An AGM was scheduled for tonight, but in order to maximise inclusivity and ensure proper procedures are followed, voting will be postponed, but structures and governance will be discussed in detail tonight, as outlined on the attached document. Some further explanation is below, but more detail will be available tonight. The meeting will be at the Pitcairn Centre from 7.45pm 6 November 2014.
As has been highlighted already, in preparing for tonight's meeting, the existing Trustees and key advisers have investigated a number of procedural difficulties. It is important to ensure that everything is kept within the rules but also that everything is done to represent and carry out the wishes of members. The tension between these two factors means that the existing Trustees feel that our structures and governance need to be discussed by the wider membership, and this will therefore be the focus of tonight's meeting.
As the existing legal entity (a limited company) has not yet completed a full year in existence, this meeting will also technically not be an AGM, but will be focus our collective efforts on agreeing how an AGM will be conducted in the new year.
As a substantial number of members wish to vote remotely and we have not been able to facilitate this within the rules and the time available, no voting will take place tonight. However, as a number of the existing Trustees are stepping down, new ones will be appointed for the interim period between now and the AGM, by which time a fully democratic process for their election will have been agreed.
Some motions were prepared for the AGM, which are included in the attached document. These will be discussed tonight to ensure everyone has the opportunity to consider them before they are voted on at the actual AGM.
I realise this is frustrating, but the Trustees have tried to balance the desire to press ahead with the AGM with the concerns raised by members and our responsibility to adhere to the rules. I look forward to seeing everyone tonight.
As has been highlighted already, in preparing for tonight's meeting, the existing Trustees and key advisers have investigated a number of procedural difficulties. It is important to ensure that everything is kept within the rules but also that everything is done to represent and carry out the wishes of members. The tension between these two factors means that the existing Trustees feel that our structures and governance need to be discussed by the wider membership, and this will therefore be the focus of tonight's meeting.
As the existing legal entity (a limited company) has not yet completed a full year in existence, this meeting will also technically not be an AGM, but will be focus our collective efforts on agreeing how an AGM will be conducted in the new year.
As a substantial number of members wish to vote remotely and we have not been able to facilitate this within the rules and the time available, no voting will take place tonight. However, as a number of the existing Trustees are stepping down, new ones will be appointed for the interim period between now and the AGM, by which time a fully democratic process for their election will have been agreed.
Some motions were prepared for the AGM, which are included in the attached document. These will be discussed tonight to ensure everyone has the opportunity to consider them before they are voted on at the actual AGM.
I realise this is frustrating, but the Trustees have tried to balance the desire to press ahead with the AGM with the concerns raised by members and our responsibility to adhere to the rules. I look forward to seeing everyone tonight.