In October, the board of directors of SARP "Coast" took away the branch president's ability to speak. The resolution stipulated that her statements in the media, at meetings and in official letters must be agreed in advance with the board. And even put to a vote. Natalia Balcerzak is the first woman president in the history of the branch. It was only after the resolution sparked discussion that the board withdrew from the controversial provisions.
The atmosphere at the Association of Polish Architects "Wybrzeże" Branch in Gdansk became heated when the board adopted the controversial resolution on October 25. According to it, "public statements made by members of the SARP "Wybrzeże" board, including the branch president, on issues related to SARP activities will be consulted at the branch board before publication." Although the ban applies to the entire board, the resolution hit the president - or in this case, the president - of the association hardest, because it is the person in this position who represents the branch externally, is most often invited to debates, official meetings and asked to comment in the media.
SARP "Coast". The board of directors restricted the president's statements
This is not the only absurdity. The board ruled that in such cases "the position of the board should be developed on the basis of the majority vote rule." It added that the resolution applies to all kinds of publications, including oral and written statements in the media and public institutions (sic!), articles, statements at official meetings, letters and other formal documents." "Concern for the consistency of the position presented by SARP" was indicated as the purpose of these provisions.
In practice, it would be very difficult, and sometimes impossible, for the president to represent the association. It is difficult to imagine a situation in which a statement given to the press, radio or television is authorized by a 10-member board. And this by way of a vote. It is worth adding that the time for authorization stipulated in the press law is 6 hours for dailies and 24 hours - for magazines. It would be equally troublesome to participate in debates or at official meetings - because the content of statements must be agreed in advance with the board.
Similar prohibitions of previous presidents were not in effect. Besides, the statute clearly states that the president "directs the work of the board and represents the branch externally."
Balcerzak was elected president at the association's general membership meeting in January this year. She is the first woman to hold this position in the history of the "Coast" branch. The architect has been with SARP since 2009, and was a member of the branch's board of directors during the 2012-2015 term. In 2015 she became vice-president, and from 2019 she was chairwoman of the SARP's General Court of Fellows. After winning the election for president in an interview with AiB , she announced the consolidation of the community, adding that SARP's voice should resound in discussions about important investments in the city, among her goals she mentioned the renovation of the Golden Gate and the restoration of the monument to its former splendor. The latter topic has aroused great emotion in Gdansk in recent years. During the tenure of the previous presidents, the association came under fire of criticism for allowing trade in Chinese goods in the gate, and later for the ugly fencing of the monument with plywood. The new chairman announced the rescue of the Golden Gate and the removal of the fence as soon as possible, among her ideas she also mentioned a public collection for the renovation of the monument, or opening its interiors to visitors.
First they supported, now they are withdrawing from the controversial resolution
The content of the draft of the controversial resolution was prepared by board members Iga Nowacka and Radoslaw Standara, who also ran for the position of president of SARP "Coast". Restricting the president's free speech sparked discussions in the association and other SARP branches. It was only when the resolution gained notoriety, and the matter was also taken up by AiB magazine, that the board withdrew from the controversial provisions. On November 21, board members rescinded the adopted resolution.
