No neutral chairperson at MS meeting

The Otago Multiple Sclerosis Society has agreed to hold a meeting with irate members, but its under-fire treasurer says it will not be a "kangaroo court", and the committee is not stepping down.

The committee’s decision not to call in a neutral person to run the November 18 meeting has been criticised. Last Saturday, about 60 people protested outside the society’s Dunedin base over claims of bullying, dysfunction, and financial concerns. Society members received letters this week inviting them to a meeting to discuss the concerns.

The group had demanded a special meeting to hold a vote of no confidence, but treasurer David Glenn indicated yesterday a vote of no confidence would be ignored.

Member Michael Harrison said he was disappointed with the committee’s attitude, and the meeting’s purpose was unclear.

"I’m struggling to see what the possible outcomes of this meeting will be.

"If they want to have any hope of any benefit coming from it, it will need to have an independent chairperson.

"Calling a meeting without an agenda and having a clear way to plan and progress the meeting, it’s unlikely to have any substantive change," Mr Harrison said.

Mr Harrison called for a mediator to be drafted in to work with the parties on a gradual handover of responsibilities. Husband and wife David and Beverly Glenn have agreed to step down from their roles as treasurer and president respectively at the annual meeting in March, but will not do so before then.

When contacted, Mr Glenn said no committee members would be standing down at the November meeting, but the committee was open to co-opting new members.

"What is important is that the meeting is professional and appropriate. As previously mentioned, there is no Wild West or kangaroo court here.

"We are working hard to build a confident relationship with members who have questions and concerns.

"We will chair the meeting ourselves through the president, however due to her disability [society president Mrs Glenn] will delegate speaking as chair as it’s just too hard for her in a public forum," he said.

Society lawyer Chris Lucas would attend.

"A vote of no confidence would have no effect [and] essentially [would] be pointless other than an expression of feeling," Mr Glenn said.

Mr Glenn was disappointed by the public row dividing the society.

"As a committee member and society member I am dismayed at the lack of confidentiality shown by some people in regard of knowledge gained as a committee/staff member and this is something that needs to be addressed by the society as a whole," he said.

Mr Glenn said the committee planned to review society practices and procedures to find ways to improve.