21 resolutions in 21 days – Episode 10

Why our voting rules need a makeover

Somewhere between the democracy sausage and Dominion voting machines, there’s a reasonably non-controversial alternative for not-for-profit associations to make voting at a general meeting more streamlined and accessible.

The proposed change to AMT’s voting rules would explicitly allow for electronic polling and voting, including the ability to vote on resolutions before general meetings if you can’t attend on the day. (We do currently have proxy forms for this but it’s a fairly clunky, inconvenient way to submit and collect votes.)

We’re also removing the Chairperson’s casting vote at general meetings. Currently, if there’s a tied vote, the Chairperson gets to break it: the Chairperson get two votes while everyone else gets one. That’s not exactly democratic.

The chairperson’s job should be facilitating meetings impartially, not influencing outcomes. A casting vote compromises their neutrality.

When tied votes result in no action instead of Chairperson intervention, it encourages building genuine consensus. That leads to decisions more widely accepted by members, rather than divisive outcomes driven by one person’s preference.

Are you joining us at the Special General Meeting on October 19?

All AMT members are welcome to attend. Please register here.

Unable to attend but still want to exercise your democratic right? Complete a proxy voting form and return it to AMT Head Office.

This is Episode 10 in our blockbuster blog bonanza “21 Resolutions in 21 Days”, exploring the cases for constitutional change that will be considered at the upcoming Special General Meeting on October 19. Each change is designed to strengthen AMT’s governance and better serve members.

Tomorrow: We’re not a body corporate so why does the AMT constitution keep referring to them?