UKH

BMC Propose Significant Voting Reform

© BMC
In a significant change of policy the BMC have announced a proposed change in the voting rights of members. This issue goes back a long time but in particular to October 2003 when there was a great deal of heated debate about the fairness of the old voting system which allowed the dominant big clubs the chance to use their 'block votes' to basically dictate BMC policy. Some of the most trenchant discussion took place on the UKC/Rockfax forums with some epic exchanges taking place.

Today, in this thread the BMC have announced a proposal to change to a one-member one-vote system.

After constructive discussion the group decided to make a number of recommendations to the Future Policy Review Steering Group (FPRSG). These included changing the Articles of Associations to reflect a “one member one vote” system for all members of BMC affiliated clubs with the proxy voting facility already used by Individual Members of the BMC. Clearly, if adopted this will abolish the clubs' block vote. It will also give Individual Members of the BMC and members of BMC affiliated clubs equal voting rights.

For those present at the EGM meeting held in October 2003 this comes as a big change that seemed a long way off on that day. All those regular contributors whose passions were stirred up by the debate, but who subsequently lost heart through after the demoralising meeting and subsequent failure to establish an Individual Members Club, can take a lot of solace from the fact that in the end exactly what we were all proposing is now the suggestion on the table. Let's just hope that it doesn't get blocked this time after all, the clubs still hold all the cards and will in effect have to vote against their own interests in order for the reform to become policy. Well done to those at the BMC who have had the conviction to try to push this change through.

This post has been read 1,835 times

Return to Latest News

Comments

Alan James - Rockfax
21 Jan, 2005
This is a significant change of policy for the BMC which, for all those (especially the small UKC contingent) present at the EGM in October 2003, seemed miles away at the time. After all the debate we had on these forums, and then the half-hearted attempts to get a IM Club going, I must admit that I had all but given up anything like this ever happening. Congratulations to those at the BMC who have had the conviction to push this through. Of course there is a long way to go before this becomes policy but getting the debate going is a great start. I suppose the big question is: - will the Clubs vote against their own voting interests in order for the reform to be implimented. Turkeys voting for Christmas?
Simon Caldwell
21 Jan, 2005
Really? Surely if the big clubs vote for it it goes through, if they vote against it it doesn't, either way it's irrelevant how many others turn up. Or have I got it wrong? Either way, our small club has decided to vote in favour :)
Chris the Tall
21 Jan, 2005
Call me sceptical...but I'm a bit sceptical about this The recommendations state that "an improved and effective proxy voting facility <be> established." Without knowing what this entails we don't know whether these proposals will improve matters at all. You could say that at the moment we have OMOV and that by joining a club you are giving your proxy vote to the club rep. Even if you say that each member of the club has to sign a form before each AGM (having had chance to consider the resolutions put forward) the clubs will still be able to wield vast numbers of votes. So how will the BMC act to encourage the 33000 or so individuals to get involved in the AGMs ? Even with the storm of protest we kicked up over the subs, and with great effort from Kate, we still only amassed 30 odd proxy votes. (Yes the inabilty of Individuals members to organise a piss-up in a brewery is acknowledged!!) One of the options rejected was that that voting should reflect the members financial contribution to the BMC. This would have been a far more equitable solution to the problem... And while we're on the subject, anyone know the figures for the number of club members who have upgraded to full membership ?
Christopher Owen
21 Jan, 2005
I agree with Ian, web based voting is accessible to most nowadays, even if it means a trip to the internet cafe. The overall idea sounds good though, to equalise the voting power seems pretty sensible as long as everyone can make their vote easily.
Mark Stevenson
21 Jan, 2005
Interesting. As pointed out by others, more people attend my club's AGM than attend the BMC AGM. Assuming 60-75% of those at our AGM agree with our committee's stance on BMC issues and sign the paperwork the new system would give us around 50-90 votes rather than the current 2000! When viewed that way it is certainly a step forward that still allows clubs a say commensurate with their ACTIVE membership rather than the 'silent majority' of the block vote. Certainly not a case of turkey's voting for Xmas, so I'll happily support the motion via my club committee/AGM. If the same use of proxy voting was used at Area Meeting level this would allow 'representative democracy' to work both through club and area reps. Not quite true 'one member one vote' in some senses but it is an improved arrangement with solid democratic principles.
More Comments
Add Comment
Loading Notifications...
Facebook Twitter Copy Email