The 2014 FV AGM will beld on Wednesday 28th May, 7.30pm, at the State Fencing Centre.
The 2014 Fencing Victoria AGM will be held on the Wednesday 28th May 2014 at the State Fencing Centre, 204 Arden Street, Nth Melbourne at 7.30pm.
Below is a PDF Proxy Voting Form.
Nominations for the Fencing Victoria Executive.
The following nominations have been received for Executive positions
President
Simon Auty
I have been an active fencer and fencing parent and was a member of the Fioretto Fencing Club for 11 years. Currently I am a member of the Victorian Fencing academy.
In 2007 I was invited to fill a casual vacancy on the FV executive in 2007, becoming President in 2008 following Peter Osvath in that position.
I had 10 years working in the finance sector until 2010 when I took up the role of CEO of Triathlon Victoria. My role with Triathlon Victoria has provided the opportunity to develop experience and skills specific to the sporting sector, and in this capacity I have acquired abilities and networks that help further the interests of Victorian fencing.
During my term as President of Fencing Victoria, the association has experienced significant advances, including the establishment of the State Fencing Centre at Arden Street, the development of key administrative and governance processes and an increase in membership of the association of more than 30%.
The overall growth of activity at Fencing Victoria means that all Executive roles involve significant operational activity. There has been no room for passengers. In 2014 we are moving to a new organisational structure, a structure which will allow development and engagement of a new generation of our fencers into Governance and Management roles. If elected I intend to make 2014 my final year in office with the intention of managing the implementation of the new structure and a managed planned succession. I am passionate about raising the profile of fencing and increasing opportunities for participation.
Executive Positions
Sam Auty
I have been State Competitions Manager for Fencing Victoria since 2012 and am familiar with the structure and roles of the Fencing Victoria Board, have field knowledge of the many of the working aspects of Fencing Victoria and the necessary skills to be able to facilitate stakeholder communications with the Board. Interpersonal skills such as active listening, clear communication, openness and consultation before executive decision making have been crucial in running State competitions and dealing with stakeholder conflict.
A member of the committee for the Monash University Society of Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics in 2010, I have previous experience in management and decision making within a committee structure, where my diplomatic skills facilitated practical solutions to stakeholder and committee conflict in regards to Society activities. These activities included the organisation and carrying out of events, financial audits, and the provision of educational tools including subject-specific support for students
In addition to expertise in an executive committee position, I have the added experience gained from my roles as an individual and group coach, mentor, national and international official, and competitor within the Australian and international fencing community. This places me in an excellent position to be able to understand the many, complex issues that may arise in sport and sports administration at a State and National level and to be able to meet stakeholders’ needs effectively as a member of the Fencing Victoria Board.
Geoff Webber
As a member of the FV Executive, I am re-nominating for a position as Director of Fencing Victoria for the coming year. I would seek to continue the work of the current Executive team in a period of challenges from many fronts. This executive has achieved progress in modernisation of the organisational governance, reporting and compliance at a state level. On a national front, a key effort remains to improve the transparency of AFF operations and processes. These remain as works-in-progress and if re-elected, I would seek to continue and build on the achievements made thus far.
The challenges for the coming 12 months include building on a developing but robust schools fencing league and encouraging deeper, skills-based involvement in the administration of the sport from the fencing community.
I am a member of Blacklords fencing Club and an active competitive Veteran fencer (who would be more competitive if I trained more frequently....)
Grant Foster
The administration of fencing in Victoria is in good shape under Simon’s leadership. We have sound governance; strong communications; a rapidly expanding schools program; a growing number of nationally and internationally successful athletes; strong clubs and coaches; a solid and strengthening financial base and the premier fencing facility in the country. We even now have a group of volunteers who are providing catering for our major events and raising funds for clubs and travelling fencers. The work to develop the sport must obviously continue, but I believe we are very clearly heading in the right direction.
The same cannot be said for the national body. It continues to fail to adequately address significant issues in governance and policy and resists most efforts to make it appropriately responsive to the concerns or wishes of its members. I conducted a national survey of the fencing community in November last year and it revealed that only 13% of 216 respondents were satisfied with the overall performance of the current AFF Executive.
I would like to renominate for the FV board to continue to support our board and clubs in their efforts to develop the sport in Victoria and to work with other states to push for changes in the structure, policies and behaviour of the national body. I believe the future growth and development of the sport at all levels depends on the state associations acting together to achieve significant changes in the AFF.
My business is a strategic consultancy. We build strategic plans and help organisations to execute them. I also teach marketing and brand management at the Australian Graduate School of Management, have an MBA and have completed the Stanford University Executive Program.
Robyn Hunter
I am a member of the Dragons Fencing Club. I have been the Communications Director for the past 2 years and would like the opportunity to continue to make communications within the organisation friendly and accessible.
In the past year I have made our website more colourful by adding pictures and there are now links to interesting videos. I am currently working with IT students form Swinburne University to introduce a Phone App. for FV members. I have also worked with Costume Department of the 10 Network Program Offspring, to provide fencing materials for the series.
I have many years of administrative experience with organisations such as The Law Council of Australia and The Australian Customs Service. I have studied marketing and event management, as well as recreation organisation, as part of a Bachelor of Business degree. Prior to becoming a Director I volunteered with Fencing Victoria to arrange the following:
- “Fencing in the Park” demonstrations with the City of Melbourne for Australia Day Celebrations in 2010 and 2011,
- the Opening of the State Fencing Centre, and
- accommodation packages for the recent Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Victoria.
I have a son who has been fencing now for over 12 years. He has represented Victoria and Australia up to Senior World Championship Level and now coaches young Epee fencers. I have travelled both nationally and internationally to events with my son and have a great deal of experience in what a fencer needs to take, how the events work and of the magnificent experiences they can enjoy as well as the pressure both fencers and parents go through at fencing.
I would really love to have a chance to continue as a Director of Fencing Victoria. I am enthusiastic about growing the sport in the state and improving the communications within the organisation. I believe in encouraging fencers at all levels to enjoy their sport and I wish to be involved in creating an environment that will help them make their aspirations a reality.
I want to remain on the FV board because I think our fencers, coaches and clubs deserve all the support they can get.
Kayt Spano
I was introduced to fencing when my eldest son took up the sport and since then I have been involved in one form or another. I established a small business importing fencing equipment and I provide assistance to a number of clubs and individuals by supplying and repairing gear.
In addition, I have been a Director of Fencing Victoria for the last three years acting as a liaison point between clubs, coaches, athletes and parents. During this time I have assisted numerous individuals to find their feet in fencing and to participate in the sport at all levels. I feel strongly about providing all athletes and their families with the information, contacts and tools they may require to achieve their fencing goals. Further to this objective I have organised Victorian tours to participate in the U15 Championships in Perth and Sydney and the Vicbandits tours to Sydney. I am now also in the midst of organising the second Victoria Challenge.
I bring extensive experience in marketing, fundraising and merchandising to the Fencing Victoria Board. Over the last 20 years I have been involved with the Variety Club, The Young Variety Club, Challenge Cancer Support Network, McHappy Day, and The Margaret Pratt Foundation, to name a few. To enhance these skills I have completed an Event Management Diploma (2012). During 2013 I also took on the role of treasurer of VRI Fencing Club.
I also made a significant contribution to the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in 2010 both as the Merchandising Manager and also as one of the Silver Sponsors.
I am passionate about the value of fencing as a self-development activity for children and in the last two years I have sought to promote the sport to new groups of potential athletes. I have pursued opportunities for fencing to be part of programs for Gifted children through G.A.T.E.ways, the VAGTC and 'Gifted Resources'.
If elected I hope to continue promoting fencing as a great sport for kids and helping them and their families to connect with clubs and coaches.
Voting
Proxy Voting Forms
If you cannot attend the Fencing Victoria Annual General Meeting, you can appoint a proxy, IN WRITING, using the attached PDF Proxy Form.
These forms must be received by the Communication Director or be received at the Fencing Victoria Office, Level 1, 204-206 Arden Street, Nth Melbourne, 3051, no later than 7.30pm on the 27th May 2014.
Proxy Voting Forms can be emailed to communications@fencingvictoria.org
Voting Regulations
Elections are covered by the Fencing Victoria Rules.
Under Rule 5(5)(a) of the Rules, the following categories have previously been decided:
Individual Member (entitled to vote, as per Rule 18(1)(a)):
- Junior Affiliation
- Full Affiliation
- Coach Affiliation
Provisional Member (NOT entitled to vote, as per Rule 18(1)(b)):
Note that a nomination for election for candidate must be made by two Individual members (i.e. not provisional). Candidates themselves may be Provisional or Individual Members.
Individual Members are entitled to vote if they have paid their affiliation for the current Fencing Year (2014).
As a minor has no legal capacity, Junior members under the age of 18 may not exercise their voting rights, except through their legal guardian. Similarly, a proxy may only be provided by the legal guardian of a minor (i.e. the minor has no legal capacity to appoint a proxy). If a minor has completed a proxy form, this will only have effect if it has been also signed by their legal guardian.
Last Modified on 22/05/2014 17:52