My university education had very little to do with coaching swimmers. My degree was in the twin majors of Business Administration and Political Science. I enjoyed Political Science. I was especially interested in the qualities that make a society just and fair. Qualities largely present in a society like New Zealand and missing without trace in Saudi Arabia. But even in a just and fair society the institutions that safeguard justice and fairness need protection. Without proper care, without vigilance even good communities can fail. The rule of law can be subverted by personal political ambition.

In my final year at Victoria University I did a paper on the subject of protecting society from personal political ambition. It’s a long time ago, but as best as I can remember this is the argument that earned my essay an “A” grade.            

Worldwide there are about 200 term limited presidents that completed their time in office. In slightly more than 50 cases ambitious presidents were able to extend their stay in power beyond their constitutional limits. When the time for them to leave office arrived powerful politicians were able to either ignore or alter the rules in order to hold on to power. Almost always the debate was framed that by staying they were acting entirely in the best interests of their people. Almost always a real or imagined crisis required their considerable talent and experience.    

Recently African states have been especially vulnerable to modern day Caesars seeking political immortality. Countries as otherwise diverse as Burkina Faso, Burundi, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have all had to deal with Presidents wanting to extend their stay in office. The lure and rewards of power can be extremely intoxicating. Only the most robust constitutional restraints and mass participation can prevent self-perpetuation in power.  

I have found that many of the features present in national state politics can also affect swimming clubs, swimming centers and national sports organizations. In the West Auckland Aquatics Club, before it was struck-off by Swimming New Zealand, we saw examples of Presidents operating outside the Constitution, of annual reports not being published or being published late, of annual meetings being missed and of elections being delayed or deferred. Quite simply the constitutional restraints and membership participation at the Club were not robust enough to control those in power. The result was terminal.

But does Swimming Wellington have a similar problem? I have to admit I am not an expert on the detail but what I do see does not look good. Take Mark Berge for example. He is the President who on his own website stunningly describes himself as the “the quintessential consultant in jeans”. That alone is a bit too cute for my taste. I’m told quintessential means “the most perfect example of quality or class”. Who on earth says that about themselves? Besides I suspect that quintessential and jeans are an unlikely match.   

However it appears that Mark Berge was originally elected to the Wellington Board in 2009 and then again in 2011 under a constitution approved in the same year. By 2014 he had either broken or was coming right up against constitutionally imposed term limits. But conveniently, in 2014, Wellington passed a new constitution that among other things ensured the survival of Mark Berge. And of course he is still there. Still there accepting awards as sportsperson of the year for his work in Swimming Wellington. Still there as President of Swimming Wellington. Still there because of a constitutional change that extended the time committee members could continue to stay in office. Interestingly the four year limit on a Board Chairman’s tenure also seems to have been abolished at that time.

In my opinion any appreciation of the “intent” behind the term limits contained in the various Wellington regional swimming constitutions would point to Mark Berge having outstayed his welcome. Of course he has not done anything unconstitutional. Neither did the Presidents of Burkina Faso and Namibia. But the intent of most term limits, I would imagine, is to avoid someone, elected eight years ago in 2009, holding on to office and putting himself forward in 2017 for another tilt at power.

And before Berge gets another term it is relevant to ask to see his record. What is his legacy? How has Wellington changed during his time in office? I imagine it is fair to use participation and performance as measures of an administrator’s influence. Well we do know that in 2010 Wellington (including Wairarapa and Wanganui) had 1776 registered swimmers. In 2016 the number of registered swimmers had declined by 221 to 1555; a 12% reduction. We also know that in 2009 Wellington won 16 medals at the National Open Championships. In 2017 that performance record had dropped by 5 medals to 11; a 31% reduction. And so it would seem that at the next Wellington general meeting it might be appropriate to ask Mark Berge exactly why he deserves another year in office.   

Perhaps, like New Zealand national politics, it is time for Swimming Wellington to have a fresh start. The old guard has had their turn. It is time for an active membership to turn power over to a new generation. Let’s do this!