Special General Meeting on constitutional review

Member Unions today voted to support a number of changes to the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) constitution, which aim to improve governance and voting arrangements for the NZRU Board.

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Member Unions attended a Special General Meeting in Wellington to vote on resolutions stemming from a review of constitutional issues carried out by a working party set up following last year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

“The review followed a robust democratic process and saw the working party consult widely,” said NZRU Chairman Mike Eagle.

Three of the four substantive resolutions put to the meeting were supported by more than the two thirds required for constitutional change. One resolution did not receive the required level of support by a narrow margin. Two others were contingent on the defeated resolution and therefore were not put to the meeting.

“We operate in an extremely demanding environment both in terms of current business conditions and on the playing field so these changes are an important step towards better equipping our organisation to deal with the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

The changes:

Ensure board candidates in future will be selected according to specified skills and competencies;

Introduce a streamlined and clearer voting process for Board positions. Candidates in future will be shortlisted by an appointments and remuneration committee and only candidates on the short list can stand for election at the AGM;

Improve the proportionality between union voting entitlements and playing numbers to better reflect the change in numbers over recent years.

“These measures will improve the way we select and vote for candidates to Board positions and so help us find the best set of skills and experiences we need around the Board table,” said Mike Eagle.

“Some changes were clearly not supported by members. However, we expect dialogue to continue in these areas in the future.

“It is critical we keep working to ensure the Board operates to the highest standards expected of any major organisation and is one that operates effectively in the best interests of rugby at all levels.”

The changes come into effect in time for the 2012 Annual General Meeting on 24 May.