A spirited emergency AMS council meeting took place tonight to react to Blake Frederick’s human rights complaint to the UN. Because of the large turnout, the meeting took place in the Hebb Theatre and went for approximately three hours.
At its most populated, there were 175-200 students present, with a large number of students-at-large. As was outlined in a letter earlier today, Blake and Tim did not show up. The other three executives (Tom Dvorak, Johannes Rebane and Crystal Hon) did attend. Many students-at-large did voice their opinions during the meeting. A small contingent either defended/supported Blake and Tim’s actions, or condemned AMS Council for going ahead with this. A much larger number of students voiced their displeasure, for various reasons, with the actions of Blake and Tim.
All three motions of the motions on the agenda passed unanimously (the first motion was amended minorly during the meeting). AMS council has withdrawn the UN complaint, and asked for the resignations of President Blake Frederick and Vice President External Affairs Tim Chu.
After that business was over, Tom Dvorak and Johannes Rebane got up and addressed the fact that they both signed off on the contract with Pivot Legal Society. Tom and Johannes both apologized and took full responsibility for the lack of due diligence displayed in signing the document, and were also questioned by the audience about it.
After a number of questions, Mona Maghsoodi (GSS councillor and Former GSS President) then moved a motion to ask Tom and Johannes to resign. Much of the discussion focused on the fact that whereas Blake and Tim willfully deceived council, Tom and Johannes made an error in judgment and the fact that councillors consulted with constituents about Blake and Tim, but there has not be any time to consult constituents about Tom and Johannes. This motion was tabled until the first AMS meeting in January.
Petitions to recall Blake and Tim were also completed, putting the recall process in motion. In addition to the regularly scheduled council meeting on Wednesday, December 2, (agenda here) a special council meeting was also called for Monday, December 7, to deal with the recall.
If you want all the gory details, you can check out the live blogs:
And finally, a little history of of the last recall attempt that took place in the AMS.
Dec. 7, 2004: The Executive fired the General Manager.
Dec. 10, 2004: Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the firing, and notice was presented of motions asking for the recall of the whole Executive at a meeting to be held the following week.
Dec. 17, 2004: At the second meeting Council reversed the firing of the General Manager and passed a motion asking the President to resign. It then adjourned till after Christmas.
Jan. 5, 2005: Council met again; the President said she had decided not to resign. The motion to recall her was defeated, and the motions for recalling the rest of the Executive were essentially withdrawn. Council then passed a motion to censure the Executive.
So it started as recall, ended as censure. This way it’s going the other way around.
Another round up of other media:
The Ubyssey provides a few more updates.
Geoff Costeloe, vice-chair of the UBC Vancouver Senate with a very good piece on idealists and realists.
Radical Beer with some historical context, and the right way of dealing with bad ideas. Also, asking us in an unfortunately-worded manner to “please lay off the staff”.
Erica, bringing the dramazz and Paul Bucci love.
UBC Spectator on people who support Blake, Blake and Tim retroactively asking permission in a motion with more than a page of whereas clauses, and Blake and Tim’s letter.
Social Capital with a day two update and coverage of today’s letter from Blake and Tim.
Andrea thinks this is embarrassing and likes to plug the Social Capital blog.
Jason In Vancouver is jealous of Blake Frederick.
Chanelle, telling us to beware of the Blake Witch trials.
AMS Gossip Guy thinks he understands Blake’s rationale.
Mary with some perspective of her own, and a liveblog of her own
Jesse Ferreras still showing a few feverish symptoms of AMS-itis.
Terry spreading the word about the meeting.
Phew. And we are sure there are many other forums, tweeters and the like out there on the tubes.
Isn’t there a huge difference between what Amina did (firing the GM) and what Blake did?
What Amina did was illegal – having no just cause to fire someone can be challenged in court. And to boot, she didn’t follow AMS code in firing Bernie.
Amina’s situation is comparable in the sense that it was the last time an exec was asked to resign. But what the comparison should reveal is how they are completely not comparable situations!
Am I right?
Thanks for mentioning me and my “dramazz” and love for Paul haha
You are right, b.
What Amina did violated the letter of AMS rules, while what Blake has done here has violated the convention of the AMS, and undermined the spirit of AMS rules.
Both of them, however, did it for political reasons. My understanding is that Amina did her action to get the AMS out of a lawsuit. Blake did his action to avoid AMS due process.