FOR ANY NEWLY ELECTED BODY, the initial days after taking office often turn out to be a period of trial, in the sense that the elected members, particularly those joining the group for the first time or after a gap of several years, need time to familiarize themselves with issues that need immediate attention. But for our Board, which took over the responsibility of running the Club on July 1, there is not enough time to get to know in detail what needs to be done.

We all know the FCCJ is facing a series of serious problems that need to be addressed without delay. Seldom has our Club faced problems so critical in nature, and hence the expectation from the Board is exceptionally high. This high expectation was reflected very clearly in the election results, burdening us with the responsibility of not only shouldering problems inherited from the past, but also with an immediate task of finding ways to resolve all those issues in the best possible ways that will be beneficial to the Club and accepted to all parties concerned. So, unlike most other elected bodies, our Board has not been enjoying any honeymoon period, and we started working hard from the very first day of taking office.

First and foremost among the many important matters facing the Board was the staff and management issue, which needed to be resolved as quickly as possible. We were given a guideline by the GMM in the form of a resolution adopted in June and the Board started working on this from the very first day of assuming office under the supervision of the HR Committee headed by the 2nd Vice President. An amicable solution that would not undermine the interest of any of the groups involved was what the Board was aiming to reach. The threat of industrial action was looming and so there was a need for urgency. We could not put at risk the reputation of the Club that our predecessors worked so hard to build. But at the same time, we also could not risk making the Club hostage to demands from one group or another. Right from the very beginning, I sincerely believed that a negotiated settlement was not out of reach and this is what the new Board set as its prime target in order to help the Club out of its impasse. I’m relieved that we reached a settlement within a short period of time, and one that is, I believe, acceptable to all, as it doesn’t undermine the binding GMM resolution and also holds a balancing position between the concerned parties.

In his resignation announcement sent to the President after Board approval of recommendations from the HR Committee, GM Thomas Kermabon stated: “The Club faces many serious challenges at the present time and the future will undoubtedly bring more. Although I have tried to imagine a long-term and realistic solution to these challenges that includes me remaining, I sincerely believe it is in all of the Club’s best interests that I step down. Obviously, the most important thing now for all is the smooth operation and continued good name of the FCCJ. My departure is an amicable one and it is important that everyone know I believe I was treated fairly and professionally.”

The Board has agreed on an arrangement whereby the Club will be temporarily managed through a triangular partnership of Mr. Ogawa, Mr. Tsuchiya and Mr. Hunter. I do hope this will pave the way for the Club to return to its normal functioning. I’m also sure that our members will appreciate the cooperative approach of GM Kermabon in helping the Club avert a crisis.

In other matters, many of our members are aware that the Club’s financial situation is also quite critical. The Club incurred a significant amount of operational loss in the last fiscal year, and things are not looking brighter for the immediate future either. The situation calls for taking drastic steps to tackle the problem and for austerity measures to be put into practice. We discussed the issue in detail at the very first meeting of our Board and decided to continue focusing on this crucial issue with the aim of getting rid of unnecessary expenses. But at the same time, the Board is also aware that austerity measures should not compromise the standard of service that we provide to our members. It is time that we start thinking collectively what measures might ease the situation so that we’re able to concentrate on our efforts to make the Club a nice and decent place, easing the workloads of foreign journalists in Japan and also providing a wonderful platform for our Associate colleagues.

We’ve been elected to office with pledges that all of us have made in our election statements. Now the time has come for us to start delivering what we have committed to deliver. I mentioned clearly in my election statement that the priority of our Board must be to do everything in our power to find the right way that will take us back to the path of decency and mutual trust. With this in mind, I have set about creating a Grievance and Complaint Panel, which would work as a mechanism of solving various issues arising between members of the Club, and also between members and the staff. My election statement also expressed the desire to make the Club more transparent, so that members do not feel they are left in the dark about the functioning of our Club.

At the very first meeting of our Board, we took a number of decisions to ensure transparency. The Board has decided to place all Club reports, including HR, F&B and H&P committee reports and minutes of Board meetings, on the Club’s Web site, available initially to all regular members with a password. Moreover, the Board has also decided to start a review process to find out if any Bylaws need revision to make Club records, in particular financial records, available to all members, including associates and professional associates. We’ve also proposed making committee activities more open by giving Board members access to committee documents and meeting proceedings.

As President, my intention is to use the “executive session” option as rarely as possible; only in cases where it is unavoidable. I’m happy to announce that the Board had given its consent to a proposal to that end and has also agreed that even in cases when the sessions turn out to be executive, detailed written and audio records of proceedings for both Board meetings and GMMs are to be kept.

Already a month has passed since the new Board has assumed the responsibility of helping the Club to function smoothly to the satisfaction of all members. I, on behalf of the Board, would like to thank all our members who have participated enthusiastically in the election process and given us this responsibility at a critical time when both internal and external factors are standing as obstacles that need to be overcome.

With these responsibilities in mind, I’ve already appointed committee chairs, and I’m convinced the team that I’ve been able to gather represents the best possible choices, as many of the appointed chairs and co-chairs have proven their ability in the past and also have shown their deep attachment to the Club that we all love so dearly.

I’m looking forward to a very fruitful and cooperative year that will help us steer through the present difficulties and make our Club a wonderful place capable of fulfilling the needs of both Regular and Associate members, whose unique blend make this Club so attractive.

– Monzurul Huq