Sustainable NRMA in a Living City
Why voting matters, here and always
Tom Dawkins, Editor – NRMA Election Blog Site, 4 November 2005
Only a few hours to go until voting closes, at 5pm today. Be sure to get yours in if you haven't already. This board election, more than most, hangs on some really massive fundamental issues about the identity and future of NRMA Motoring and Services.
In particular, should steps be taken to address what some see as the mistakes of the last few years and, specifically, the demutualisation of NRMA Insurance into an independent corporation, Australian Insurance Group (which still trades as NRMA Insurance). Several tickets and candidates, most notably Richard Talbot's and Dawn Fraser's tickets, are campaigning strongly for this direction. Both Richard and Dawn are longstanding opponents of any demutualisation and were prominent dissidents against plans to do so, both taking their fight into the courts (Dawn successfully and Richard ultimately unsuccessfully). The United Board is taking the opposite tact, promising continuity of the current direction.
The new voting system also favours independents, many of whom have strong ties to their local community and may be able to muster the numbers to allow them to represent it on the NRMA board. Some of them have more forward-looking policies than others but all agree on the need to better connect the NRMA with its members, to become a more grass-roots organisation.
I am hopeful that whatever the outcome the efforts of NRMA management to better promote the board elections and provide greater incentivisation in the form of a car and travel prizes will succeed in increasing the participation rates in this election. This would, I think, result in a more responsive, representative and, potentially, diverse board, hopefully able to work together to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of the membership.
There's certainly more than can, and should, be done however, if the NRMA truly wishes to become a more member-driven organisation. Most NRMA members no longer see themselves as members, no longer understand the concept of a mutual, but rather conceive of themselves as simply taking out insurance against breaking down, the usual fee-for-service arrangement. But the mutual is a very powerful and hopeful business model, an organisation devoted not to profit at any cost but to the overall well-being of its members and the services that best respond to their lives. Such notions seem out-of-date, perhaps even quaint, these days, in a society seemingly obsessed with the self, the individual, the obvious and easy over the nuanced and complicated and political leaders seemingly often content to encourage it further in that direction.
This problem exists not simply in relation to a sense of membership in a mutual or understanding and appreciating the role of non-profit-driven organisations but in our very relationship with the state and government of Australia. Just as the many members of the NRMA no longer see themselves as members at all, so many Australians no longer see themselves as represented or included in our political processes, in the act of citizenship, in the public policy and cultural debates that affect them. A nation too should be owned by its members, its citizens, and one that is not, where some voices dominate and others are lost or ignored all-together, is one that has lost its way.
Just as if the NRMA wants its members to feel included and represented it's not enough to simply encourage greater levels of voting come board election time, admirable and important as this is, but rather is a matter of building a culture of participation that is year-around and constant, so too is a functioning democracy not simply about voting but rather about occupying public space, participating in public debates, having your say, telling your story, having a chance to affect your world.
Beyond the election the NRMA should look at ongoing strategies to communicate with and include their membership. I wish them luck, along with all the candidates in this election.
Cheers, Tom
http://nrmaelections2005.blogspot.com
Chris Elenor posted in response:
Yes only a few hours to go before the polls close. Running as a solo independent candidate, it has been an interesting campaign.
I strongly agree with your views on the potential of mutual organisations and the need to build a culture of continuous member participation for them to be relevant and successful.
I also agree that most NRMA members see themselves primarily as road service customers but there are many who understand they are also citizens and want to have a say in the future of their communities, transport and quality of life. From the level of member questions and interaction on my election website, there is significant interest in the NRMA playing a more active and positive role around safe/efficient and sustainable transport.
What ever the outcome of the elections, the NRMA needs to sponsor a range of special interest groups and forums to develop the year round involvement of interested members. These would be an extension of the successful regional forums the NRMA has run over the last two years.In concert with the Board's public policy committee and supported by the research and technical expertise of the NRMA, these groups could help chart a sustainable future which is in the best interests of members.
I intend to leave my website up after the election and would encourage members to continue to "have a go" at trying to shape the future.
" Let a thousand flowers bloom and a million thoughts contend."Chris Elenor
Candidate for Simms