6 September 2017

Presidents Statement

As President of Midas Speedway New Zealand, my approach has always been to work in the background with my staff, ensuring that the important things are being done well. I am aware that I have regularly been the subject of criticism over my communication style and a perception that there is a lack of information coming from this office.
I know that it is not all about me, and I prefer to stay out of the limelight. In this job, either approach will bring criticism - it is the ultimate damned if you do, damned if you don’t position.
I think it is fair that I highlight that Directors are basically volunteers, just like you and our officials. They receive $100.50 per Board meeting attended. This payment barely covers their costs for the day let alone compensating them for the time spent attending the many other meetings, or the countless hours spent working on speedway business, often at night and over weekends.
That is why I get frustrated when I read some of the rubbish written on social media. People who think that it is okay to abuse my staff and volunteers obviously have no idea of the commitment put in by these individuals. This sort of ill-informed abuse and foul language is not a good look for speedway and is not a true representation of the good people who enjoy watching and competing in speedway every weekend. This must stop as such comment is exceptionally detrimental to those directly involved in insuring speedway exists, while simultaneously reflecting poorly on our sponsors, who without their generous support, we would absolutely struggle to exist.
The Board has received notification from tracks that a Special General Meeting was to be called due to the release of the online Competitor Safety Test being compulsory and a fee attached accordingly. The Board have since rescinded and have apologised for the unsatisfactory delivery of the process used.
Yesterday the Board received an agenda of items that the Special General Meeting would like addressed and the date of when that will be. However the date 16th September is unworkable due to the fact that we must give 14 days’ notice to the members with times and place of the meeting.
Myself and the Board with the interest of speedway in mind, would like to address and clarify these issues.
John McCallum, a seasoned fellow director, has been working in the part-time CEO role concurrently since 2016, focussing on increasing revenue and profile for Midas Speedway New Zealand. This model has proven successful in establishing Sponsorship relations which contributes to the running of this organisation. Consequently the board endorsed expanding John’s role to further focus on seeking commercial partners, growing exposure, income and exploring contingency options to establish smooth uninterrupted transitions when speedway is having to change with the times. This role finds John reporting directly to the Board.
We all know that annual increases in running costs are borne by our tracks, competitors and the governing body itself. The only way for us to combat these costs is to seek more outside funding - the other alternative to meeting such costs for health and safety, administration and travel is to increase membership charges. I am sure we all agree that this is not the complete answer, given the consequence of our Competitor Safety Test!
It was agreed that as part of the expansion of the CEO role, John would resign as a director which was
received on 1st September 2017.
John will be replaced by Alan Luoni (Moon) who was the next highest polling candidate at the last
board election. Alan has confirmed his availability and will join us for the September board meeting
and thereafter.
Alan has been around speedway for a long time and has certainly been a significant figure at
conference over the years. I am sure we are all looking forward to the new suit and tie image.
Midas Speedway New Zealand have had some recent staff changes. Laurie Callender has retired to his
rural Taranaki home and has been replaced by Bill Clarkson. I have had plenty to do with Bill in his
time as a referee and steward and rate him as one of the best officials I have worked with. I am sure
he will be an asset to Midas Speedway New Zealand.
Two directors have recently resigned from the Midas Speedway New Zealand board. Both directors
were new to the board, its environment and consequent bureaucracy, yet they had been contributing
well and were developing the skillset to handle the role of director which can be an extremely
frustrating thankless challenge at times.
It is disappointing they chose to resign so early in their tenure and without first having consulted with
fellow board members to address their frustrations. But I am sure they will not be lost to speedway. I
thank them for the work they have done and the door will always be open if they decide to stand again
in the future.
In the interim Wendy Coutts has agreed to join the board until the next AGM having been appointed
under rule C8 (r)
Wendy received a QSM for Motorsport & Community Work, is a Life Member, Past President and was
on the Appeal Panel of the organisation. With Wendy’s acceptance of this role she will now be
unavailable as a panellist during this time. I wish to thank Wendy for agreeing to join us for the
remainder of this term. Her contribution will be invaluable.
A further replacement will be discussed once Alan and Wendy are in place, to allow their participation
in the discussions and to insure we have the best skill set on the board.
I would ask that our members please consider my and the boards united response and advise if they
still wish to convene the Special General Meeting. A date and venue is yet to be confirmed in
accordance to premise availability. If the SGM is to proceed this venue and the SGM’s associated paper
work including costings needs to be confirmed for our members consideration.
Could you please respond by email to the manager with myself copied in. (david@speedway.co.nz)
either - Yes we wish to proceed with the Special General Meeting or No we do not wish to proceed
with the Special General Meeting.
We have an exciting season to look forward to with some big name overseas stars visiting our shores,
the major marquee events at Palmerston North. Huntly and Woodford Glen are looking bigger and
brighter than ever; the National Superstock Championships is set for Waikaraka and many other clubs
are forecasting record competitor numbers.
After 9 years of being on the Midas Speedway New Zealand Board and in my seventh year as President,
I remain as dedicated as ever to doing the best job I can for speedway.
Now let’s get on with going racing - which is the basis of why we are all involved.

Regards
David Jones
President