So, it all went as Council would wish it, with the exception of resolution 10. Chantrey Vellacourt were re-appointed as auditors, and resolutions 8 and 9 passed with about 54% of the vote, courtesy of the 770 people who placed their faith in the Chair.
Resolution 10 , the amendments to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, only gathered about 59% of the vote, and, requiring 75%, failed. We have a stay of execution.
I’m gutted. It means that I’ll have to stay on and help to sort this mess out, knowing that there are shortfalls in the character of the CTC that are far beyond my abilities to remedy. I’d hoped fervently for one of two outcomes – a solid vote against, or a vote in favour, however narrow. The former would have kicked the conversion to charity in to the long grass for years to come, and the latter would have allowed me to walk away from the CTC and worry about something else. Now I’m hooked.
The good news is that the reforming spirit on CTC Council can now use the ‘nay’ campaign for its own ends. We’ll meet, and, hopefully, agree a way forward. There needs to be safeguards for the members' funds and there needs to be transparency in the way things are costed. There needs to be a means of demonstrating value to the members. I doubt that those things that I hold dear (respect for the bike trade, and a more ethical way of trading) will transpire, but it is incumbent on the ‘nay’ campaign to effect as great an improvement as is humanly possible.
The bad news is that, while we did well against considerable odds. I’m doubtful that lessons, on openness, on fairness and on the value of volunteers will be learnt. Campaigns will still be a lobbyists ghetto. Member groups may get more dough, but the service may not improve. The CTC’s relationship with independent providers of cycle training may well be as toxic as ever (I’ve spared you this – it’s not nice). Still, and all, we may be a force for the better. I’ll be guided in my future actions by my DA committee, but my thought now is that if there is good to be done, we should do it.
Now, on to far more pressing matters. East Midland sends out trains with only six little bottles of gin. That's not right. We exhausted this meagre ration by the time the train arrived in Bedford, and, by Luton, we were on to the vodka. Honestly, you lot, the sacrifices I make on your behalf..........
