NZDRA Annual General Meeting

 Remits.Clarification required for voting rights of Associate members in constitution. 

1/ Grant Benvenuti licence number 258 I would like to move a Special resolution for AGM.

The resolution is: Alter Rule 14.3(c) by deleting the original rule and substituting the following as Rule 14.3(c) “Voting forms shall be sent to all Members entitled to vote by post or electronic means as determined by the Board at least one calendar month before the date set for the AGM. Each Member entitled to vote shall vote for one nominee for each vacant Board position.” 

This Special Resolution is moved by Grant Benvenuti (licence number 258) and seconded by Dion Crook (licence number 539) 

Explanation: The rule as it stands appears to be an error and is in conflict with Rule 14.3(b) which states “each elected board member shall be elected by a postal ballot of members…”. The members should have the right to vote for each of the available board positions and this is the common practice in other incorporated societies. The rule as it stands also can give a skewed election result if the vast majority of votes are cast for one nominee with the possibility of another nominee only getting one vote and being elected. 

ThanksGrant B 

2/ Special Resolution. That the NZDRA becomes a fully democratic organisation, where the Members get to vote at General Meetings. To achieve this there needs to be rule changes and additions as set out below. It is virtually unheard of for an organisation not to allow its members to vote at its AGM, or to call a SGM if a group of members have a serious concern that needs to be discussed. Without these rights it is virtually impossible for the Members to influence or change the NZDRA. Even this proposed Special Resolution must have the support of at least four of the current Board to pass, even if every Member of this organisation wants it.

These five rule changes will restore the right of all Members to vote at the AGM or a Special General Meeting and the right for a group of Members to call a Special General Meeting, as well as give any Member the right to attend a Board Meeting.

Rule 9.2e is replaced by:

e.   Attend speak, and vote at General Meetings

A new Rule 9.2f

f.   Attend any Board meetings but not speak or vote. The Chairman may, at the Boards sole discretion, permit the right to speak at Board Meetings

Rule 9.3f is replaced by:

f.   Attend speak, and vote at General Meetings

A new Rule 9.3g

g.  Attend any Board meetings but not speak or vote. The Chairman may, at the Boards sole discretion, permit the right to speak at Board Meetings if the Members requests to speak

3/ Special Resolution.

That this AGM ensure that the Board of the NZDRA fairly and democratically represents all the Members so that the sport of Drag Racing is fostered and promoted to the fullest extent. To achieve this:

1)     The size of the Board should be changed so that it is increased to eight members

2)     Four of those members should be elected by, and represent, the interests of the drivers

3)     The other four members are appointed by, and represent, the interests of the tracks and promoters that make up the Events Committee

4)     To ensure that there is protection for the drivers, and to  prevent the NZRDA Board from being dominated by an individual personality from the tracks or promoters, the Board members appointed by the Events Committee cannot be appointed for consecutive terms of office

5)     The proposed rule additions and replacements below should be adopted and put into effect as soon as possible and the new structure should take effect from the next AGM in July 2012.

6)     At the next AGM (July 2012), the three Board Members due to retire will be replaced by only one Elected Board Member, elected under the provisions of rules 14.3a to f. This will ensure there is four Board Members elected by the drivers for the following year (2012/2013)7)     Prior to the next AGM (July 2012), the Events Committee shall appoint and elect their Events Board Members, who shall take office immediately at the end of the July 2012 AGM 

Proposed by Masterton Motorplex Incorporated

Track owners and promoters have invested many millions of dollars into their businesses. To ensure that they have a fair and reasonable say in the governance of the sport their business is supporting, it is fair and reasonable that they should be represented on the board.

In the “old days” of the NZDRA, the tracks often had too much influence but unfortunately, in an effort to redress this, the current constitution has pushed the balance too far and now the tracks and promoters have no presence on the Board. Under the current constitution, even when track members are elected to the Board they must represent the drivers, not the tracks.

Because of this lack of influence we have recently seen several of the tracks, including the only current permanent Open Competition grade track, opt out of the NZDRA. The fundamental restoration of fairness to the governance of the sport is designed to give the tracks and promoters a presence at the board table as of right. This may be enough to entice those tracks back into the NZDRA fold, but if not, will help ensure the remaining tracks stay affiliated to the NZDRA.

In proposing these rule changes, we have attempted to achieve this balance without returning to the old days of undue influence by one or two very strong personalities. These proposed changes in no way undermine the rights or prevent the drivers from also having their representatives, and this right remains enshrined. There is no attempt to interfere with the Drivers Committee or the way in which the class and racing rules are set. The tracks and promoters just want to have the same rights as the drivers to ensure their considerable investment is used to the best advantage for the sport of drag racing.

Rule 9.2c is replaced by:

9.2c.    If they are not the owner or operator of a permanent Open Competition grade drag strip, nominate any person for election as an Events Board member

Rule 9.2d is replaced by:

9.2 d.   If they are not the owner or operator of a permanent Open Competition grade drag strip, vote for a nominated person (or people, if more than one vacancy) for election as an Events Board member

Rule 12.1 is replaced by:

12.1     The officers of NZDRA shall be:a.      the Board Membersb.      the Chief Executive Officerc.      the Chairman (if not a Board Member) Rule 12.2 is replaced by:12.2 

The Board Members are appointed as specified in Rule 14.2 

Rule 13.4 is replaced by:

13.4     A quorum for a General Meeting is obtained by the presence of five (5) Board Members and 10 other Members

Rule 14.2 is replaced by:

A new Rule 14.3g

A new Rule 14.3h

A new Rule 14.3i

A new Rule 14.3j

Rule 14.6 is deleted and left blank

 Rule 14.7 is replaced by:14.7     In the event that there is a vacancy on the Board,a.      If that vacancy is for an Elected Board Member, the remaining Elected Board Members may appoint a person of their choice to fill the vacancy or they may leave the vacancy unfilled until the next AGM.b.      If that vacancy is for an Events Board Member, the Events Committee may appoint a person of their choice to fill the vacancy according to Rules 14.3 g to j, or they may leave the vacancy unfilled until the next AGM.

Submitted by Bob Wilton Masterton Motorplex   

4/ Chris Tynan CEO

New Remit.

That all volunteers within the sport must be members of the association and this membership be free, but with all benefits of an Associate Member.

Reason:

This unifies these volunteers to the same rules and codes of behaviour of any member of the association. This will ensure volunteers have the same rights of complaint of other members and able to bring concerns to the board in a more formal and influential way.

It formalises these individuals legally as officials of the Association.

It allows them any future benefits in regards to merchandise discounts, official supplier discounts etc that may be available to members. This just a small token for their services to the sport and may make them feel they are more valued and part of it.

Submitted: Chris Tynan

5/ Proposer:         Todd Stevenson            #904

Seconder:         Athol Williams               #5049 Remit 

That a current NZHRA membership card be accepted as a form of licencing for racing in classes slower than 11.0  

Reason This was in the original agreement with NZHRA that formed NZDRA, the NZHRA membership was recognised and this recognition was removed around 2002.We believe that’s its re-introduction could increase the number of hot rodders competing at drag racing events 

Todd StevensonChristchurch