Club problems

   Bit of an odd one, but has anyone had any experience of serious issues in club management to the point that the committee has basically become a dictatorship? How did it resolve? 

By this I mean that any complaints made generally find the complainant ending up in the firing line. Serious complaints are washed aside and complainants pushed out or live in fear of losing access to  facilities if they speak out. A club that is not run for its members but a few who hold sway in the committee and control everything. You would never get an EGM for example because it would be shut down. There would be no way contacting other members. You couldn’t stand up at the AGM and bring up any other business on the night because you have to pre register to ask it! 

On top of this the governing body has consistently done nothing to help, despite numerous complaints.  There answer, hold an EGM. Yet their flag flies over this establishment and endorses their operation. 

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JRB12 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Nov 22 Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote JRB12 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Club problems Posted: 28 Nov 22 at 9:12pm
	Bit of an odd one, but has anyone had any experience of serious issues in club management to the point that the committee has basically become a dictatorship? How did it resolve? By this I mean that any complaints made generally find the complainant ending up in the firing line. Serious complaints are washed aside and complainants pushed out or live in fear of losing access to facilities if they speak out. A club that is not run for its members but a few who hold sway in the committee and control everything. You would never get an EGM for example because it would be shut down. There would be no way contacting other members. You couldn’t stand up at the AGM and bring up any other business on the night because you have to pre register to ask it! On top of this the governing body has consistently done nothing to help, despite numerous complaints. There answer, hold an EGM. Yet their flag flies over this establishment and endorses their operation.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Nov 22 at 9:30pm
	Can't they simply be voted out at the next AGM? Of course that presupposes a majority in favour of a new committee and a slate of alternate candidates, the latter being a very difficult thing to find in these days, but if you haven't got the votes and the alternate committee then nothing will change anyway.

JRB12 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Nov 22 Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote JRB12 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Nov 22 at 9:46pm
	Trying to vote out has been tried many times but they have always rallied more on their side. They have had the means to do it controlling who can contact who.

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 7:25am
	Are the complaints 'serious' issues ?
	Robert

JRB12 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Nov 22 Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote JRB12 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 9:23am
	Yes, there’s been some serious complaints. For example safety issues in relation to racing and training, where an individuals ability to operate safely might be compromised. Evidence of a breach of the rules laid down by the governing body. The governing body’s answer to this issue, hold an EGM! Edited by JRB12 - 29 Nov 22 at 9:28am

Noah Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 29 Dec 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Post Options Post Reply Quote Noah Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 10:42am
	If the constitution of the club has the means to call an EGM, then surely those rules have to be respected. As for the incumbents being able to contact members while others cannot, that is surely an unfair advantage to those who can lobby for (re-)election. I have heard of club’s members in another field altogether resigning en-masse and forming a replacement organisation. They don’t need access to water though…
	Nick D-Zero 316

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 11:34am
	Is the Club a registered charity? If so, then it may be possible for the Charity Commissioners to investigate. Otherwise, you're looking at Judicial Review - that's not a cheap option!

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 11:50am
	Have the committee been in control for a long time? (This could be a careful what you wish for moment).
	Robert

JRB12 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Nov 22 Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote JRB12 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 12:30pm
	I’m sure to call an EGM 25 members are needed. It’s finding 25 willing. Some literally live in fear of rocking the boat. The committee core have been in control forever. It’s not charity registered as far as I know. Again with communication they hide behind GDPR, so even a section leader might not get contacts to speak to their section.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Nov 22 at 4:30pm
	Well, if they can command a majority of voting members at the AGM they could do the same at an EGM. No governing body is going to take action against a group that commands majorities at properly held elections, and in any case what can they do? About all that could be done is to command the club to hold an EGM, and from what you are saying the existing committee would win any votes in that.