Ex-chairman says organisation's constitution proposals are undemocratic
By Lucy Quinton
The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) has refuted allegations made about the democracy of the body after a former chairman launched a ferocious attack on it.
Bill Poynton, chairman of AMII from 1998 to 2001, wrote to AMII and the media voicing concerns over changes he said "threatened the very democracy of the body".
He raised concerns that AMII would sweep through any changes by voting for them all in one motion. However, Phil Taylor, AMII chairman, said: "Any change in the constitution requires a two-thirds majority, so if this extended majority does not vote in favour of the new document we will take the changes one by one, voting on each change in turn."
AMII admitted it was looking to change section 5.5 of the draft constitution, meaning a chairman could only be accepted from existing executive committee members. Stephen Walker, another ex-chairman of AMII, said the reason for this was because a chairman needed "knowledge and experience of the executive committee and how the organisation worked".
Mike Izzard, current chairman elect of AMII, added: "It prevents anyone from coming in who doesn't know how the organisation works".
Taylor explained that under the proposed changes the chairman would be elected by a membership vote. "The blunt criticism that the change is for some sort of self promotion is wholly inaccurate," he said. "Any member would be able to stand for election for any other role bar the chairman's."
Poynton expressed concern a change to section 5.9.2 would allow the executive committee to change annual membership fees without consulting members and only giving 30 days' notice.
Taylor said the reason for this was because the present constitution included "no mechanism whatever for implementing changes in fees".
He said: "The executive committee is responsible for the financial management of AMII, and must be responsible for setting fees." Walker added AMII had to provide for events such as the annual conference and exhibition so it had to find funds.
Izzard said AMII was looking to develop its own benchmark when it came to professional development.
Taylor explained that AMII would look to develop its own set of exams with training on the web, and was hoping the Chartered Insurance Institute would endorse it. In two years' time, potential AMII members will have to pass an entry qualification before becoming a member, to ensure the organisation focuses on essential specialist intermediaries.
