Login / Join
Immigration Daily News MIA's EGM on 18 February 2015 - Sharon Harris and the case for voting 'NO/AGAINST' the motionAustralian Immigration Daily News
Breaking Australian immigration news brought to you by Migration Alliance and associated bloggers.
- Font size: Larger Smaller
- Hits: 7261
- 29 Comments
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
-
Saturday, 07 February 2015Wow someone at the MIA is being cruel and judgemental of Liana. Why would we expect anything less. Looks like the first wave of intimidation has started. Liana stand firm. Your members are MIA members. You owe it to your members to represent their interests.
-
Saturday, 07 February 2015
Liana please don't gather proxies on your own. Get a team to show up. It's too hard to do this on your own. It's clear the MIA are now threatened.
-
Saturday, 07 February 2015
The MIA EGM will be interesting to say the least.
-
Saturday, 07 February 2015
I guess now that Migration Alliance is helping out MIA members,the MIA might get the message. It's about the members,not about the board. Committee junkies too right. That is why I didn't renew my MIA membership 3 years ago. What's the point in paying for everything you can already get from Migration Alliance. Plus there are cheaper CPD's around than the MIA. Like pretty much every other provider of CPD is cheaper than the MIA. And the MIA CPD is boring. What the MIA must realise is that Migration Alliance members are also MIA members and MA members actually trust Migration Alliance.
-
Saturday, 07 February 2015
“It is a general popular error to imagine the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.”
― Edmund Burke -
Saturday, 07 February 2015
FFS
If you don't like it just vote No
Its a piddling organisation its not the bloody American Congress -
Monday, 09 February 2015
Yes we are all nuts. And it's the migration agents congress.
-
Wednesday, 01 July 2015
If in case you are looking for a fillable proxy form; I was able to get a copy from PDFfiller. It also allowed me to fill out the form, e-sign and print. Here's the link to the form I've used: http://goo.gl/zbQD4N
Immigration blog
you are all over this owen and on the money,James