Letter from Peter De Rauch

[Horace]

I don't know any of the candidates or what they stand for but several posters who I highly respect (KL, SLF, JS and GK) have endorsed PDR. Not sure about EH's position.....

That's just about good enough for me given the information vacuum so far.

It is early days and if there's going to be an election I'd be surprised if the candidates don't try to win my vote.

I think that this is a very difficult choice that we face. I am leaning towards handing my proxy to PDR (if I am unable to attend the AGM) as he has remained very consistent in his support of the NMFC remaining a Melbourne based club, way back to the 1996 North Fitzroy merger days.

In 2007 when all of the distrust and misinformation was at it highest with the the GC move, he was on this board subject to much angst and innuendo from the pro GC camp. He remained steadfast at that time in his view that the NMFC remain a Melbourne based club.

On the contrary Mark Brayshaw was (initially at least) a pro GC person, and for me that is emough for there to be doubts about him.

On the other hand I understand the need for a united board so I am loathe to see the "boat rocked".

As I said we face a difficult choice.

One thing is for certain though and this is easily the most crucial and interesting election that our country/state/football club has to had to deal with in 2010 and 2011.

 

[Bigeasy]

The only thing smelly fishy is that the current board want to continue unopposed

So why didn't PDR just come out and say that he is running against MB? Like I said I really like PDR but they way this has been done just seems a little odd.

 

[Wednesday]

I would like to start off by saying JB and his board has done a fantastic job over the past three years and the club will be forever indebted to him.

However the whole point in being a member elected club is that the members get to elect the board. Whilst i'm sure their intentions are honorable, protecting some board members from election and changing the size of the board to prevent outsiders from being elected to the board, can lead to the perception of an undemocratic closed shop, which is not in the best interests of the club in the long term.

 

[Tas]

I think it is important to remember, the position on the board is a job with a heavy burden and responsibility. It is not a frequent flier rewards program for years of membership, a reward for generous donations or a popularity contest.

I like Peter and we know where he stands and believe he is a faithful supporter and for me that goes a long way, especially with his honesty. But me liking him isn't the primary consideration, I'd elect an arsehole if I felt he would do a better job.

tbh, I don't know much about anyone other than JB, and do not know who else is running for the board other than PdR. I am not sure what the constitution is like in it's present form with board elections. It has been a few years since the change and most of the board members have still not been elected in.

I would have preferred to see a page on the website about the board, a profile on each board member and what they bring to the table and profiles of those running for positions. There is just not any real information to make a decision about, you shouldn't be rocking up to an AGM or lodge a proxy without all the information at hand.

I also believe board members should have a greater presence with the members, it is hard to know what someone is contributing when all you know is a group of people meet at absurd hours to talk about the club.

 

[Bigeasy]

I think it is important to remember, the position on the board is a job with a heavy burden and responsibility. It is not a frequent flier rewards program for years of membership, a reward for generous donations or a popularity contest.

I like Peter and we know where he stands and believe he is a faithful supporter and for me that goes a long way, especially with his honesty. But me liking him isn't the primary consideration, I'd elect an arsehole if I felt he would do a better job.

tbh, I don't know much about anyone other than JB, and do not know who else is running for the board other than PdR. I am not sure what the constitution is like in it's present form with board elections. It has been a few years since the change and most of the board members have still not been elected in.

I would have preferred to see a page on the website about the board, a profile on each board member and what they bring to the table and profiles of those running for positions. There is just not any real information to make a decision about, you shouldn't be rocking up to an AGM or lodge a proxy without all the information at hand.

I also believe board members should have a greater presence with the members, it is hard to know what someone is contributing when all you know is a group of people meet at absurd hours to talk about the club.

Well said Tas

 

[GoNorth]

For those people who are saying they want to know what each of the nominees stands for etc this information is from the club website...

Notice of Annual General Meeting

1:57 PM Thu 16 Dec, 2010
North Melbourne's Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 27 January 2011 at 6.30pm.

Notice is hereby given that an Annual General Meeting of North Melbourne Football Club Limited (“NMFC”) will be held in the Fencing Centre at 204-206 Arden Street, North Melbourne, Victoria on Thursday 27 January 2011 at 6:30pm.

Business: 1. Election of NMFC Directors
In accordance with Rule 21(c) of the NMFC Constitution, at the 2010 Annual General Meeting of the NMFC, one-third of the members of the Board (or, if their number is not an integral multiple of three, the number nearest one-third) must retire and may offer themselves for re-election on a rotating basis. There are currently eight Directors of the Board and, as such, three Directors are required to retire.

Director Trevor O’Hoy holds his current position as a Director of NMFC on a casual basis and, in accordance with clause 10.1(f) of the NMFC Constitution, is eligible to hold office until the day of the Annual General Meeting. Mr O’Hoy, being eligible, has offered himself for re-election as a Director.

In addition to Mr O’Hoy, the Director positions of Mr James Brayshaw and Mr Mark Brayshaw will become vacant on the day of the Annual General Meeting. Both of Mr James Brayshaw and Mr Mark Brayshaw, being eligible, have offered themselves for re-election.

Nominations are invited for the three positions of Director which become vacant on the day of the Annual General Meeting.

The election of Directors will proceed as follows:

(a) Nominations for Director must be received by the Returning Officer, Mr Andrew Harris, Harris Carlson Lawyers, Level 6, 256 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000, by 5.00 pm on Thursday, 13 January 2011.

(b) Nominees must be a Voting Member (defined in the NMFC Constitution to be a fully paid-up financial Ordinary Member, Patron or Life Member) and be proposed and seconded by other Voting Members.

(c) A nomination form may be obtained from the Returning Officer by emailing andrewh@harriscarlson.com.au or calling (03) 8680 5300.

(d) Members will be provided with details of nominations received for all positions of Director on the Club’s website approximately seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

(e) Voting on the election of Directors shall be by secret ballot and on a “first-past-the-post” basis.

(f) Voting Members will each have one vote.

2. Presentation of 2010 Directors’ Report, Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report

3. Reappointment of Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd as auditors

4. Presentation of Special Services Awards

All current voting Members are entitled to attend and vote in person or by proxy or attorney. All other categories of NMFC members are entitled to attend but not vote.

A proxy must be appointed in writing on the form designated for that purpose, a copy which can be downloaded here or obtained from the Secretary of the NMFC at 204 - 206 Arden Street, North Melbourne, Victoria.

Proxy forms must be completed and returned to the Returning Officer, Mr Andrew Harris, in person at Level 6, 256 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000 or by post at GPO Box 1057, Melbourne 3001 or by fax to (03) 8680 5340, no later than 48 hours prior to the holding of the meeting.

Any person who intends to exercise the rights of a member under power of attorney will be required to produce evidence of their appointment by the relevant member prior to the meeting.

All capitalised terms in this Notice of Meeting have the meaning given to those terms in the Constitution of NMFC.

By order of the Board.
Eugene Arocca
Secretary
December 2010

kangaroos.com.au

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/106290/default.aspx

 

[GoNorth]

Also, if you are unsure as to who exactly is currently on the Board, there is info here...

http://cms.kangaroos.com.au/TheClub/BoardMembers/tabid/13854/Default.aspx

 

[Tas]

I must say it concerns me that we have a QC who specialises in trade practices and competition on the board yet our club gets bent over religiously and sodomised by every conceivable breach of the trade practices act. In my opinion, of course.

 

[Mr Reliable]

So why didn't PDR just come out and say that he is running against MB? Like I said I really like PDR but they way this has been done just seems a little odd.

It's a 'first past the post' voting system and everyone has just one vote. Maybe that means it's a popularity contest which JB will win hands down with the most votes. Then two of the other candidates will be second and third because not everyone will vote for JB.

PDR possibly senses that MB will be the weakest link without enough X-factor once the tribe has spoken.

Can anyone explain the voting system if it's not as above?

 

[King Corey]

Peter De Raunch is like a patron saint of North Melbourne.

I hope he gets onto the board to provide the people's voice in lieu of Ron Joseph, to paraphrase an earlier opinion.

 

[snrub]

PDR would be an excellent addition to the board. We need to have a member elected representative and he is the man. There is currently no member elected representative and in my opinion I think the current board would prefer to keep it this way.

What's the problem with Mark Brayshaw?

Was not member elected. Nor are any of the other board members.

Call me crazy, but didn't we, the members, actually elect Mark Brayshaw as well as JB and RJ at the AGM in 2007?

 

[Twinkletoes]

Call me crazy, but didn't we, the members, actually elect Mark Brayshaw as well as JB and RJ at the AGM in 2007?

We certainly did snrazz. It's the others who aren't member elected.

 

[King Corey]

Call me crazy, but didn't we, the members, actually elect Mark Brayshaw as well as JB and RJ at the AGM in 2007?

Technically correct but was there not subterfuge around him being ineligible by way of not being a club member at the time?

 

[Twinkletoes]

Technically correct but was there not subterfuge around him being ineligible by way of not being a club member at the time?

There was some doubt over his eligibility for that membership reason KC but it seemed to be sorted harmoniously. Perhaps that's another reason why PDR has HIM in his sights though.

 

[King Corey]

There was some doubt over his eligibility for that membership reason KC but it seemed to be sorted harmoniously. Perhaps that's another reason why PDR has HIM in his sights though.

My recollection was MB was a pro-Gold Coaster until JB talked him around.

If this set of assumptions was correct, ie - Mark Brayshaw was not a paid up club member and his eligibility was fudged to fortify the numbers of the GCers at the time.. then I wouldn't mind him winding up this time around.

 

[Twinkletoes]

My recollection was MB was a pro-Gold Coaster until JB talked him around.

If this set of assumptions was correct, ie - Mark Brayshaw was not a paid up club member and his eligibility was fudged to fortify the numbers of the GCers at the time.. then I wouldn't mind him winding up this time around.

A quick hunt produced:

This - http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301668&highlight=mark+brayshaw+ineligible

and this - http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301725

Back when he was up for a board spot.

 

[King Corey]

A quick hunt produced:

This - http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301668&highlight=mark+brayshaw+ineligible

and this - http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301725

Back when he was up for a board spot.

Crikey

 

[Twinkletoes]

Crikey

Yep. Very interesting reading (reminding........of the events, posts AND lost posters........or ARE they?).

 

[Mr Reliable]

IIRC, MB was very pro-relocation originally. He was in the 'we've tried everything and failed and there's no hope of winning another premiership unless move' camp.

IIRC, a very obnoxious club lawyer (no doubt doing the Duffmeister's bidding) stifled any questioning of MB's eligibility to stand at a meeting at the Dome. I don't recall if it was an AGM or an EGM.

All that was a long time ago and we've all moved on, I think. We should vote for the best candidate for 2011 on, whoever that is and not worry about skeletons in closets.

 

[Twinkletoes]

All that was a long time ago and we've all moved on, I think. We should vote for the best candidate for 2011 on, whoever that is and not worry about skeletons in closets.

I totally agree with that.

 

[The OBSTacle]

Call me crazy, but didn't we, the members, actually elect Mark Brayshaw as well as JB and RJ at the AGM in 2007?

Yeah, that's kinda my point.

I have great admiration for Mr DeRauch and his contribution for the club, but why would I want to replace Mark Brayshaw with him?

 

[Roolistic]

I got mail as well.

How does Peter get our addresses? Surely if club gives them out the same opportunity should go to everyone who has been nominated. Privacy laws.....

 

[Twinkletoes]

I got mail as well.

How does Peter get our addresses? Surely if club gives them out the same opportunity should go to everyone who has been nominated. Privacy laws.....

I presume he, and the rest of them, can access the membership database. I also presume he funded the mailout himself, and it wouldn't be cheap.

 

[RoyalBlue]

I'll be annoyed if Mark Brayshaw is somehow ruled ineligable to stand due to not having renewed his 1984 membership.

 

[Angus1]

I got mail as well.

How does Peter get our addresses? Surely if club gives them out the same opportunity should go to everyone who has been nominated. Privacy laws.....

Ron Joseph did exactly the same thing before he was elected. Actually what Ron did was against the rules as other candidates didn't have the same opportunity but it was done nonetheless.
You may also remember that at the general meeting a solicitor addressed the audience and told us what questions would be deemed acceptable.
We weren't allowed to ask about Mark Brayshaw's legitimacy as being a North Melbourne member for example ( as he wasn't.) Yes not one of North Melbourne's finest hours yet I doubt they would feel the same.