The AGM of the Merlin Rocket Owners' Association will take place at Salcombe Yacht Club on Saturday 5th July 2008, commencing at 1945hrs, immediately after registration and briefing for Salcombe Week.

Full Members of the Association are entitled to propose changes to the Rules and Measurement Rules.  Any such proposal should be in writing and signed by the proposer and seconder (who should also be a Full Member), and received the Hon Secretary no later than Saturday 3rd May.

Let's hope for a better turn out than last year! The Chairman deserves our support.

I believe at some point the idea of electronic voting via a web link with access for those with membership number and password needs to be introduced as the attendance of this years AGM and past AGM's are predominantly attended by those either participting in Salcombe Week or live locally and are able to travel to the club to vote and put forward their point of view. There is, im sure, a high percentage of members who would like their voice to be heard but do not wish to travel great distance to do so. 

Would I be correct in assuming that voting by proxy is permitted as this would help and or allowing for a nominated spokes person attending the AGM to put forward questions/proposals for those less fortunate to be able to attend?

Ah..... put it in writing!!!

Richard has a very good point this Forum has provided the class with an electronic diaspora and thus on line contribution to debates on line voting is a logical step. 
One point holding the AGM effecitively on arrival for a family holiday when people having settled their boats in and found accomodation may be settling WAGS and Children in risks a low attendance? Too late now I guess to choose a mid week evening? But then those travelling especially for an AGM (Pigs may fly.)would be further disavantaged. No matter where and when someone is going to be denied their franchise. The case for an electronic AGM strengthens.

Since both Salcombe and the Nationals this year are limited events, holding the AGM there restricts attendance to only those who got a place or live near.
Next year how about holding it at the Inlands - an unrestricted event which has enticed both modern boats and Vintage by splitting the starts and will thus cover a wider range of the Merlin fraternity.

You'll never satisfy all of the people all of the time. 
You could take an idea from some International Classes and hold regional meetings where the regional representatives could take the feeling of the regional meeting with them and present it to the AGM. Or indeed hold meetings at big Regattas too.- At lest then you have given people the opportunity to have their say, if they do not take then it's up to them. Not sure if holding an AGM (Class meetings regional or general different.) a race meeting is that good an idea anyway people are tired after all that fresh air and fun, will have families they have ignored all day to placate, be mending boats, may have already started partying or can't be bothered. Nothing you can do about that last group but the least they can do is stay quiet and not frighten anybody! Lastly the electronic diaspora a moderated Chat Room might be needed for this and that's another job for Mags! One thing is clear; the worry about particpative democracy is real and is; I submit a good sign.

The reason for choosing to hold the meeting on a Saturday was that it might be likely to get a better turnout than last year, when there were insufficient members present to debate and vote on proposed Rule changes.  On Saturday evening virtually every Salcombe Week entrant will be at the Yacht Club for registration and the briefing, and there is less likelihood of social engagements taking precedence.  However, committee members appreciate that, whatever time is chosen for the AGM, there will always be be some who will be unable to attend.

Any changes to the present Rules regarding voting on Rule or Measurement Rule changes would of course have to be proposed, discussed and voted on in accordance with the present MROA Rules.

seems a bit wierd to have an agm at salcombe with only 100 (max) voters. How many fully paid up  members are in the MROA? lets do some maths here.
to physically drive say 560 mile round trip from london, just for the agm ain't going to happen these days, surely an electronic vote is possible if properly managed, ie name give up. this can then be checked against membership list.lets get with the programme.
any thoughts on this?

If it is possible to hold an electronic vote, then I think, in order to maximise voting numbers, it should be considered if or when any rule/rule measurement change is formally proposed at any AGM.  I know this has already been discussed in previous threads and I apologise for forgetting what the response was from the committee as to whether this method is practical or not.

A matter of will rather than possibility. Let's put an item on the agenda at the AGM to do rather more than discuss.

electronic and postal voting.
Not quite right yet.

any experts out like to give a view?

Maybe proportional representation and single transferable votes.
Doubt if postal or electoral votes are any more or less reliable in the context of the Merlin Rocket Class, which is rather better run than almost all counties and most sports, we are unlikely for instance to invade Iraq or excute wrongdoers, nor do we have "Hanging Chads" or an illegal narcotic problem - or do we?.

Mike
Not to put a spanner in the works, but if there are to ever be major changes in the future, as we now have email and most are able to use it, would it not be a fairer respresentation to send out a ballot to all full members with a return date and guidence notes to assist in voting and use this to bring into play the major changes, such as weight etc.
This would mean that instead of about 12% of the membership making major decisions, all members have a chance. THis by no means would undermine the AGM.
Bye for now
Barnsie