Seven (7) Good Reasons to Show the Current Leadership of the Vic High Alumni Association Board the Door
1. Breach of Basic Duties: The VHSAA board's refusal to consider the facts about the proposed lease of Vic High land as new information came to light in 2020 and 2021, and their lack of open-mindedness to change course, may lead to irreparable, negative impacts on current and future students of Vic High.
2. Lack of Transparency: The VHSAA board continued to fundraise for the original vision of Memorial Stadium for more than a year after endorsing SD61’s modified plans behind closed doors. The VHSAA board never disclosed this endorsement to the membership until pressed by the FOVH.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1waQ2OT8awbBv6baSWeCsf4YurHmd7vxa/view?usp=sharing
3. Lack of Financial Accountability: The VHSAA board didn’t seek input or approval from membership to divert funds raised for the original vision for Memorial Stadium Revitalization for use on other plans.
4. Questionable Governance Procedures: The VHSAA Board communicated to members on June 15th — only 6 days before the AGM — regarding details about the seven positions on the VHSAA board that would be voted on at the June 21 meeting. They also gave only 24 hours’ notice to FOVH nominees to make known their intent and to provide key info.
5. Potential Breach of Societies Act of BC: On June 15, 2021 the VHSAA sent out a communication to members advocating for a slate of Directors. The Society (VHSAA) is a group of equal members and therefore the Society cannot prefer one set of members over another.
https://mailchi.mp/vichigh/urgent-vic-high-alumni-action-needed-by-june-18?e=2684c2414d
6. Defamation of Distinguished Alumni: In the same VHSAA board’s mass email of June 15, 2021, they described other director candidates on their slate as engaging in a “hostile takeover”. Hostile implies an intent to do damage. Having divergent views on the best interests of a society is not hostile.
7. Out of Touch: The attempt by the VHSAA board to exclude other director candidates (a diverse group of distinguished alumni) from representing Vic High on the VHSAA board in order to advocate for Vic High students, who have been clearly disadvantaged for decades, speaks volumes as to how the current board is out of touch re: the discourse of our times around diversity, inclusion and systemic inequality.
The Friends of Vic High ask you to please consider the following alumni candidates for director positions on the VHSAA board. They have committed to full transparency, accountability, and to always fight for the equality rights of current and future Vic High students. Thank you.
Stephen Dorsey(84), Moe Elewonibi (83), Hans de Goede (71), Sean Gorman (84), Richard Hunt (71), Taki Niketas (83), Maureen Vipond (83)