NANA has made the running on the issue of the proposed privatisation of NSW Lotteries. Yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald reported that newsagents support the latest changes by the NSW state government. The report quotes the ANF CEO. The ANF CEO has been silent on this matter. The NANA President has been the public face of representing NSW newsagents. NANA does not support the latest changes announced on the govrenment. Click here for a copy of their release on this matter.
The SMH report included this:
Mr Matis said wrangling over the sale had hurt the industry because finance companies were unwilling to fund potential buyers of newsagencies, thus preventing current owners from leaving the industry.
”Finance companies are loath to provide finance to newsagents, putting an unreasonable impost on them.”
I would like to see the evidence the ANF has for making such a claim, evidence of the “hurt” caused by the talk about the proposed sale so far, evidence of finance companies being loath to provide finance to newsagents” due to the lotteries proposal. Indeed, the SMH journalist should have asked for this rather than accepting the ANF press statement.
I stand to be corrected but I doubt that the ANF has any evidence to back its claim. I’d gladly publish it here if they do have evidence.
This is a state issue. The NSW state association should have the carriage of this issue, not a national body which the majority of newsagents ignore.
The question about the privatisation of lotteries is one for the politicians. They have to make a political decision based on the needs of the state. Unfortunately, the track record of privatisation, at the federal and state levels, is not good on a range of fronts.
What I do know is this, NSW newsagents receive more promotional support and in-store marketing assistance from NSW Lotteries than retailers of lottery products elsewhere. From a retailer perspective, the current situation is good for business. The government needs to understand the potential impact of its changes.
Couldn’t agree more posted the same on the yahoo site last night.
Come on ANF stop grandstanding and self promoting your failing image at the expense of the newsagents Goodwill. get real go to the Banks and use your Natinal image to get lower interest rates for newsagents. This is areal Natinal cause and one that you will really get applauded for if you can do it. Leave the State s to do what States can do best and that is look after State issues with Srate products and especially State Govts.
Just on that. I was reading what Bank West want when lending to newsgents and they have in their document being a member of the ANF as a key to getting funds. Apart from the lack of leadership they show and the lack of input they have had in debate why would being a member of the ANF be a pre-req. for sound business practice. Happy to forward document if no-one has seen it.
Funny.
My reading of the SMH article does not show me that NANA were / are the leaders in the protracted negotiations with regards to NSW Lotteries. Pity that Victoria / ANF did not do the same when it had the option to do so some years ago.
In fact the opposite appears to be fact.
The ANF and NANA are at logerheads with each other for recognition as to National unity and I suspect that alone is the reason why comment has been made in the manner it has in this article.
An understanding as to the restructure and professional motivation behind the current ANF would assist members and non members alike.
“proactive”, it is important we see the evidence which supports the claim by the ANF. I amy be wrong but suspect that they do not have this.
Dear no name proactive newsagent.
The Press Release was organised by the ANF through its publicity machine.
The argument for discussion is not who wants to be top dog it is about patch and correctness. The ANF release is way off the mark. They should earn their newsagent respect by acting Nationally and approaching the big 4 National Banks for a reduction in interest rates for newsagents.
What a difference that would make rather than point scoring in somebody elses patch. Proactive, I am sure you would resent another newsagent playing in your yard especially if they are mucking up the area.
As a newsagent currently negotiating with a bank the ANF has no idea what it is talking about. I am with Mark on this. We should challenge them to present their evidence. If there is none then we have yet another reason to join the masses and quit this dinosaur association. Show ponies are soon shown up for what they are.
Proactive, what restructure? The one started four years ago? The one started two years ago? The one started last year? To which restructure do you refer?
Bloggers here should stick to the facts at hand and not raise side issues such as interest rates to detract from the nature of the article first raised.
Open your eyes and understand why this is all happening.
Understand where the ANF are in 2009 and then you may start to appreciate the aim of the article first written. My concern initially is that there is no proof that NANA were / are the leaders in this action with regards to NSW Lotteries. As I said, the root of this discussion is the divide between NANA and the ANF and not the issue at hand.
I am a realist.
Pro, the evidence is the advice from NANA and confirmed by the ytreasurer of their various meetings where NANA proposed building a consortium of newsagents to have a stake in a bidder. I have documented that Here.
NANA did this work while the ANF ran a petition to get newsagents to lobby the government about the sale.
Two very different approaches.
Pro pro pro, you must be in Victoria. NSW newsagents have been receiving updates from NANA. We only hear what the ANF has to say when they succeed in getting a press release published. This is a state issue which was well under control until the ANF decided they could use it to try and get members.
It really has got to the state now where the ANF is just in the way! All of the States are far more proactive and far more focussed. To become relevant again the ANF will need to be completely rebuilt, new staff and have agreements will all of the states.
I would like the ANF to state how many actual members it does have rather than allowing the general public to assume they represent all newsagents. They don’t speak for me or represent me.
NANA have been the only ones updating us.
ANF – your past history should have you hang your heads in shame. Infact, I am not sure you are not planted there by others to purposely de-stabalise the industry for the benefit of the big businesses…
Brett,
you do not have an ardument with me on that one.
The ANF should work for all members and be completely restructured so that members in the States have a say as to how the ANF operate. Right now they are a pty ltd company hell bent on “do it my way”
I am trying as hard as I can in my mind to believe that they have changed their ways BUT I have reservations also.
NANA speaks for this newsagent. Ever since Bill Epress.
cant believe there are still newsagents that are members of the ANF, i to would like to see membership numbers out of ANF, they do not represent me, and i suspect actually represent very few newsagents. QNF have been outstading
Rick, I believe that QNF and NANA have come to the fore a few years ago they were wanting , now not so The ANF are wanting let’s give them the chance “again” to be humble enough to earn their “stripes”
What is happening to our industry.
We need to fix it NOW.( or it should have been months ago )
First of all I will state that I am a member of the QNF and the ANF.
3 weeks after Anthony came on board I resigned with a very blunt letter.
Anthony called me,
after a 20 minute conversation I said I will give the ANF 12 months to prove themselves.
Not much has been happening.
I attended the Newsagent Awards in Sydney 4 weeks ago and challenged an ANF director Mr Peter Alpike to call a
NATIONAL NEWSAGENT SUMMIT to sort things out but was declined.
Our industry is falling apart, I spoke to a number of newsagents from Victoria (that are aligned with the ANF) and all the information they get is all in the northern states are rebels.
I will personally organise a NATIONAL NEWSAGENT SUMMIT so ALL sides and NEWSAGENTS can have their say.
If you care about our industry you will call your state ANF director and show your support.
The ANF have stated that they have 2100 members out of around 5000, a minority.
I know what you will say but I gave Mr Mathis my word that I will say a member for 12 months (and in the bush a man’s word is as good as a hand shake)
After 28 years in this industry I have never seen so much BS.
We will get a new national body soon.
If you have any suggestions, please reply
I have a new name and it is (NNA) NATIONAL NEWSAGENTS of AUSTRALIA
OUR BUSINESSES ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
Warrick Hosking
newsXpress gympie
Ph wk. 07 54822800
Mob 0403404263
Warrick, There is no need to cange the name only the thinking.
The word of a man is his character not where he comes from.
Warrick,
Thanks for a heartfelt contribution.
Peter Allpike, the Chairman of the ANF, has heard from others too about the call for a transparent debate on how best to organisae representation of newsagents.
Instead of listening to you and others, he prefers closed-door meetings.
Since the Bill Express mess the ANF has struggled. I suspect that an audit of membership would show this. When I met with peter last year at his request I suggested how they could address this.
As you call for, consultation with all newsagents is essential for any national body to be successful.
I will attend Warricks meeting, I have had a gutful of being pushed around by corporations that deal in this channel. They treat us poorly. Let us organise ourselves, perhaps along the lines of the Chemists. Let us reclaim our workspaces and maximise our potential.
Warrick
The ANF may have good intentions to wipe the slate clean so to speak and move ahead with integrity BUT until they abide by the wishes of members and non members alike and restructure their ways they will never succeed.
Unfortunately politics is rife in the ANF and its branches and they do not want change.
I have been in the Industry 20 years and have never seen unity nationally without politics and grand standing by others. Power seems to be important to them.
Yes- I feel for Anthony Mathis.
This is what I like to see, active and constructive debate about what we can do to fix the industry!!
So how can I help??
me too. count me in..
Proactive, The question we must ask is where is evidence of the good intentions of any association. They must be evident in their consistent actions, transparency and accessibility.
Today, based on these criteria, the QNF is the best association serving newsagents in Australia followed by NANA. The NANA stand at the GNS Market Fair yesterday was an excellent example of an association offering practical help and advice to members.
National and State associations need to stand for all newsagents and swallow pride for the benefit of our future National entity.
Politics still rules both National and State associations and until we unite in a common bond for the benefit of the whole “chain” then we will be where we are in 20 years time.
We look as an industry so divided in the eyes of the publishers and suppliers.
Maybe they want it that way – it may suit them BUT it does not suit proactive newsagents.
Proactive you are not being very proactive. You have pointed out your much dislike or distaste towards the current bodies but not what you think we should do to fix the situation?
I’d be interested to hear what you are doing to help fix the situation? What are your ideas?
b
I do not dislike or distaste the current bodies as you say.
I have given my views as to unity clearly.
The current CEO of the ANF is suffering the same problems as the two previous…the ANF Board.
As long as the ANF Board is operational and controlling what the CEO does then nothing will improve. Under the current Chairman of the ANF and Board the organization has gone backwards. They have consistently demonstrated they do not have the appropriate skills to set the direction for an organization.
A board needs real skills, real commercial experience.
daniel I agree that the board is crucial to the anf but their ceo is also to blame because he has personally briefed many newsagents saying he will fix the board. He has failed and this is another reason newsagents are quitting. As others have questioned, maybe his interests are personal for his future.
David, yes..I have heard him say quite a few things re newsagents and the industry that were a little misinformed. Perhaps he is poorly advised?
Daniel and david
Personally speaking I do not feel it fair that the new C.E.O. of the ANF is criticised as he works for the Board under the Company structure.
I belive that it is the structure he works under that is flawed.
Having two representative branches in NSW and Queensland only leads to an ” us verus them mentality”
What is needed is a new structure where we represent the voices on the new entity in a unified national manner.
As most of the ANF members left think the board is wonderful I don’t think there will ever be change. What is needed is a new model and all board members to be sacked.
The current board need to stop for long enough to turn around and see the damage that will always follow them.
The ANF Board is a group of clueless faceless men who have achieved nothing for newsagents for years. The Board costs ANF members $125,000 a year to run in terms of Director fees, travel, meals and wine. Newsagents have to ask what they get for that.
The problem with the board is that no-one else wants the job. I can think of a number of people who would be great for the job at hand. They are however busy running their own business. Until some positions are created for non newsagents there will always be the same outcome.
To former director
If you really are a “former director” then I can understand why your not on the Board right now.
Not a very nice way to treat your fellow Newsagents I would have thought.
The ANF Board is that it is not truly representative of the membership base. Directors have been elected by the smallest of margins. Participation in the elections has always been low, while in some states there isn’t a true ballot and the director put forward often is tied to the politics of certain groups.
The ANF Board has had numerous papers put to it in recent years on the need for constitutional reform and reforms to the Board. Interstingly, the ANF Board has chosen on each occassion to resist changes that most corporate or savvy Boards take as a given.
Independent Directors add value, they also enhance the decision making process as they bring to the table skills that a newsagent may not necessarily have.
The problem with the ANF Board and its constitution is that it was never designed for the structure it has tried to become in recent years. The model is flawed. A paper was put to the Board a couple of years ago seeking major changes however they bawked at it and rather than show true leadership they made only changes that tinkered around the edges.
Daniel, You are so right The constitution is flawed and nobody there wants it fixed.
When you have Directors who approve their own expenses, set their own spending limits, are given thousands of dollars a year in travel and are paid for time out of their shop it is no wonder the boardroom operates more like a club.
Then there are the extra perks like trips overseas with no accountability to members. What did the last trip for the Chairman and the ceo cost and what did newsagents get in return?
well said Graeme and Daniel.
The ANF Board needs to change and be represented by members rather than being Directors of a Company answerable to themselves.
Earlier this year a new direction for change was placed before the Board as I understand it and they voted it out and did not do anything.
Why is it that Politics and grandstanding seem to be infected in the ANF structure ?
We need a new direction and maybe its time for us to have a meeting for those interested members to call for an extra ordinary meeting of the ANF and force change that way.
I believe that it must happen and happen sooner rather than later.
The original constitution was set up by a person (newsagent) who’s previous employer was in the ACT. He worked as the carrier of the Black Rod.
The constitution was set up along senate voting and rules. Despite the many protests from active newsagents and other State bodies the commanded the numbers by “rolling” over the smaller number States and territories. They virtually fell for their own importance trick as “foundation’ member States of the ANF.
Until the constitution is set up along the lines of independant Associations representing their Sate at National level one will always be were one is now.
I agree Graeme and we should fight for that.
We are being rolled over on this one all because of political power at ANF level.
Guys Guys and Gals,
You are all assuming that you know what the customer wants??
Maybe not all newsagents think along your AGENDA!
Maybe some newsagents are happy with the structure of the ANF.
I know one thing for certain, and that is that G.Day and others do not speak for me.
Once again i will reiterate ofr those that are a bit thick between the ears.
If you want change, become a paid up member of your Association and the ANF and vote change in.
Dont stand on the edge of the fence and throw stones, be paid up members and be active.
Chris
Reservoir
Chris-whoever? I don’t speak for anyone else Ipalced my views here as do yours and in this case I agree with you put up or shut up is one answer The other is a chicken and egg situation and that is “when somebody gets it right I ill join” type solution.
Result = impasse.
Graeme I assume you have some level of intelligence.
You would be well aware that there is no SILVER BULLETT to fix what you perceive to be wrong with Associations and the ANF.
Therefore one cannot stand around and wait for the newsagent FAIRY to come by and kiss the newsagent on the forehead!!
Its a bit like our system of government, people are elected and they do what they think is right to run our states and nation. They will never get it 100% right, so if we all waited for the perfect government, I dare say we will be waiting many generations.
If there are dissenfranchised newsagents out there, I urge them to join their Associations and the ANF and effect change within those confines.
By the way my name is Chris and I own newsXpress Resrvoir in Victoria if you must know.
Cheers
Hey you guys !
There is a silver bullet out there and its called a new ANF with people who are represented.
Maybe Chris you are looking down the barrel and cant see the forest for the trees.
a better way would be for the remaining members of the ANF to also pull out and let the disfunctional organisation peacefully face away, taking all its collective political baggae with it. only then will there be a way forward for the states to come together to form a new national body. the current ANF board will continue to be a stick in the spokes of any attempt to form a truly representative national body, its called self preservation
The only way I see forward is to hold a national referendum on what newsagents really want and need. Then these ideas should be taken and a national ballot be held for all newsagents vote on what they want and need. This should be conducted by an independent third party, not linked to associations.
The national ballot should then form the basis for the construction of a constitution that embodies what newsagents want and the appropriate structure to support it.
For things to change, the history has to be forgotten and the current power brokers need to be removed otherwise the chance for genuine change will be restricted.
What concerns me is that current newsagent associations aren’t modelled on successful industry representative bodies. The current models do not, in my opinion have the right focus.
Successful associations focus on lobbying, advocacy and the policy needs of their members. Newsagent association have never really engaged in the properly or appropriatetly.
Ho Hum I think I have heard all this before. Bloody nearly got it there too with the help of a lot of good people. As I said numerous times back then you could sort this out down at the pub before you blew the froth of the first schooner if everyone had the will to do it. There in lies the problem. Good Luck and don’t give up.
Daniel,
Newsagents do need to decide what they want in the form of natioonal representation.
In the current situation, engagement is very low, forcing the ANF and some state associations to seek revenue from other sources to cover costs.
The solution has to come from newsagents and not from the ANF. There have been plenty of options in the past but, sadly, newsagents appear to have little appetite for fixing this.
Mark
with respect its not the newsagents who have little appetite to fix this its the state associations and the ANF who accept the status quo.
We need to raise an extraordinary general meeting with an agenda to effect change.
I have worked in the ANF and can tell you that the constant changes in Board members and CEO’s has resulted in a lost organsation. The current CEO believes the way to do respond to the crisis is to have a more prominent political/media presence. This is unlikely to achieve the necessary changes required to create an organisation that trully represents its members.
The ANF is lost. Name one achievement in the last four years. I can’t. The current ceo comes across like Rayma Creswel. Nice words. Little substance for what I need in my newsagent.
The ANF may employ a credible CEO at present but the bigger picture has it that they will not admit that they have a severe image problem and until they address change and not for changes sake they will be where they are for ever.
A credible CEO would have done something in the year he has been working there. As the former employee said, this CEO is all about fluff and not about substance from what I see.
It doesn’t matter what National Body or State Association is calling the shots; they may be doing a great job (in the eyes of some), the fact remains that 4500 business owners will always have a difference of opinion.
A new National body will not solve a thing either, (see my last paragraph), we need to work with the one we have and drive change from within. The only way to do this is via membership.
Vaughan,
I think getting membership with the current board will be very hard. People have been very hurt over the years.
From our perspective, why would we join ANF when QNF is doing great things. We have an approachable CEO who is working on problems that I want solutions to (tops only for returns, for example). I don’t like everything the QNF does, but I can see that they are working for newsagents and benefiting the industry.
Sarah,
Yes, i agree, certain State Associations are doing a great job.
Having said that, it would seem that this is also where alot of the disunity comes from Nationally.
The past is exactly that, the past. Too many newsagents continue to dwell on the efforts (or lack there of) of the ANF of the past.
I am prepared to give Anthony a chance to succeed.
I also agree that a National Forum for newsagents only, held by The ANF, may also be a good option.
Sometimes its better to get down and dirty, clean the air, before moving forward.
The continuing distrust between newsagents, State Associations, and The ANF has to end, and end soon; it’s causing too much damage.
Meanwhile, suppliers to our great industry will continue to treat us like second rate citizens, while laughing their arses off in the process.
Vaughan,
Anthony does have appear to prefer a press release to address an issue over substance. He has been in the job almost a year and little appears to have changed. he has certainly not met with newsagents – not the masses at least.
I deal a lot with each of the associations on a range of matters and I rate the QNF ahead of the rest by far. My view is based on what I see them delivering, their preparedness ot engage directly with members and their focus on outcomes and not politics.
With the ANF not representing any more that 25% of newsagents, it is probably no longer the right forum through which newsagents discuss future representation.
The ANF muddies the waters by operating commercially. An association needs to be an association and focused on lobbying and policy. Its involvement in commerce disables its fair representation abilities. This is association 101.
All of this said, debate is healthy and ought to be embraced.
the ANF is not the way forward, its not about giving them a second chance, they have had ample opportunity to bring unity to the industry, and have failed miserably at every turn. Their egos and politcal baggage makes it impossible for them to work with the respective state organisations. What must be made clear to everyone is that they no longer have the righ to call themselves the Australian Newsagents Federation as they now only represent a minority within the industry. They will not be part of a united national body that will be formed out of the state bodies at some time in the future. For all newsagents sake I hope this happens sooner rather than later. I am part of the new breed of newsagents having been in the industry for only 3 years, the QNF and this blog guided me correctly through my first major drama, Bill Express, if I had followed the ANF guide Id probably still be paying out.
I agree, we should give Anthony a chance to embellish change. BUT how do you change a Commercially driven “Company” whereby the directors dictate to the C.E.O. what he does and says without addressing the underlying cause.
The cause covers :
a. A National body that is not representative of Newsagents as a whole and is driven by a Pty Ltd Company – hardly represenative of the masses.
b. The hang over of Bill Express fiasco of which some Directors at the ANF are guilty of Commercial Company crime in my book.
c. The commercial duplication of associations in NSW and Qld.
All states must swallow pride and work for unity with member assistance otherwise we continue to look a lame duck in the eyes of the Publishers.
What is needed is a National conference with a set agenda to develop change. Time framed and completely open and transparent.
If we don’t undertake change now we will continue to be discussing this in 10 years time and the political nasties in our organisation will continue to work behind closed doors and ignore OUR wishes just as they are doing right now in all state associations Australia wide.
By the way the ANF represents just under half of all Newsagents in Australia.
There have been numerous calls for National debate and or a meeting to sort the issue once and for all. Warrick has even put his hand up to orgainse. Months ago I stated the same thing. The problem is and forever will be, the attitude that someone else can sort it.
Who would want that and have the stones and mud that would be hurled in your direction. I would attend a meeting Monday morning to start the process. But who else would go? Who would be there just to find fault with everything done?
There are many great newsagents out there and just as many dead sh*ts as well.
Why not put your money where your mouth is ‘so to speak’. There is no good time coming up in the next 6 months so people will have to get there head around that for a start and just attend.
Have a key meeting in each capital city on the same or close to date. Have reps from ANF, QNF, NANA etc but have a strong person to control the meeting. The agenda is pretty simple. Unify the industry. Easy, no but it must start somewhere.
Yes there have been closed door meetings between boards etc. But what progress has been made.
Finally I will stick my neck out and organise a QLD meeting, with Warrick and anyone else who wants to see this process move from typed words to something. The meeting shoud not be about mag returns or lobying government about wages that is what the outcome can attack.
Brad
I suspect the best way to go is to call an extraordinary general meeting of the ANF and call for the resignations of all Directors.
Part of the future direction would be that an interim Board would be in place with a driven Newsagent / member agenda.
Pro, if thats your real name, I don’t think that you would get such a meeting as 99% of us won’t understand how go about it. Yes the constitution of most boards allow for this but this is the ANF and they may have passed protection for this type of thing in the past.
The point I was making before is that all this blogging is not really making much head way. We let of steam, make bold statements but no action or timelines for anything to be done.
If it is to be an extraordinary general meeting then lets get it going.
Hi Guys,
Rick, Brad, Pro, Sarah, and most others.
Queenslanders hey?
Is there any others from other states that feel the same way about the ANF?
Also, for how much longer will you be flogging the Bill Xpress fiasco.
By the way Guys, maybe this blog is not really a representation of ALL Newsies?
Maybe itws just a QLD thing? or maybe not?
Cheers
Chris
Reservoir
beautiful one day – better the next
The process would be for members of the Company, members of the ANF, to petition for a Special General Meeting.
Special General Meetings are called by 5% of those who can vote at such a meeting or 100 members calling for the meeting.
The Corporations Act has clear provisions for this. The ANF Constitution refers to the Corporations Act on this point.
Chris, look at the ANF membership from 2004 to today. Get the real, audited, membership numbers. See what they show for how the body represents newsagents. In SA, since the ANF takeover, 300 newsagents have quit the association.
I think newsagents want an association to represent them on policy and related matters. They are not looking for an association to act as a wholesaler or commercial entity in any form.
The Bill Express mess demonstrates the problem of an association engaged in commercial activity which conflicts with its role as an association.
I am told that when they ANF was telling newsagents to keep paying their Bill Express equipment leases, the only legal advice the ANF Board had had sought to that time was in relation to their position as Directors.
Before I resigned as a member of the ANF and VANA, I looked carefully at the process of fixing the organisation. I also sought legal advice. On the basis of what I discovered, I resigned.
National representation could be achieved by a secretariat shared by the state associations.
Hi Wawrick,
I had no idea you could write so well.
I thought you were out there fighting the crocodiles!!
Chris
Resa
“I think newsagents want an association to represent them on policy and related matters. They are not looking for an association to act as a wholesaler or commercial entity in any form.”
I agree with that 100%.
Mark,
I Agree that members want their association to represent them on policy, and to provide effective lobbying. This is what associations are supposed to do.
The ANF since the arrival of the new CEO has done just this.
Sometimes results take time, and sometimes results are not quantifiable or totally transparent until a certain amount of time has elapsed.
From what i can see, as an outsider looking in, there has been an ordinant amount of groundwork done, that may take some time to come to fruition.
In anycase, i feel that amongst other issues that arise from time to time,the ANF is aware of and moving towards related policy matters.
Lets leave the Bill Xpress fiasco behind, but lets learn from it, and move forward.
Also if the QNF is using best practice and doing marvellous things for its constituents, why does not someone table these wonderful things on this blog so we can compare their output with that of other Associations.
Lets learn from one another, its a good way of moving forward.
Chris
Reservoir
Chris
I’ll be in Cairns next week fighting croc’s and catching a Black Marlin.
Warrick
Gympie
Perhaps I am a little slow but has anyone actually asked the ANF exactly what their membership numbers are?
Is there a legal requirement somewhere for an Association claiming to represent an industry to declare their membership numbers and can it be independantly audited? Can the ANF be forced to declare the true membership numbers?
I for one would like to know how many Newsagents the ANF actually represent and not what they claim to represent.
Chris,
Bill Express is recent. The majority of the current Board failed newsagents as recently as a year ago.
As for the current CEO, all I have to go off his is press releases.
When I write about the QNF, I can go off growing membership numbers.
Mark
has the ANF ever admitted they got it totally wrong with the way they handled the Bill Express collapse?
Who thinks the ANF are making more money out of Western Union than the newsagents are?
Chris,
What have the ANF done?
I want to see them become focused on achieving results that impact the whole newsagency channel. Before they do this they need to become a completely transparent organisation. When they achieve transparency all agents will be able to make informed decisions on membership.
I am happy to quit the ANF, my partner is in two minds.Our expereince with the ANF in the 19 months we have been in our NA are:
Bill Express-
News LTD Migration-My partner went to the meetings, came home with the verdict ‘alot of huffing and puffing but it’s inevitable’. At the end of the day, by the time the meetings were called, some NA had already received notification of when their migration was to begin. The wheels were already in motion.
My worry is that the ANF, who I believed were at the forefront of going into bat for NA found out about the Migration at around the same time we did. We are constantly updated that meetings are going on between NewsLTD and the ANF but I would have thought that they would have been contacted by News LTD prior to make sure it was viable for NA. Talking to the ANF now is like an after thought.
Are the big guns, that the ANF are tackling, talking to them as a token gesture?
My last email from the ANF contained the line ‘I had hoped u would continue to support us.’ I have supported you financially, but please forgive me now if I hesitate.
Tammy, Crucial to newsagent representation is active engagement. This means two-way communication. Too often, associations see it as a one way relationship. These associations will fail as business owners will not support an association which does not regularly and openly consult.
Bill Express !!!!!!!!
How can you leave the Bill Express matter in the background and forget it as Chris explains ?
Wait on ! I thought their is a Court case about to be determined on shortly and it may turn out that we Newsagents could be liable for all or part of the debt that the ANF did not carry out effective due dillegence on initially.
So I ask- How can we forget about Bill Express ?
The ANF carry baggage of the bad taste kind and we cannot not should we forget this.
As for the structure they have well all I know is that they are answerable to themselves as a closed shop. ( Company based)
They never ask us for our views nor do they think that they need to move into the next century when it comes to accountability.
A bit of perspective – thoughts on stated opinions above.
There is no way we could even entertain the idea of joining (financially or otherwise) an organisation (‘association’ seems to be a bit of a misnomer in this instance) that operates on so many levels of conflicts of interest.
On that basis alone, any notion of service to agents has gone out the window. How can they work in the interests of agents when they are so tucked up in bed with the bad guys?? There is no place for a commerical arm if there is so much as a whiff of disadvantage to constituents down the track. What drugs were their legal people on??
The board should be ashamed of themselves. I thought in this day and age, this kind of mates’ club mentality in relation to accountability had been outlawed.
Given what’s already been said here, there’s only one way I can see to stop them from getting away with it any longer, and that is for it to cease to exist at all. Given the apparent powerlessness of the membership, use the one vote that might get some results…
Poor ethics, poor service, poor (mis)representation, and poor use of members’ funds.
Shame.
Y and G
I agree but you forgot one thing and that is the Directors are only answerable to the Board and not its members who have very little input.
Where is the “service to memebrs” in that scenario ?
Did anyone see the drivel put out by the anf yesterday? Am I reading this right that they are backing down?
I will pay up to $300 to be part of a national body to represent me to government and to lobby circulation suppliers. I will not pay a cent to a body operate commercially. It will take years to get over bill express.
Clearly Tony Matis does not speak for newsagents. He has “resigned” as CEO after what I hear is a power struggle in recent weeks within the ANF. The organisation is dead.