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Immigration Daily News MIA's EGM on 18 February 2015 - Sharon Harris and the case for voting 'NO/AGAINST' the motionAustralian Immigration Daily News
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MIA's EGM on 18 February 2015 - Sharon Harris and the case for voting 'NO/AGAINST' the motion
This statement by Ms Sharon Harris sets out the reasons why to vote 'NO' in the coming EGM on 18 February 2015.
Ms Harris has recently resigned from her position on the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) Qld/NT MIA Committee as she could NOT represent MIA members and be seen to support this proposal.
Migration Alliance holds the view that, in her statement, Ms Harris has stated facts which do not breach her obligations whilst a director of the MIA. Migration Alliance commends Ms Harris for her transparency and for upholding the values of democracy in the Australian migration advice profession.
"As many MA members are also MIA members, I am writing to recommend MIA members read carefully the MIA Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") to be held on 18/02/2015 with changes proposed by the National Board to the Constitution.
The proposed changes include one which has significant relevance to the MIA - your professional association.
The proposal is to remove the 2 term limits for tenure on the Board. This will allow Board Directors to remain on the National Board …..forever.
There is copious expert opinion on modern corporate governance which supports for all types of organisations, specific number of terms to serve on a Board, then step down for a short period and may then stand for re-election.
In 2010 whilst I was a Director on the MIA Board, there was some criticism from members of the Board which included :
- they sat on Board for their self-interest
- did not represent ALL members
- were committee 'junkies' and there for the kudos
- did not share information with members, was a 'closed shop'
At that time the Constitution permitted the Board to have up to 17 directors and unlimited tenure for Board members. We engaged an independent expert corporate governance consultant to consider changes to fit within MIA’s Strategic Plan so to benefit ALL members.
Limited tenures for Board directors and reduce the number on the Board were some of the recommended changes.
Survey, papers and information were provided to Members throughout the process to ensure they were well informed.
Members obviously agreed with the proposed changes including Board members to sit on Board for 2 consecutive terms and then retire for 1 year, before being able to stand for re-election.
We did overlook the need to stagger the elections which resulted in 5 of the 6 Directors retiring after amendment of the Constitution, including myself however we believed all members interests were best served by the changes.
I support staggered elections however the way you must vote prevents a vote for each of the 4 motions – you must vote once, yes or NO for all 4, including change for staggered elections.
Therefore as I must vote NO/AGAINST motion 4, all 4 motions will lose.
I did ask the MIA to advise if they received expert advice on the legality of this voting format.
I have not received any response.
It appears to be common practice for each motion to be voted on individually.
As the MIA so recently, in 2010, conducted significant studies into proposed changes, I am unaware of any reasons to remove limited tenures. New people, ideas, enthusiasm, commitment….will enable the growth and development of the association.
I cannot support unlimited tenures for directors of MIA Board - remember they are elected by us and are there to best serve our interests.
I recently resigned my position on Qld/NT MIA Committee as I could NOT represent our members and be seen to support this proposal.
If you are unable to attend the EGM in Sydney, please do not waste your vote as each vote is crucial to your organisation's future. Ensure that you complete the most recent Proxy Form sent by the MIA National Office and state clearly whether you are in favour of or AGAINST the motion and return it as soon as possible to the National Office and in any event before 5.15pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time on 16 February 2015.
Please make sure you carefully read the attached "how to cast a vote by Proxy" so that your vote is valid.
http://www.mia.org.au/documents/item/230
I have provided my PROXY to someone who will be attending the EGM and will vote AGAINST the motion. You may simply send your completed Proxy to the MIA.
Vote …… NO/AGAINST.
Sharon Harris LLB
MARN 9501060
Comments
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Friday, 06 February 2015Sharon Harris is a fighter for what's right and willing to speak out for it. As an ex-MIA member and current MA member I believed in the MIA when Sharon was our President and State President. I am a full supporter of the MA now and no longer an MIA member for issues such as this !!
· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
Sharon Harris was the best thing that happened to the MIA. Sharon Harris should have been their national president as she cares about members. Liana thank you for being humble enough to commend a MIA member even though you are of Migration Alliance. It shows your heart and that your loyalty to the profession and agents rises above which professional organisation you represent. I don't think the MIA would ever commend you or even dare speak about you, such the threat that you are to their control of information to the profession. In some ways the MIA is just the mouthpiece for the Department of Immigration and likes to promote the status quo. Notice how MIA is deep in the pockets of the Department. Can Sharon Harris please stand for nomination for Migration Alliance?
· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
F*** Y** migration alliance........ this was supposed to be a secret.
· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
Dear Administration Officer
I just received the proxy form in the post mail. I am prepared to sign the proxy form in favour of Ms Sharon Harris. However, will she be present at the MIA_EGM, for this signed proxy of mine to be effective?
For my proxy call to be of any significant value, I need to insert or send it to a particular person. Please advise us accordingly. I am happy to oblige.· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
I am happy to be the proxy. I will attend and vote. Please send proxies to me help@migrationalliance.com.au
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Friday, 06 February 2015
Hi Liana
I do not know who is going to attend the MIA EGM. Is it possible if I forward my proxy vote to you or a MA member who is attending?
Kind Regards
Don· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
Sorry Liana, who do we send our proxy to if we want to support the "NO" vote?
· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
Owen, please send me your proxy and I will vote on your behalf at the EGM help@migrationalliance.com.au
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Friday, 06 February 2015
As above, I want to vote against but need to nominate a proxy who will be present. Is anyone there attending prepared to stand up and take on this role ?
· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
James please send me your proxy by email and I will attend and vote on your behalf help@migrationalliance.com.au
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Friday, 06 February 2015
Hi Liana,
I would like to appoint you or any member as well.· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
Stanley please send me your proxy by way of email and I will attend and vote on your behalf. help@migrationalliance.com.au
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Friday, 06 February 2015
If you would like Migration Alliance to manage your proxy vote, either directly or via a MIA member (one that MA trusts) to exercise your vote then please post your request here and email help@migrationalliance.com.au. We are currently awaiting the ruling in the MIA's constitution regarding proxy votes and who can and who cannot act as a proxy voter in an EGM. Plenty of joint members are relying on Migration Alliance to help them cast their proxy vote. More and more MIA-MA members are approaching me. If it is technically allowed, then I will go in person to cast a proxy votes for members of the MIA. It really depends if I am allowed to cast one vote, no votes or multiple votes. It may be that one person can cast a fistful of MIA proxies. Stand by.
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Friday, 06 February 2015
I admire Sharon Harris and think she would be a better MIA President than Angela Chan for so many reasons. Thank you to Sharon Harris for showing us that you care about us.
· Liana - Allan likes this comment. -
Friday, 06 February 2015
http://www.mia.org.au/documents/item/228 I can see nothing in the constitution which precludes me from being a proxy.
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Friday, 06 February 2015
I know that committees of the MIA QLD Board are fighting for that. Hopefully can let more MIA members know the importance and the impact of this motion is. To stay and fight for the righteousness may be even more difficult.
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Friday, 06 February 2015
This kind of behaviour was one of the reasons I am no longer a member of the MIA. Well done Sharon for having the guts to take a stand. Wished I could vote against it!
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Saturday, 07 February 2015
So much angst and self interest - its only a VOTE!
To vote YES or NO is their members democratic right
To debate the motion is also their democratic right
Stop trying to turn it into something it is not.
The MIA as always will hold their meeting to strictly adhere to Corporate Governance requirements, they always do, unlike some.
Liana the Corporations Act allows any person to hold proxies, member or not, but don't think you can ride in like an avenging angel with a handful of them and vote.
Proxies have to be at the MIA offices 48 hours before the meeting.
All members can send them to the MIA and indicate how they want to vote, they don't even have to nominate a person to do it for them, they will be presented by the Chair of the meeting.
All open and transparent.
Steals your thunder somewhat doesn't it! -
Saturday, 07 February 2015
Only a vote. Self interest indeed.While i concur that one must view this calmly and rationally, the underlying premise appears to be that the intended changes are intended to benefit the encumbents? So you are correct. Self interest. And only a vote is what people fight wars over. If you truly wanted transparency you would welcome any attempt to ger people to vote. Until this little article my proxy form email was in the deleted folders. Not any more. Both MIA and MA have our best interests at heart.
Immigration blog
Sharon Harris - a true warrior for democracy, representative of agents and willing to stand firm for what is right.