Wgtn Employers Chamber of Commerce to decide future
Board was earlier undemocratically dissolved.
Monday, December 19 2011 || News || BY Claire Rogers, Businessday.co.nz
Chamber chief executive Ken Harris said the board was dissolved after it and the Employer's Chamber of Commerce Central board decided there should be only one board for the two organisations, following the merger of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Employers' and Manufacturers Association Central.
"Both boards decided it would be more efficient to have a single board."
But WECC members challenged the move at its annual general meeting last month.
Member John Bishop, who spoke up in support of those leading the challenge, said that under the chamber's constitution, the board could not be dissolved without members' approval.
"Some people were surprised the board had been disestablished because a separate board for the Wellington chamber was part of the original [merger] deal."
The issue had not been contentious, he said, but members had a right to control their organisations and elect their boards.
"There was a lack of democracy and the way to restore that is for the members to assert themselves. There was a general agreement by the board and others that they hadn't done everything completely kosher."
Harris said the chambers had adjourned the annual meeting to take legal advice and would be reporting back to members today.
"I'm comfortable those questions were raised and it's a good thing they were looked into.
"We're comfortable with the resolutions [to be put to the meeting]."
Members at today's reconvened annual meeting will vote on motions stating that the board's disestablishment was not legally effective, and that the board is still in existence.
Harris said it was possible members would wish to retain a separate board for the WECC, and that would be decided at today's meeting.
Companies Office records show the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce is owned by professional trustee company Trustees Executors, which is majority owned through a holding company by funds management firm Sterling Grace.
Harris said he understood Trustees Executors was required to administer the trust that owns the chamber for the benefit of its members.
