Former Director of C.S.C.F.A Says A.G.M is Legal
Everaldo Uk
Uk is also calling for greater transparency from the current Board of Directors as it pertains to the management of Fair Trade funds. Annually, thousands of dollars are distributed to associations under the fair trade agreement. These funds are ear marked to improve farmer productivity. According to Uk, however, C.S.C.P.A. members have not received a financial report since 2018. And, if you are wondering whether members calling a special general election is illegal, Uk argues that such a meeting is provided for in the association’s bylaws, so long as the membership quorum of one hundred is met. It is that general assembly which then has the authority to make decisions on the future of the association.
On the phone: Everaldo Uk, Former Director, C.S.C.F.A
“Yes, once we have the quorum. And precisely, this is what happened to the present board of directors. We have insistently been sending them letters of request to call elections since 2018, consecutively over three years we have been sending them petition of cane farmers. Those petitions are exactly the numbers required as a quorum, particularly on the twenty third of November we sent them a list of a hundred and forty eight signatures out of the hundred members considered a quorum, asking them for elections and we have not received a single response.”
Paul Lopez
“I understand that the Ministry of Health has already gone ahead and given clearance.”
On the phone: Everaldo Uk
“Yes we have the document.”
Paul Lopez
“How do you plan to manage that, even amidst COVID91 and the current spread?”
On the Phone: Everaldo Uk
“The venue have the capacity of four hundred members. WE are using the Corozal Community College Auditorium, which has a capacity of four hundred members. We don’t plan to have all four hundred members. As I said, we only need the hundred members that is a quorum.”
Paul Lopez
“One hundred and forty four signatures out of six hundred members, you are clearly at a disadvantage.”
On the phone: Everaldo Uk
“Yeah, well that is an issue we have also looked at, in that we have been telling them, if you feel you have the majority of support, why you don’t call elections. If farmers decide to put you back again, we will congratulate you nuh.”
