Irish Red Cross DRAFT proposed Constitution should be rejected

On Saturday 28th May 2011 the Central Council of the Irish Red Cross will vote on its DRAFT proposed new Constitution. The consultation process has been minimal. There are apparently 6,000 members of the Irish Red Cross and about 30 staff. How many of these have ever been consulted or have ever seen a copy of the proposed Constitution about to be voted on?


Apart from Central Council members, who number 42, only a small handful of individuals around the country have seen the proposals. This Blog estimates an absolute maximum 90-100 members, possibly much less. Out of 6,000 this is a disgrace.


Whether staff have been consulted and received a copy of the DRAFT only they can comment but knowing well the Irish Red Cross the Blog doubts very much their opinions or views were sought.


No external independent expertise was used during the Constitution design process. This is highly unusual especially when most (but not all) of those who made up the Governance Working Group have no professional experience or knowledge of good governance practice. The complete lack of organisational wide consultation is an outright breach of good corporate governance practice. The proposals were devised by a small number of individuals, the dominant and influential of whom have only one agenda, retention of power.


The Constitution will be voted on 28th May by individuals who historically do exactly as they are told. It is not clear if the vote will be by secret ballot or if a majority or a two thirds majority is required in order for it to be endorsed.


The Irish Red Cross will tell anyone foolish enough to listen that they intend to bring in effective governance and to reform the organisation. They have said this for 20 years. In the same breath people such as the Vice Chairman and Treasurer have put their names forward for continued membership of the Executive Committee for 2011/12. The Vice Chairman has served for 20 years and now he is going forward for his 21st year in a row!! Even ignoring his involvement in the Tipperary tsunami bank account scandal such long service is in complete violation of all good governance practice.


Actions speak louder than words. The actions of these long serving board members in going forward again makes a total mockery of any supposed governance reform process. Serving 21 years on a board is utterly unjustifiable. The Treasurer has served nearly ten years on the board, also unjustifiable. If these individuals were genuinely committed to good governance they would resign immediately and not go forward for election to Central Council or Executive for a minimum of five years but preferably never again.


The DRAFT Constitution that the Central Council will vote on this Saturday 28th May is poorly designed and is reflective of a complete lack of consultation. It will ensure the likes of the Vice Chairman, Treasurer and a few complient others will remain on the board for many years to come.


Smaller branches and Areas will over time become increasingly marginalised and power and influence will be concentrated in the hands of a very few.


It can only be hoped that both the International Red Cross in Geneva and the Irish Government use their power of veto and reject the DRAFT Constitution as unacceptable.


The Central Council has heretofore shown itself incapable of governing effectively or reigning in the excesses of the Executive Committee. An unquestioning herd mentality and group think has been a defining characteristic of the Central Council and Saturday 28th will be no different.


While certain individuals will see the endorsement of this flawed Constitution as a victory in reality it will be viewed externally as further evidence of the antiquated, dysfunctional and backward nature of the Society's governance structures and those who control it. The ongoing reputational damage to the Irish Red Cross will continue unabated as a result.


Noel Wardick, former Head of the Irish Red Cross International Department, has written a detailed analysis of the DRAFT Irish Red Cross Constitution in which he outlines the reasons why it is flawed, why it is a threat to organisational democracy and why it should be rejected. He has sent a copy of this document to the Irish Red Cross Chairman, Irish Red Cross Secretary General, IFRC in Geneva, Minister for Justice and Defence-Alan Shatter and to a number of Central Council reps whose email addresses he has.


Any member who wishes a copy of the analysis and commentary can request one by contacting noelwardick@yahoo.com


One can only hope the Central Council will do the right thing on 28th May and reject the DRAFT Constitution but given their record of acquiescence and subservience over the years one wouldn't bet on it.