The Camanachd Association Board of Directors were defeated on their motion to have the right to pilot possible rule changes without the consent of members at the Camanachd Association AGM in Fort William on Friday 29 November 2013.
There was a voting strength of 30 members - 22 member clubs and associations were in attendance with a further 8 represented by proxy.
The Camanachd Association Board of Directors put forward two Special Resolutions which each required the support of not less than three quarters of the members present (in person or by proxy) in order to progress.
In the first Special Resolution, the Board sought support to make an amendment to Byelaw 1 which would have allowed them to pilot possible rule changes within competitions for a limited period, prior to a formal vote of members at a General Meeting. However this was rejected by members who refused to pass more power to the Board.
In other AGM business, the current President’s term of office was realigned following changes made at last year’s AGM. The date of the Association’s Annual General Meeting was moved from the last Friday in April to the last Friday in November at the April 2013 AGM. This created a short-term inconsistency with the term of the current President. In order to resolve this, the AGM unanimously approved a special resolution allows Archie Robertson to remain as President until November 2017 providing he successfully stands for re-election in November 2014.
An Ordinary Resolution (which required 50% support) in relation to setting the new National North Division 1 competition entry fee at £65 was approved as expected whilst a proposal from the Camanachd Referees Association to increase the referees’ match fee from £30 to £40 did not receive the required support.
In other business, Donnie MacNiven from Glasgow Mid Argyll was made a Camanachd Association Member of Honour. He was nominated by his club for his uninterrupted commitment to the game of shinty for over 50 years and he is credited for doing more than any other person to ensure that senior shinty team is still active in Glasgow.