John Twomey <johntvhpa> writes:

WHY VOTE "YES" TO THE MOTIONS

For the first time in the history of the HGFA, you are being asked to vote in a Special General Meeting to remove members of the HGFA Board. This extraordinary action has been initiated by concerned members, some of whom have been in the HGFA since its inception. It is based on a well founded belief that the actions of the members named represent a clear and present danger to the sport we all love. These members have been consistently associated with the destructive behaviour of the current Board. The following items form part of the case for the removal of these members who are not acting in the best interests of most of the members.

1. Arbitrary and Unjustified Fee Increase

In April 2008, with 24 hours of Board experience, the new Board members decided to increase the fees by 56%. Twelve days prior to that the previous Board, with two years experience, had announced a CPI fee increase. Membership of the HGFA is twice that of BHPA, GFA & RAA; and four times that of the USHPA. Suggestions by members for cost reduction programmes have been ignored.

2. Contravention of the HGFA Constitution

In December 2008 the Board rejected a Requisition for Special General Meeting. The pretext was that the motions were invalid. The Board claimed it had legal advice to support this decision. This legal advice has never been made available to the membership. Requests from various members to view it have been denied. There is no evidence it exists. A subsequent fully constitutional member convened meeting saw all the proposed motions carried, including one calling for the Board to stand down and an election to be held. The current Board remains in direct contravention of the Constitution.

Requests by State Associations for membership lists with contact details have been denied.

Requests for HGFA documents have been denied.

Brian Webb, the only Board member who opposed the fee increase, was sacked using Rule 6.3.

All these Board actions contravene the HGFA Constitution and NSW Associations Incorporation laws.

3. Bringing the HGFA into Disrepute

As reported by the General Manager in the July issue of Soaring Australia, CASA has become concerned at the level of discontent that the current HGFA management style has generated. This represents a direct threat to the future of the sport.

The current Board operates in an environment of secrecy and intimidation. Dissenters are purged and members are afraid to speak out. Motion 09-02 April 2009 Board meeting: the Board will be seeking under freedom of information legislation the identity of a person who made a complaint to CASA. There is no doubt as to why the Board unanimously passed this motion.

The upcoming scheduled elections will not solve the problem as the current Board will remain in control until the new Board takes over in April 2010.

WE NEED TO ACT NOW

The "Yes" Team: Rob Woodward (SA): past HGFA board member & pres SAHGA, self employed conveyancer. Raef Mackay (Qld): pres Canungra HGC, sm business owner, proj & business management. John Twomey (Vic): past sec & pres VHPA, HG/PG pilot, proj development & management Ray Firth (NSW): executive NSWHGA, Safety Officer, HG pilot. Alex Jones (WA): v pres HGAWA, ex HG Instr & SO, self employed, systems engineer.

FOR A SOARING FUTURE VOTE "YES" TO ALL MOTIONS

See August Soaring Australia for our "Future Vision" plan and www.flywa.com.au/sgm for the whole story