Members still believe in us: GaleBy John Takemura
SEN
15 December 2016Richmond CEO Brendon Gale denies the rejection by members to increase the percentage of numbers required to call an Extraordinary General Meeting is a sign that they are concerned about the club’s on-field direction.
In a spirited Annual General Meeting at Punt Road Oval on Wednesday night, Tigers members voted to maintain the current 100 signature threshold to call an EGM, rather than increase it to five percent of eligible voting members.
It would mean around 2500 signatures would have been required to call for one in the future.
“If that threshold was higher, it would mean you would have to present a more compelling case,” Gale told SEN Breakfast.
“Given the past few months, that was probably a little sensitive and that didn’t get up on the night.
“Members have got a few very important rights, they get the ability to appoint directors, decide who is on the board, and that’s through AGM and elections through EGM.
“I think it’s just a sign that I think members want to preserve those rights.”
Gale says the AGM put an end to what has been a challenging year and the message last night was to look ahead, with exciting new talent arriving at the club.
“One of the pleasing things about the AGM, and it would be the same for most clubs is you really do put a full stop on the year, financially and even on-field.
“It’s more looking forward, Damien (Hardwick) and Neil Balme as Head of Football briefly addressed the crowd.
“It was more about the future and addressing the new talent we’ve bought into the club, through trading and drafting, and it gives everyone a great sense of excitement and we’re very much looking forward to that.”
He says the club is very proud of Trent Cotchin receiving his 2012 Brownlow Medal on Tuesday, and praised the skipper as a ‘fine role model’.
“We’re really proud of him, a Brownlow is such an auspicious award,” Gale said.
“He had a very fine year, and he’s a very fine player and a fine role model.
“The circumstances are unusual…but we’ve only had four (Brownlow Medallist’s), and now we’ve got five and he’s a well deserving one.”
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2016/12/15/members-still-believe-in-us-gale/