20170305 - WIA publicly releases new (fourth) version of Proxy Form

In a surprise move, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) descends into farce by releasing a fourth version of the proxy form which members can use to nominate a person who can vote on their behalf in any meeting of the WIA. In the email to members the President of the Institute, Mr Phil Wait, a candidate in this election, contradicts his Company Secretary, Mr Jim Linton, also a candidate in this election, stating that previous versions of the proxy form "caused some confusion" and "to ensure all proxies are accepted, members are asked to resubmit their proxy on the new form unless they have previously included their address".

As noted previously in today's news broadcast, if a member does not want to appoint their proxy to the chairperson, they are required to resubmit their proxy with a nominated member of the WIA.

The letter goes on to state that "the WIA office will attempt to contact you and ask you to resubmit your proxy".

The link to the third version of the proxy vanished from the website and the fourth version can now be found on the WIA website and is included below.

Members who receive email and have their address correctly configured in the WIA Membership System, MEMNET, should have received a copy of the letter from the President as well as a copy of the new fourth form. If your spam filter removes email with PDF attachments, you may have to locate this email in your spam folder.

This is the text that was sent to each MemNet user:

Dear WIA member,

A draft version of the proxy form was sent to the printer for inclusion in AR magazine. The form was different to the version published on the WIA website.

The difference between the forms has caused some confusion, and discussion about their validity on social media. One form requires the member to sign, and the other relies on the members membership number to confirm the members identity. Both forms rely on the membership number and callsign to confirm the members address, rather than a specific entry on the form.

It is anticipated that proxies on either form will be accepted by the AGM Chairperson, however, to ensure all proxies are accepted, members are asked to resubmit their proxy on the new form unless they have previously included their address.

Resubmitting your proxy on the new form ensures your proxy will be accepted in all circumstances.

The new proxy form is attached to this email and is also available for download from the WIA website using the following Link The correct revision date is 05/03/2017.

If your proxy is received by the WIA office on the earlier forms, and if your address is not included, the WIA office will attempt to contact you and ask you to resubmit your proxy.

The WIA apologises for this inconvenience, however under the circumstances we have taken this action to remove any doubt.

Phil Wait VK2ASD

WIA President.