As individual newsagents and state associations contemplate starting afresh with a national body representing newsagents, click here to see a copy of the constitution which was developed for the United Newsagents of Australia body Tom Carter and I proposed in 2005. The idea behind UNA was to create a virtual association, a lean secretariat office which focused on association matters.
That’s a great head start. I’m a little weary of the “sponsorship” aspect. I don’t won’t us to be in anyone’s pockets – again.
But if everything there is adhered to, it looking very promising. I have a few ideas that I’ll put foward later that might help streamline it.
Mark,
You state you are against associations having commercial interests, so now you can justify commercial interests such as you are involved in (News Xpress & Tower Systems), starting an association of your own.
TALK ABOUT HYPOCRACY!!!!
I suppose it was just a matter of time you reprised the failed UNA.
V.A.N.A. on the 11th November will be inviting fellow Newsagents from Victoria to attend a briefing primarily to discuss the future of the A.N.F. in relation to our signing of the the M.O.U.
They are also willing to open for discussion any other topic that you wish to discuss however your comments should be directed towards V.A.N.A. by this Friday so the matter can be placed on the agenda and a suitable place can be found to accommodate your views and those of others
David Backholer
Darren,
Where is the hypocrisy in my post? I have posted for others to see the consitution of UNA as I thought it may be instructive.
Sure I own Tower Systems and have a share in newsXpress. They are on the public record.
You may have commercial interests outside Yarrawonga Newsagency.
Associations ought to act as associations and not as commercail entities. The two make for conflicted bedfellows. Look at Bill Express.
Mark
For the record
We have no commercial interests outside our newsagency.
The double-standard lies in previous posts where stated that associations should not be involved in commercial interests.
I disagree.
Strong associations have funds behind them. Look at the ACTU and the Pharmacy Guild. Associations need more than just membership revenue to become politically influential. Given that many newsagents baulk at paying higher dues, we simply will never achieve the standard of representation we crave with association relying solely on membership dues. Given constantly rising overheads, state and federal associations may barely cover basic operation. If your UNA is run under the same premise, it too will incur the same predicament.
Bill Express will always be an argument for your cause, no doubt. However, if due diligence was served, the situation would have been avoided.
Darren, I reckon in our case, we really don’t need to be well funded. Being politically influential wouldn’t be hard due to the numbers of newsagencies in Australia.
I believe it can work, but most of the work would be setting the whole thing up. With strong guidelines it’d run itself.
Darren,
Yes, due diligence could have avoided the Bill Express mess – in 2003. This year, because of its relationship with the ANF on commercial and on commercail terms, VANA failed to fully inform its members.
Associations ought to be funded by members for the services which they offer. They need to cut their cloth to the budget members provide. Getting into commercail activity conflicts them. One only has to look at the VANA / Newspower war to understand that.
Association members are too often fooled into thinking that extra revenue streams are necessary. Smart Directors question such proposals and consider carefully the source and reasons.
UNA did not proceed so there is no point bringing that into this discussion.
Mark
I actually support Mark’s case for something to happen sooner rather than later. The ANF is a dinosaur that has nothing else to add to our businesses.
I read for the first time the UNA document. The only thing that really grabbed me was the recommendation that non newsagents sit on the board. This is the only way we can have any chance of moving from a where we are now to a serious entity such as the Pharmacy guild etc.
What I don’t agree with Mark is that the oragnisation will need more than members fee’s to run. I am not sure many quality directors will sit on the board as a matter of charity. We also need some good dollars to re-introduce our newsagency message to the market.
The question is how long can we wait while the ANF plays games with our industry?
Brad
He’s how I see it. All members nominate an issue, for example the selling of postage stamps at no profit.
The director and committee get stats of all members (this is the key to the whole thing- all members MUST COMPLY).
The director goes to Australia Post and explains how we are a benefit to there business by way of opening hours, 3500+ tores across Australia, excellent personal service, shorter queues(LOL) etc and then asks them for a system to be put in place that allows us to get a profit.
The answer will of course be no. Then the director tells all members not to sell stamps (strict complience must be followed), get some media on it, then continue this for a few months until we can see the queues out their doors.
Then go back to AP and ask them if they would reconsider, which hopefully would be yes. Issue solved.
Is this the type of association newsagents want? It’s simple and effective, no big fees, no commercial activity. It’s only flaw is that if members don’t comply, it won’t work to it’s full potencial.
Mark
A couple of questions what is a secretariat office? and would that “office” be able to answer questions and make decisions for a Newsagent request etc?
I hope Newsagents and State Associations are thinking seriously about this. I scimmed through the old constitution, I like transparancy and i saw some of it their, for example members have access to financial details. A work in progress.
See I told you, a thick skin is needed.
Fellow Newsagents,
I regret that it would appear that some of you are missing the point.
Personally speaking I believe there is a place for Commercialism in State Associations given that the Commercial venture is Industry led and soundly based as well as Industry relevant and profitable, and that it gains commercial benefits for Newsagents.
I personally feel that we are hesitant right now because of the burn marks we hold from the demise of Bill Express. Who is to blame and who was right or wrong is in the past and subject to Legal challenge. If WE as Newsagents have done nothing wrong and we believed in the actions taken by others then I firmly believe that Justice will be done in our favour.
We must see that Commercial ventures in Victoria are carried out with due diligence and I really mean due diligence and that it is structured correctly with what I agree is the main aim of V.A.N.A.- to provide Industrial and training support and added value to it’s members then I have no objections. BUT we must have a business plan and a cash flow showing repayment of start up costs and capital input so that we can better gauge its relevance and sustainability into the future. People must be more accountable than they have been in the past.
I cannot see in my reading of the Constitution and Mission statement of V.A.N.A. that anything has been acted upon in contravention to the Constitution to date except that I believe there are instances on the V.A.N.A. Board of late whereby it could be construed that due diligence has question markets beside it.
A fact of life is that we need to look forward and not backwards. We need right now to draw a line in the sand so to speak and do what is right for the Industry into the future.
This is why I believe the meeting held for the 11th November by V.A.N.A. is in good intent by them to do just that. (The new Board of which I am a member WILL move forward with everyone’s views considered)
If you have strong views and you are a member of V.A.N.A. then come out of the closet behind a pen and ink and come to the meeting, BUT I ask that you look forward not backwards and that you come along with fresh ideas and not rhetoric that drags us backwards. I get tired of reading retrospective views when it is so easy to blame someone else.
I will be an aggressive member of the Board together with the other members of OUR Ticket in Darren Howe and Ray Burgess.
See you on the 11th November I trust.
David Backholer
David,
I fear YOU miss the point.
No one here has said that newsagents should not have a commercial interest – it is self evident that we should.
The representative board however should have nothing to do with it. They must be at arms length or further.
A commercial entity/organisation established and run by the collective newsagents would be a good thing, a great thing. It may even be agreed by the collective newsagents that this organisation donate a portion of its profits each year to the representative body – perhaps if I may be cheeky – based on the body’s performance for the previous 12 months – but seriously…
David YOU sadly have missed the point and also do not see that we are not looking back – far from it – we are making a future – one far different from what we have now. I for one will get off my backside and join my local federation in order to see a future come to fruition.
David,
I disagree with you. Our industry is littered with poor decisions by association boards conflicted between association business and the commercail activity of the associations.
Sure, newsagents can collectively own directly or commercially gain from commercial relationships. However, this should be managed by a professional commercail board. The ANF has the legal advice on this from 2004, much of the preparatory work was done. It was then announced in 2005 – but not delivered.
Associations have too often made the mistake of thinking they need to own and even run commercail enterprises to fund association services. This is a mistake.
David – those disagreeing with you here are not wrong. Just as you are not wrong. It is a difference of opinion is all.
Mark
Derek,
A secretariat is a national office running policy matters for newsagents. Slim. Focused. No commercail activity. Funded by the states by way of a small levy. Not cluttered with the politics and royalty type activities associated with the ANF.
mark
Michael,
An association is not the kind of body that has the power and means to enforce compliance.
A franshise is the only structure I am aware of that has the means to do this.
Brett and Mark
First of all Brett I agree with everything you say and if I did not explain myself then I apologise. We are on the same wave length.
Mark
I thank you for your frankness and “yes” we are all permitted to have views and my respect for my fellow Newsagents is heightened by the fact that they do express their views in open forums.
Regrettably in the past Newsagents views have been stifled by a “closed door policy” that now has seen members vote with their hearts and minds and bring change to the Board not for change sake but for the development of a better structured and better run V.A.N.A. that is answerable to you the Newsagent.
Mark wrote :
• Sure, newsagents can collectively own directly or commercially gain from commercial relationships. However, this should be managed by a professional commercial board. The ANF has the legal advice on this from 2004, much of the preparatory work was done. It was then announced in 2005 – but not delivered.
Your comments are noted and I assure you that this will be one of my first endeavours and that is to place the commercial entities at arms length to the day to day operations of V.A.N.A. but to also encompass two very important points. 1. That a cash flow and business plan is produced for each entity and 2. That the person responsible for the day to day operations is held accountable on a month by month basis to the Board.
And I have not forgotten that phrase- due diligence.
David Backholer
Director V.A.N.A.
Jarryd, I know. But if we don’t all do the same thing at the same time we’ll all be seven-elevens in ten to twenty years.
There are some newsagents with there BE screens on still. Don’t you think they need to be told to turn them off?
Collectively we need to have a national standard as to what we are and what consumers can expect from our stores.
I’m becoming disillusioned more and more, with all the changes happening with print going online etc which will have a big effect on our industry we’ve got probably five newsagents commenting on this when there is 3500+ in Australia.
It’s not good enough, I feel we won’t survive unless we do something to the tune off what I mentioned above.
All you folk seem to want the same thing but from a different perspective.
Mark recently put UNA back on the table for discussion and took some flack from Darren. I suspect for his own reasons.
VANA have a model called NOA (Newsagents of Australia) which they put up a few years back. They agreed to put NOA away as part of their deal to unite with ANF but have continued to allow NOA to develop, in contradiction to their agreement with ANF .
eVANA, nStock and other activity is a clear example of building their own structure.
Now David, as a new VANA director, wants a sit down on 11th November, Rememberence Day.
This is either a national industry or a state industry. And if it’s a national industry, lets get Mark and Tom with their UNA, VANA with their NOA, ANF with their model, others with a contribution, all together in a room. Get a few businessmen, and a few newsagents from each state and nut out a national approach.
With great respect to David and his new members of VANA, this has to be a national body or nothing. Drive it as a national body, not as VANA doing a take over of the national agenda. Heaven knows, VANA haven’t done that good a job for their members over the past 10 years.
Stop dicking around. Do something.
I’m prepared to put up $500 of my own money to assist in this type of furum being held. I know many key operators and publishers in the industry will do the same because they want a result.
Let’s get to work.
Hi all
This is all good stuff! I think David is right, having a discussion in an open forum with such as sensitive topic as this says volumes, it also says that we all want something done.
Not all posters are from Victoria in case thought otherwise.
Michael- Personally i agree with you and it must be frustrating for you and the many who are looking for a united National front Re: Bill Express Screens decision.
I am not sure why their are not more involvement on this topic.
For me its not about Victoria, I want to join a National United body, then I want them to represent me and advise me in areas such as Publishers, Distributors, Rental, etc I also want to invest in a better Newsagency because I have done my due dilligence and I have been frightened off because we do not have united representation. The fragmented bodies are in my opinion costing Newsagents opportunities for growth and cost savings.
Hang in their Michael, i am sure we are making some progress.
Hi Vic, Also with respect to all, very good post, some great insight and I was particularly happy with your last paragraph regarding key operators and publishers. Thankyou Derek
Vicanon wrote:
“Now David, as a new VANA director, wants a sit down on 11th November, Rememberence Day.
This is either a national industry or a state industry. And if it’s a national industry, lets get Mark and Tom with their UNA, VANA with their NOA, ANF with their model, others with a contribution, all together in a room. Get a few businessmen, and a few newsagents from each state and nut out a national approach.”
Do the above, and you will walk away with NFI
🙂
Vaughan
We need to take one step at a time and do our due diligence on V.A.N.A. as new V.A.N.A. Directors. I assure you we will move ahead with openness and professionalism.
Rome was not built in a day and whilst you and I cannot undo or change right now what the A.N.F. are doing to destroy themselves- WE can move forward and look after our own nest and we will do just that with professionalism and commercialism with due diligence.
Watch this space.
David Backholer
Vaughan, sorry you don’t think it will work. Can you expand on which part?
Mark,
The ideology of a secretariat for national representation is plausible providing that the states are on the same page. I don’t believe we are yet at that point. The powerbase should come from their respective states (bottom up, not top down). Solve the issue of voting rights to be indicative of the membership base, then you have some credence.
On the issue of commercialism, can anyone provide an example of a powerful, effective representative organisation which solely relies on membership dues for revenue? Or are we pipe dreaming?
Hi Darren,
Yes I can. VANA. Until a few years ago, it had amassed over $5 million in assets. It had a positive cash flow and was not involved in any commercial ventures. It did get fees from a sales broker or 2 and received commissions for VANA Assessment, Finance Broking etc.
Oh. Sorry. They weren’t powerful or else they would still have control of Newspower, the own marketing arm they formed with the other states. And they failed to represent their members to a level that ensured continual membership support.
I think that’s a good example don’t you?
Vicanon
It was a joke
David,
You write allot about VANA etc. I am not from Vic and do want to see a National approach. Would you vote for a National body to take the role of the ship’s captain or are you, like many before you, going to look at your nest and do nothing to build a stronger National industry? I am not trying to insight any ill will and I would ask every sitting director of all the associations the same question. I do this because right now as it stands you are the people that can get things going. Call for a National forum, canvas all agents for what is needed.
One size will not fit all but I really do believe that we are at the stage where give and take on issues is needed. Someone called for a saviour or for a champion of the movement, directors of all associations VANA, NANA, QNF, ANF you have the power right now.
Brad
Vicanon,
(I’d rather you use your real name than hide behind psudonyms)
VANA is not an example as it relies as you described (fees, commissions etc), on revenue sources other than membership dues.
So try again.
David- what are your thoughts on a National Association?
Many great posts here, Vaughn’s been reading my mind.
Darren what are your thoughts on the future (not the past) regarding what should happen on the proposed 3500+ Membership National Newsagent Association?
Darren,
Associations need to operate according to the funding provided by members. The moment they chase commercial revenue to fund their activity they take dollars from members and blur their role and the risks associated with taking money.
VANA has the financial resources to operate without any commercail interests.
The ANF could too. However, we are better off starting from scratch on the national front.
Mark
I’m with Mark on this. Why does it need a few hundred grand in it to be viable? It just needs some responsible volunteers that can shoot problems when they pop up.
It needs to be fully independant of all other businesses so as not to loose vision. It would have to officially thank Tower for the ad though!
Brad,
It is my personal view that whilst the legal wrangle still surrounds the current A.N.F. Board that moving ahead nationally, regrettably is out of the question for now.
This is the reason why V.A.N.A. in part is calling a meeting of members on the 11th November inst to see what the rank and file members want in regard to the future of the M.O.U. and then ,if we break the M.O.U. and if we resign from the National body immediately where we go to from there.
You may ask why resign from the National body as it is today?
The reason is in my view that they are no longer relevant. I could not have said this 12 months ago.
I agree with Mark that the A.N.F. should be a Secretariat and that they should encompass Lobbying, National issues and if it means, we need to as States support them with higher financial support to operate then that is the way ahead.
You see States like Queensland and New South Wales and of course ourselves would be able to work together in a more harmonious manner and I am confident enough to say that they would fall in line with us. Western Australia and Sth Australia I also feel would want to be part of a collective bargaining team under a new banner.
Brad, I am spending unpaid time as are our two other member newsagents on the Board of V.A.N.A. to support your views and that of other Newsagents. Please do not judge us until we prove to you that we mean business.
Again I say openness and accountability will be at the forefront of our voice and we will listen to you; I have the greatest respect for all Newsagents who own their own businesses and want know that they can have confidence in V.A.N.A. to do the right thing into the future.
Please allow us that period of time to get it right.
My name is David Backholer
Director V.A.N.A.
My email address is Hamptoneast@iinet.net.au
David Backholer
David,
I do understand that you need time to prove yourself and that you and many others have spent time unpaid to work towards set goals. I have also seen well intentioned people slowly turn into silo builders. State associations cannot work long term. I still maintain that the state’s need strong lobby group’s to keep local interests on agenda’s but National representation is the only way we can forge ahead.
Someone wrote that as a 3500 plus collective we can strike better terms with our suppliers etc. This will never happen without 1 voice and stronger guidelines. Franchise’s can impose these types of rules but we have many other avenues of compliance.
David what I asked is that in your position as director will you seek to have a National forum on this issue. I again urge directors from NANA, QNF and the ANF to support the same. Yes the ANF is tarnished with BE but they will answer to that mess. I for one will fly to where ever this meeting is held to lend what ever support I can.
Finally the more I read on the debate of commercial interests more it clouds the issue. VANA has it’s interests, the QNF has newsagents sales why wouldn’t those businesses be used to further enhance our business profile?
Darren,
So a combination of relying on fees from broking and commissions on Assessment isn’t enough? Without commercial endorsement, it gave VANA $5 million. Isn’t that enough compared to others?
Where is the need to go commercial with that much money – unless you want to empire build?
Any dalliance in supplier rebates etc needs to be met with appropriate expenditure on advertising, product promotion, flyers, etc. VANA has had eVANA for how long and what have they contributed to the advertsing and promotion area? Nothing.
Damn Darren, if they were serious, wouldn’t they have stumped up a few grand to match the money Tower and others are spending?
David- Respect your post, I see regarding this meeting. We shall have to agree to disagree on the rest. A 3500+ association was need yesterday.
Gentlemen of the Jury !
Our Goal is to realign V.A.N.A.S’ direction much to the manner in which you state however the issue of the A.N.F. needs to be resolved by you guys – my fellow Newsagents on the 11th November ( not at 11.00am)
That way we can approach the other States and hopefully come together as one after that. It will not take 5 minutes – maybe six or twelve months !!! so in the meantime we need to improve V.A.N.A. services to the standard that you and I expect.
My view on commercialism at V.A.N.A.is it keeps the suppliers honest for your benefit.
I know you do not know me but I assure you I am not in here for the glory. I want to win- that is the way I run my life.
David
David,
I will be in Bribsbane on the 11th and unable to attend. VANA knows my view. They need to withdraw from the MOU and establish a working party, of more than just one person as is the case now, to work with QNF and NANA with a view to a proposal being put to members no later than within two weeks.
This is not rocket science. The bets structural idea is there on the table. All it takes is people with the capacity and will to lead.
Mark
Brad,
On the commercial interests of associations – all should be valued and this value represents the shares that association received in a new single national commercail entity which is operated at arms length from any association., The goal of the entity is to generate dividends for the associations.
Easy to achieve. Easy to manage. It means you have business people running businesses and not the underperforming mess we have today.
mark
Vicanon,
a history lesson for you.
VANA established a buying co-operative in 1915, selling stationery, calendars and books to members for a discount (rebate) in exchange for a small shareholding. Capitalisation went from 501 pounds in 1915 to 4918 pounds in 1923. Discounts paid to members grew from zero to 1175 pounds over the same period. In 1924 VANA purchased a warehouse in Queen Street and moved their offices there.
Now if you take the 1924 capital of 4918 pounds and assumed 3% inflation, 5% growth and say 7% re-invested profits, VANA would have had over $528M today.
As for your point on n-stock not providing and marketing support – this should come from the suppliers in the form of co-op dollars, not from the rebates. The rebates that the association shares should be going to improve and expand member services.
If the above example does not illustrate a case for commercialism, I don’t know what does. Had the associations stayed on this course back in 1924, we would have owned the industry by now and dictatiing to our suppliers instead of the current situation.
Derek,
I would like the elected prepresentatives to first study similar successful structures from outside this industry before coming up with a platform. Agree on a structure moving forward. As I have blogged previously, the power must be from the bottom up, not top-down. The base should be formed by the states moving in the same direction, then influencing a national body (whatever form that takes). The first step is to get the states talking to each other.
We don’t need to re-invent the wheel here.
Darren,
This has been done, well and truly done. VANA and the other states have an opportunity to vote and move forward in weeks and not months.
On then history lesson, who cares? We have what we have today. Associations need to focus on being just that because that is where newsagents hve been let down for the last ten years because Directors have failed in their duty.
Mark
It doesn’t need to be in the pockets of other businesses to stay afloat.
Looking at the example of a constitution with 3500 members paying an annual fee of $77 (Bargain) adds up to around $25,000.
This is enough to cover the costs involved in the running of it and have enough for luxuries like getting legal advice BEFORE the association informs members on decisions.
The thing about history lessons is they are always digging up the past.
Would the 4500 managing directors have allowed the industry to own itself? On current form i doubt it. With so many different opinions, views, objections etc, the industry is designed to destroy itself.
We are talking about the same thing as when the ANF signed the MOU at the National conference 3-4 years ago. That was supposed to be an historic occassion then. Where has it got us?
I am sure Garry has been talking about the same thing with all his years served on the Vana Board. He must be that frustrated of the continual blocks that are put in place each and every year.
The States are where the power lies; they have the power to drive change, both at State and National level. The question is, do they want to?
Does the current VANA board see a National Platform that will unite the industry?
Alot of newsagents have been calling for a national forum on this issue for a while and it has always been put in the too hard basket, for fear of the response that the associations might get.
I welcome the State forum in November; it should have happened months ago. I am sure newsagents will be strongly represented.
I would also be interested in finding out what the structure the meeting is being held under. Are we simply turning up for a discussion?
Vaughan,
I spoke to Peter Cowley a week about how this meeting oin November 11 was being
constituted. He said they had not thought about that. I said it should be called as a special general meeting where resolutions can be passed which compel the Board to act. he said it was better to have a chat.
I disagree.
This sounds to me like a meeting to let off steam but to give the Board freedom to do what it chooses – as it has done.
The meeting ought to be a formal properly constituted meeting which can pass resolutions. Otherwise newsagents will get more of the same.
Mark
Inside wrote on “Cheaper than BOPO”
“”You will find this is cheaper than bopo because the ANF is not taking a commission. It always surprised me that the ANF did not disclose the cut it took. They said it was because of confidentiality even though the contract did not require this. We were not allowed to say because they knew that newsagents would be furious that so much money was being taken from them.
Associations are only expensive to run because the executive staff con directors into paying too much. Look at vana, the ceo is paid $130,000 plus a car and the rest of the staff split $340,000 between them. vana could run for half of this cost if the board members did due diligence on how the organisation was run. Look at the anf, the new ceo is going to be paid $185,000 plus a car and other benefits. Newsagents do not need this spending they need someone who could cost less and achieve more. But members of the board don;t understand this.
The new board in Victoria will not achieve anything because the Victorians will peddle their pathetic we are better line which their chairman has peddled for years. One good property deal and they think they are better. If they are so good why have they lost more than 200 members under him? Everything they do is about politics. But the anf is no better. Hatred drives too many decisions. This is not hearsay, I know it is true. Hatred has killed many good initiatives put to the board by staff. Hatred is what was behind the victorian election and what will drive the vana board meeting rout next week. Hatred is what consumed queensland for years until they had the guts to sack Ken Murphy and what makes nsw the most secretive state.
If you really want to make progress, talk to the staff under the ceo in each association. They have their ear to the ground and are paid closer to a fair price. They could sort this ll out in no time””
This is a prime example for an association to stay away from the fianancial side of things. The cut taken from BOPO (apparenlty) to go to the ANF. What good is all of that money hoarded there?
It should have been used for legal consultation before and after the BE fiasco. Member’s money should be used for the benefit of members.
As for the salaries, they’re way too high for the job position and should be based on performance.
A new association needs to be different, transparent, more communicative and have all corresspondance recorded. I’m smelling personal kick backs with a lot of ventures that have been taken in the past, hence a mandatory record of everything that goes on plastered on a website for everyone to see.
Michael,
I disagree. If getting a savey, politically sound CEO cost 180k per year then the money is well spent. The problem is that the checks and measures put in place to measure performance is just not there. Who will moniter how well the CEO and staff are working. You will always fail if no-one is watching or monitering preformance. Put the CEO on 12 month review contracts, have realistic and very measurable KRA’s and KPI’s. Have a board that is smart and strong enough to challange the CEO. This shoud also be true of the CEO as well they need to be strong. I haven’t seen a CEO in the past 9 nine years that makes the suppliers nervous, members embrace and the board gives 100% backing. It can happen look at the 100’s of companies in Australia that are successfull.
Brad
Mark, I agree. I just assumed that the meeting would be properly formatted, from what you are saying it is obvious that it will not be.
Surely if VANA wish to show that they are serious about change then this would have been a good starting point. As you said, more of the same.
David, maybe you should be raising this immediately with VANA? If it is not actioned, then i would like to know the reasons.
Brad, that’s one way to do it and it is a proven formula.
I’m really trying to say that if you have “sponsors” of the industry association, say a newspaper, and you then have members who have problems with delivery issues, it’s almost impossible to get a fair outcome for the member’s issue, because we’d be biting the hand that feeds us.
At the end of it we’ll have what we have now, money in the coffers, but unable to challenge industry partner’s.
Vaughn,
I agree, the Vana meeting needs to be properly formatted or it will just waste everybodys time.
Mark
your post re the A.N.F.
I agree we need to move away from the A.N.F. and create a working party to co operate with the other States and listen to their views as well.
I hear you loud and clear
David
VANA will complain about me publishing here that the meeting is not formally constituted. They will say that I am a troublemaker. The smart move on their part would have been to formally call the meeting under the terms of their constitution from the outset and demonstrate that they are prepared to completely submit to the will of their members. That is what a smart association would do. We are bereft of open and accountable leadership in this industry.
Mark
Mark and Vaughan
As a new Director to V.A.N.A. it will be our aim to ensure that this meeting on the 11th November will be a formal meeting, minutes will be taken.
The first aim of the meeting is to resolve the M.O.U. concerns meaning that we want to listen to the rank and file members to see if we move ahead by breaking the M.O.U. then we have an Agenda for others matters raised by prior notice.
David Backholer
David,
Minutes are not the issue., The meeting has to be called formally and in accordance with the constitution so that resolutions passed can be binding on the company (the association) and therefore the Board.
I discussed this with Peter Cowley a week ago.
Mark
Mark
with respect I intimated that the meeting to be held on the 11th November will be a formal meeting in the manner in which you state.
David
David,
With equal respect. You have not yet attended your first Board meeting. What you are saying will happen in a Board decision. I am not sure you have researched the VANA Constitution on the capping of Special Meetings or whatever form this meeting may take.
My point is that I advised VANA a week ago about this. They had not considered this prior to that.
These things need to be done properly and not by one Director elect. Process is important.
Mark
Michael
I am somewhat disappointed in your vision of the new Board of V.A.N.A. and what YOU expect. We have a meeting called for the 11th November for Newsagents to view their constructive suggestions and to determine our future with the A.N.F.
We have not met yet but all I ask is that you give us a go. Criticize us if you wish but my suggestion is to wait until we show our colours.
I can assure of this that we will be accountable to you and all Newsagents. Michael, this State association needs people to be positive and to embrace positive change. I am only too willing to listen to your positive ideas but I am not here to listen to rhetoric that tarnishes our ability to move forward in a positive vein.
David Backholer
Director V.A.N.A.
I find it interesting that despite the longest blog chain in history, that David (seeking to be your representaive – to represent your views) has not agreed with anyone yet!
David, I haven’t said anything about VANA’s new or old board. I’m talking about the National body we lack. I’m not concerened at the moment with state associations.
I’m interested in getting things straight for all, on a national level. Having all newsagents getting the most out of their businesses, not being pushed by our suppliers and competition. Other industries cope better than us because we have a week national association.
Where is the meeting is being held? ‘m sure some non-members would be interested in hearing your different initiatives.
A general question to any other director of the other’s NANA, QNF have you started talking to each other yet? David is but one director and he has not yet warmed the seat as far as I can tell. I do admire the political way in which he has answered the questions posted.
Also David is part of 3 why have the other 2 not yet supported any views yet. I would think that a block of 3 could get a motion through of opening discussions between the associations. Your members will support you.
Brad
Agreed about how David has handled himself, a good sign. I think from a personal point David wants a United National Newsagent Association with all Australian Newsagents although his timeframe 6 to 12 months before he feels V.A.N.A will move down that road probably due to the working party idea he wants to implement with other States. (post 36) A good idea.
However if the breaking of the M.O.U. on the 11th November is passed surely a special National Association formal meeting can be held between the States just foccussing on the way forward for all 4500 Newsagents.
Personally I am dissapointed with the lack of interest on this blog from other Associations and States.
It would be encouraging to hear that they really have their members best interests at heart and not protecting their own power base.
By displaying support for a United National Newsagent Association would show me that they do have their members interests first and foremost at heart..
Good luck on the 11th David!
Derek
Gentlemen of the Jury.
I keep saying that our “tickets” goal is to get V.A.N.A. to accept our views and then we will get on with other matters such as the future of the A.N.F.
Know doubt behind the scenes there is work in this direction already.
I am but a spoke in the wheel but I know we have Board members who support my views which by the way are very similar to all of your views.
When it all boils down we all want a working A.N.F. totally united.But we must realise we are but one State in Australia and it will be give and take on all sides.
I have been a Newsagent for 17 years and I have yet to see this happen.
David Backholer
David,
Newsagents do want national representation. Whether that is the ANF or not remains to be seen. If it is the ANF it can’t be the current ANF in terms of people or structure because this has failed. This failure of the ANF is judged not only by newsagents but also by many suppliers.
I know of considerable discussion behind the scenes over recent months. Maybe you should now wait until Tuesday see what your position is after that. If you find yourself in a leadership role at VANA, see where the discussions are at and then take a position.
Part of this process has to be an audit of representation. How many of the total newsagent community does VANA represent and the ANF? This is an issue because it goes to the ability of each to claim to actually be representative.
In all o this there are processes and protocols. If they act as before I think you will find fellow Directors asking you to stop speaking publicly, at least until you know what their agenda is.
Mark
Mark,
The trouble in the past is that the Board of V.A.N.A. has been too quiet and I will not be silenced WITH REGARDS TO MY VIEWS.
Newsagents want to hear ideas just as I have read what you have written and those of others. My views have been widened over the past few months since I decided to stand as a V.A.N.A. Director.
Would it surprise you that our ticket has received over 40 emails of support and no negative ones.
Healthy discussion hurt no one. Silence did. The day I am told to quieten my views is the day I will resign.
As for Director confidentially- that is a completely different matter. I can be held accountable.
All I have ever done is let my friendly Newsagents know MY views.
Remember also Mark I am but one vote BUT Darren and Ray and myself stand for constructive change.
Let’s speak positively towards the future please fellow Newsagents and send me your views about OUR Industry.
David Backholer
In my view, national representation should be modelled on the TTF or IPA.
They are the best at what they do. They are constantly putting forward policy submissions to government and industry about the needs of their members.
It’s not hard to do. It’s not hard to set-up. But it would most certainly deliver better outcomes and be representative always ensuring the positions of the industry is put forward on everything.
That what is needed. A body that is devoted to this.