Bike Taupō Advocacy Group (BTAG) have proposed a new constitution
The Bike Taupō Advocacy Group (BTAG) have proposed a new constitution that incorporates alterations required by the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 to retain their Charitable status. BTAG have managed the construction of fantastic bike riding tracks and trails around Taupō including the Craters Mountain Bike Park. The large signs within the park proudly state that all member fees go directly to track construction and getting people on bikes. There is no doubt that they have been successful in the latter regard and with the advent of heavy E-bikes there are now a very large number of Taupō locals enjoying the tracks and trails, which has put considerable strain the maintenance of these.
Whilst the proposed constitution appears to include the required changes under the Act, BTAG have taken the opportunity to essentially rewrite the entire constitution. I believe it would be very worthwhile for members of BTAG to read the proposed constitution in order to understand some of the more controversial aspects of the proposal. For example, I am uncomfortable with the proposal that two members of the new committee would be appointed by the Mayor’s Office and another two from the Office of our local MP. They would not be elected by the members as is currently the case. The remaining three committee members or Officers would be elected by members but they must have written approval from two existing Officers. This process appears neither transparent nor democratic.
At the heart of any club or society is the Purposes or Objects of the entity. It is also where the club indicates where it is going to spend members fees. In the original Constitution (7 pages of English) there are eight Objects and they all refer to cycling. In the new Constitution (33 pages of “Legalese”) there are also eight but one does not refer to cycling and enables the committee to fund “biodiversity work” (e.g. trapping) along the tracks. Personally, I would prefer if my fees went towards track construction, maintenance and getting people on bikes irrespective of the merits of other causes.
I will also sponsor a chocolate fish to the first person who also spots the editing mistake in the proposal.
Nick Green, Taupō
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