Plans to hold the 2021 annual general meeting (AGM) and the election of officers of the T&T Cycling Federation (TTCF) on January 30, has been postponed to a date to be announced.
According to the incumbent president Joseph Roberts, the Federation sought legal advice after a couple of clubs raised the issue about secret ballot voting which the constitution did not make provisions for.
He told Guardian Media Sports yesterday that: "The Cycling Federation executive met on Thursday, and I shared with the members' legal advice I got from attorney Ricardo Williams. The meeting agreed that the General Secretary will write the clubs informing them of the legal advice."
He continued: "The clubs will also be invited to an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to discuss and amend the constitution and a date for the AGM."
After the announcement of the AGM, last week concerns were raised about the constitution which had no provisions for a virtual meeting, and that the AGM could be held virtually since it did not permit the election of officers via an electronic platform.
Members pointed out that - 'Voting shall be by secret ballot' as stated in article 14.2.4, to the requirements of amending the constitution if elections can take place virtually in the midst of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which has affected sports, locally and internationally.
This type of gathering/meeting has been made specific to council meetings only.
According to Article 13.4 of the sports' constitution, a 21-day notice must be given if the constitution is to be amended by the membership, in an effort to hold the AGM via the digital platform.
Article 13.4 reads: "Members may give notice of intention to introduce special business. Notice of intention to introduce any special business at the annual general meeting shall be given to the secretary at least twenty-one (21) days before the annual general meeting. Such notice shall be signed by the proposer and seconder if, from a club, the seconder shall not be from the same club and such notice shall be sent by the secretary to all members at least fourteen (14) days before the annual general meeting."
Roberts, who will be challenged for the leadership of the organisation by his racing secretary Rowena Williams, a former president, said the meeting on Thursday was cordial and everyone understood the concerns raised.
Roberts, who took over the reins of the organisation after Larry Romany resigned in December 2019 explained that: “In the constitution, there are things that we need to address urgently. That is just one of many things that need to be addressed. Another thing we need to address is finance and the finance policy, accountability, code of ethics for individuals who are functioning in the organisation.
"What governs their actions and behaviour, and how they should conduct themselves as executives of the organisation and members of the organisation. So, there are some gaps in the constitution, which, at least under my tenure, I intend to address those concerns and build on a good governance structure for the organisation.”