Article on voting rights - next year apparantly

[Bart]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/06/1083635285096.html

Vote may give Sydney a woman's touch
By Richard Hinds
May 7, 2004

Page Tools
Email to a friend Printer format
Any number of honour boards exist celebrating the most influential men in the Sydney Swans' history. But who has been the most influential woman? Leanne Edelsten? The choreographer of the Swanettes? Plugger's mum?

Those - tongue in cheek - nominations ignore the important but low-profile work women have been performing for the club in areas such as marketing and match-day medical support. However, it is fair to say that, like the majority of AFL clubs, the Swans do not seem to benefit as much as businesses in other walks of life from a woman's touch.

Potentially, that may change next year when, for the first time, Swans members will elect board members. While the election model has not yet been determined, it seems likely the board will be expanded to include two new members. Will a seven-man board become a nine-person committee?

Six AFL clubs have a female board members. Sydney chairman Richard Colless said this week that the reason there were no women on the Swans board was circumstantial rather than the result of "gender issues".

"We've always looked for the people who have the right range of specialist occupational and personal skills that can benefit the club," he said. "That doesn't mean there aren't women who fulfil that criteria."

Colless said he was opposed to taking the "politically correct" course of appointing a female board member for the sake of appearances. Rather, he believes the social evolution that has resulted in qualified women filling positions on the boards of major companies will ensure they eventually gain greater representation in football.

Nonetheless, by its nature, football excludes women from its highest-profile role - playing the game. At the same time, the issue of "football knowledge" - supposedly only gained in the heat of action and the sanctity of the changing room - was once regarded as a key reason why women would not cut it in senior administrative positions. That view is slowly changing.

Colless can see no reason why there could not be, for example, a female chief executive. "A great deal of the CEO's role is now sponsorship, membership, development, and I would say there is no shortage of women who are eminently qualified," he said.

On Sunday, the Swans will admit mothers to the match against Richmond at the SCG for free. It is a nice touch but, at a time when women are gaining respect for more than just nurturing future champions, it also seems faintly old-fashioned.

All the right noises have been made about female participation during the AFL's women's week. Yet, it will be interesting to see if a woman puts her name forward for election to the Swans board -and if she is endorsed by the incumbents.

[CureTheSane]

Thank you SSI.
Another job well done.

[ScottH]

Re: Article on voting rights - next year apparantly

Originally posted by Bart
But who has been the most influential woman? Leanne Edelsten? The choreographer of the Swanettes? Plugger's mum?

Barry's SMS mad mum!!!

[floppinab]

Considering Colless clearly stated in the press in 2002 that we would have an elected board by the end of 2003, I won't be holding my breath.

[Bart]

Originally posted by CureTheSane
Thank you SSI.
Another job well done.

Yes. Fantastic effort on their part. Who will be their candidate ?

[Bart]

Originally posted by floppinab
Considering Colless clearly stated in the press in 2002 that we would have an elected board by the end of 2003, I won't be holding my breath.

What difference is it really going to make? We are a relatively united stable club that, yes, will always have its financial challenges due to the nature of the Sydney market and paying extra wages. This could send us down the path of some of the Melbourne clubs if we pick the wrong people

My big fear is that a small number of voters (because most of the members aren't really going to give a toss, especially if they have to physically turn up and vote) will (a) elect an idiot loudmouth who thinks he/she represents all members (b) a groupie.

I really hope these two positions are filled by competent people with relevant skills not a wannabe

[CureTheSane]

ditto what Bart said.

I have strong reservations with an elected board.

If people EMPLOYED to run the club get into strife, what hope have we with an Eddie type loudmouth who knows diddily squat about running a club.

I think that is the first time ever I have used the term diddily squat.

[Charlie]

Partially elected?

Brilliant.

[Bart]

Originally posted by CureTheSane
ditto what Bart said.

I have strong reservations with an elected board.

If people EMPLOYED to run the club get into strife, what hope have we with an Eddie type loudmouth who knows diddily squat about running a club.

I think that is the first time ever I have used the term diddily squat.

I don't have an issue CTS with a non-footy person, or for that matter a high profile person (if that profile translated into big $ from sponsors). My issue is well intentioned people with no @@@@ing idea. The board should be a mix of people with footy background and business acumen. I am not interested in someone who loves the sound of their own voice or loves to hang around players. I'd love to see someone like Kelvin Templeton get back into the fold (although that seemed to end very badly with Colless). Others would be Aden Ridgeway, Graham John (if he ever gave up his AFL post), Shane Harmon, ex membership manager who ran the marketing of the RWC, even media types who could deliver profile to the club such as Mangos or Willesee or Sully; all club supporters.

[Damien]

Originally posted by Bart
I don't have an issue CTS with a non-footy person, or for that matter a high profile person (if that profile translated into big $ from sponsors). My issue is well intentioned people with no @@@@ing idea. The board should be a mix of people with footy background and business acumen. I am not interested in someone who loves the sound of their own voice or loves to hang around players. I'd love to see someone like Kelvin Templeton get back into the fold (although that seemed to end very badly with Colless). Others would be Aden Ridgeway, Graham John (if he ever gave up his AFL post), Shane Harmon, ex membership manager who ran the marketing of the RWC, even media types who could deliver profile to the club such as Mangos or Willesee or Sully; all club supporters.

Agree, agree and agree! - A Glenn Wheatley would be fantastic also, considering he has more time now that Delta dumped him!

I am a bit anti the voting idea but I think I can handle a mix of appointees and popularly elected people, just hope a lot of members take an interest in voting so we get to hear the true voices of the club and not just the loud few.

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by Bart
My big fear is that a small number of voters (because most of the members aren't really going to give a toss, especially if they have to physically turn up and vote) will (a) elect an idiot loudmouth who thinks he/she represents all members (b) a groupie.

that's a big part. As much as we on RWO are passionate about our footy. How many of us are actually going to get off our butts and go in for the vote. I know I probably wouldn't. That doesn't mean I care any less about the direction the club is taking. I just have other things that would rate higher on my list of things to do. If the voting was by ballot via the post or at the school around the corner and was easier that may be a different thing all together.

I may be speaking without actual knowledge of the facts and Eddie annoys me as much as the next person, but it seems Collingwood has been performing better since he's been in that role. He may just be a mouth piece, and has good people behind him but he's certainly lifted the profile of the club. If we had as high a profile mouth piece that increased membership and revenue would we be complaining?

They're lucky to have someone who is so very passionate about his team in their corner with that profile.

Enough compliments for Eddie, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. IMO he just does what he believes is best for his club. That may not be best for the overall big picture of the AFL. But from a Collingwood vantage he's handy to have around.

I'm not looking for an arguement, as his anti Sydney/Brisbane comments give me the irrits, but he's there for a reason and he does carry out that role very well.

[Charlie]

What? You'd have to actually be there at the AGM to vote?

NO! That's simply not fair to anyone outside Sydney. They better come up with something better than that.

[Damien]

Originally posted by Charlie


NO! That's simply not fair to anyone outside Sydney. They better come up with something better than that.

There would be postal voting - without even a doubt.

[CureTheSane]

Oh, I hate Eddie.

Can't stand his black and white vioce at all.

But he is a HUGE asset to the Wobbles.
I suppose that's part of the reason I hate him so much

I'd love him to topple the waybig Jack did at Carlton....

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by Charlie
What? You'd have to actually be there at the AGM to vote?

NO! That's simply not fair to anyone outside Sydney. They better come up with something better than that.

I agree and after I posted I thought that they would really have to include a postal ballot. But when you get them for NRMA for example. How many of us actually take the time to complete them. That was my point. I just went via Perth to get to it. Didn't mean to freak you out Charlie.