IAA AGM 2013 Discussion Thread.

Dogwatch · 15-01-2013 4:58pm #1

Posted on behalf of the IAA Committee

Time To Stand Up and Be Counted

So, we now have a date for the AGM of Wednesday March 13th at 8pm. This is a time and day of the week which was chosen in the hope of getting more people to attend the AGM and so try to get as much consensus as possible of the proposals which will be put to a vote and the election of new committee members. The current committee would like to take this opportunity to call on everyone with an interest in the future of our sport to take the passion of love which they have for airsoft and stand up to and be counted.

First things first, in order to attend the AGM you MUST be a current IAA member which means being fully paid up and registered by 5pm on Friday 8th March. If you sign up very close to that time you most likely will not have received your membership card by the time of the AGM, but so long as your membership application has been processed and a membership number assigned, you will be eligible to attend the AGM, vote on proposals there and vote for and run in the election of committee members. As you all know, the past couple of years have seen some serious problems befall the IAA membership system but as you should all also know (if you have been paying attention) those problems have all now been solved so there is no excuse not to sign up for yours.

The next thing you need to do is get your thinking hats on and start nominating people for executive committee members. And if you want to get involved with the committee it’s time to start letting people know that you are ready to run for election.

The association needs a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Public Relations Officer. Obviously each of these posts require people with a real interest and passion for airsoft who are committed to ensuring the future of the sport here in Ireland. While the work of the association is far from being a full-time job, it does require a real commitment of time and effort and anyone going for the positions really needs to understand this from the outset. The business of the IAA is ongoing with something cropping up at least a couple of times a week and the business is rarely fun or terribly enjoyable, and nine time out of ten you will not be getting any credit for it. You also need to consider the skills that will be required of each committee member be that a bit of political savvy, confidence in speaking with anyone from members of the public to representatives of the authorities. The treasurer and PRO roles in particular need people with backgrounds and experience in financial dealings and media relations respectively. Yes, these are voluntary roles, but the Irish airsoft community deserves to be getting the best chance possible and that can only be achieved by people with the right levels of professionalism, commitment and knowledge to actually do the jobs which need to be done.

So, after all that, if you still think that you want to work on the committee the time to start letting people know if right now. Get yourself to the forums at http://irishairsoft.ie/ or send us an email at info@irishairsoft.ie. In the weeks running up to the AGM what we need to see is some discussion of the potential committee members who will guide the IAA through 2013 and also of the proposals which you the members want to see voted on at the AGM.
Plenty of people like to have their say about the IAA and the work that it does, whether that be online or in the safe zone. Everyone has an opinion, but when it comes to the crunch time, not many people are willing to put their money where their mouth is and actually get something done. It’s time to buck that trend and get everyone involved. If you aren’t on the committee you might have other skills that may be needed in non-executive roles. If you aren’t involved at that level you can get involved in more grass-roots promotion and support of the association and airsoft by bringing new players into the fold and encouraging older players to put aside any old notions that they might have and finally start to muck in and help out.

Airsoft in Ireland and gone through a lot but it is still here and that is thanks to the work of a special few who never give up on working for the sport. They work tirelessly for the promotion of charity events, large scale themed and milsim events, initiatives to promote fair play, safety and the sport in general as well as constantly acting as spokespeople for airsoft. It’s time for us all to start getting involved in whichever capacity we can. If you’re reading this it’s because you love airsoft and you understand that it can only exist thanks to the work of dedicated players. Now is the time to stand up and be counted as one of those players.

We look forward to hearing from you all and seeing as many as possible at the AGM in March.

Thanks
The IAA Committee

S.E.A.L.s · 15-01-2013 5:58pm

With thanks to the IAA, my membership has been sorted out after almost two(2) years of waiting and I'm planning to attend this AGM

It should be a good event

Steve · 15-01-2013 11:29pm

Just so everyone's clear on this: contrary to legacy prohibition on IAA discussion here, we are encouraging debate on this at the request of the IAA committee.

In my personal opinion, the IAA are currently well staffed and are making great progress for our sport - kudos for that, lets keep the momentum going.

This is not a licence to rant, if you feel the need to do so then take it elsewhere. Please keep it civil and constructive and we'll all benefit from it.

Inari · 16-01-2013 10:59pm

It's almost too quiet around these parts...something's not right

I'll be honest; with all of the issues surrounding IAA membership the past while, I never bothered. I will be registering tonight/tomorrow, since all of the issues have finally been sorted

With regard to next year's IAA I would love to see what was discussed at the EGM last year come to fruition; a core committee filling the executive positions, but a tonne of volunteer help on a micro-scale. Have small groups work on one particular task from start to finish, and that way the executive positions are not under as much strain, other people get to see that it is not an elite clique or VIP club...many hands make light work etc.

Just my own couple of thoughts anyway.

See you's all at the AGM!

tonymccann · 16-01-2013 11:37pm

I have offered my help to the IAA to no avail I can only think that this is just because its so close to the AGM id love to stand up and be counted lol

ricka · 17-01-2013 11:44am

tonymccann wrote: »

I have offered my help to the IAA to no avail I can only think that this is just because its so close to the AGM id love to stand up and be counted lol

That's what it must be.Personally I think you'd make a great treasurer.
Why not put yourself foward and we can discuss it at the AGM

Tommyboy71 · 21-01-2013 9:53pm

It is not too late for anyone to stand up. If you go here ===>>> http://www.irishairsoft.ie/forum/viewforum.php?f=32 you can start a nomination thread and nominate away. When people are nominated, a separate Q&A thread will be created for each candidate.

If a motion is proposed, a thread will be opened to allow for discussion of the motion.

We are asking the membership to take over and continue the good work that has been done to steer the association back on course.

* Obviously within the rules of the AGM, at this stage it is not too late.

jayod30 · 22-01-2013 6:08pm

Just a question? What happens if no current members put their name forward? Is there some sort of contingency plan in place or does the IAA cease to exist?

fayer · 22-01-2013 6:56pm

jayod30 wrote: »

Just a question? What happens if no current members put their name forward? Is there some sort of contingency plan in place or does the IAA cease to exist?

The "contingency plan" was drafted last week. It is a very simple document that contains the process to disband and close the IAA, inline with the Revenue commissioners guidelines. It contains a communications plan that will start on the 2nd of February to inform members and the community that the Association will be disbanded.

No committee = no IAA.

9 Days 23 hours left.

Steve
IAA Chairman

Dogwatch · 23-01-2013 10:24pm

fayer wrote: »

The "contingency plan" was drafted last week. It is a very simple document that contains the process to disband and close the IAA, inline with the Revenue commissioners guidelines. It contains a communications plan that will start on the 2nd of February to inform members and the community that the Association will be disbanded.

No committee = no IAA.

9 Days 23 hours left.

Steve
IAA Chairman

Is that process not contained in the IAA constitution?

fayer · 23-01-2013 10:58pm

Dogwatch wrote: »

Is that process not contained in the IAA constitution?

No, the framers of the constitution never envisaged the need to disband the operation, so this is not coved and we are required to use what would be the default steps. The process document created is based on the Irish legal requirements for non profit organisations to cease trading, with extra items for insuring everyone that needs to be informed is informed.

In summery, pay all bills, close accounts and all remaining funds must go to a registered charity. The dissemination of funds is covered in the constitution as required by the Revenue commissioners rules for non profits, this is the law for such bodys.

Do you have a specific concern?

K.Flyer · 24-01-2013 10:35pm

fayer wrote: »

No committee = no IAA.

9 Days 23 hours left.

Steve
IAA Chairman

(No Committee = No IAA) = No Legitimate Voice for Airsoft when some Gob****e who has no idea what he is talking about wants it all shut down.

Keep up the good work!

The_ChiefDUB · 26-01-2013 4:00pm

Just one week left to make nominations and propose motions for discussion at the IAA AGM. Submissions can be made by emailing info@irishairsoft.ie or starting a thread on the IAA forum at www.irishairsoft.ie. Remember to include your IAA membership number.

Get them in by next Friday at 5pm.

The_ChiefDUB · 29-01-2013 12:56pm

Including today, there are now four days left for nominations for the new IAA committee. So far only three nominations have been made.

OzCam · 29-01-2013 6:21pm

The_ChiefDUB wrote: »

ISo far only three nominations have been made.

So where are the nominations? Why aren't they up on the IAA Forum in the usual way?

Inari · 29-01-2013 7:23pm

OzCam wrote: »

So where are the nominations? Why aren't they up on the IAA Forum in the usual way?

I would assume that those submissions were made via email, an option listed in Chief_dub's previous post.

It's good to see people stepping up. It'd be a real shame to see the IAA disband, as it would leave the players and collectors with zero representation

TheDoc · 29-01-2013 8:51pm

OzCam wrote: »

So where are the nominations? Why aren't they up on the IAA Forum in the usual way?

As indicated above, there are numerous platforms now for nomination.

Once the initial due diligence is complete threads will be provided as per the normal process

Dogwatch · 29-01-2013 9:40pm

TheDoc wrote: »

As indicated above, there are numerous platforms now for nomination.

Once the initial due diligence is complete threads will be provided as per the normal process

It is not too late for anyone to stand up. If you go here ===>>> http://www.irishairsoft.ie/forum/viewforum.php?f=32 you can start a nomination thread and nominate away. When people are nominated, a separate Q&A thread will be created for each candidate.[Unquote]

Are the committee waiting until after the closing date for nominations before disclosing the names of those that have been nominated??

The_ChiefDUB · 29-01-2013 10:59pm

As has been said above, people can be nominated via email or letter as well as via the forum and that is how the current nominations have been received - nominations can also be may by posting on the forum. Threads will be opened on the forum to allow for questions and debate regarding each nomination that has been sent in via email. This will be done after membership numbers and interest of nominees have been confirmed.

andy_g · 30-01-2013 12:28am

So the IAA are allowing phantom nominations this year and how are members meant to second these phantom nominations?

Looks very cloak and dagger this year.

The_ChiefDUB · 30-01-2013 12:34am

andy_g wrote: »

So the IAA are allowing phantom nominations this year and how are members meant to second these phantom nominations?

Looks very cloak and dagger this year.

An utterly ridiculous accusation. Nominations are accepted via three routes as previously stated - by writing by post, via email or through the forum. When nominations have been received by email or otherwise they are confirmed and then a thread opened if it has not already been so that the membership can debate the issues. There is nothing cloak and dagger about it and I have no idea what the concept of a "phantom nomination" might entail.

andy_g · 30-01-2013 12:51am

The_ChiefDUB wrote: »

An utterly ridiculous accusation. Nominations are accepted via three routes as previously stated - by writing by post, via email or through the forum. When nominations have been received by email or otherwise they are confirmed and then a thread opened if it has not already been so that the membership can debate the issues. There is nothing cloak and dagger about it and I have no idea what the concept of a "phantom nomination" might entail.

So far i see one nomination on the IAA forum and thats martin fehilly from cork.

Where's the other two?

The_ChiefDUB · 30-01-2013 12:58am

andy_g wrote: »

So far i see one nomination on the IAA forum and thats martin fehilly from cork.

Where's the other two?

As has already been explained those nominations have come in via email and when the nominees confirm that they want to run they will be asked to open a thread so the members can debate with them on the issues which they hope to raise and goals they want to achieve.

Gatling · 30-01-2013 4:37am

Not relevant to the AGM

The_ChiefDUB · 30-01-2013 10:20am

The other two nominees have now confirmed their interest and threads have been added to IAA forum.

TheDoc · 30-01-2013 11:15am

More members and players are communicating with us through more convenient platforms then the forums(convenient on their part), as far as I'm aware there is actually nothing that specifically denotes nominations MUST be done through the forum.

It just so happens that was the norm in years gone by, this year after reviewing the constitution, there was no mention of strictly forum nominations. So alternative platforms were opened up for members of the public to use at their discretion.

Nominations are typically , from what I can see provided by the "seconder" , not by the individual looking to get into said position.

A forum post is instant, and obviously is straight there. And after the publication due diligence takes place. We are doing the various checks and making sure everything is in order before we post the public threads.

What would be the point in posting, and then a few minutes later, outlining that its invalid.

The communication being received through the various platforms is being correlated and worked through, and published once deemed the application is valid, and meets the requirement set out by the constitution.

And now ends Doc being rather amicable, and now returns old Doc.

TheDoc · 30-01-2013 11:32am

Not relevant to the AGM

TheDoc · 30-01-2013 11:43am

andy_g wrote: »

So the IAA are allowing phantom nominations this year and how are members meant to second these phantom nominations?

Looks very cloak and dagger this year.

To literally clear this up, 100%.

Nothing is stopping anyone from posting a nomination on the forum. You can nominate someone now, you could nominate someone last week. No one, bar one, has posted a nomination on the forum.

Nominations have come via Facebook PM and e-mail.

Scenario 1 :
I nominate someone. IAA check my validity. See I'm not a member. Inform me my nomination cannot be accepted.

Scenario 2:
I nominate someone, IAA check my validity. See I'm a member. Post to forum.

Scenario 3:
I nominate myself. IAA check my validity. I'm not able to under constitution. I'm informed.

Scenario 4:
I nominate myself. IAA check my validity. I'm eligible, and thread posted.

That is literally it. The medium, is entirely negligible and is not a requirement. Fab can confirm, but I think nominations have to be in a form of writing afaik, so you cant just tell someone, or make a phone call, there has to be a written nomination.

The_ChiefDUB · 30-01-2013 11:52am

That is correct, nominations have to be in writing. In cases where nominations have come in via email, I have been confirming with the person nominated that they actually want to run before creating a thread myself. As Doc said above, what is the point of me creating a thread without checking that person wants to go ahead first and possibly having to declare it invalid?

It took about a day to get confirmation from two nominees that they wanted to run. As soon as it was provided, the threads were opened. Anyone can just post a nomination to the forum or they can send an email or a letter by post (I'm getting bored of repeating this very simple fact now).

The work of this committee has been completely transparent at all stages. The nominations process is no different.

And in reference to the debt which you believe the IAA has, it is a well reported fact that a lot of work has been done to repair the damage done to the IAA through the regularising of all financial affairs. A full financial report will be delivered by the treasurer to the membership at the AGM.

At this point I would like to appeal to all members and anyone with an interest in the IAA and continued health of Irish airsoft to please ignore the rantings of certain individuals and instead take the time to read all that has been published by the current committee and draw your own conclusions.

Lemming · 30-01-2013 1:20pm

As an observation ... rather than saying "there are three nominations. But yeah but no but yeah but no but yeah, there is only one right now", might I suggest that you say there are "n" nominations, and "x" proposed currently awaiting ratification?

The "Three nominations" was very misleading and a bit dishonest as that was not the case until the two proposed nominees consented. Untill & unless they consented, the fact there were proposed nominations accounts for nothing. Could have saved yourselves a whole load of bother with more concise statements of fact.

The_ChiefDUB · 30-01-2013 1:24pm

Fair point - my goal was to encourage more people to come forward as has been my goal from the very outset of this process. The IAA needs people and my role as PRO in the run up to the AGM is to encourage more people to come forward for committee nominations.

The fact of the matter is that as we approach the deadline for nominations I have been getting seriously concerned about the sustainability of the association. We had a total of three nominations put forward (which as you rightly point out still needed to be fully confirmed) - it was this frighteningly low number which I was trying to draw attention to.

IAA AGM 2013 Discussion Thread.

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