Lobbying the Clubs, or any institution is what any average citizen would think would be the best way to highlight concerns and get change.
Unfortunately, I do not believe it works that way except in exceptional circumstances where a tidal wave of opinion is addressing a particular issue. I am not stating that the Clubs et al are against representation but merely pointing out that as large Organisations they are like huge ships. They take for ever to turn. Each year they look at what they plan to do as far as their business is concerned. Once that is agreed and implemented it is obviously difficult to change the strategy. There is, dare I say it, also a lethargy from the senior management to push for this, as it indicates that they have not been bluntly 'up to speed', and nobody admits errors do they? Even attending the AGM may have little success as firstly you have to get the topic on to the Agenda, or raise it under AOB. Even then you have to get a majority of votes in favour, and usually even although the hall may back you, there are often hidden votes that are managed by the Board.
Now I am not stating it is impossible, but Joe Public has to get an awful lot of his/her mates to tag along to get anything to happen. As we know even sending petitions with a multitude of signatures can often only get a 'we will look at it' which means 'we will bin it asap'.
My suggestions for anyone to try and get something changed in either the CC or C&CC is to first write a formal letter to the Secretary asking the procedure to have a motion submitted to the AGM. Once that is confirmed then it requires as many members as possible to write offering support to the Motion. It is also a good idea to send a copy of the proposed Motion to each and every Board member in advance and ask for their support. Ideally, something like this Forum could be used as a catalyst, but it is possible Haymarket feel that is outside their remit. The other option is for a 'chain letter' to be circulated, we all sign it and send to a common source for submission to the Club. If we are lucky it will get on to the AGM and then we can attend said AGM and see what happens. You never know we may be lucky and win the vote. At least the Club will be aware of the concern of a significant number of members and will in time probably move towards a solution.
The catch in all this is getting the required support in more than just a arbitrary manner. A 'I am with you all the way' on the Forum is not really enough. It requires written support with name, address etc. Far to many people like the idea, but cannot be bothered actually getting off the sofa.
Sorry for the long winded comment but unless we arrange a convoy of caravans endlessly passing by the Club head office with megaphones of course, then I suspect we are 99% talk and 1% action.
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