News an unpaid political announcment : Richmond Board Election

[TOOs_Finest]

Nothing there about why we should vote for you Phil.

Yeah it does wreak a bit of 'change for the sake of change', but I could be simplifying things a tad there.

The current board could also be seen as partly responsible for the appointments of Dimma and Benny Gale. So far, these two guys are pretty popular with the hordes from what I can gather.

 

[Equus]

May I ask who else is gunning for the Board?

 

[IDGAF]

all i can say is all the best phil i've often considered running myself

..lmao

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

I do agree with you Phil, a fresh change is definitely needed.

If you are allowed to join the board, whilst communicating with supporters and members (through Facebook, Twitter, BigFooty, Emails), giving us some information on what is discussed in 'these board meetings' then that's a great reason to vote - obviously the confidental topics will be kept private.

 

[Toadvine]

Hi and welcome PA,

I see you're giving us a lot of reasons why things should change but can you give us specific examples of what you would do differently and what new ideas you could bring to the position?

 

[KiwiTiger]

Phil. A fellow RE member and a great bloke! Just as a general heads up though mate. The press do read this forum so you should comment with that it mind.

Haere Ra

 

[PhilipAnderson]

May I ask who else is gunning for the Board?

Gary March Current Board Member
Peggie Haines Current Board Member
John Matthies Current Board Member
Neil McKay
Philip Anderson

 

[PhilipAnderson]

Phil. A fellow RE member and a great bloke! Just as a general heads up though mate. The press do read this forum so you should comment with that it mind.

Haere Ra

Thanks AS.

I was aware of that and will only communicate in a public forum details that I am prepared to stand by. The key here is that at least the general passionate football public, of which Bigfooty is a major part, can communicate with me. This I believe is the key. There are not too many current board members that embrace social media and if I can make myself more accessable going forward then this surely should be of benefit to the Richmond membership.

I understand you may be entertaining the RFC whilst they are on camp in NZ.

 

[TerryTait]

You talked about being across the social media sector and I appreciate this is a new tact for a board member to take. I would love however for you to combine social media and instead of using it as a tangible link for us members use it also as a tool for the club.

You covered the recruiting situation and Im sure we all agree its great to have Blair down at the club but if you could harness the latent Richmond folk you refered to and perhaps set up a prospects gallery whereby people could send in highlight reels of country footballers they feel show exceptional talent this gives you a wider recruiting presense without spending a cent, and at the same time engrosses gen pop with the footy club. Things like that I feel are where we need to be pioneering.

 

[IDGAF]

You covered the recruiting situation and Im sure we all agree its great to have Blair down at the club but if you could harness the latent Richmond folk you refered to and perhaps set up a prospects gallery whereby people could send in highlight reels of country footballers they feel show exceptional talent this gives you a wider recruiting presense without spending a sent, and at the same time engrosses gen pop with the footy club. Things like that I feel are where we need to be pioneering.

I think that is a great idea

 

[happy_punter]

I'm still not convinced. what are you actually bringing to the board? Your blog so far tells me nothing. Or are you just telling us nothing to keep the media out of it?

 

[PhilipAnderson]

I'm still not convinced. what are you actually bringing to the board? Your blog so far tells me nothing. Or are you just telling us nothing to keep the media out of it?

Happy Punter,

There are many people who only learned of me a few days ago, so I am not surprised that you are yet to be convinced. I do not take the Richmond membership for granted and if I could convince all of you in two or three days then there would be something seriously wrong. I will continue to post on my Blog, items that I believe will assist you in making your decision easier. The major issue is that I want you to feel that it is important enough to vote, whether for me or the other candidates, but just believing it is important would be a start.

 

[TOOs_Finest]

Happy Punter,

There are many people who only learned of me a few days ago, so I am not surprised that you are yet to be convinced. I do not take the Richmond membership for granted and if I could convince all of you in two or three days then there would be something seriously wrong. I will continue to post on my Blog, items that I believe will assist you in making your decision easier. The major issue is that I want you to feel that it is important enough to vote, whether for me or the other candidates, but just believing it is important would be a start.

Hi Phil, I think this (the highlighted part) is a very valid point. But it brings me back to my post yesterday, where I asked the following...

To be honest, I don't know what others are like, but I have little idea what the board of the footy club is all about.

Actually, if RFCO reads this, I think this is one area a lot of us would love some education in.

Eg.

* What is the make up of the board? How many positions? Roles? etc.
* What are the kinds of profiles of people who are either on the board or attempting to get on the board?
* What role does the board play in the day to day running of the club, if any?

I'm sure this info is somehow available, but I think not many of us would know where to find it.

 

[PhilipAnderson]

Hi Phil, I think this (the highlighted part) is a very valid point. But it brings me back to my post yesterday, where I asked the following...

Dea_Day,

There are 9 positions on the board.
The people that are up for nomination are:

Gary March Board Member re-nominating
Peggy Haines Board Member re-nominating
John Matthies Board Member re-nominating
Neil McKay
Philip Anderson

There are 3 positions available and there are 5 people to fill these 3 positions.

 

[JR#8]

PA, You still have been dodging the question....

Why should we vote for you?

 

[Bojangles17]

PA, You still have been dodging the question....

Why should we vote for you?

for us to be clear on what Phil is up against Id really love to see a dossier on what ea of the directors up for re-election have been responsible for...as an example could be fund raising, membership, footy department, commercial operations etc. If we understand that then we are well placed to make a decision on a NEW candidate...I have NO clue as to what any of these shiny pants have done, and I keep a fairly close ear to the ground so god help the rest

 

[NQTIGER]

Welcome aboard the tiger train phil, but given that you are sprouting about the fastes you tube network on earth even a card carrying labour voter like myself is turned off by the 43 + billion dollars that we are going into debt .

Im not sure that the RFC needs visionaries like your self who would pile on the debt.

thats my dollars worth.

 

[tigerpremiers]

hi phil ive noticed you have joined most of the forums will you be telling us what you will bring to the table if elected.interesting you have chosen to join all the forums except one.maybe they dont matter lol.

 

[KiwiTiger]

Maybe I can assist with some info on what the board does etc as I served on a Board Sub-Committee (Audit and Risk) until Feb 2010. I know it's boring but the 2009 Annual Report - Governance Statement lists much in relation to the business and how it's managed.
You must consider that the RFC is effectively a $40million business with operations that vary from predominantly football, but also includes 2 licensed gaming venues, a charitable foundation, a $20million redevelopment and, most importantly, serving the many members and supporters. We employ over 100 full and part-time employees, not to mention the many volunteers that also assist. We are also an AFL licensee and, as such, are subject to the many rules and regulations associated with that such as salary cap, intellectual property rights and usage, insurance, safe workplace for all and behavioural code of conduct, and so on. So the manangement of risk and compliance under that framework takes a fair amount of effort.
To manage all of this, the Board of the Club meets monthly (excluding special meetings), and you can imagine that the majority of the board agenda is football related, but all the risks associated with the above receive attention. You must remember, for example, the club directors are personably liable for the running of our gaming venues under the Victorian Casino and Gaming Legislation (remember T Jewell's issue re the conviction) so directors take an active interest in compliance with that as an example. The board also has sub-committees which, currently off the top of my head, are Football, Redevelopment, Audit and Risk, Finance and Fund-Raising. Some of those committees meet monthly. Audit and Risk meets quarterly. So a board meeting would consider the output from all those committees, make decisions regarding board level risks, and develop strategy to take the club forward. Strategy days are held regularly over and above the monthly board and other committee meetings. Strategy meetings also involve the executive and I heard Damian's input to his first one was amazing.
It also takes considerable effort by a board to manage the generation of a club asset that's outside the general scope of football i.e. the redevelopment. To build it, maintain club services, and relocate the cricket club takes much effort and is, I believe, a great achievement.
During football season, most directors attend home games, and two travel to away and interstate games generally at their own cost as the AFL travel allocation is devoted to the Football Department. Board positions are unpaid. In fact most board members are coterie members who are easily net financial contributors. Phil and Neil are also Richmond Exec Coterie members - good on you boys!
So what does it take to be an RFC director? Well in my view, there needs to be an undeniable love of the club, but you must be able to manage the love to manage the risks. I've worked with other club boards where the love has been blind and poorly focussed. You must have skills that are complimentary to managing the business risks, so finance, legal, football, human resources, business development and commercial operations, member and supporter relations are all pretty relevant. AFL relationship management is also a key board risk, as the AFL govern so much (i.e fixture) which can impact club performance.
What do I know about the candidates? I find this really hard as I do know them all and they're all great. Peggy is a lawyer and partner at Freehills. American by birth, I hope she will not mind me saying that she must consume her lucky peanut M&M's for the Tiges to win. Pretty sure she was Andy Collins player (there you go RT!)sponsor last year and an RE member. Member of the Fund Raising, Audit and Risk, and Redevelopment sub committees. I first met her when we were on the Tommy Hafey Club Committee together and she's a great tiger and friend.
John M runs his own legal firm. He's a Jack Dyer Club member and his knowledge Richmond playing personnel past and present is Rainman-ish. Also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, and formed the Tigers at Law sub group. Has addressed many club legal matters both known and not widely known.
Everyone knows Gary as one of the public faces of the club. Has done much across all facets of the business including football, the redevelopment, commercial and key executive recruitment. Always says hello to me and jokingly ribs me about my regular ability to cross the Tasman for games.
I first met Phil when we were both members of the Captains Club in 2001. He's always been an advocate for doing things better at the club and coterie level, and we both crossed to the RE together. A very successful business man in his own right, you will always see him and family at our "away games" interstate enjoying a glass of red and considering what we can do better as a club. A great man.
Neil M also has a finance and commercial background at GE. An RE member and a key contributor at Coburg as well. I think he's on the Coburg board but I stand to be corrected.

In the words of Jeff Fenech, "I love youse all" and they will all be great contributors to our mighty club. It's great that we as a club have people of this calibre wanting to be involved.

Hope this helps re getting an understanding of Club Governance, the scope and the commitment. I will shut up now. Thanks for listening.

Haere Ra from Mumbai

 

[Bojangles17]

cheers kiwi much obliged, i'm wiser for reading that, things sure have changed from running a $1000 draw and a few meat raffles to ensure the coffers remain in surplus ea year

 

[Equus]

You know, I still think KiwiTiger should run for the board.

That is a fantastic explanation to what the board do.

 

[TOOs_Finest]

Hey Kiwi, thanks so much for going out of your way to explain all this. You have described well and truly all I was hoping to hear. This is what helps one make a decision when it comes to voting for a board member. Helps to gauge what to expect from someone on the board, or someone gunning to be on the board.

Very very much appreciated.

 

[happy_punter]

Well im not seeing the point of Phil being here since he avoids questions from the tiger people. NEXT!

 

[El Tigre]

Thanks Kiwi for the info.

It can be very difficult to decide on the best board members without having a true inside understanding of the dynamics, as you do. Given the 'seeming' change of dynamics within the Board (since Miller was a key player, and has now gone), and the current change that we are going thru in the Football Dept, i would be hesitant in looking for a change in the Board ATM. I think we are 1 year in to a new phase, and IMO it's too early to even 'tweak' the system.

On a slightly different viewpoint, I've been thru a few company transformations, and i must say the single biggest influence on the behaviour and success of the company has been the md or the ceo (and in this case for Richmond, Benny Gale) rather than board members. (I'm not trying to lower or de-value the efforts of the Board Members, as they do serve very important functions.) I like what i have seen from Benny, but i can't say that i believe the Board can applauded for his placement, more that he was just there at the right time for them. I could stand to be corrected on that one tho.

 

[Heisenberg_]

IIRC didn't Stephen Wright play a fairly big role in having Gale replace him?