BOARD DECISIONS
Your Board met on 4 January 2022 to:
- deal with complaints about the alleged behaviour of a member in connection with ongoing dissent from the Board's BBQ Policy;
- to determine whether it should restrict member access and use of the Clubs AV/PA equipment;
- to review the Board's position on:
- the availability of outdoor dining options;
- the BBQ policy; and
- the new Heat Policy.
Behaviour and BBQs
We've recently received some written complaints that allege that Trevor Jonas behaved inappropriately after the Twilights' presentations on 31 December 2021. That matter is now being investigated with a view to ascertaining whether those reports are accurate and, if so, whether Trevor should be charged with misconduct and dealt with pursuant to Rule 29.
Recently, the Board received correspondence from Trevor that was, allegedly, co-signed by more than 80 members. Some of the members we contacted about the letter weren't aware of the letter's content and hadn't understood the use to which their signatures would be put. That sort of thing is regrettable.
The essence of the dispute is that a small cohort of members for whom Trevor purports to be a spokesman, want to be able to use the Club's facilities much as they'd use their own backyard i.e. they want to be able to:
- bring food that they've sourced from who-knows-where;
- ·cook it using the Club's equipment and consumables (within 25 metres of our commercial kitchen);
- consume that food on the Club's premises and serve to other members; and
- make the Club legally responsible for any adverse events including accidents with the BBQ and anyone injured food poisoning.
It'd be interesting to see how Cocos or the Rockpool, or even a Dome Café, might respond to such a request.
Trevor suggested some ways in which the shift legal liability from the Club to those involved in private BBQing. I considered those suggestions and it was quickly apparent that they were legally and practically unworkable. I explained that to Trevor but, apparently, he and his supporters remain unconvinced.
The Board has attempted to explain the legal risks and compliance problems to the BBQ dissenters but it has become apparent that they're not at all concerned about putting the Club at significant legal risk.
It's hard to see that approach to the dispute as anything more than petulant selfishness.
The Board has been very patient (we've been criticized for being too patient) with the BBQ dissenters, and we have spent an inordinately large amount of time on communications about it. That ends now.
The Board created a policy that properly reflects and respects our legal obligations. We've explained the rationale for the policy repeatedly. We even engaged a barrister to help the BBQ dissenters to understand the legal barriers to agreeing to their demands. They've shown no real interest in educating themselves about this issue - only 1 of them signed-up to see the barrister.
The Board has done enough to deal with this dispute, and we don't intend to do very much more.
Our constitution contains a mechanism for members to give directions to the Board. Unfortunately for the BBQ dissenters, it's hard to see what direction an SGM could give that would achieve their purpose, and that would also be lawful. Nevertheless, the Board is inviting the BBQ dissenters to call a special general meeting at the earliest possible date so that this foolishness can be ended quickly. If they're unwilling to do that, then the Board invites them to accept its decision and to conduct themselves in a manner that benefits our Club rather than undermines it.
I considered attaching the list of 'signatories' to the letter the Board received, but I've opted not to do so to spare those who have now dissociated themselves from the letter the embarrassment of being connected with it.
For the sake of completeness, the Club's position is this: no member will be permitted to supply, prepare, and consume/serve food on the Club's premises. That position will not change. The General Manager has been instructed to refuse all requests to do so.
Thank you to all of those members who have taken the time to understand the substance of this dispute and to express support (and approval) for the Board's position - that's appreciated.
AV/PA Equipment
We've been in the habit of allowing members to use our AV/PA equipment more or less as they see fit. Unfortunately, not everyone who has been handed a microphone has used it judiciously.
The Board has resolved that, from now on, no-one will be permitted to use the AV/PA equipment otherwise than for presentation of competition results and prize-giving, without permission from the GM, the President or the Vice-President. Our staff will be instructed to give effect that that resolution.
Outdoor Dining
Our House team is developing a proposal to create an option for outside dining. While the idea is still to be fleshed out, it's likely to involve options to for pizzas, spit-roasts, and BBQ food outside in our alfresco area. Our House team has been doing a great job and we're looking forward to what they'll do with outside dining.
Heat Policy
We've received a fair amount of flak about the Heat Policy and, given that we've done a poor job of explaining it before rolling it out, we deserve some of that flak.
I apologize for rolling this policy out without first explaining the rationale for the policy. Ordinarily, we explain these things before implementing them. We didn't do that this time.
The Board looked again at the policy and, while we're now inviting your comments about it, we don't see a need to make significant changes just yet.
The rationale for the Heat Policy was simple, even if finding the right parameters for it isn't.
The policy is about giving members an ability to make free and informed decisions about whether they should play golf in various weather scenarios, while protecting the Club from allegations that we ran competitions when it was unsafe to do so. We have a duty of care to each of you and we take that seriously.
What that means in practice is that, when the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) tells us that we're in for a dangerously hot day, we won't run competitions. That's our way of saying: if you're going out there in very hot conditions, you're doing so at your own risk. It may be that, in some circumstances, we'll even close the course to protect members from engaging is overly risky behaviour, and to protect the golf course.
At this point, and without the benefit of your comments, the only change we're contemplating is to create a protocol to cancel a competition that is already underway if the BOM gets the forecast wrong, it's hotter than anticipated, and we assess the conditions as dangerous.
When you say your piece about the policy, please remember that its purpose is protective. Our staff have reported having to 'rescue' a number of members recently because they have been unable to manage the heat.
In all likelihood, whatever our landing point, we're going upset some members.
While you're thinking about how upset you might be, please consider how the parameters you might have preferred might impact on some of our older, frailer members. We're not equally strong or resilient.
Your Board is doing its best to make good decisions. We hope that you'll encourage us when we get it right, and that you'll be gentle with us when we don't. However, at all times, please provide comments and feedback - we don't know what we don't know.
Thanks for taking the time to read my note. It encourages us when members take the time to keep themselves informed.
