Imrie’s AGM no-show
For the first time in Mardi Gras history the company chair will not deliver his own report and will not be present at the organisation’s annual general meeting.
Documents obtained through the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show David Imrie, who announced he would not seek re-election last month, resigned from his post effective Monday, August 3.
Imrie will not be able to present his director’s report and will not be available at the meeting to answer questions from the floor.
On Friday August 7 company secretary Peter Munro confirmed inquiries about Imrie’s position from Sydney Star Observer. Munro said he was unaware of the reasons for [Imrie’s} decision and unable to comment.
Steps have continued this week to formalise the resignation and we will be communicating with members shortly in relation to this issue, he said.
On Friday afternoon, after questions from SSO, members were notified of the resignation via New Mardi Gras’ electronic newsletter.
Imrie announced weeks ago that he would not seek re-election at this year’s annual general meeting.
In an interview with SSO just after he announced his decision not to re-stand he said he intended to stay on until after the AGM on August 19. He has since cited work commitments as his reason for missing the meeting.
I have 16 days overseas and interstate for work commitments between August 1 and 20, he said.
I thought it was best to hand over the final weeks to the current directors and resign a couple of weeks ago rather than waiting till the 19th.
He said he was unconcerned about how members might react to his failure to appear.
No, not concerned -” we’ve received plenty of feedback, positive and negative, public and private, Imrie said in the written statement.
Community discussion suggests Imrie would have faced lengthy and intensive questioning at the AGM over the organisation’s decision to split the 2010 parade and party over two weekends.
Board director and creative issues sponsor Tony Knight will instead present the chair’s report at the annual general meeting next week.
Munro said it would be the first time this had happened in NMG history.
From time to time directors have been unable to deliver their reports, he said, citing the example of the 2008 treasurer’s report, but the chair’s report has been delivered by the chair at each of the company’s AGMs.
info: The New Mardi Gras annual general meeting will be held at NIDA on August 19 from 6pm.
Details: www.mardigras.org.au.
Continued…
(Votes/proxies that were emailed -“ REJECTED -“ in THIS day and age!! All pathetic.)
I have read the Constitution and it very clearly states that only faxed or mailed Proxies are acceptable. If you are suggesting that the Returning Officer and those conducting the election were in cahoots with someone I would suggest that you tread very carefully in choosing your words. Libel is a crime punishable by jail in Australia.
(At the AGM Muddle made three comments -“ -œYes, -œWe’re working on it and -œIt’ll be Fabulous while others at least attempted to explain although not really that well.)
I listened to Kirk’s speech and to his answers to the questions that were put to him and I wonder whether we were listening to the same person, because he said a lot more than that.
(Re-elected YES, sadly)
Re-elected I agree. Sadly, well that’s your opinion. I prefer to let the events of the NEXT twelve months dictate whether it was a good move or a bad one and I would assume that the members who choose to vote will make their voting decisions based on the total work effort of the board and not their own petty small minded opinions.
Sorry Disgruntled, if you are going to post arrant nonsense I am going to have to pull it apart.
(3000+ members and a couple of hundred votes ALL up)
It was actually 2500+ members according to the Returning Officer, 239 votes and 2 informal/invalid votes.
(that is certainly NOT supportive of your statement there A Member)
I would agree that it wasn’t resounding as I don’t have access to the actual votes cast not the fall of preferences, but if people wanted Kirk Muddle, Steph Sands and the existing board members gone they would/should have voted against them.
(What it is -“ is yet again a Board voted in due to the reliance on the APATHY of the Membership.)
This is your interpretation of the result; it is just as easy to read it as an endorsement of the existing board members all of whom were re-elected.
(Lets face it though, a membership that is Country-wide, and they put the AGM on a Wednesday night at 6pm when most people are fighting to leave paid jobs hold it in an awkward place to get to, and more importantly, don’t have any form of electronic voting system.)
All members were notified of the time, place and date of the meeting in ample time to provide YOU with their proxies, if you had chosen to run for board or assist them in voting for those whom you obviously believe SHOULD have been elected.
As for the location I understood that the venue was chosen partially to save money.
As for an electronic voting system, I can see the point, but how much money would you like to see spent on something that I suspect would not be used by the same people who every year chose not to attend or vote at the AGMs.
(Votes/proxies that were emailed -“ REJECTED -“ in THIS day and age!! All pathetic.)
Of course – thats exactly what the Board etc would want, to get rid of disgruntled Members and sit pretty with the Apathetic ones.
No. My membership will be renewed.
So Disgruntled – do we take it that you’ll be handing your membership in to the office in disgust ?
Resoundingly re-elected?? Oh dear!!
3000+ members and a couple of hundred votes ALL up – that is certainly NOT re-soundingly.
What it is – is yet again a Board voted in due to the reliance on the APATHY of the Membership.
Lets face it though, a membership that is Country-wide, and they put the AGM on a Wednesday night at 6pm when most people are fighting to leave paid jobs hold it in an awkward place to get to, and more importantly, don’t have any form of electronic voting system. Votes/proxies that were emailed – REJECTED – in THIS day and age!! All pathetic.
Mardi Gras has well and truly passed its used-by date 10 years ago!!!!!!
Well Toby, I would suggest that you pull your head in and have a look at the election results from tonight’s AGM.
Kirk and Steph along with all of the members of the existing board were resoundingly re-elected.
Mohammed wasn’t elected. It would seem that what he gets (in your words) isn’t what the members want.
Love how Steph and Kirk or their fanclub are posting fast and furious here. Steph was chair when NMG lost $300,000 and Kirk cares about nothing other than his own ego and his “Parade Menials” as he calls them. I can’t wait for the truth to FINALLY come out at the AG0. Imrie is probably the smartest rat in the pack to find a reason (a paid job?) to escape the state and work on his perma-tan and make even more money while the rest of the parasites in-fight. Fact of the matter is, as will be revealed via direct q&a’s tomorrow night, that the “quiet achiever” (i.e. the “ceo” with the “mega office”) f*kd up with 2010 and caused a nightmare for all & sundry. Fact is, whether you despise Imrie, Muddle or Sands, NMG is in better hands with less nepotism, more community, less ego, more brains, less looks, and more braun. my vote goes to mohammed….. at least he “gets” what its all about.
I have never seen such arrogance or ego in a chair. David Imrie adopted a very public presidential model which goes against all the values of the organisation. To now switch blame to Kirk Muddle and Steph Sands, and the other directors re-standing for election is just not right.
I don’t buy this work stuff from Imrie. He simply realized he didn’t have the support both at a board level and also at a member level so his pride would not allow him the embarrassment of not being elected. Good riddance.
I’m sure Steph and Kirk will continue on to provide the level of sensible of leadership we need from directors and they have been proven to provide in the past when they have been on a well led team based board.
Steph and Kirk – if you are reading this you have my support to move forward, but I ask both of you, to stand in front of the members on Wednesday night and tell us what really happened.
What a breathtaking act of cowadice from David Imrie.He was more than happy to grab the fame and benefits of office and now when he has an obligation to be accountable for his time leading NMG he has run away. Imrie is without doubt the worst leader of Mardi Gras in it’s history.
David Imrie was the problem, he made announcements to the press without consulting with the board. Don’t be under the illusion that there was a unified board there wasn’t. But he is an absolute coward for not fronting the membership, who knows if he is going to be overseas.
And one more thing NMG had that money in the bank before Imrie got there he did not contribute anything.
How can the current board NOT be responsible for the decisions made of late? David Imrie may have been the figurehead but they, collectively, are responsible for the state of affairs at NMG.
One could argue that perhaps David bowed out prior to the AGM,in an effort to assist the current board. I wonder how many of them will attempt to distance themselves from the unpopular decision that they enacted.
Annoyed, either the current members of the board were part of the poor decision making process or they sat on their behinds and said nothing while poor decisions were being made regarding the organisation. Either scenario is a worry to a voting punter. I would like hear from those seeking re-election why we should vote for them, why won’t we be in for more of the same if we re-elect them? What will be different? Some will answer because of the proposed motion re EGMs…but that change to the constitution won’t stop this potentially happening again.
Disgruntled. Well I do see your point. But the other Board Members are not the ones that made the decisions here, David was, plain and simple. Kirk Muddle has done a lot for NMG and still is and so has Sands. They should remain on the Board.
With a new chair of NMG I think that the organization will get itself back on track and members and the community will be happy once again.
Leave the Muddle and Sands alone, they haven’t done anything wrong apart from have the wrong person as Chair on the Board for the last year.
Mr Imrie, good-bye
Well, well so far it seems everyone is happy to attack one Board member – the Chair. But the entire current NMG Board are to blame, and I agree with Jenny – I hope they can answer the questions.
Its stange too – people have been running around saying the Board was relatively new – ok – I buy that. BUT what about the Directors who arent? We have 2 who have said they have been with the organisation for several years. Isnt it fair then to ask for their heads too, not just Imries? Afterall theyve been around long enough to know what the Members want – obviously not! So be gone with them too I say! Goodbye Imrie, goodbye Muddle and goodbye Sands.
Disgruntled.
We need to learn from history so that the same mistakes aren’t repeated (Lesson Here: Consult the Membership before changing the fundamentals.) But that said let’s stop the recriminations and finger-pointing and move on. Renewal of the board through the AGM provides that opportunity.
Well said Polly.
There is a lot of comment here bagging the chair, the board and the staff.
The community, in particular the membership of NMG, should reflect upon the fact that the NMG 2008 AGM had to be adjourned as it failed to get a quorum – and only 5 Directors were nominated, three short of the eight required for a full Board!
Where was the interest then? Where was the critical volunteer community support that NMG, in particular the board, relies upon to survive? Is the outcome therefore a surprise to anyone?
To paraphrase JKF … think not what NMG has done for you, think what you could have done for NMG?
Our community are great spectators and critics – this situation speaks as much about the inaction of the members, as it does about the actions of a committed few. It easy being on the outside pissing in – if you are really concerned then the time has come to step up and help constructively and proactively in what ever way you can.
Respect!
Really though, Speaking negatively about this has no progressive effect on MG 2010 – People’s energy is better used in a positive way… why not get involved?!!!
Stop being re active – Start being Pro active!
Much Love and respect to all
XXX
SSO article 20 May 2009
-œNew Mardi Gras CEO Anna McInerney said the decision to split the parade and party was an evolutionary one. -œWe’ve looked at how other major festival-type events are produced around the world and one of the clear lessons is that they run as a series of parties, she said in an official statement.
David Imrie quoted in SSO 26 May 2009
-œSome of the conspiracy theories and myths running around are quite bizarre. There are a whole lot of factors to consider and we’ve planned a great season.
David Imrie in a letter to the SSO 11 August 2009
-œAn oversight left us with little choice.
Is it any wonder people are pissed off with NMG? Bit by bit the truth comes out.
Were all the directors in on this? Or was the story just something that Imrie and the CEO were responsible for?
I dont agree with some of you being remark about David’s departure.. the process of committee, he want to quit from President’s roles and responsibilities..
Nothing of you, have similar experience as president’s shoes. I was President of board committee.. which is more hard work and making decision and do all the dirty work for board committee..
Please respect him cause he just make the most difficult for NMG to make happen to be profit for Mardi Gras and try to help the communities in safe and budget well for everyone.. so give someone a chance to save up money for their choice to go or not..
He haveusually has a more positive relationship with Mardi Gras leadership figures in past and that the roles on the board will continue to attract talented people with a passion for Mardi Gras.
NMG have a time to look someone else before he resign the President’s roles and NMG should ask Vice President to take over and seek someone who are keen to do President’s roles as just look at the current field of nominees’s interest and passion in NMG.
I don’t agree with Mike Smith’s comment:
“Congrats David Imrie for destroying any sense of hope people could have had for NMG. That is your legacy.”
that’s going too far for me and I’ve been very critical of the decisions to split parade and party and halve the festival. It’s been a confounding time for MG’s many supporters and I want the full disclosure we haven’t received yet. 2010 will not be as it should have been but I think the community is still solidly committed to making NMG a success beyond that.
David Imrie has been an unusual MG chair (saying from the outset that he realised he had painted a big target sign on himself when he took on the role….even before he’d entered into any controversy??). I think the community usually has a more positive relationship with Mardi Gras leadership figures and that the roles on the board will continue to attract talented people with a passion for Mardi Gras. Just look at the current field of nominees.
David Imrie going, going gone. “que wizard of oz – dingdong the witch is dead” Im sure the antique roadshow will enjoy the venue we should have had on the date we should have obtained.
What a surprise….. NOT !
Good riddance !
What a surprise….. NOT !
Chris g – I think you are missing the point. The fact is Imrie gave an undertaking to lead the organisation … and when decisions he was involved in making fell foul of the membership – mostly because rather than telling the truth about what happened they spus us a crock of shit – he ran with his tail between his legs.
Even when he announced he would not seek re-election, he said he would still front the AGM
Now he won’t even face the membership at the AGM – which I think he has a moral obligation to do – to her first-hand what people really think of this decision.
So well done SSO – stay on thop of this story. You are there to hold people like David accountable – and that is exactly what you are doing.
If you didn’t, people like Chris g would complain about that to.
I get the impression this doesn’t surprise anyone. Such a cowardly move, and unfortunately it will reflect on the organisation. Congrats David Imrie for destroying any sense of hope people could have had for NMG. That is your legacy.
Correct me if I’m wrong but if Imrie resigned on 3rd August then he wouldn’t be Chairman at the AGM on 19th so he wouldn’t be able to do Chairman’s report anyway? And if he’s overseas for his work he can’t be in too places at once can he? Give the poor guy a break SSO! What Jenny says is right too. Can’t wait to hear what the current board and the CEO have to say at the AGM. Imrie was only one of a team of board members.
well the chair is only one member of the board and staff albeit a key member. There was a whole board and a CEO involved in organisational decision making. So I hope that the remaining members of the current board and the CEO will make sure they are available and ready to answer all AGM questions and not fall back on that old favourite politician’s answer of saying that “it wasn’t me it was him and he isn’t here anymore so I can’t answer that question and its not my fault anyway”. I also don’t want to hear the other favourite pollies answer of ‘well I don’t have that information available to me and I will take that question on board and get back to you”. The remaining board and CEO know most of what questions they can expect at the AGM. Its not rocket science. And I expect them to come prepared with answers for the membership and not spin
Nice to see that Imrie has the courage of his convictions.
Having acted the complete tool for the last three or four months he chooses to resign and leave the board to answer for his actions.