Bullseye Volume 4

In-Fighting – The Chicken or The Egg It was interesting to receive the “Important Notice to SPI Members” from the Board on 10 May 2019 There is one area that every Speckle Park Member can agree on – that the Board Members voluntarily give up an enormous amount of time to make this organisation functional, that task should not be underestimated and we as members should be thankful for their dedication.

There are many positives that could have been mentioned in addition to those referred to in the Notice • • • •

The breed is progressing and growing at an astounding rate.

SPKL has established a branded product.

Outstanding quality of animals at a very successful Sydney Show ( now included in Category A at Shows) Successful sale events where solid averages for cattle were achieved.

Some of the achievements claimed by the Board are accurate and some may not be accurate.

The Big Plusses: 1.

The establishment of Youth Ambassadors committee is a fabulous idea and has been on the AGM Agenda for many years. A big tick !

2.

The social media update - is a great idea but it needs more refinement.

3.

The quarterly newsletter - a great idea ! however only one out of the four quarters has been delivered.

4.

The Sydney Show live streaming was excellent

Where Improvements can be made Its Is my view that 1.

Corporate Governance is in disarray:

Perusal of the Board minutes show a lack of understanding of corporate procedure (despite a board training day offered by a professsional) , this has resulted in multiple conflicts and legal action, excessive expenditure on legal bills. The Board has admitted in writing to being “confused and inexperienced”.

2

The Proposed New Constitution

No mandate was obtained to change the constitution, no forum was held. The proposed corporatization of SPI is in my view premature, the so-called information sheet is inaccurate and avoids critical issues relating to the removal of members rights. I will critique this in a separate blog.

3.

Financial Reporting

Financial reporting is difficult to access, I have asked for the accounts several times and not received anything. The accounts for 2018 were published on 21 May 2019. ( these are the accounts of the previous Board, Jan 18- Dec 18 - not even the full financial year and nothing for the Year to Date 2019. Perhaps reporting in line with the Australian Financial year ( as proposed in the new Constitution ) may be more useful.

4.

Communication with Members

Communication with SPI members is at an all time low and Board Directors have been compelled to sign a new agreement, agreeing not to disclose important Board issues which affect its members – who in myview on occasions are being given the mushroom treatment –( kept in the dark and fed manure.)

5.

Conflict : The Chicken or the Egg – which came first

The Board Speaks of “conflict between members” As stated in the Notice it is not the Board’s function to resolve inter members disputes. The Board is there to attend to the affairs of the Organisation. There will always be conflict where there is human interaction. It only affects the Board if it affects matters relating to the Organization.

Simply put they ought not to be involved in inter member disputes and cannot curtail freedom of speech.

The Board failed to disclose the huge rift in the Board itself – the immense conflict caused by some of its members. One director of which has now been asked to stand down due to poor conduct– and which left another Board member irregularly victimized and unfairly dismissed from Board duties. Causing three other members threatening to resign. This Board may heal its rift but in the first 12 months it has in my view been dysfunctional.

A Board member was sanctioned by the RASV Victoria, yet SPI took no action.

A Board member (incidentally the same member) assaulted a member of another breed at a Royal Show in Sydney (in front of children) and there is yet to be appropriate action taken.

The Board said that the conduct complained of was not performed in the “capacity” as member of the SPI Board. – Really? Read the Disciplinary code – “bringing the breed into disrepute” ?

The SPI Board took no action when there was unpleasantness at Scone last year and again this year. .

There has been poor conduct – by The Board and / or some of its members or perhaps a little of both ?

Before this Board publicly threatens its members in an “Important Notice “ it would do well to get its own house in order. If there is tension and disarray in the Boardroom, they cannot expect that will not to be reflected by the members.