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Your update on what's happening at Cooroy Golf Club
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SGM Expulsion Appeal - Jeff McDonald.
Near the end of the meeting, a member rudely questioned the cost paid to CPR Group by the Club for advice and the running of the recent Jeff McDonald SGM. This comment was out of order and had nothing to do with the reasons for the expulsion.
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It is worth pointing out that this meeting was called by Jeff McDonald, not the Management Committee.
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The Club provided Mr McDonald with details of the complaint and a fair and proper opportunity to respond before making any disciplinary decision but he formally declined the offer. Consequently, the Management Committee made a disciplinary decision to expel based on the information available to it. This is a domestic process not a judicial process, so the rules of evidence are not the same. The Management Committee only needs to satisfy itself that it made all reasonable efforts to inform itself of the facts of the complaint to decide on disciplinary action. The Management Committee presented the facts of the complaint and grounds for disciplinary action at the SGM.
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Mr McDonald presented his response at the SGM.
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The SGM upheld the decision of the Management Committee – appeal dismissed - the expulsion of Jeff McDonald from membership stands.
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Why did we engage CPR Group?
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- To ensure that the meeting was run fairly. Procedural fairness requires the person under investigation to be given a reasonable opportunity, to present their case.
- Given the fact that we needed to present the Management Committee’s case, it cannot be questioned that one side was favoured more than the other. CPR Group is very experienced with this sort of meeting process and, it was unanimously agreed by our Committee members to engage them.
What did we receive from CPR Group?
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- Guidance for the management committee in preparation for the appeal process.
- Ongoing support as needed via telephone and email, leading up to the special general meeting.
- Support the Secretary with the preparation of the general meeting agenda to ensure compliance with the Cooroy Golf Club Inc. constitution and Associations Incorporation Act 1981.
- Attendance and facilitation of the special general meeting. Ensure the correct process was followed for the appeal process as outlined in the club's constitution.
- Assistance with accurate recording of meeting minutes during the special general meeting.
- Timely provision of meeting minutes and any other relevant information post the general meeting. The cost to the CGC for this service was $4,657 GST inclusive.
It also needs to be pointed out that the Management Committee is not responsible for Mr McDonald’s behaviour that led to his expulsion.
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To condone this type of behaviour and do nothing about it, would cause more harm to the Club and the people affected by his actions.
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GOLF CART STORAGE & LITHIUM BATTERIES
The Management Committee is reviewing the club policy and Cart and Equipment Storage Agreement.
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There have been several incidents at other clubs in recent times where lithium batteries in golf carts have started fires, some resulting in total loss of Clubhouses.
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Members using club facilities to store electric motorised golf carts or push buggies should be aware that they are responsible for organising insurance cover on their cart and need to familiarise themselves with any policy conditions or restrictions relating to electric vehicles. It is also your responsibility to ensure that your equipment has been tested and has an up-to-date test tag fitted.
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So far as concerns club insurance covers, providing the member's cart is stored in a safe and, reasonable manner and, follows manufacturers' instructions, there are no specific conditions relating to electric vehicles that may affect our property and business interruption covers.
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If a member's EV malfunctions due to the member not following manufacturers' instructions and there is damage caused to club buildings, the owner of the EV vehicle is likely to be held responsible for negligence.
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Notwithstanding that our insurance does not impose any specific conditions related to lithium batteries, it is highly likely that as a result of the review the Club will require that push buggy lithium batteries be stored and charged off club premises.
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CLUB INSURANCE COSTS
We recently renewed our general insurance through an insurance broker with a panel of specialist sports club underwriters at a cost of around $42,000.00.
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We also paid $11,739 to Work Cover Queensland for accident insurance cover under the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
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EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
The Management Committee recently approved the purchase of a COSMO TBUH60-Rotary Hoe for $6,000.00 including GST. It is a perfect companion for the new John Deere 4066R Tractor and will be used to address the many bare patches appearing on our course. Some of this work is already underway.
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CLUB CONSTITUTION RE-WRITE
It has been clear for some that our Constitution needs updating but the time and resources needed to undertake the work presented a challenge with everything else on our plate.
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Golf Australia is assisting smaller clubs such as Cooroy Golf Club to undertake the work of modernising their Constitution by underwriting the bulk of the cost through their 'stronger clubs' Initiatives and Funding program. Golf Australia is also providing support in several other areas of our operations.
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At the recommendation of Golf Australia, we engaged CPR Group, a specialist consultancy, to undertake the work. The cost is $3,850 including GST with Golf Australia providing funding of $3,300. The cost to CGC is $550.
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Once the constitution has been reviewed and adopted by the members it will be registered with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading. Significant work will then need to be undertaken to create updated By-Laws and, Policy and Procedure documents.
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WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY
There has been the constant distraction of key club volunteer officials involving hundreds of hours in dealing with drawn-out unsubstantiated member grievances, deceit and misrepresentations.
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Quite properly, the Management Committee sought advice in dealing with these matters which came at a cost. A reasonable assessment is that we are now some 6-12 months behind where we would otherwise be.
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Most of this complaining comes from people who have a personal issue with certain Committee members and goes back to their association with CARA over the Gemlife proposal. It is very easy to criticise people from the outside without any accountability and, little or no idea of what it is like on the inside. This comes at a cost that could have been used for much better purposes for the benefit of all members.
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Our diverse membership has much to offer the club. If you think there is an issue or area that needs addressing where you may be able to assist then please speak directly to any one of our committee members. A constructive, collaborative approach is more likely to deliver the best outcome for the club and its members.
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The extraordinary efforts of our course volunteers working with Warren and his staff are a good example of what can be achieved through working together for the benefit of all members and you might even learn some new skills.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2024 AGM will be held on Tuesday, 12th November at 6.00 pm at the clubhouse.
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As per the constitution, all Management Committee positions will become vacant so it is time to think about making a commitment and standing for a position.
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Nominations for these positions need to be received by the Secretary by the 28th of October.
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Sadly, the club has a history of members taking on these positions because no one else wants to do the work. Members holding these positions volunteer untold hours for the benefit of the club and members and deserve to be treated with respect, not continually maligned and denigrated.
Regards
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President - Cooroy Golf Club Inc.
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