Excerpts from my discussions with a CCI club members group.
(M-members query R-my response)
M - Why do they call you professor? Now they also call you preacher? And dreamer too?
R - You should ask `them' who do. But `they' seem to be alleging that I don't `walk my talk'. I started walking my talk with the inception of the ODC in November 2011. Professionally minded friends joined me in taking strides for the club. Seemingly, others couldn't keep the pace, found the walk overwhelming and blocked the road. The walk was forced to a halt. So all that has been made possible is to `talk' and as a liberal minded and rational member, I am pleased to do so, to say and suggest what I believe is good for the club. If it bothers `them' then good, as they are taking cognizance. What `they' will do about it or allow others or me to do, is left to be seen. CK Prahalad (noted Management Guru) always said that to cause change one must necessarily have the courage to dream.
M - `They' treat you as trash?
R - `They' haven't been given the opportunity by me. To be treated as trash, one needs to volunteer, which I haven't done! With regard to `them' trashing my views, it is their privilege, but then we go back to the first point in discussion.
M - If you were given the opportunity to walk again or your views be acted upon, what are the deficits you see in the running of the club and how would you address / want the same addressed for solutions?
R - The club has been running for almost the past 80 years. It is a glorious institution and we are fortunate to have such a property for our use. However its birth and ensuing evolution has been out of alignment. That is to say, born & constructed as a cricket stadium and evolved as a multifarious multi functional recreation center for an unusually large membership, whose size may be disproportionate to the available infrastructure & carrying capacity. The provisions in the constitution require elections for the Executive Committee (5 retiring members) every year & an annual reconstruction of other committees and sub-committees. In the absence of transparent working, sound Governance, implementation of processes & systems and therefore an acceptable level of `professionalism' rumors override facts, resulting in a distortion of members views. This is often taken advantage of by those ambitious of management positions. These views were covered by me at the KYC of 2011 available at http://bit.ly/rdb_kyc. The ODC worked on system / network integration project (Firewall/VLANs), CCTV project, WiFi implementation for members and room guests, creation of a new server room, hiring of key personnel, tying up with HR consultancy firms & implementing legacy projects like Shawman & Tally. In the absence of standard operating practices and a proper organization structure, much remains to be done. Having been `given' the opportunity of creating & working for the Organizational Development Committee for 9 months, gave our ODC team insights to the management deficits, which is why I once again stood for elections in 2012 as my KYC describes http://bit.ly/rdb_kyc_2012 as it was clear to us that if the Organizational Development process was to get teeth, a strong representation on the EC was essential. With this as a background, I do believe it is essential that the club needs to:
1. Set a policy framework to cause performance improvement at the club.
2. Conduct all EC meetings in-camera and minutes, decisions taken and individual EC members views must be fairly disclosed to club members, who elect the EC members as their representatives and trustees to manage the club.
3. Provide a reasonable nomination framework & procedure for EC candidature. Persons with skills and competence for the job. Similarly for the Administration.
4. Election code of conduct to be framed and implemented. Elections for sports/ department committees. Players/ participants should be allowed to choose their representatives.
5. Resurrect the Organizational Development Committee with a clear mandate and authority to help build the administration, processes, systems, audits, IT and HR with due involvement (participation) of members through organized surveys and feedback. External professionals should be appointed to assist with a time bound implementation schedule. Cross representation between committees as may be required.
6. Revisit the constitution and rules and regulations, frame codes of conduct, communicate the same with all stake holders and implement for organizational discipline.
7. Proper implementation of participative management not to be misconstrued as `interference'.
8. Set long term property development plans with members concurrence.
9. Responsibility and accountability framework to be defined across the organization should be set. ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE SO THAT ONLY THE BEST OF BREED & INTENTIONS have the courage to want to participate in the management of the club.
10. Adhere to the adopted vision statement while making decisions:
For the club "To become a premier choice for members & their families to avail of sports and recreation facilities; encouraging participation, camaraderie, sportsmanship, networking, heritage, culture and appreciation of fine cuisine and the sensible development of necessary facilities and services for the same, all at reasonable costs."
M- Isn't this ask excessive? Wasn't the mandate requested by the ODC excessive too, seeking extra ordinary powers?
R- This is another argument arising from rumour mongering for `their' own comfort. If this was a corporate listed on the bourses, would not essential levels of management qualifications, conduct & Governance, be demanded? All that this approach entails is a `positive' developmental process rather than the presently adopted fire-fighting - knee-jerk reaction method of management adopted, where issues are resolved by appeasement and sound administrative practices are replaced by political & diplomatic manoeuvres. Read about Organizational Development at http://organisationdevelopment.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_development Why this approach was `trashed' is a question to `those' who decided to do so. But the scams that have emerged in the past year, demand that this approach must be reconsidered. Besides, the ODC is akin to a planning or knowledge commission. It is left to the management to the EC to decide on implementation of what is suggested. Once approved by the EC the ODC would oversee the implementation to be done by the Club's staff/ Administration and external third party vendors. Hence the alleged quest for extra ordinary powers to be vested in the ODC is a bogey, and `those' who have misrepresented the situation should be asked to explain themselves. To my mind OD, if done, would be a healer and not draconian, as `they' make it out to be. It would help reduce management personality conflicts too.
M-Politics v/s professionalism ? What is your position? Do you stand through sides? If not then why?
R-If you see my blog at http://rajivbhatia.blogspot.in/2012/09/eve-of-elections-governance-at-cci.html "Today, on the eve before the elections, I do believe that he may be right. In my case I may not win. Not because some members do not know me, or do not appreciate my role for the benefit of our club, but because they do not trust my categorically declared independence of candidature. If I WILL NOT COMPROMISE my stated position (ie. one of independence), today, for the benefit of getting more votes in my favour, how reasonable are the chances that I will not do so while representing member's interests on the EC, if elected and during my working tenure?" So I am clearly averse to politics, am all for professionalism & have made it clear that the club and members interests are paramount.
M- They say you are not a `team player'?
R- What is their definition of `team player' ? What is the `game' in question? For ethical, intelligent, efficient, well meaning, time bound, collective, well coordinated efforts, I can be counted in. Besides I regularly work on team building exercises and work with teams. The working of ODC itself was a great team effort from within, but team work inputs from the outside were lacking. So let us re-examine as to who is and who is not and what kind of - `team player'.
M- It is said that you were recently seen `begging' for votes?
R- It is also held against me that I am a mis-fit in the establishment, not a part of the inner-circle and run weak election campaigns. Now why would I want to beg anyone for votes? The statement is illogical and a falsehood.
M- You make powerful enemies?
R- That is unfortunate for `them' that they see it that way. In reality I make a extraordinarily powerful friend! Its just that when I was supportive and helpful to them personally, they were happy with me. Now that I have taken my own position and views, they have a problem with it! That is `their' problem.
M- It is said that even the staff rejoiced when you lost the last elections?
R- I am informed that one of them is sitting behind bars at present with multiple criminal charges filed by the club. Now may we know who else was rejoicing? See http://rajivbhatia.blogspot.in/2013/06/bura-irada.html
M- Will you stand for elections again, given that your chances of winning as an independent will be slim?
R- I counter question that will members vote for me? I stand for a cause of good Governance and not victory for myself. How come members want it but not vote for it? So before I can answer the question, it would be appropriate for members to respond.
(M-members query R-my response)
M - Why do they call you professor? Now they also call you preacher? And dreamer too?
R - You should ask `them' who do. But `they' seem to be alleging that I don't `walk my talk'. I started walking my talk with the inception of the ODC in November 2011. Professionally minded friends joined me in taking strides for the club. Seemingly, others couldn't keep the pace, found the walk overwhelming and blocked the road. The walk was forced to a halt. So all that has been made possible is to `talk' and as a liberal minded and rational member, I am pleased to do so, to say and suggest what I believe is good for the club. If it bothers `them' then good, as they are taking cognizance. What `they' will do about it or allow others or me to do, is left to be seen. CK Prahalad (noted Management Guru) always said that to cause change one must necessarily have the courage to dream.
M - `They' treat you as trash?
R - `They' haven't been given the opportunity by me. To be treated as trash, one needs to volunteer, which I haven't done! With regard to `them' trashing my views, it is their privilege, but then we go back to the first point in discussion.
M - If you were given the opportunity to walk again or your views be acted upon, what are the deficits you see in the running of the club and how would you address / want the same addressed for solutions?
R - The club has been running for almost the past 80 years. It is a glorious institution and we are fortunate to have such a property for our use. However its birth and ensuing evolution has been out of alignment. That is to say, born & constructed as a cricket stadium and evolved as a multifarious multi functional recreation center for an unusually large membership, whose size may be disproportionate to the available infrastructure & carrying capacity. The provisions in the constitution require elections for the Executive Committee (5 retiring members) every year & an annual reconstruction of other committees and sub-committees. In the absence of transparent working, sound Governance, implementation of processes & systems and therefore an acceptable level of `professionalism' rumors override facts, resulting in a distortion of members views. This is often taken advantage of by those ambitious of management positions. These views were covered by me at the KYC of 2011 available at http://bit.ly/rdb_kyc. The ODC worked on system / network integration project (Firewall/VLANs), CCTV project, WiFi implementation for members and room guests, creation of a new server room, hiring of key personnel, tying up with HR consultancy firms & implementing legacy projects like Shawman & Tally. In the absence of standard operating practices and a proper organization structure, much remains to be done. Having been `given' the opportunity of creating & working for the Organizational Development Committee for 9 months, gave our ODC team insights to the management deficits, which is why I once again stood for elections in 2012 as my KYC describes http://bit.ly/rdb_kyc_2012 as it was clear to us that if the Organizational Development process was to get teeth, a strong representation on the EC was essential. With this as a background, I do believe it is essential that the club needs to:
1. Set a policy framework to cause performance improvement at the club.
2. Conduct all EC meetings in-camera and minutes, decisions taken and individual EC members views must be fairly disclosed to club members, who elect the EC members as their representatives and trustees to manage the club.
3. Provide a reasonable nomination framework & procedure for EC candidature. Persons with skills and competence for the job. Similarly for the Administration.
4. Election code of conduct to be framed and implemented. Elections for sports/ department committees. Players/ participants should be allowed to choose their representatives.
5. Resurrect the Organizational Development Committee with a clear mandate and authority to help build the administration, processes, systems, audits, IT and HR with due involvement (participation) of members through organized surveys and feedback. External professionals should be appointed to assist with a time bound implementation schedule. Cross representation between committees as may be required.
6. Revisit the constitution and rules and regulations, frame codes of conduct, communicate the same with all stake holders and implement for organizational discipline.
7. Proper implementation of participative management not to be misconstrued as `interference'.
8. Set long term property development plans with members concurrence.
9. Responsibility and accountability framework to be defined across the organization should be set. ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE SO THAT ONLY THE BEST OF BREED & INTENTIONS have the courage to want to participate in the management of the club.
10. Adhere to the adopted vision statement while making decisions:
For the club "To become a premier choice for members & their families to avail of sports and recreation facilities; encouraging participation, camaraderie, sportsmanship, networking, heritage, culture and appreciation of fine cuisine and the sensible development of necessary facilities and services for the same, all at reasonable costs."
M- Isn't this ask excessive? Wasn't the mandate requested by the ODC excessive too, seeking extra ordinary powers?
R- This is another argument arising from rumour mongering for `their' own comfort. If this was a corporate listed on the bourses, would not essential levels of management qualifications, conduct & Governance, be demanded? All that this approach entails is a `positive' developmental process rather than the presently adopted fire-fighting - knee-jerk reaction method of management adopted, where issues are resolved by appeasement and sound administrative practices are replaced by political & diplomatic manoeuvres. Read about Organizational Development at http://organisationdevelopment.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_development Why this approach was `trashed' is a question to `those' who decided to do so. But the scams that have emerged in the past year, demand that this approach must be reconsidered. Besides, the ODC is akin to a planning or knowledge commission. It is left to the management to the EC to decide on implementation of what is suggested. Once approved by the EC the ODC would oversee the implementation to be done by the Club's staff/ Administration and external third party vendors. Hence the alleged quest for extra ordinary powers to be vested in the ODC is a bogey, and `those' who have misrepresented the situation should be asked to explain themselves. To my mind OD, if done, would be a healer and not draconian, as `they' make it out to be. It would help reduce management personality conflicts too.
M-Politics v/s professionalism ? What is your position? Do you stand through sides? If not then why?
R-If you see my blog at http://rajivbhatia.blogspot.in/2012/09/eve-of-elections-governance-at-cci.html "Today, on the eve before the elections, I do believe that he may be right. In my case I may not win. Not because some members do not know me, or do not appreciate my role for the benefit of our club, but because they do not trust my categorically declared independence of candidature. If I WILL NOT COMPROMISE my stated position (ie. one of independence), today, for the benefit of getting more votes in my favour, how reasonable are the chances that I will not do so while representing member's interests on the EC, if elected and during my working tenure?" So I am clearly averse to politics, am all for professionalism & have made it clear that the club and members interests are paramount.
M- They say you are not a `team player'?
R- What is their definition of `team player' ? What is the `game' in question? For ethical, intelligent, efficient, well meaning, time bound, collective, well coordinated efforts, I can be counted in. Besides I regularly work on team building exercises and work with teams. The working of ODC itself was a great team effort from within, but team work inputs from the outside were lacking. So let us re-examine as to who is and who is not and what kind of - `team player'.
M- It is said that you were recently seen `begging' for votes?
R- It is also held against me that I am a mis-fit in the establishment, not a part of the inner-circle and run weak election campaigns. Now why would I want to beg anyone for votes? The statement is illogical and a falsehood.
M- You make powerful enemies?
R- That is unfortunate for `them' that they see it that way. In reality I make a extraordinarily powerful friend! Its just that when I was supportive and helpful to them personally, they were happy with me. Now that I have taken my own position and views, they have a problem with it! That is `their' problem.
M- It is said that even the staff rejoiced when you lost the last elections?
R- I am informed that one of them is sitting behind bars at present with multiple criminal charges filed by the club. Now may we know who else was rejoicing? See http://rajivbhatia.blogspot.in/2013/06/bura-irada.html
M- Will you stand for elections again, given that your chances of winning as an independent will be slim?
R- I counter question that will members vote for me? I stand for a cause of good Governance and not victory for myself. How come members want it but not vote for it? So before I can answer the question, it would be appropriate for members to respond.
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