As an overseas member, I do think it's important that if we lobby for
a vote of all RGS-IBG members, that this be a *postal ballot* than
merely an on-site show of hands. This is what the Canadian
Association of Geographers does for dealing with constitutional
issues and the election of officers. A postal ballot would offer the
most democratic and inclusive means for discussing these issues,
particularly if both sides were able to send out a brief statement of
the reasons behind their stance for all members to read. (Whether we
as critical geographers would win a postal ballot is another issue,
but I for one am strongly opposed to the sorts of machinations, the
planted speakers of the RGS establishment and their hand signals, etc.
that were in evidence at the Strathclyde vote. Perhaps a postal
vote would even be useful in bringing the RGS into 20th century
'global culture'/a more democratic tradition).
Liisa Cormode
Postgraduate, University of Manchester/Toronto, Canada
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