Totally agree with Mike. In the 21st Century - On line voting should be allowed. Not everyone wants to attend the AGM.

I suspect Garfield is referring to "...so I'll add it to the spec of Version 2.", which imlies that it will happen, maybe by 2007 AGM (my guess).

....and what, pray, did I not read properly?

Peter, you did not read my reply properly. - Garfield

Hello Garfield. Sorry but 'security of online voting' is surely a (surmountable) technical issue, and hence another Red Herring. Can someone from "committee" acknowledge that the current outdated decision-making process needs radical overhaul, or someone from "committee" or "AGM regulars group" offer a compelling argument for the perpetuation of a system which cosily runs the Association using the ideas and views of just 2% of its membership without seeking input from the remaining 98%.

One of the problems with online voting is security. Did member 12815 really post that vote ? If they've logged in we can probably assume so. Since there will always be postal and physical methods available, as Chris C has alread pointed out, online voting will not favour those with internet facilities. We obviously could not have this ready for this years AGM, so I'll add it to the spec of Version 2. - Garfield

Bonjour Julie, Thanks for you prompt response but, with respect, I don't plan to swallow that red-herring. Why bother allocating members a vote which they can't then realistically exercise? ONE MEMBER, ONE VOTE !! Next Committee member, please.

You can already vote for your committee members of choice by proxy but some thought would need to be given on how to give the 'General Membership' a vote on motions actually debated at AGM. I can imagine poor Edith Moran's shorthand going into overdrive as she records every point, germane or fatuous, not to mention Eva Bowes's fingers being worn to the bone at the keyboard as she types out Edith's notes. Then everyone present will have to find something to do (another walk? learning a second language? knitting?)while the General Membership receives this online, deliberates and sends their Ayes or Noes...

From Peter Dentten:
Dear Committee, Approx 98% of us "General Membership" types, though interested in shaping the future of the Association, will sadly not be at the AGM.
Apologies, but can we vote by post or on-line please?

Any LDWA facilities provided via the Internet should be the same as those made available to members via Strider and other printed mailings. I'd compare this forum to the Strider letters pages, and Internet based AGM voting to the form which all members get posted to them. There are clubs (in various walks of life) which only communicate via the Internet, even though their actual activities aren't virtual. The LDWA isn't one of them, the web site is just another view of the LDWA.

Why disenfranchise those who do not have internet access?
I have always considered any votes taken at the AGM as slightly undemocratic anyway.

Turnout for general elections in this country is considered very low and yet we get a much, very much, smaller percentage attending AGMs.

That is the agreed process and I have no argument with that. However it does lead to a concensus that goes along with the requirements of the people who attend the AGM, who regularly appear to be the same names/faces from the reports I see.

This does sound like I have an axe to grind. In fact I don't at all and have no complaints whatsoever.

i agree with that, i have enough trouble trying to find papers and post

How about on-line voting for those not going to the AGM?