The Scotsman has a report online regarding the special general meetings of the MS Society Scotland taking place and a representatives belief that the possible independence of the organization could bring back former patron J. K. Rowling. As readers will recall, last April Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling stepped down from her role as patron of the MS Society due to internal conflicts. Today, the paper is reporting that with the introduction of new resolutions, former MS Society Scotland chairman Bill Findlay believes the organization could possibly see the return of J. K. Rowling. Mr. Findlay is quoted as saying:
"I would say if we got through motion three, giving us independence, she'd come back like a shot."
The paper goes on to say the following of the resolution and possible outcomes:
A special general meeting of the MS Society Scotland in Perth on Saturday will hear the result of a postal ballot of members who were asked to consider a number of resolutions.
One motion, proposed by the Caithness branch, calls for the MS Society Scotland to be independent of the UK charity. Another, proposed by Mr Findlay, urges the charity's members to record a "vote of no confidence" in the UK board of trustees.
It continues: "The failure of the UK trustees to act with due care and diligence resulted in significant financial losses for the charity, damaged its public image, and brought about the loss of its highly valued and respected patron JK Rowling."
A spokesperson for the Harry Potter author released the following statement:
"JK Rowling resigned as patron of the MS Society Scotland in April and, for this reason, thinks it inappropriate to comment on the internal affairs of the charity or on the question of independence. She continues to fund research into the cause and treatment of MS, and to hope the charity resolves its difficulties."
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It was so sad to have her step down in the 1st place, but it’s true I can’t see how people in Scotland, which has a huge number of MS sufferers, can benefit from a charity centralised in London. But I’m sure that was just one of the conflicts. I disagree that she’d come back as quick as Findlay says but hopefully within time the charity will be less divided and full on conflict.
It’s a disease that I’ve grown up knowing of due to my mum spending the majority of her career as an MS nurse. And it’s really hit home recently as one of my best friend’s sister has been diagnosed. The problems and fears she’s been faced with are incredibly humbling
It is my genuine hope that they are able to resolve their internal strife in order that they are better able to allocate their resources toward the cause for which their institution was founded, that of fighting MS and supporting those who suffer from it. It is a pity that these issues, whatever their nature, have diverted their energies away from the cause.
This is very interesting!! I hope things are worked out for the best of the MS Society Scotland & no more financial losses for the charity are endured.
Well as long as the change is for the better then I’m sure JK Rowling won’t hesitate to give it her full support once again. Clearly the changes they made in the first place was not a good idea or they wouldn’t be thinking about becoming an independent society once again.
yaay. Good for her. This is interesting actually, we never got too much insight as to why she backed down ?