Grey Power president Roy Reid is accused of acting unconstitutionally to prevent the Western Bay of Plenty association members from voting to leave the national federation.

In a joint statement issued by the former WBOP executive, Roy's accused of undertaking a media campaign to stop the WBOP Association from legitimately making its own decisions.

The former executive; Carole Gordon, John Cronin, Faye Ryan, Noel Warner, Tui Sanders, and Athole Herbert was elected in June charged with reviving a moribund organisation on the verge of going into recess.

Soon after its election, the new executive met with the president of the Grey Power Federation, Roy Reid.

He told them there will be no changes in the federation until 2013 – in spite of 10 years of member associations calling for change and efficiency in board operations and a membership loss of more than 30,000.

In this context, the WBOP executive examined options in order to respect members and to ensure elder advocacy and support in the region.

The Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power Association is an incorporated society with a right to conduct its own business autonomously according to its constitution.

Members join the association, not the federation and each association pays an affiliation fee to the federation.

The executive held a special general meeting in November where a detailed proposal, including a motion to leave the federation, was overwhelmingly supported.

Members were kept fully informed through two magazines, two letters and public notices.

A further second special general meeting was required to endorse the member decision to withdraw from the federation.

Although advised, no communication was received from Roy Reid.

The statement says that before the December 9 meeting, the executive received a letter from former association president Doug Wilson containing unfounded allegations which he also took to local media.

Roy Reid and two federation board members turned up at the meeting unannounced.

The local executive had no opportunity to refute media articles and board allegations as the federation contingent disrupted the meeting creating a hostile environment.

The executive resigned – the valuable volunteer network that served the office also resigned.

The meeting was attended by 167 registered members.

Contrary to misleading media advertising, information and statements by the Grey Power Federation president, there was no breakaway, no rebel takeover, no misuse of funds, no misuse of assets, no secret intent, no intent to seek government funding and no political alignment.

When contacted about the statement, Roy Reid says he has no comment to make whatsoever.

'I believe what I said was correct so I'm not getting involved in it,” says Roy.

Associations are able to vote to leave the federation, but the constitutional process requires federation board members to attend the meeting with full speaking rights.

'That why we were there,” says Roy.

'I spoke, yes. The membership didn't want a bar of what she was up to.”