Is Equity gambling with your money?

A formal complaint has been sent to Harry Landis - Equity President
Background:
Some five months or so ago I raised the question of Equity having more than one "Assistant General Secretary". Equity said that there had been a "technical" breach of Rule 24 and I pointed out you could not have technical breaches of rules. At that time I made a formal complaint but held it on the back burner in order to give Equity an opportunity to rectify the situation. Whilst I personally believe an organisation operates efficiently both in terms of response and financial considerations by having "One Boss" and "One Assistant Boss", which is basically what Equity's Rule 24 requires, it would appear that the Council have now authorised THREE posts at a level of Assistant General Secretaries in clear breach of Rule 24. They hope that the membership will vote to change the rule to allow the Council to do this is,
The Council cocking a snoot at its requirement to abide by our rules. It is also gambling with Equity's finances, because if you decide that the "one boss - one assistant boss" is the better way to run Equity and therefore do not vote for a Rule Change, who recompenses Equity for the financial implications of having appointed three persons at a level of Assistant General Secretaries in breach of the rules?
The complaint is occasioned by the fact I have been waiting for our General Secretary to respond to an email about this matter. To date no reply has been received.

"Sound of Music" + "Is Equity gambling with its finances?"

Following discussions with members I am hoping to post some comments soon concerning the BBC "reality" programme - "How do you solve a problem like Maria" and also on a completely different topic but one which concerns Equity and the way it conducts/looks after its finances with your money - the members' money.
I would have done this sooner but fortunately I have been gigging....including an enjoyable weekend at Royal Sandringham - Game and Country Show.

Equity President - Harry Landis

"Cheers Harry"

Since failing to be re-elected to The Equity Council 2006 - 2008 by only seven votes, it has been heartening and a demonstration of unity amongst our profession that I received personal letters, cards and messages from members including Harry Landis - Equity President, Helen Lambert - Past Vice President, Councillors Sally Treble, Michael Earl, Alan Thompson, Barbara Hyslop, Brenda Marsh, Yvonne Joseph, Albert Moses and Roy Radford. Personal messages were also received from Stanley Baxter, Sir Jimmy Savile OBE, Bunny Lewis - Chairman VAC, Geremy Phillips and included a bottle of champagne from Doremy Vernon, chocolates and flowers from David and Jonathan. It was appreciated that some of the current and former Equity staff also got in contact. Thanks to everyone including friends not mentioned....as THEY know who I mean !

Blackpool Variety Branch

Really enjoyable convivial Blackpool Variety Branch Meeting on Tuesday 1st August held at Oban Hotel - North Shore - Blackpool. Over twenty members attended and it was a fun informative lively discussion - a "family" atmosphere which is what "Variety" is all about. After the meeting some went out for lunch together and decided we MUST vote for Sarah Dukes in the upcoming Variety Advisory Committee elections.

Disenfranchised

Thanks for the comment from "Disenfranchised" from Devon. The voting was the lowest perecentage ever with less 7% of the membership voting for the Council. Martin Brown's comments in The Stage are hardly helpful as it is The Council who must ask themselves the question "WHY?". Former Councillors including Nicky Diprose, who wasn't re-elected have been saying for years that "we" are failing to relate to our members.....but any ideas "we" have had have been cast aside by Equity "trade unionists". Professionalism and being motivated by our hearts, especially in Variety, seems to have been put on the back burner.