Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Let’s Strive for Rotary Melbourne to:
- Be respectful to both men and women
- Focus on how to improve the Club culture to be open, inclusive and transparent
- Provide a safe environment for women
- Accept the outcomes and decisions of Board 2020/2021 as final
- Build a strong and productive Club that lives up to the Rotary 4-Way Test in deeds and not just words
Closing date: 7th August 2021
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Updates
July 31, 2021
The momentum generated by this petition demonstrates a clear desire for meaningful change within our club. It is encouraging to see so many individuals unite behind the common goal of fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment.
54 Comments
I was devastated to learn of several members, who in recent days have resigned from the Club. These women have worked hard and made many personal sacrifices to support our Club. It has made me question my membership, and whether the demonstrated values of our Club align to mine. I’m hoping we can move on from the situation, and not attempt to re-prosecute an outcome that rightly sanctioned behaviour that is bluntly totally unacceptable by today’s standards. Let’s focus on the future and ensure that all members treat others respectfully at all times.
As a Board member 20/21, I was involved to thoroughly investigate and reach the unanimous decision in the Hugh Bucknall case. I am therefore appalled by any suggestion that the case be reopened and this decision is an affront to me personally and all other members of the previous Board.
No Board or President should ever have to withstand the amount of bullying through false allegations, degrading emails, calls for censure, and rude phone calls that were experienced last year. The suggestion of re-opening the investigation and accusing Board members of collusion in a cover-up is simply a further attempt to extend the harassment we endured for 12 months. It is time to STOP the bullies or the club will shrivel into a small group of miserable agitators.
As a Board member who worked tirelessly for the good name of Rotary, I was personally offended when I heard that the issue which convulsed the Club last year and consumed so much of the Board's time, was going to be re=prosecuted. Does anyone have any idea of the reputational impact to our Club if Hugh Bucknall's email and video got into the press? We worked soooo hard to make sure that didnt happen and that all processes were followed including natural justice for all aggrieved parties - its just such a shame.
Respect for both men and women is very important. However, when women represent slightly more than 50% of the general population but represent significantly less than that proportion in the Club, then unless we make it a safe environment for women it’s only logical that membership is going to be much more difficult to grow.
I agree with Rob McGuirk’s comments
I’m hoping the worthy objectives of this petition can be achieved.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Let’s Strive for Rotary Melbourne to:
- Be respectful to both men and women
- Focus on how to improve the Club culture to be open, inclusive and transparent
- Provide a safe environment for women
- Accept the outcomes and decisions of Board 2020/2021 as final
- Build a strong and productive Club that lives up to the Rotary 4-Way Test in deeds and not just words
Closing date: 7th August 2021
Updates
July 31, 2021
The momentum generated by this petition demonstrates a clear desire for meaningful change within our club. It is encouraging to see so many individuals unite behind the common goal of fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment.
54 Comments
I wholly support these standards -these were similar to the guiding principles that the Board worked tirelessly last year to uphold. We must not revert to a climate of intimidation and silenced voices. I have been honoured to be part of Melbourne Rotary but not this behaviour. The toxic few have done so much damage to this club and I've watched over the years as newer members have quietly left - the damage to the club and its reputation will be immense if we don't move forward.
I was devastated to learn of several members, who in recent days have resigned from the Club. These women have worked hard and made many personal sacrifices to support our Club. It has made me question my membership, and whether the demonstrated values of our Club align to mine. I’m hoping we can move on from the situation, and not attempt to re-prosecute an outcome that rightly sanctioned behaviour that is bluntly totally unacceptable by today’s standards. Let’s focus on the future and ensure that all members treat others respectfully at all times.
As a Board member 20/21, I was involved to thoroughly investigate and reach the unanimous decision in the Hugh Bucknall case. I am therefore appalled by any suggestion that the case be reopened and this decision is an affront to me personally and all other members of the previous Board.
No Board or President should ever have to withstand the amount of bullying through false allegations, degrading emails, calls for censure, and rude phone calls that were experienced last year. The suggestion of re-opening the investigation and accusing Board members of collusion in a cover-up is simply a further attempt to extend the harassment we endured for 12 months. It is time to STOP the bullies or the club will shrivel into a small group of miserable agitators.
As a Board member who worked tirelessly for the good name of Rotary, I was personally offended when I heard that the issue which convulsed the Club last year and consumed so much of the Board's time, was going to be re=prosecuted. Does anyone have any idea of the reputational impact to our Club if Hugh Bucknall's email and video got into the press? We worked soooo hard to make sure that didnt happen and that all processes were followed including natural justice for all aggrieved parties - its just such a shame.
Respect for both men and women is very important. However, when women represent slightly more than 50% of the general population but represent significantly less than that proportion in the Club, then unless we make it a safe environment for women it’s only logical that membership is going to be much more difficult to grow.
I agree with Rob McGuirk’s comments
I’m hoping the worthy objectives of this petition can be achieved.
Share Petition
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I wholly support these standards -these were similar to the guiding principles that the Board worked tirelessly last year to uphold. We must not revert to a climate of intimidation and silenced voices. I have been honoured to be part of Melbourne Rotary but not this behaviour. The toxic few have done so much damage to this club and I've watched over the years as newer members have quietly left - the damage to the club and its reputation will be immense if we don't move forward.