Somewhere in these threads is a notice that the Spitfire Society Exec have called an EGM to discuss the dissolution of the Society and the dispersal of ALL (their capitals) of the Societies Assets. They chose to hold this meeting in Wales on the busiest day in the Duxford-based group’s (the biggest and most active part of the Society) calendar.
For the information of the rest of the world, the Exec had been issued a legal instruction, in full compliance with the Society Constitution and signed by the requisite number of members, to hold an EGM to discuss what might be best described as “financial impropriety” by the Exec. This instruction was issued in July of this year. The Charities Commission (CC) guidance is clear- if the folk who run the charity don’t play by their own rules, then the members can call an EGM by their own authority. The Exec have chosen to ignore the legality of this matter. A significant period after this instruction the Exec issued their own notice of an EGM to discuss the dissolution of the Society (you might wish to speculate on the motives for this, but I will not). The original date for the Members EGM was September 12 2015 (yes, one week before the “official” one). Unfortunately, the chosen venue unexpectedly called a major event, so this EGM was postponed to September 26th in order to minimise costs to members. The original and reorganised venue is Old Sarum Airfield. The Exec are required by CC law to notify all members 21 days before any EGM. It is now late on the last day of that minimum notice period. I haven’t received anything in writing from the Society and there is nothing on their Website. I must therefore consider the Spitfire Society Exec to have chosen to ignore the requirement to comply with their own Constitution and Charities Commission rules.
Like many members of these fora I am not sure that there is any place for the Spitfire Society in the current world but I will insist that if we can’t find a place for it then the end of the Society should be in keeping with the wishes of those who set it up and of Leonard Stilwell in particular.
By: R6915 - 21st September 2015 at 11:50
Has anyone heard who became the new Trustees at the EGM to save the day for this society?
By: steve611 - 19th September 2015 at 20:43
Sorry- at times I don’t understand this system.
By: steve611 - 19th September 2015 at 20:36
So today the Trustees held an EGM, on one of the busiest days of the Duxford calendar.
Was anyone on this forum there?
If so, what happened?
If anyone is interested you can call the official phone number- feel free to get anyone to do so.
01822853679
By: R6915 - 18th September 2015 at 09:05
re Post 5, Steve, I admire your very subtle response. My words would be a great deal harsher. As to proxy votes? Nothing has been said on that detail, so I would assume that any attempt now might be stonewalled by the Trustees. They refuse any dialogue with anyone who wishes to offer an alternative point of view – in my opinion, that is.
By: steve611 - 17th September 2015 at 21:29
I would add to this thread that any Society members anywhere near the YMCA Conference Centre in Newport South Wales (wherever that is- Google is your friend here) at 11am this Saturday need to be there and shout down the attempt to close down the Society – looking at the time frame and internal correspondence it is difficult to imagine any other interpretation other than that the dissolution of the Society is anything other than an attempt to avoid serious scrutiny of the finances of the Society and the manager of said funds.
Mmitch- the Charities Commissioners have been made aware of lots of perceived problems over a while. Unfortunately, those who have dealt with the CC are aware of major problems. The system is built upon the idea that Trustees of Charities are by definition good folk. So policing the oddities in charities is best left to the Trustees, who can call for help if required. If there is a perceived problem then the CC ask the Trustees to sort it. Now when the Trustees might be the problem……. A recent commission (can’t remember which dignatory chaired it) stated that the CC wasn’t fit for purpose. My dealings would entirely agree. The SpitSoc Trustees have told the CC before that despite complaints everything is fine. They accepted that report. This is another go.
I have said before that I am not sure that the Spitfire Society has a place in the new world (while accepting that I was part of making it where it is in the historical canon). Their assets certainly have, and they should be protected as best possible. Once they are, then there can be a go at re-imagining the Society. It may work or it may not.
R6915 Can the meeting accept proxy votes?
By: R6915 - 17th September 2015 at 20:52
I understand they are aware – sorry for the delay in answering! What good it will do – one can only guess.
However a group dedicated to saving the society has a title. :- The Spitfire Society Reform Group and it is their EGM that will be held on September 26th at 13.30 hours in the Old Sarum Airfield Museum buildings. Whilst current members only can vote all ex members and members of the public will be made most welcome espceially if they have relevant comments to make.
See you there?
By: mmitch - 6th September 2015 at 07:34
May I assume the Charity Commissioners are being made aware of these ‘problems’?
mmitch
By: paul178 - 5th September 2015 at 23:10
I expected no less.
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September 5, 2015 at 10:07 pm