UPDATE
April 8, 2016
The Sydney Credit Union announced that it will delay its proposed by-law amendment till next years Annual General Meeting.
The regular AGM will go ahead without that item on the Agenda at 7pm on Monday, April 11th at the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre in Sydney, NS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sydney: April 7, 2016
Next Monday, April 11th, the Sydney Credit Union will hold its Annual General Meeting. This meeting will be the first gathering of the membership since the East Coast Credit Union amalgamation proposal was rejected in October 2015.
At the AGM, members will be asked to vote on an amendment of the charter by-laws that will change future methods of voting. The amendment would allow the Credit Union board of directors to decide how members would be able to vote on any issue arising in the future.
“This is an interesting proposal for change”, says New Dawn President, Rankin MacSween. “At the recent meeting on amalgamation, members gathered together for a discussion, many different perspectives on the issue were shared, and then votes were cast. There is value in gathering together for that discussion and perspective-sharing. The outcome would likely have been very different if members were asked to vote without taking time to hear those additional perspectives.”
Where alternative methods, such as phone-in or mail-in ballots, exist and are used in provincial or municipal elections, extensive public discussion and debate take place prior to voting. The proposal being considered next Monday does not offer a mechanism for those who disagree with or have question about an issue to give voice to their reservations. There would be no opportunity for members to have an open debate about the merits of what is being recommended.
“For New Dawn,” says MacSween “the debate that took place on amalgamation, and the energy of those in attendance, spoke to the origins and the values of the Credit Union movement. Membership engagement is undoubtedly important, but it is also important to ensure that the members of the Credit Union – owners of the Credit Union – are able hear all sides of an issue before making an informed decision with their ballot. How can we ensure that this is also achieved?”
The Annual General Meeting of the Sydney Credit Union, and member vote on the proposed change to the Credit Union by-laws will take place next Monday April 11th at 7:00pm at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. All members (account holders) of the Sydney Credit Union, Sydney River Credit Union, and Whitney Pier Credit Union are able to attend and cast a ballot on the proposed change.
-30-
For more information or to arrange an interview with New Dawn President Rankin MacSween, please contact Erika Shea at 902-578-9272 or[email protected].
Erika Shea
Director, Communications
New Dawn Enterprises
0
This post does not allow comments.- 1
arrow-eseek-eNo items to display