ProPrint understands the PIAA will enable members to participate and vote in next Tuesday’s Special General Meeting from wherever they are in the country via phone or online.
Members not able to attend the Tuesday afternoon meeting, to be held at the Graphic Arts Club in Mascot next to Sydney Airport, will be able to log in through a webinar service or via their phones.
Details of the practicalities of the arrangement have yet to be released by the PIAA, but under the regulations electronic participation is allowed, and the PIAA will provide for it.
Members can also vote by proxy providing the forms are received the day before, although the proxy voting for is under contention for what some members say is biased wording.
The SGM has been called by the PIAA Board to update members following recent developments which have included the resignations of four of the nine person Board including the president, and the CEO Jason Allen, the sale of the national headquarters, the strategy of national rather than state based governance, and the orientation into sales and marketing.
[Related: Anger over proxy votes]
The agenda is likely to be circulated today (Thursday) and will be that set by the Board, which called the SGM, ahead of a threat by the Printing Industries Members Action Group Action Group to call one.
ProPrint understands the meeting will not be an ‘open book’, no Action Group items will be placed on the agenda, but rather an opportunity for the Board to explain recent decisions and the background to them.
Voting is not certain on the agenda items, but ProPrint understands the key vote of confidence in the Board will almost certainly go ahead, as the Board will seek the backing of its members.
No-one knows what will happen if the vote goes against the Board, but it is confident that if the vote goes ahead it will be in its favour.
Members attending the meeting in person or remotely are likely to be told that there are Board elections scheduled for the end of this year and that will be the time to contest Board positions.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter