WIA Members to Decide Composition of the Next Board

Following the resignation of two directors, WIA members are to decide the composition of the seven-member Board through the annual election process now under way. In the ordinary course of events, Phil Wait VK2ASD would have another year as a Director, but has agreed to end his term to enable the membership to decide all positions.

On Sunday 18 December, Directors Paul Simmonds VK5PAS and Andrew Smith VK6AS tendered their resignations. In addition, Treasurer Chris Hendry VK3PAT and Assistant Treasurer Jeff Tubbenhauer VK5IU, also tendered their resignations.

Remaining Directors Phil Wait VK2ASD, Fred Swainston VK3DAC, Ewan McLeod VK4ERM, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH, and Robert Broomhead VK3DN, will vacate their positions on the Board at the next AGM.

Your Board is fully committed to the principle that the future leadership of the WIA shall be determined through the transparent and democratic process, whereby people are encouraged to offer themselves as candidates with selection process by way of a members’ votes. Allowing Board members to select and adopt short-term replacement board members to fill the vacancies resulting from resignations is something the current Board is opposed.

The current makeup of the Board is as follows: President, Phil Wait VK2ASD, Vice-President Fred Swainston VK3DAC, with directors Ewan McLeod VK4ERM, Robert Broomhead VK3DN, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH; and Secretary Jim Linton VK3PC. No casual vacancies are intended to be filled.

The normal election process, now in progress for which four directors retire, will now let members decide all seven directorships. The call for Board nominations and the election process, which has been notified, will continue as normal. Conduct of the election regarding which positions will have two or three years will be discussed with the Returning Officer.

President Phil Wait VK2ASD said, "Members can be confident that the WIA will continue to publish Amateur Radio magazine and publications in progress, deliver the exam service and continue with the day-to-day running of the national office and member services, including callsign recommendations, the weekly broadcasts, contests support, repeater and beacon applications, the club insurance scheme, and so on." The AGM, to be held in Hahndorf, South Australia, will proceed as planned.

The Board acknowledges the valuable work carried out by Chris Hendry as Treasurer resolving many of the financial issues during his tenure, and will complete the annual financial review using qualified contractors. The Board has committed that the financial review for 2016 is to be upgraded to a full audit by the WIA’s appointed Auditor.

In the period up to the AGM in May, as a courtesy to our members, the Board will not be making policy decisions that may affect the future operation of the WIA.

If you have the skills and desire to lead the WIA into the future, we would encourage you to submit your nomination in writing and send it to the Returning Officer at the WIA Office. Nominations by members must be delivered no later than close of business 31st of January

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