Calypsonians demand that AGM be called off

Representatives of three calypso tents have called on the president of the SVG Calypsonians Association (SVGCA) Ann Miller to call off the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which has been advertised for this Saturday, September 26.{{more}}

The release, signed by Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance of the OnTour calypso tent, Glenroy Delpesche of the Graduates calypso tent and John Dougan of the Dynamites calypso tent said the AGM was called by the president without consultation with most of the executive of the association.

The release from the SVGCA, dated September 17, 2015, states: “There will be an Annual General Meeting of the SVG Calypsonians Association Inc. at the UWI School of Continuing Studies on Saturday 26th September 2015 commencing at 10 a.m.”

The release was sent by Aubrey Burgin, general secretary of the SVGCA Inc. Among the items on the agenda is ‘Elections,’ which the representatives of the various tents have also taken issue with.

In their release, the representatives are further contending that “no notification” was given to the tents about the AGM and that members of the association only heard of the AGM through the media.

“Tent leaders who are normally contacted, informed or invited to meetings to discuss such important matters were not informed. Even the public relations officer of the association heard of the AGM from the media,” the press release stated.

The release added that a chat room is used by the SVGCA and all tent leaders to facilitate the easy flow of information between the executive and tent leaders, but nothing was posted in the chat room about the AGM.

Further, the release states that the last election of the SVGCA was held four years ago and ‘Elections’ do not appear on the agenda of the AGM called by the president. However, the notice sent to SEARCHLIGHT lists ‘Elections’ as the sixth item on the agenda.

“The AGM called for 26 September 2015 is unconstitutional and wrong. The tent leaders of the SVG Calypsonians Association call on the president to call off the meeting and start the proceedings for a proper AGM which must include elections,” the release said.

Several attempts to reach Miller yesterday for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to a mobile number provided for her went directly to voicemail. A message was left, but up to press time, our call was not returned.(KW)