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The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society Board of Directors circled the wagons at their 8th annual AGM, which was attended by 15-20 people (I didn’t count them) who fully expected to join the Society and take part in the meeting, nominate directors and vote for their favourite candidates.

It was not to be, however, as President Bob Buchanan made immediately clear, when he announced that the bylaw’s Clause 4, which reads, “A person may apply to the directors for membership in the society and on acceptance by the directors is a member,” is interpreted as meaning that such applications can only be considered by a “directors’ meeting,” and that the AGM was, er, not such a meeting, even though all the directors were present.

Using a voice which could only be interpreted as patronizing, Mr. Buchanan explained that the applications would be considered at an unstated future moment (I am paraphrasing): “There are a lot of non-members here tonight, and we want to hear what you have to say, and you’re welcome to apply for membership, but you can’t vote.”

In other words, we and our aspirations were dismissed out of hand.

 
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