"Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”
My favourite all-time "Star Wars" quote...
Inspirational, words of wisdom from Obi Wan Kenobi to the master of the Dark Side, Darth Vader in their very own battle of 'good vs evil' in the fourth sequel; "New Hope".
WHY THE DELAY FOLKS?
Jim Forrest was very very keen to get to the members...
And why wouldn't he be?
He IS after all the ELECTED President of Football NSW. Nothing has changed in this respect.
Jim Forrest has remained in place to ensure that the future of this state remains in the hands of the NSW clubs and associations- and nobody else.
Irrespective of the games and shenanigans that are unfolding.
All Jim Forrest wants to do is hold the AGM as soon as possible so that the Football NSW family, AND NOBODY ELSE, can decide its own fate and destiny.
What is wrong with that?
Problem is...
Not EVERYBODY is keen for this to happen.
The question is WHY?
Jim Forrest was keen to go the the AGM sooner rather than later- but for some bizarre, strange reason not everybody is keen for that to happen.
The President is being delayed- by possibly up to two months!
The question is WHY?
INFORMATION MEETING?
The President of Football NSW could not even hold his very own "Information Meeting" with the clubs and associations.
He was stopped from doing so.
WHY?
What is everyone so scared of?
Who are these people who are stopping this from happening?
Why is the President being denied the right to go before his members and answer their concerns?
You see, Jim Forrest has nothing to hide- but plenty to say- and plenty to show.
When the time comes of course...
INSTEAD THIS IS WHAT FFA DECIDES TO DO...
The FFA in the meantime has written to the 58 FNSW members and has decided, in their very own words, the following course of action:
"...FFA pursuant to article 7.6 of the FFA Constitution hereby direct Football NSW through its 58 members to take the following action in order that the above recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry can be implemented:
(a) The members must as soon as practicable resolve in general meeting convened in accordance with the Corporations Act to remove Jim Forrest as a director (and therefore president) under s203D of the Corporations Act;
(b) The members must resolve to acknowledge that
(i) Robert Sestan will remain as a director;
(ii) following the earlier of the resignation or removal of Jim Forrest, the directors Andrew Christopoulos, Stephen Hayes and Zelijko Kalac will resign as directors;
(iii) following the resignations in (b)(ii) an interim board of directors will be appointed to conduct a review of the operations and governance of FNSW;
(iv) this interim board will comprise Andrew Christopoulos and Zelijko Kalac who along with an FFA nominee will be appointed under article 10.13 of the FNSW Constitution for a term until 1 October 2011 and Stephen Hayes who along with an FFA nominee will be appointed under article 10.14 of the FNSW Constitution for a term until December 2012 but with a condition of appointment that if requested by the Board of FNSW they will resign upon the expiry of the terms of the directors appointed under article 10.13;
(c) The members must resolve to acknowledge that, pending the finalisation of the review to be conducted by the interim board, the Company will apply to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under s250P of the Corporations Act for an extension of time for holding the Company’s Annual General Meeting; and
(d) That the members not pass other resolutions or take other action inconsistent with the course of action outlined in paragraphs (a) to (c) above including passing the resolutions proposed by three members of FNSW in a request for a general meeting under s249D of the Corporations Act received by FNSW on 11 January 2011".
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Basically, the FFA wants Jim Forrest out of the way.
Why?
As for the others on the Board, yes they will resign...
But then they will be reappointed, along with "an FFA nominee"- that is whoever the FFA decides should also be on the interim Board.
This interim board of will then be the ones responsible "to conduct a review of the operations and governance of FNSW".
Let's get this right...
The directors who resign will be the ones reappointed to do the review!
Furthermore, at this future General Meeting, FFA wants to make sure that the 58 members do "not pass other resolutions or take other action inconsistent with the course of action outlined."
Oh, and just for good measure...
"Article 3.10(a) of the FFA Constitution provides that the Directors of FFA may terminate the membership of a State Body Member of FFA (such as FNSW) if the State Body Member breaches or fails to comply with a direction given to it by the Directors under article 7.6."
WHAT TO DO?
It will be interesting to see just how the clubs and the associations handle these FFA demands.
It appears as though many clubs are not happy at being forced to sign off on these FFA demands- instead they will be requesting Football NSW to conduct an urgent Information Meeting to discuss these matters at length FIRST.
That is a great starting point- one which the current President Jim Forrest has been fighting so hard for on behalf of his constituents.
Will the clubs and the associations stand tall together- and ensure that they remain the rulers of their own destiny?
Time will tell...
COMMISSION ANOMALY?
Correct me if I am wrong but this 'Commission of Enquiry' report also highlighted and recommended that the three newly appointed board members should be subject to ratification by the members of Football NSW.
For some reason the board majority omitted to adopt this recommendation.
WHY?
Why deny the members this opportunity to let them have their say on this crucial matter?
REMEMBER VICE PRESIDENT ELECTIONS IN '09?
Remember the words of one Robert Sestan in the lead up to the 2009 elections?
Let's take a walk down memory lane...
"Dear Member,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for electing me to the position of Vice President of FNSW at last Saturday’s AGM.
Although I am cognisant that not all members voted for my candidature, I can assure you that I will be working on behalf all FNSW members without prejudice.
Please be advised that I have already flagged with management a need to create a working body or forum that will allow for both Clubs and Associations to meet and enter into direct dialogue on issues which affect those same members , specifically Competition reform.
I genuinely believe that through dialogue and direct engament that both Cubs and Associations can deliver a broad consensus on those aspects of Competition reform they wish to see implemented, which can then be taken to both Management and Board for review and possible adoption.
If you have any constructive views on how this working body should be formulated please do not hesitate to share those views with me as it is critical that I receive as much feedback as possible so your views can be represented authentically.
I look forward to meeting and working with you during the next three years of my tenure.
In the event that I do not have the opprtunity to meet or talk with you before year end, I would like to extend to you and your family a very merry Christmas and safe and happy new year.
Regards
Robert Sestan
FNSW Vice President.
www.therealgame.com.au/blogs/lucky-laki/15/strike-me-down-and-i-will-become-more-powerful-than-you-could-possibly-imagine
