Constitutional Review

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

An update from the Club today.

It seems that have taken on board what many concerned members have been telling them.  In the middle of the season is not the time, and the Consitution needs to reflect modern thinking, and is at least consistent with what other AFL clubs have as theirs.

[Lord Nev 13,511]

 

[Binmans PA 26,492]

They certainly don't make it easy to work out what is changing. Follow this link, follow that link etc etc.

[The Swimming Dee 1,862]

14 minutes ago, A F said:

They certainly don't make it easy to work out what is changing. Follow this link, follow that link etc etc.

If you click on Explanatory Memorandum it is a nice summary of changes. All seems pretty sensible to me, not that I am an expert in such matters

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

Lots not covered adequately.
No recognition of history, our home  or the games indigenous history. 

Board still writes election rules to suit themselves.

Gender diversity? nothing....

President can stay on board for 12 years or even 15 in one case!!

15 years since last rewrite, and 2 years since we were told a new constitution is coming. 

This is all we get?

And then it is just yes or no...no options...

We need better than this.

We need a constitution suitable for today, not a rehash of the "old boys" preferred option.

Even Carlton & Collingwood have produced modern constitutions....why not us?

Vote NO or we will finish up being second rate again.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by george_on_the_outer

[Lord Nev 13,511]

16 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

No recognition of history,

In addition to the proposed formal changes within the constitution, the Constitution will now include a Preamble that enshrines important aspects of our club’s history which we know are so important to our members. We wanted to create something that captures the rich history of the Melbourne Football Club and sparks a feeling of pride amongst all Melbourne people. I think we have certainly achieved this outcome, and I am excited to be able to share the proposed Preamble with you all.

 

[DeelightfulPlay 2,268]

Here's the video of the preamble being spoken, quite nicely done imo

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1230796/our-constitution-preamble-proposal?videoId=1230796&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1664499102001&tagNames=AFLClubExclusive:No

(I still have not figured out how to do that fancy embedding thing, any tips welcome haha)

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

So why not put the preamble into the constitution? 

It means nothing unless it is.

[Lord Nev 13,511]

39 minutes ago, DeelightfulPlay said:

Here's the video of the preamble being spoken, quite nicely done imo

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1230796/our-constitution-preamble-proposal?videoId=1230796&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1664499102001&tagNames=AFLClubExclusive:No

(I still have not figured out how to do that fancy embedding thing, any tips welcome haha)

If you post a Twitter or YouTube link it will do it automatically for you.

 

[Lord Nev 13,511]

1 minute ago, george_on_the_outer said:

So why not put the preamble into the constitution? 

It means nothing unless it is.

In addition to the proposed formal changes within the constitution, the Constitution will now include a Preamble that enshrines important aspects of our club’s history which we know are so important to our members.

 

[spirit of norm smith 13,410]

It seems like a corporate smokescreen.  Get the faithful loyal ex players like Neitz 😍and Jones 😍. 
But what are the real changes ? Please explain in a simple manner. 
What’s the true objectives … do we include recognizing indigenous culture and diversity.  
I embrace the update and removal of “postal only” but we seek more clarity. 

Edited September 30, 2022 by spirit of norm smith
P

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

To find out what the alternative is to the smokescreen go to here:

https://www.deemocracy.com/

To put it all together, these are the basic differences to what is being fed to the members, and what should be included in any modern football club constitution:

 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by george_on_the_outer

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

DEEMOCRACY

MFC Constitution Comparison Table - Spot the difference!!

 

The Melbourne Football Club proposes only amendments to the current Constitution. Deemocracy proposes a complete ’re-write’ of the Constitution which is over 15 years old, so as to make the document contemporary with market practice and easier to read with removal of cross-references to the Corporations Act. Deemocracy engaged a leading Melbourne law firm to draft its version of the Constitution.

	MFC	Deemocracy
Club purpose & identity
The name of the Club now includes references to our colours, the MCG as our home and the Demon mascot.	Tick	Tick
There is reference to our Club’s purpose of the pursuit of premierships	Cross	Tick
There is acknowledgement of the Club’s pioneering role in the AFL, including the AFLW	Cross	Tick
There is acknowledgement of the Club’s key supporter groups – Coterie, Past & Present Players & Officials, Demon Army, Foundation Heroes & Legends and volunteers	Cross	Tick
There is acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners of the lands we play on and the contribution of First Nations People to the game	Cross	Tick
There is acknowledgment of our role of supporting social, cultural and gender diversity and inclusion across the Club	Cross	Tick
Inclusion and diversity
Replaces Chairman with President	Tick	Tick
The Board is required to use best endeavours to ensure at least 1/3 of directors are female AND at least 1/3 of directors are male	Cross	Tick
Director Elections
Allow electronic voting for director elections	Tick	Tick
No change from 2, being the number of members required to nominate another member for election to the Board – consistent with most other Victorian AFL clubs – MFC proposes an increase to 20	Cross	Tick
The Club must notify all voting members directly in relation to the conduct of elections, timing of the nomination period, and details on the number of vacancies to be filled	Cross	Tick
The Board must be made up of at least 6 elected directors but may also appoint directors	Cross	Tick
The principles of fair and open elections are outlined in the Constitution, allowing candidates to communicate freely with members and prohibiting explicit or implicit Board endorsement of candidates	Cross	Tick
Director Term Limits
Introduces term limits of 3 x 3 years for directors	Tick	Tick
Provides an extension of one additional term (not two) for the current President only	Cross	Tick
Alternate Directors
Removes the possibility of Alternate Directors	Cross	Tick

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

Vote AGAINST the Board’s proposed changes to our Constitution. The Club’s changes are cosmetic and do not address fundamental flaws.

The Deemocracy Group engaged a leading Australian law firm to draft a contemporary document which meets today’s principles of governance.

We are striving for excellence on the field – we must do the same off the field!

Differences between the Club’s changes and Deemocracy’s new draft are highlighted below. Our complete Constitution is attached.

Make us great both on and off the field!

1. Attend the meeting on Wednesday 26 October 2022 and vote AGAINST the motion, OR
2. Appoint a proxy - someone other than the President (who will vote FOR the resolution) - to  vote AGAINST the resolution.

(Note: if you appoint another MFC member as your proxy, you will need to have their membership number).

 

Edited October 4, 2022 by george_on_the_outer

[Tim 2,944]

On 9/30/2022 at 3:26 PM, george_on_the_outer said:

Vote AGAINST the Board’s proposed changes to our Constitution. The Club’s changes are cosmetic and do not address fundamental flaws.

 

The Deemocracy Group engaged a leading Australian law firm to draft a contemporary document which meets today’s principles of governance.

 

We are striving for excellence on the field – we must do the same off the field!

 

Differences between the Club’s changes and Deemocracy’s new draft are highlighted below. Our complete Constitution is attached.

 

Make us great both on and off the field!

 

1. Attend the meeting on Wednesday 26 October 2022 and vote AGAINST the motion, OR

    

2. Appoint a proxy - someone other than the President (who will vote FOR the resolution) - to  vote AGAINST the resolution.

    

(Note: if you appoint another MFC member as your proxy, you will need to have their membership number).

 

Thanks, Peter

 

Thanks George. The club will still function whatever happens here, but what history shows us is that we need to be the best club that we possibly can be from top to bottom, including the constitution and the board.

[bandicoot 1,395]

Why do we need to stipulate gender diversity? Shouldnt the best person be chosen regardless of gender? 

Edited October 3, 2022 by bandicoot

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

21 hours ago, bandicoot said:

Why do we need to stipulate gender diversity? Shouldnt the best person be chosen regardless of gender? 

Fine in theory, just doesn't happen in practice.

Often used argument, when the same level of scrutiny is not applied to men on the board. Just becomes the old boys club, unless something is done to change it.

1. 50% of population are women, and probably our members.

2. We have an AFLW team

3. Governments are progressively making grants only  to organisations which include gender diversity.

4. We have only had a handful of women on the MFC board in our history.  We still don't have a true representation of our members.

 

[Rossmillan 498]

George,

For those of us living interstate and unable to attend the meeting, is there a person(s) who have put their hand up to act as a proxy for those of us who agree with you and democracy?

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

24 minutes ago, Rossmillan said:

George,

For those of us living interstate and unable to attend the meeting, is there a person(s) who have put their hand up to act as a proxy for those of us who agree with you and democracy?

RM:

 

PROXY INFORMATION

 

You would have received a Notice from the Club about the Special General Meeting by email last Thursday, 29 September 2022.

 OR :

         https://typeformdeviomedia.typeform.com/to/AHZ9nMoR

Please click on the Nominate a Proxy icon, then

 

1. At Step 3 choose the option ‘someone other than the President’.

2. At Step 4 insert the name Jonathon Mahon (he is part of our Deemocracy team). You will be asked to include his membership number which is 1603 7892.

3. At Step 5 you can direct your proxy by clicking on A Yes

4. At Step 6 you can click on B ‘to vote against’

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

This will be arriving in your letter box in the coming days:

You may have received a message from the MFC

 

According to the message ‘your feedback played an important role in developing’ the Club’s recommendations’.

 

Do you recall the feedback you were asked for and the opportunity you were given?

 

We prepared a detailed submission to the Working Group, which was – well - ignored. There was no meaningful engagement with us.

 

We have had a leading law firm draft a Model Constitution, especially tailored for our Melbourne Football Club. It is our contribution to improving the Club’s off-field performance.

 

Included in the message is one statement we agree with – ‘it’s important your voice is heard’.

 

Their proposal is a hotchpotch of amendments, crafted in their Closed Shop. They should have entirely re-written our relic of a Constitution. We are better than this!

 

 

Our Model Constitution has now been passed to the AFL, who we met with..

 

Thank you if you have already voted AGAINST

 

 

Deemocracy Mailer_Conversation_web.pdf

Deemocracy+Proxy+Guide_web[100]-1-1.pdf

Edited October 18, 2022 by george_on_the_outer

[DeeZone 7,946]

4 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

This will be arriving in your letter box in the coming days:

You may have received a message from the MFC

 

According to the message ‘your feedback played an important role in developing’ the Club’s recommendations’.

 

Do you recall the feedback you were asked for and the opportunity you were given?

 

We prepared a detailed submission to the Working Group, which was – well - ignored. There was no meaningful engagement with us.

 

We have had a leading law firm draft a Model Constitution, especially tailored for our Melbourne Football Club. It is our contribution to improving the Club’s off-field performance.

 

Included in the message is one statement we agree with – ‘it’s important your voice is heard’.

 

Their proposal is a hotchpotch of amendments, crafted in their Closed Shop. They should have entirely re-written our relic of a Constitution. We are better than this!

 

 

Our Model Constitution has now been passed to the AFL, who we met with..

 

Thank you if you have already voted AGAINST

 

 

Deemocracy Mailer_Conversation_web.pdf 174.28 kB · 2 downloads

Deemocracy+Proxy+Guide_web[100]-1-1.pdf 180.6 kB · 1 download

We received emails today which are simple to follow showing how to select the President as your Proxy and whether you agree or disagree with the changes. Took all of two minutes to complete.❤️💙🤘

[Spaghetti 264]

Clubs changes look good to me. 
 

I’m sure the majority of members won’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Not that I even think these other proposals are necessarily “perfect” mind you.

If this other group want to make further improvements, they can make the case to do so later. 

Edited October 18, 2022 by Spaghetti

[titan_uranus 22,752]

The Age is reporting that Peter Lawrence is taking the club to court to get members’ details. 
 

@george_on_the_outer - do you want to address that? I am not sure I support the cost and distraction this will cause. 

[dice 569]

Whenever I hear the name Peter Lawrence, I always think about the song Year of the Cat (I know, it is Peter Lorre, but sounds like Peter Lawrence!):

 

[cookieboc 678]

7 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

The Age is reporting that Peter Lawrence is taking the club to court to get members’ details. 
 

@george_on_the_outer - do you want to address that? I am not sure I support the cost and distraction this will cause. 

Does he need to? I just received my deemocracy spam in the mail today.

How did they get my details if he is taking the club to court to get them? 

There are a couple of points I agree with, but IMV the rest is just politics. 

I agree with your point Titan