I was at that conference as well and didn't hear anybody promise a new
constitution in 12 months. I believe the advise was we are working on the
constitution and may have something available in the next 12 months. Well
we haven't got anything available yet and we continue to work on the
constitution amongst other things. If you checked the minutes forwarded to
your group by the national secretary you will see that the constitution
continues to crop up. At nearly every committee meeting it has been
discussed however we have a lot of other matters on the table that we
consider far more important than bloody constitutions, a submission to
Environment Australia on the importation of rainbowfish and blue-eyes from
PNG for example, publication of FOS and the Bulletin for example, library
copies of FOS for Regional groups for example, a new poster for the ANGFA
series for example and the list goes on.
If the lack of progress towards a new constitution bothers you then do
something about it - you are a national member as well aren't you, stop
whinging about others and put your money where your mouth is.
Back under MY rock now
Regards,
Baz.
-----Original Message-----
From: Merlin <merlin at orac.net.au>
To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au <rainbowfish at pcug.org.au>
Date: Saturday, 7 February 1998 15:11
Subject: Re: [RML] Re: (SPAM) Constitution (could be broken promises) :)
>I was only speaking form an executive committee persons point of view.
>It's no fun when some dickhead wants to call local meetings
>unconstitutional and null and void, 'cos what may have happened ain't word
>fer word with whats written in some other groups constitution. (I fully
>realise I am no longer (ACT) executive, I was when this incident, and
>others, have taken place)...
>
>As for complaints being addressed to Mr Collums attention, (huh) this WAS
>done at a past Conference, the outcome was the promise of a new one in
>approx 12 months, from memory that was 3? yrs ago???????????
>
>I personally don't give a flying fuck about a constitution either. However
>the questiones were put by our members.
>
>I believe what you propose, Mr Hansen, is *the* answer. I look forward to
>placing a new copy infront of our members.
>
>Cheers
>Merlin
>
>
>At 14:16 7/02/98 +1000, you wrote:
>>Merlin's morbid preoccupation with constitutional matters is touching -
the
>>trouble with the bloody things (constitutions that is) is that everybody
>>ignores them until there is a problem and then wants the constitution
>>instantly fixed to deal with the problem in hand. Or as is often the case,
>>the theoretical problem that could possibly occur if scenario A is
>>superimposed on situation B and we try to implement solution C as per the
>>constitution ;-)
>>
>>As part of Incorporation requirements a constitution is needed and the
>>previous committee felt that they needed to adopt one from another
>>organisation that had some similar aims to ours and the result is what we
>>have and no-one seems to be happy with it despite the fact that it is
>>hardly ever referred to (except dismissively) or needed by the membership.
>>
>>My own preference is for us to cancel the previous opne and substitute the
>>model one that is suggested when incorporating and run the club on a set
of
>>by-laws that can be altered as needed without the legal and expensive
>>procedures required for registering constitutional changes.
>>
>>Doug, no matter how substantial he may appear to outsiders is only one man
>>and does a great job as secretary for ANGFA (National) as well as ANGFA
>>(Queensland) as well as the Conference sub-committee. He produces
excellent
>>minutes, often with little "extras" for those attuned to his
>>"tongue-in-cheek" humour and gets through a power of work each month.I
>>personally don't give a rat's ---- if the constitution never gets revamped
>>because there will always be nit-pickers looking for some minor problem or
>>having some nuisance little whine and the constitution gives them a little
>>area away from the meaningful parts of the club to exercise their special
>>talents.
>>
>>As I said in a recent post, if constructive criticism is felt necessary on
>>the constitution, please send your comments and your suggested solution to
>>our Secretary, the same esteemed Doug Collom and they will get the
>>consideration they warrant !!!!
>>
>>Regards,
>>Bruce.
>>
>>Bruce Hansen, ANGFA, caring for our aquatic ecosystems.
>>
>>Please visit us at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~fisher/angfa.htm
>>
>>
>>
>>----------
>>> From: Merlin <merlin at orac.net.au>
>>> To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au
>>> Subject: [RML] Re: (SPAM) Constitution (could be broken promises) :)
>>> Date: Wednesday, 4 February 1998 10:14
>>>
>>> Well Doc, I seem to have vague recollections of the constitution coming
>>in
>>> for some comment at a not too distant, past convention. Is this the
same
>>> Doug Collom we are talking about that was (along with National
Executive)
>>> gonna have a new constitution ready for approval in approx. 12 months
>>from
>>> that date?
>>>
>>> The Melborne Zoo constitution was hardly written for the benefit of
>>ANGFA,
>>> the hoary old chestnut re regional groups and the laws? (joke) of the
>>> constitution still remain...
>>>
>>> And before you ask, NO I am not volunteering for the job :) it's a
>>National
>>> responosibility...<g>
>>>
>>> Merlin jumps off soap box and says
>>> Cheers. :)
>>>
>>> On Fri Feb 6 01:19:28 1998 Doc wrote:
>>>
>>> The current constitution is the same as whichever one was adopted
>>whenever
>>> it was ;-)
>>>
>>> The current committee was in the sh-t enough without doing anything to
>>the
>>> "sacred cow" that purported to be a constitution.
>>>
>>> Any written suggestions on alterations to the constitution will be duly
>>> considered - please address them to Doug Collom either by email or "
>>>
>>>
>>> At 22:16 6/02/98 +1000, Doc also wrote:
>>> >Andrew -
>>> >
>>> >I have yet to hear anyone have a reasonable conversation on a
>>constitution
>>> >;-)
>>> >
>>> >You only have to listen to bits of the "talkfest": that is going on
>>between
>>> >The Monarchists and the Republicans at the moment to realise this is so
>>;-)
>>> >
>>> >Regards,
>>> >Bruce.
>>>
>>>
>>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- >> >>> merlin at mail.orac.net.au >>> >>> http://www.orac.net.au/~merlin >>> >>> "I am a stag of seven tines; >>> I am a wide flood on a plain; >>> I am a wind on the deep waters; >>> I am a shining tear of the sun; >>> I am a hawk on a cliff; >>> I am fair among flowers; >>> I am a God who sets the head afire with smoke." >> >> >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- - >merlin at mail.orac.net.au > >http://www.orac.net.au/~merlin > >"I am a stag of seven tines; > I am a wide flood on a plain; > I am a wind on the deep waters; > I am a shining tear of the sun; > I am a hawk on a cliff; > I am fair among flowers; > I am a God who sets the head afire with smoke." >