Update on the Extraordinary General Meetings

As you vote, you have many questions, and you can look at this webpage of frequently asked questions for answers (PDF). The Board and I want to remind you of the reasons we are pursuing Constitutional change.

For too long, our College has been distracted by conflict and disputes at the very top. Boardroom clashes, personality disagreements, and uncertainty about leadership have drawn time and energy away from where it matters most, delivering value and support to you, our members.

This instability has hurt our reputation and left many of you frustrated and angry.

It undercuts the tremendous progress the College has made this year, in launching Training Management Platform (TMP), curriculum renewals, a new and stronger College Council, education governance reform, a new technology blueprint and much more.

We cannot afford another decade of this. That is why resolution one is so important.

It gives you the chance to make a simple change that can make your Board a lot less exposed to instability. By separating the role of College President from the role of Board Chair, we free your elected President to do what members expect – lead the profession, advocate for physicians, and represent your clinical voice.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Board, whether a Fellow or an external expert chosen by a majority of elected Directors, can focus on strong governance, oversight, and administration. This is a model recommended by the ACNC investigation as far back as 2019 (PDF), one many members have told us they want and that many Colleges have now introduced.

It is a straightforward change that addresses the root cause of our problems. It helps separate oversight of administration of College services, from conflict.

If you approve this resolution, your democratic rights remain exactly the same. You will still directly elect your President, President-elect, Aotearoa New Zealand President, trainee member, and three Directors. The Board can also appoint up to three external Directors with skills we need.

Any future proposed changes would be the subject of extensive consultation, and subject to your decision by vote. Day-to-day battles between Board leadership and governance will no longer fall on the same person.

The benefit to you is clear – a College with stability at the top, a President focused on advocacy and clinical leadership, and a governance structure that works smoothly. That means more energy directed to education, CPD, and services for members.

Resolutions two and three were submitted by individual members under the Constitution. Privacy and corporations laws prevent us from naming those members. The Board must put those resolutions to your vote but cannot advise you on how to vote.

Dr Sharmila Chandran has already made a statement about resolution two (PDF). Dr Nicholas Buckmaster, who is the subject of resolution three, has now made his own statement.

This is your chance to decide the future.

Separately, we welcome two more Directors to the Board, Aotearoa New Zealand President-elect, Associate Professor Janak De Zoysa, and appointed Director, Vincent So, bringing the number of Directors to five. Both Janak and Vincent have been appointed under the Board’s casual vacancy policy, and their terms will run until the May 2026 AGM.

We will continue updating you in the coming weeks ahead of the meetings. We encourage you to use your vote. Your voice matters.

On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your engagement. Together, we can end the cycle of conflict and start rebuilding trust, stability, and pride in our College.

Kind regards

Professor Jennifer Martin
RACP President and Chair of the Board