auDA latest newsletter

[Lemon]

https://www.auda.org.au/mailouts/Members+Newsletter/February+2017+Member+Newsletter

Lots to digest here

 

[snoopy]

The code of conduct is very concerning given the past actions of AUDA, some of its employees and some of its board members.

"In any forum, including in the media, where acting as an auDA member or identifiable as an auDA member, I will conduct myself in a manner that will not bring the organisation, Directors or staff, into disrepute."

Let's see if they do start removing their critics.

 

[Scott7]

"... I will conduct myself in a manner that will not bring the organisation, Directors or staff, into disrepute."

It would be interesting to know how they define conduct that brings auDA et al. into disrepute.

Tim, could you shed any light on this, providing that doing so doesn't bring auDA into disrepute

 

[Bacon Farmer]

"As a member, I recognise my responsibility to refrain from any form of harassment, bullying, hostility or personal victimisation of auDA staff, Directors or other members, in public or online forums"

Hostility, f@cking what?

Scumbags!

Stalin would be proud. Let the purge begin.

Scumbags! (deserves a second one)

Who voted this in?

 

[snoopy]

Who voted this in?

I guess we will have to wait for the minutes to find that out.

 

[snoopy]

It would be interesting to know how they define conduct that brings auDA et al. into disrepute.

Tim, could you shed any light on this, providing that doing so doesn't bring auDA into disrepute

I think this is a scare tactic to try and quieten down the level of criticism. It probably suits all of AUDA to have some vague policy of no criticism in place.

 

[Lemon]

The recommendations and ongoing improvements as identified in the report conducted by Cameron Ralph in 2016 are to be considered as the standard. This will mean that Board minutes will no longer be published publicly and the primary method of communicating with members and stakeholders around strategy and important decisions will be through the Members' Newsletter and in future, the members' online portal.

From ASIC
Minutes
A company must keep a written record (minutes) of the members’ resolutions and meetings. Members are entitled to inspect, free of charge, the minute books of a company at its registered office address or principal place of business. However, if a member requests a copy of minutes, the company may charge the fee for this service set out in Sch 4 of the Corporations Regulations.

 

[snoopy]

Wow, well spotted Lemon,

Things just gets worse and worse, AUDA has a massive problem with lack transparency so they decide to stop publishing minutes? Absolute disgrace.

 

[Lemon]

You could always drop in as a member and ask to see them

 

[snoopy]

You could always drop in as a member and ask to see them

Worth investigating, potential difference between minutes of board meeting versus public meetings though.

Can a member access minutes of meetings?
The company must ensure that the minute books for general meetings of members are open for inspection by members free of charge.

Members have rights to inspect the minutes of general meetings; however, these rights do not extend to inspecting minutes of directors’ meetings.

http://asic.gov.au/about-asic/conta...disputes-about-access-to-company-information/

 

[Lemon]

Looks like we are stuffed. I see they have already removed all history of board meetings from the website.

 

[Bacon Farmer]

Funny stuff from Cooper Mills about the Westlake Report > "The issue of Accountability and Transparency has featured prominently in the report , most likely as a result of the perception that auDA was secretive." haha ha ha. Meet the new directors, just like the old directors.

The Westlake report recommended "We consider that there is merit in defining more closely auDA’s accountabilities and that it could better meet the needs of all its stakeholders by providing greater openness and in:
• Disclosure of information (for example board minutes);"

When was the member code of conduct concept discussed with the members? Who decided what the member code of conduct should be? What authority has the current board got to demand adherence to such? Who gets to decide what the definition of hostile is? If it's dirty looks some here might be in trouble.

 

[DomainNames]

https://www.auda.org.au/about-auda/our-org/constitution/

"PREAMBLE
Taking the view that the Internet Domain Name System is a public asset, and that the .au ccTLD is under the sovereign control of the Commonwealth of Australia, auDA will administer the .au ccTLD for the benefit of the Australian community."
​

http://www.mitchfifield.com/
CONTACT SENATOR FIFIELD
Click here to email me
Electorate Office
42 Florence Street
MENTONE VIC 3194
Phone: 03 9584 2455
Phone Toll Free
(Vic only): 1300 797 110
Fax: 03 9584 8347

Parliament House Office
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7480

 

[Lemon]

What authority has the current board got to demand adherence to such?

13.3 Expulsion of Members for Conduct Detrimental to Objects
auDA in general meeting may by special resolution terminate the membership of a Member if:
a. the Directors resolve that in the opinion of the Directors the Member may have been guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of auDA or to the objects of auDA; and
b. the notice of meeting specifies the purpose of the meeting and the general nature of conduct referred to in the Directors' resolution; and
c. the Member is given the opportunity to be heard at that part of the general meeting at which the resolution is considered.

My reading of this is that the board would have to go to a general meeting under the auDA constitution. However by asking members to accept the code of conduct on joining/renewing this may be a work around. There is always a loophole and it usually has the word MAY in it.

 

[DomainNames]

Time is overdue for a Government Senate Enquiry of auDA, processes, the Board, Registry tender etc since it all comes on the Commonwealth Government. It will need Liberals, Independents and Labor on that enquiry group so no more coverups.

Australian domain name consumers and The Government itself need to really know what has been going on and what exactly is planned with auDA, auDA Foundation, Award nights..... the list is long.

Trying to silence paying auDA members will only lead to more information coming out. Look at Wikileaks!

Maybe Wikileaks or "Transparanecy International Org" needs to have a look at auDA, Registry tendering, etc

 

[DomainNames]

https://www.transparency.org
https://www.transparency.org/what-is-corruption
https://www.transparency.org/getinvolved/
https://www.transparency.org/topic/detail/whistleblowing/

https://www.transparency.org/topic/detail/private_sector/

"Corruption often goes unchallenged when people do not speak out about it. Witness accounts offer invaluable insights into corruption, and are powerful tools in the fight against it. From exposing multi-million dollar financial scams to dangerous medical practices, whistleblowers play a crucial role in saving resources and even lives."​

 

[DomainNames]

What we’re doing about it

Transparency International believes that the individual right to freedom of expression includes the right to point out acts of wrongdoing – both in government and in private companies. Even beyond this basic right is the simple fact that people who step forward to disclose wrongdoing – particularly when public safety, health or resources are at stake – should be acknowledged and protected, not punished and ostracised.

To help to ensure that whistleblowers are adequately protected from reprisals, and to provide them with easy-to-access avenues to make their disclosures, Transparency International is engaged in a wide range of advocacy, public awareness and research activities in all regions of the world. Through our Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres, located in nearly 50 countries, we advise whistleblowers in making their disclosures and work to make sure that their disclosures are duly addressed by appropriate authorities. We work closely with advocacy groups, legal experts and whistleblowers toward enhancing whistleblower protections and rights.

 

[DomainNames]

Australia Office.
https://www.transparency.org/whoweare/contact#O_nc_australia

 

[Scott.L]

Where are all the minutes gone?
Where are the public financials gone?
Hey, whats going on?
Did AUDA close its doors?

 

[Lemon]

Its a secret society