This blog post hopes to set out clearly why we took to the difficult decision to call an Extraordinary General Meeting
Our concerns about the running of the club
There are a number of months of concerns we have about at the running of the club:
- Manager and Coaches leaving
- Majority of the squad leaving
- Financial difficulties and pay cuts for players
- Volunteers leaving
- Presenting minimal accounts at past AGM’s to avoid scrutiny
- The club constitution being outdated and the club being governed in breach of it
- The on/off Gino Maccio takeover saga
- Committee members leaving
- A persistent failure to answer legitimate questions regarding the running of the club
- Lack of positive vision and strategy for the club
Ou plan for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM is a meeting of the membership of the club that should take place in June of each year, to at least approve the financial accounts and elect the committee and officers.
In response to all the above concerns it was our plan to pursue a motion at the AGM, that motion “A Better Plan for Hallam FC”, if supported, would have delivered, amongst other things, a refresh of the committee without directly seeking the departures of any committee members. We wanted the motion to be carried to deliver change, to bring different attitudes and to sort some practical issues to improve the running of the club. And then the circumstances changed.
Why we called for the EGM
An EGM is an emergency meeting of the membership of the club to deal with urgent matters.
A decision was taken within the club to postpone the AGM set for August – who took that decision we are not sure – but it was communicated by the chairman via social media on 19th August. No alternative date for the AGM was proposed by the chairman, we therefore became suspicious that an interpretation of the constitution would be used to delay the AGM.
All of this was coupled with no sign of any recognition of the need for change in the way the club is being run, never mind a plan to deliver that change. The AGM postponement was the final straw – we felt we had to do something quickly and the EGM seemed to be the only workable option.
We can understand why fans will be concerned about the EGM decision but we hope that this helps in explaining the decision to call for the EGM, but if you have any further questions, please send them to hallamblog1860@gmail.com and we will respond.
Where to From Here?
The EGM was never about removing the whole Committee. It was focused on the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, given their particular leadership roles, and how they have carried them out.
If the Chairman and Vice-Chairman stand down from their roles, or make it unequivocally clear that they will not seek re-election at the AGM, there will be no need for an EGM to be convened. The Committee could then call the required AGM in a short timescale; in addition to its normal business this would enable members at the AGM to determine the following:
- That the nomination of members for the committee or officers can be made at the meeting.
- That voting for committee or officer positions will be for individual candidates
- That a secret ballot will take place for the committee and officer elections
- That members can present the motion “A Better Plan for Hallam FC” for consideration
- Whatever decisions need to be made to progress the establishment and transfer to the CBS as quickly as possible.
In respect of the committee, we would be content if the remaining committee members wish to stay on the committee. In addition, we intend to nominate people for committee and officer positions and will make these nominations public in advance of the meeting. Of course, all members will be able to make nominations to be considered.The refreshed committee will have an opportunity to address the role of Scott Loveluck at the club.
What we will be trying to achieve at the AGM or the EGM is:
- The establishment of different values, a different culture, and a different approach to the way in which the club is run that will open up the club to new ideas on engagement, fan and volunteer influence, accountability, and democracy
- Getting things done in a more professional, structured and accountable manner, particularly more effective marketing and promotion of the club to seek to increase income.
- Progress towards the Community Benefit Society (CBS). Fans and the community have voted for the club to become a CBS. A CBS is a legal structure that allows the club to be controlled by fans/community through a democratic structure. Delivery of the CBS must be an absolute priority because this will democratise the club, protect its historic assets and make it more attractive to people and partners to work with the club.
Conclusion
We see ourselves as leading a transition to something new. Our role may well be temporary – the quicker the club can move to the CBS and to fully open and democratic elections the better. The members of the club will then determine who they want to lead the club going forward. We hope that the above is helpful in explaining why we did what we did, what we want to achieve and how we are going to go about doing it. It would be great if you could join us on this journey.
Steve Walmsley
On behalf of those season ticket holders who requested the EGM
Constructive responses and feedback can be submitted to hallamblog1860@gmail.com
