Announcement

**anukhet** · 29 January 2009, 21:13

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Constitutionally, anyone could stand is not quite right:
Neither national nor regional officers shall be an organiser of any commercial event for profit.
(FRA Constitution Para 4.4)
This would rule out EOs but not their respective crews as long as they are FRA members.

**pressure** · 29 January 2009, 21:35

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Thanks for your correction Karoline, I believe that, at the moment, EOs are allowed to have a spokesperson to represent them at commitee meetings, this gives them a voice but not a vote.
This is a workable situation for the EOs, having crew on the commitee will only become a problem if there is a vote about, the EOs
As I mentioned this would have to be debated if, and when, the situation arises, MIke.

**anukhet** · 30 January 2009, 20:21

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

quote:

So I would propose that anyone could stand, any possible conflict of interest issues that arise in the future could be addressed at the time.
One question:
If a majority of committee members worked for a single event organiser, how could a conflict of interest problem even be perceived as such?

**pressure** · 30 January 2009, 20:42

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

hello again, not quite sure what you mean.
In the unlikely event that the majority of the next commitee work for one EO are you suggesting that if, for example, they were voting on who gets the next UK champs and that the majority of the commitee work for one of them that they would not notice the conflict of interest or worse still ignore it? Unlikely.
I would suggest that an ammendment be made to the constitution to the effect that: if a vote is called that directly concerns one or more EOs, members of the commitee that work for any EO should not be allowed to vote on that occasion, thus removing any obvious bias.
I think most roboteers would recognise any such problems but the most important thing is that all FRA proceedings are seen to be fair and unbiased to the community as a whole, MIke.

**andy_kane** · 30 January 2009, 20:57

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

I believe that the existing governing body are aware of this sort of thing and how to avoid such potential pitfalls.

What I need to know is where you as a chairman of the roboteers organisation are going to take our sport in the future?

**geeza** · 30 January 2009, 21:01

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Mike is right to a certain extent this is how real world councils work, at least at a local level. Anyone who has a vested interest in a subject has to declare their interest and leave the meeting while that subject is being discussed. I am torn between this system and the current one, the EOs have their own meetings and can report back to the FRA and vice versa. Which on the whole works quite well.

**anukhet** · 30 January 2009, 21:19

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

As you say, dozens of experienced roboteers are going to work for at least one EO. Currently it is not a problem as (for want of a better word) allegiances are left at the door.

At this moment in time we do not know who the committee members will be - that is up to the members themselves. My point is, should there end up being an imbalance of allegiance AND they cannot leave it at the door, how could that group possibly even perceive that there is an obvious bias?

In addition to that, by changing the constitution, it WILL come to a situation, by removing the obvious(??) bias, where only one or two or even no one is eligible to vote.

**pressure** · 30 January 2009, 21:34

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Hi Andy, I have no doubt that the current governing body are aware and have done their best to not get pitted!
As to where I wish to take the sport, it will (if Im elected) not be my decision alone as to where we go, it will involve the collective ideas of the commitee with input from the roboteers.
Reaching a wider audience will be one goal, getting more grass roots interest in roboteering is another.
For example a number of roboteers, myself included, have been invited, in the last couple of years, to schools to put on shows and/or teach them how to build basic antweights and then compete against each other with them.
The response I have seen is very good, that interest needs to be nurtured somehow.
Keeping us in the pubic eye is the main thing.
I hope this goes some way to answering your question, Mike.

**joey_picus** · 30 January 2009, 21:43

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

...the pubic eye?

I do have an actual question, as an observer (albeit a well versed one) - according to people Ive spoken to, the FRA itself isnt promoted very much at live events or by the event organisers, possibly leading to scenarios where potential newcomers cant find this forum because they are simply not aware of it.

Would you say that this is the case, and if so what would you intend on doing about it?

**andy_kane** · 30 January 2009, 21:52

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Joey before Mike answers your question, some facts about the FRA forum.
It is probable that this website is virtually the most visited website on our sport in the world.
When running well it receives over a million hits per month with a record 120000 unique visits in that timespan

**pressure** · 30 January 2009, 22:02

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Hi, It has been suggested to me by a roboteer that the FRA has a stand at each event, with leaflets info etc and someone to answer the publics questions, this is a great idea and I (if elected) will be promoting it at the first opportunity, MIke.

**typhoon_driver** · 30 January 2009, 22:08

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Mike,

That last one is definately a good idea. I can think of at least 2 occasions at different events where I was asked how you get started so I pointed them in the direction of this forum but having no material to throw in their direction I have a feeling the information went in one side and straight out the other.

Andy, WOW I didnt realise that the forum received those kind of traffic figures. That is impressive

**anukhet** · 31 January 2009, 00:27

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

quote:

We attend events regardless of the organisers and try to maintain a political position of sitting on the fence. The same connot [sic] be said of the current FRA commitee, we have already lost one organiser as a result.
(Source: http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/discus/messages/59/14615.html?1231020981http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/disc...tml?1231020981) Posted Jan 1 2009)

The above was posted on 1st January 2009. Are you still of this opinion? And, should a number of current committee members be re-elected in any position, how would you, as the new Chairman, effectively deal with it? - remembering your earlier suggestion of changing the constitution to bar them from voting on matters concerning EOs.

**pressure** · 31 January 2009, 09:08

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Morning Karoline, the comment you have quoted does not relate to the issue discussed, at length, previously on this post.
As to working with current commitee members if they are re-elected, yourself (quite likely) included, i have no worries about that. I am sure we can all work together for the good of the sport and the community.

Announcement

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Mike Hamilton-Macy, candidate for FRA chairman.

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment