Our reaction to the WST newsletter

“Its not in the Trust’s best interests

We have received our copies today and have to express how disappointed we are that we have not been given the chance to put our case to the membership.

We did request this but were refused permission.

(We reproduce the series of E mails in full below.)

The WST has nearly a 1000 members. Only around 20% will attend the AGM and many members have no access to the Internet.

Therefore the only information that these members will receive to help them make up their minds is contained in the newsletter. They have received a very distorted, biased and unbalanced view on the subject.

We feel that in the interests of balance we should have been given the opportunity to put our case to the membership.

The proxy votes will be crucial in both the outcome of the election and the resolutions adopted by the society. It cannot be to the benefit of the WST that debate is quoshed in this way and that decisions are made on such a shaky basis.

We were willing to fund the mail-drop ourselves in the interests of democracy and frankly we are stunned that Vice Chairman Rob Griffiths has taken this high handed and undemocratic decision.

After the AGM we feel that as a matter of urgency this whole episode needs to be reviewed and that guidelines are set which reflect the democratic principles of the society.

Correspondence between WST and Members relating to the Newsletter

From: julia jones [mailto: member@nospam.com ] Sent: 26 May 2007 01:19To: jrgriffiths@nospam.comCc: Bruce.Clapton@nospam.com; bruce@nospam.com

Subject: newsletter
Rob/Bruce

Pete Jones mentioned at the meeting last night that there was a newsletter going out soon explaining the resolutions put forward by the board in more detail.

In the interests of balance and healthy debate I would like to ask for the facility to do the same for the resolutions that myself and Phil have proposed.

I would be grateful if you could advise on timelines etc.
Regards, Lindsay.

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Message Received: May 26 2007, 10:37 AMFrom: “Rob Griffiths” To: member@nospam.com, “‘kebmoe2003′” Cc: Bruce.Clapton@nospam.com

Subject: RE: newsletter
Hi Lindsay,

It’s too late to consider this request. The next newsletter is already printed and ready for distribution. It includes all of the resolutions and sets out guidance for members on each, as we are required to do.

best regards

Rob

From: julia jones [mailto: member@nospam.com] Sent: 26 May 2007 20:24To: Rob Griffiths
Subject: RE: newsletter
thank you rob,

would we be able to add an insert to this?

regards, lindsay

Message Received: May 26 2007, 08:32 PMFrom: “Rob Griffiths” To: member@nospam.comCc:

Subject: RE: newsletter

Sorry Lindsay, it is too late this time to consider your request

Regards

Rob

From: julia jones [mailto: member@nospam.com] Sent: 26 May 2007 21:04To: Rob GriffithsSubject: RE: newsletter

No problem rob,

Would the board of the WST allow us access to the membership database so that we could organise a mailing ourselves/i understand that there may be data protection issues but I am sure there would be a route around this.

regards, lindsay.

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Message Received: May 26 2007, 10:25 PMFrom: “Rob Griffiths” To: member@nospam.com Cc: WST-Board@nospam.comSubject: RE: newsletter

Lindsay, data protection would certainly be an issue and there is also the issue of whether we would consider your proposed mailing to be in the Trust’s best interests. I cannot see how we could agree to this, but I will ask the other board members for a view.

regards,

Rob
ps what do you mean by ‘ourselves’ in this context?

Read Our reaction to the WST newsletter at A fresh approach

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