea.

Unless you have a committed group of board challengers, backed by the core community, don't do this.

Even if you do have that alternative ticket, go sit and talk to them across the table and force changes not blood spill.

This is a good way to get us to fold.

Never seen it be successful at any club, just makes it far worse for a number of years.

[deevotee 34]

2 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

Never seen it be successful at any club, just makes it far worse for a number of years.

How bad do you want it to get?

[deevotee 34]

27 minutes ago, rjay said:

Ok, given he was given a seat at the board by the current Prez then it's unlikely for him to want to unseat him.

Apart from that if we think Bartlett is not the best speaker, he would definitely not be a step up.

I did not suggest President Green  !!!

 

[Slartibartfast 17,297]

Did anyone see the question and answer section.  What was said (if anything) about the muzzling of Peter Lawrence?

[drysdale demon 4,836]

12 minutes ago, deevotee said:

How bad do you want it to get?

It isn't that bad now

[Travis Boots 157]

32 minutes ago, deevotee said:

Another piece of waffle and obfuscation but approximately he said

Minister Pakula or the Premier will be the ones making the announcement as the Victorian government owns the land, and then the AFL will decide as it is not our land and then we will have a say.

Basically

Not wanting to defend him or anything but i “think” this may all tie in with an annoucement on Goschs Paddock becoming an exclusive training/administration facility for the round ball code 

[old dee 23,792]

1 minute ago, Travis Boots said:

Not wanting to defend him or anything but i “think” this may all tie in with an annoucement on Goschs Paddock becoming an exclusive training/administration facility for the round ball code 

That would leave us up that famous creek. 

[deevotee 34]

Yes, I stuck it out. Thank goodness I had access to my room temperature controlled wine cabinet.  Nothing re muzzling, just a weasel word justification of 'acceptable' directors

The Q and A on-line zoom function wasn't connected (I tried) either.

The formatted Questions were hand picked for Dorothy Dix, and my question was answered in such a way that it raised more questions.   (Just one real estate agent opinion?  And veted by the E/Y auditor? What's does that mean? Checked it for spelling?) This further raises the conduct of this on-line AGM which I will raise in another post today, when I think it through a bit more  'Bob".  There are serious questions on the validity of the conduct of the AGM, not just Director Elections.

Is there a Corporate lawyer in the house?  The Board seems to have stopped breathing !   

[BDA 22,755]

We have no alternative but to be patient for now. Bartlett has again been bullish about the home base saying construction to commence by 2023. And again he has been definitive about the MCG precinct. Working back from there you would think an announcement is required fairly soon and definitely before next years AGM. Either he’s full of it (i don't believe he is) or he is genuinely confident. He must be getting positive signals from the government.

He mentioned that Kate Roffey is heading up the Facilities working Group. She has been involved in a number of government advisory panels and authorities so she’ll have good contacts. Hopefully she can grease the wheel and get things moving.

@deevotee Petitions before having a genuine alternative board isn’t the best way to go about it. You have to have people in place and ready to go otherwise you de-stabilise for no benefit. You’ll need high profile people with the requisite skills and influence who are prepared to volunteer their time and energy. The potential pool isn’t big. I share your concerns with the slow progress but I suggest you hang tough for another 12 months. By all means see if you can garner support from influential people in the meantime and work on an alternative ticket. But do it discreetly and definitely stay away from petitions.

Btw the pres looks unwell.  

[Slartibartfast 17,297]

8 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

We have no alternative but to be patient for now.

I was basically supportive of the Board until I learned the lengths they went to to stop a fair election.  Their approach to others offering their candidacy was plainly hostile which is not the way it should be and seeds distrust from members.

I think they treat us, the members, with disrespect.  They are not open about the new facility nor do I trust them with our finances.  If they are getting nowhere on the facility they will just turn around in 12 months and say "that idea fell through but we've got another one on the go".  And frankly I don't think they've done much during their tenure other than ride on the success of Peter Jackson.

But a Board spill with a partition would be a disaster IMO.  I agree with BDA. 

In the end I'd just like some honesty from this lot.  Asking us to vote for candidates based on a 150 work muzzling is an utter disgrace.  It goes to the honesty and quality of this Board.  Surely it's time for Bartlett to step down and give someone else a go.  He's clearly lost the confidence of many members.

[Dannyz 2,760]

26 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

We have no alternative but to be patient for now. Bartlett has again been bullish about the home base saying construction to commence by 2023. And again he has been definitive about the MCG precinct. Working back from there you would think an announcement is required fairly soon and definitely before next years AGM. Either he’s full of it (i don't believe he is) or he is genuinely confident. He must be getting positive signals from the government.

He mentioned that Kate Roffey is heading up the Facilities working Group. She has been involved in a number of government advisory panels and authorities so she’ll have good contacts. Hopefully she can grease the wheel and get things moving.

@deevotee Petitions before having a genuine alternative board isn’t the best way to go about it. You have to have people in place and ready to go otherwise you de-stabilise for no benefit. You’ll need high profile people with the requisite skills and influence who are prepared to volunteer their time and energy. The potential pool isn’t big. I share your concerns with the slow progress but I suggest you hang tough for another 12 months. By all means see if you can garner support from influential people in the meantime and work on an alternative ticket. But do it discreetly and definitely stay away from petitions.

Btw the pres looks unwell.  

I had heard Kate Roffey can now give our facilities project the time it requires after securing a build start date and finalised plans for Western United's piece in Tarneit.

[pitmaster 3,560]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/866569/agm-glen-bartlett?videoId=866569&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1614027938001

Thanks for the link. I wouldn't have found it otherwise.

Barltett's comments were not as worrying as they were portrayed. They are still committed to the MCG precinct, clearly there are many players including the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust to be accommodated but unless GB is an outright fantasist it is still moving forward. As to the gubbament making the announcement, it is all crown land after all. Ditto the MCG: the MCC is merely the trustee although true to say MCC members have built the stadium through most of its life but it is still public land.

But boy, the personal presentation could have done with a lift. Surely the man can afford a business shirt that buttons at the neck. Just go up a size FCS!

[whatwhat say what 22,771]

bartlett is very clear that the mcg precinct is our clear and sole intention

he doesn't look particularly healthy tho

[dazzledavey36 54,947]

Got this off social media.. look where we stand amongst it all.

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by dazzledavey36

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

15 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Got this off social media.. look where we stand amongst it all.

 

How does the MFC get Fed Funding?

That is the Crux of all this

[Dannyz 2,760]

2 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

How does the MFC get Fed Funding?

That is the Crux of all this

They will have to think outside the box. Debt levels have ended 'community & leisure' funding handouts.

Some sort of medical hub is my shout.

[deevotee 34]

Patience for more of the same ?   This AGM was a black hole. Presented by a president that was at best lacklustre, vague and appallingly dishevelled appearance. So much so, it's generating the many comments that he must be unwell.

Compounding this problem is a Board of, in his own words, his own approved appointments.

Like BB, I found the President's exclusion of a nominee, one nominee, not befitting his mould, sent the clear signal to me of mistrust and arrogance.

Like BDA, it's correct the leadtime for major project construction today in Victoria is at least two years. The time of this home base announcement is now. Unless it is a figment of the President's imagination, or re-election. I have made it clear that that is all it is.

As a supporter group, I believe we are not alone in the often stated dissatisfaction with the President's performance or lack of results. The discussions we are having in this forum are so important. The consensus may continue to build that the off-field inertia is remedied by Bartlett stepping aside. This solution is immediately facing the next issue of who on the Board should step up? 

[Super Demon 14]

It must be noted that The Pres wasn’t brave enough to detail the final actual vote tally of each candidate in the recent Board “election”

 

Very Disappointing 

[dazzledavey36 54,947]

I see there was still no mention of acknowledgement of Josh Mahoney?

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

42 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

They will have to think outside the box. Debt levels have ended 'community & leisure' funding handouts.

Some sort of medical hub is my shout.

Yep. I agree it has to be outside the Box. 
Jeelong $140 mill in State and Federal Funding. Meanwhile at The MFC...

43 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

They will have to think outside the box. Debt levels have ended 'community & leisure' funding handouts.

Some sort of medical hub ismy shout

[Mika98_99 33]

Observations from last night:

• President acknowledged that he needs to join in a pre-season. I did not take from this that he is unwell as others have come to that conclusion, but by the looks of things he has put on a few kilograms presumably during COVID lockdowns and made a remark about not having to put on a suit for 12 months. 
• Change of title from Chairman to President after feedback from members
• Going to be relentless in pursuit of facilities within the MCG precinct. Nor he or Pert would be making the announcement, would be left to Minister Pakula and the Premier. He did sound fairly confident that he hoped there would be an announcement this year.
• Future plans for the Bentleigh Club will be announced next year.
• 100 people have approached to join the Board in his time - it does not appear that any of which have ever made it on the Board. Made a comment during the Q&A segment that a person can join sub-committees/working groups so the President can see if he can work with them and vice versa. Sounded like he was on a bit of a power trip at this stage. 
• Stated it was disappointing we had a contested election, but did not actually declare how many or what % voted for Peter Lawrence as I have noticed Carlton have done with their results announcement. I can only draw from the omission that Peter Lawrence achieved a good number of votes which would embarrass the President to have released.
• President is keen for people to get in touch with him or other board members to express interest to join working groups/sub-committees. Said that 2-3 working groups would be formed in addition to the 5 sub-committees, but did not indicate what they would be. Assume this has only come about as a result of Peter Lawrence's challenge and wanting to project inclusiveness.
• Flagged changes to the club's constitution to make it contemporary and meet club requirements. Referenced that the constitution requires a postal vote for an election and would look to change to make it electronic. Any changes will need to come back to the members.
• Q&A section was pre-selected question unlike the standard AGM with open questions from the floor. 

[old dee 23,792]

53 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I see there was still no mention of acknowledgement of Josh Mahoney?

There wasn't one for  Peter Jackson either. He was at the AGM after he left I sat about 2 rows from him. Bloody poor form.

Edited February 23, 2021 by old dee

[BDA 22,755]

2 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I was basically supportive of the Board until I learned the lengths they went to to stop a fair election.  Their approach to others offering their candidacy was plainly hostile which is not the way it should be and seeds distrust from members.

I think they treat us, the members, with disrespect.  They are not open about the new facility nor do I trust them with our finances.  If they are getting nowhere on the facility they will just turn around in 12 months and say "that idea fell through but we've got another one on the go".  And frankly I don't think they've done much during their tenure other than ride on the success of Peter Jackson.

But a Board spill with a partition would be a disaster IMO.  I agree with BDA. 

In the end I'd just like some honesty from this lot.  Asking us to vote for candidates based on a 150 work muzzling is an utter disgrace.  It goes to the honesty and quality of this Board.  Surely it's time for Bartlett to step down and give someone else a go.  He's clearly lost the confidence of many members.

Bartlett has well and truly hitched his wagon to the MCG precinct. If it falls through he won’t have anyone’s confidence that he can deliver an alternative. My sense is there will be announcement within the next 6-12 months one way or the other. Either a site is confirmed or the project has fallen over and if it does fall over he’ll have to resign.

I’m not sure what has happened behind the scenes to spook the board into changing rules and stage managing the process to this degree. They should have been able to pull together enough support without the chicanery. And even if Lawrence did get on the board he is only one vote so would always get outvoted. It wouldn’t have been difficult to manage him so I can only surmise they thought he was going to de-stabilise and get in the way.

Financial health will be determined by membership and sponsorship renewals. Not sure how we’re going on the membership front but I haven’t heard of any sponsors pulling out.

Whoever wants to put an alternative ticket together then by all means go for it. But whoever is involved they must have the contacts and know how to get large, complex construction projects off the ground otherwise I’m not convinced there’s any real point.

[Lucifers Hero 39,819]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Got this off social media.. look where we stand amongst it all.

 

I'm pretty sure the $5m was to upgrade facilities at Casey as part of AFLW start up.

The longer Bartlett is obsessed about our facilities being in the 'MCG precint' the longer it will take to get any proposal going and to get any funding.

Geelong, Bulldgos and Saints have done very nicely.  North not so.

[BDA 22,755]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Got this off social media.. look where we stand amongst it all.

 

For those interested in putting a ticket together can i suggest getting the Geelong government liaison on board. Whoever they are they're doing a heck of a job.