I write concerning the continued disregard and disrespect shown the Dominica Football Association (DFA) executive for the constitution of the DFA, and more so to the members of the DFA.
The executive is charged, in the DFA constitution, with the directed responsibility to ensure the constitution is implemented. The executive competence in that regard is questionable as it failed to recognize the following:
- Elections were constitutionally due at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) OF 2012 due to the vacancy created by the suspension of Patrick John by FIFA.
- The executive continues to believe that Glen Ettienne is elected president or can legally or constitutionally act as president beyond the DFA AGM of 2013.
And the executive appears irresponsible not recognizing:
- The DFA in a position of suspension from FIFA for having an unelected executive or executive members and the serious consequence of a FIFA suspension if FIFA has been misinformed.
- The importance of the duly exercised constitutional call for a Special Conference by members of the DFA to discuss and establish the clear constitutional requirement.
- That there is no constitutional basis for the executive action or lack thereof in not complying the constitutional call for an Special Conference. Jomo could not withdraw his signature!
- No due process has been exercised to justify this blatant disregard for the constitution of the DFA which the executive is constitutionally obliged to enforce.
I make this public appeal as in the past the executive has failed to act to correct actions that are blatantly non constitutional, for example documented evidence of denied access to the financial records of the DFA, and members rights arbitrarily denied. The executive not only failed to act but has never responded in writing.
The constitution is clear, elections are due, and members constitutionally called for a Special Conference. Please exercise your constitutional responsibility and authority, ensure members rights and respect, safeguard the constitution of the DFA, ensure the DFA is not exposed to FIFA sanctions, your voice will be noted; do the right thing ensure a constitutional agenda for 2013.
For love of the game
Dexter Francis
(former president DFA)
dexter cheeeeeeups
Don harlem people want their AGM and MONEY STATEMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AH 10 years??
ceeeeups? So you want the same thing for the DFA?
cheeeups dexter
where is dr benjeman???
?!. Say something if you dare.
I find this article lacks credibility. One cannot be accusing anyone of breaking the rules of the constitution and not quote the Sections of the constitution that is infringed on. Mr. Francis i suspect you need to do more research before you write open letters.
The facts can be verified and hopefully this is will encourage the membership to find their own constitutional positions. The relevant articles and clauses of the DFA constitution have been referenced where necessary and executive members have constitutions and should inform themselves. The letter is to the executive members who may not be fully aware of what is being done.
The executive is well aware of the relevant articles that are breached as well the members who called for a special conference to discuss the issue.
The constitution is breached because elections are due as a result of the vacancies created by the suspension of Patrick John, the constitution provides elections SHALL be held at the next AGM following the creation of a vacancy. The executive is in breach by not convening a special meeting as constitutionally called.
It is instructive that the only concern you have is that there is no reference to the specific clauses and articles. I would like people to do their own reading and studies especially members of DFA so that we become stronger and so will no be easily fooled.
Mr. Francis, while I am in sync with what you are saying as it relates to Glen Ettiene in particular. I minded to draw to your attention during reign, a litany of violates against the very constitution that you are now quoting from.
Now, let me warn you that should there be any denial by you to the effect that you did not violate the very constitution, I am going to challenge you with documenary evidence.
Often times we never see the beam in our eyes when we are being oppressive, but no sooner we are no longer on stage we start fuming over the very same thing that we did unchallenge.
As a member of the DFA I have a right to raise issues as I see them as did members when I was president. In my day I would have been happy to discuss any constitutional matter. In this case can you see an issue with someone trying to mislead the membership? Mr. Ettienne cannot present a constitutional base for his position and he then further frustrates the constitution by not having a discussion when members exercise their constitutional rights and call for a meeting to address the issue. It concerns me that the leadership is acting in total disregard for the constitution even when members act constitutionally to convene a meeting.
harlem needs an AGM and the DFA must stay on
All teams and clubs need to meet and discuss the issues relevant to football and particularly this issue. There is a need for constructive discussions all around. What does the Harlem constitution say about AGMs and when was the last one held? Is the membership organized and who is responsible to ensure that things are done correctly?
What does the Harlem constitution say about the call for an AGM? What has club members been doing for the last 10 years?
I NOW SEE why you are no longer the president of the DFA.
This Letter is very poorly written.
You have not identified one section of the DFA Constitution that have been breached by the current executive body.
This is a letter to the media and you made reference to a JOMO. Do make the requisite research and get the name of the said individual. Is JOMO the same person called Robertson Hypolite ?
Also you have to state a Constitutional basis citing the appropriate Section thereof in support of your arguments raised.
I hope that you seek legal advice and get your facts straight.
I also hope that you could follow the constitution of the DFA and try to activate the relevant processes to realize your objective.
Try to get the support of affiliate members; Write to their executives/management and also lobby their membership of the teams.
Note also that some of the clubs have some very serious issues to deal with. Harlem has not had its AGM for nearly 10 years and an Independent Audited Financial Statement is being requested by some sections of the Newtown Public. I do believe that a lot more clubs is needed to help in the betterment of Football and also more assistance for the players is necessary. Too much money is being expended in Administration by the DFA.
I deliberately did not quote the relevant sections of the DFA constitution. In correspondence with the DFA executive as well as with members of the DFA the relevant clauses are referenced.
If I say that the executive has not convened a special meeting although members constitutionally requested and this is not so then I have really exposed myself as not telling the truth. This has been a public discussion for months.
I did not identify the sections, but they are there in black and white and easy to find. The question is are you more concerned about the lack of a reference to the constitution or the fact that it is breached. I am stating categorically as someone who was charged to enforce the constitution that it is breached and is further breached if elections are not part of the agenda for DFA AGM 2013. All my arguments have been made and I am happy to provide a detailed argument. Are you concerned that the DFA has acted to prevent a forum where the issue should be discussed? My objective is clear to have a constitutionally convened AGM for 2013, and note that the executive is frustrating the constitutional process. I have already attempted to use the constitution to convene a special conference and am saying that the executive with no constitutional basis or authority did not convene the meeting as provided for in the constitution. The necessary signatures required for a call for a special conference was a result of lobbying teams and affiliates.
I agree we need a stronger organization, a new culture of transparency and accountability all round in the DFA. The rights of New Town are no different than the rights of members to be guided by the constitution and not the whims of individual members. If DNO permits I can include the detailed constitutional argument that supports my view, but I did not feel this was necessary as the executive is well informed. The executive needS to present their defense. As I stated they have not responded in writing to the call for a special conference. This is where constitutional reference is required.
Why then are you so silent on the lack of AGM by the premiere football club in Dominica? Am convinced you DexterIsrael will get the full support of the newtown people.
So why was my comment deleted?? this open Letter to dfa was more damaging that what i said..
Ok well let me rephrase.
Dexter Francis, where is the accounting for the Barbadoes/Dominica World cup qualifier?
Well if that is your idea of focus and dealing with an issue at hand I am not surprised that your comments are deleted.
If you can stick to the relevant issues, the DFA constitutional has to have elections for vacancies, the DFA executive is in breach of the constitution and refuses to convene a legally exercised call for a special conference, the DFA is in potential danger of suspension from FIFA, and the constitution calls for elections, and WHY IS THE EXECUTIVE BENT ON SUPPRESSING the constitution, then we can have a conversation. I really look forward to it.
Singing for sooorparrr
No wonder you chose to remain anonymous because you have nothing to contribute to the development of fooftball on island or this discussion but people like you hide behind your computers and type nonsense. Shame on you. Dexter Francis has signed his contribution and he has raised ligitimate concerns and thats all you have to say?No wonder we are where we are on sports we do not uphold the constituion that created our respective positions in the football institution and all those guys you seem to support can see nothing wrong with that? You go Dexter!!
Thanks you. It is interesting that few people recognize how important the democratic process is and what the real issue is here.
It says a lot when the leadership of an organization is determined to avoid following the constitution of an organization. It also says a lot about the organization if the membership allows the leadership to fool them and no one recognizes that.
Ten signatures requested a special conference and yet the leadership is comfortable that it can ignore the request.
Are there any issues raised in the correspondence you wish to comment on? Remember focus focus focus. But if you don’t have any thing to contribute to the ISSUE AT HAND I understand.
The adherence to respective constitutions is increasingly becoming an issue for members of sporting associations and the nation at large.
Members of organizations to educate themselves. Knowledge is power. Even in the face of clear precedent the DFA is prepared to try to full the membership.
call jerry and redknect and peter and we can plan something
the new harlem is behind you
join us for us to get our AGM
call matt in the morning
enuff is enufff
harlem/dfa need their AGM
a joint approach is needed.