Branch AGM 2009 To all members of UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch 1 December 2008 PRELIMINARY NOTICE The 2008 AGM will be held on Monday 16 February 2009 from 6pm to 8pm in the Queens Hall, Clerk Street, Edinburgh. The AGM is the branch's supreme policy making forum. It will elect the Branch Officers for 2009, set policy on important issues affecting all members and can amend rules. The notice is being issued now to allow members time to consider and submit nominations and motions and to meet deadlines for the agenda and allow the annual report to be printed and circulated at least seven days before the meeting. MOTIONS/RULE CHANGES Who can submit them? any TWO members, or Stewards Committees or Branch Committee. How do you submit them? They MUST be in writing and include: The names of the two members, their membership numbers and signatures (or signatures of Convener and Secretary if from a Shop Stewards Committee). To ensure time is not wasted, motions must be deemed competent and relevant by the Chair before going on the agenda. BRANCH OFFICER NOMINATIONS The same conditions apply with the addition that the candidate's name, workplace and membership number must be included. Nominations, motions or rule changes MUST arrive at the branch office by the deadline on this calling notice. This is a very important meeting. Please make every effort to participate. If anyone needs assistance or advice about submitting issues to the meeting, please feel free to contact me. Yours sincerely Agnes Petkevicius Branch Secretary     What are the officer positions?  President: Chairs branch meetings; represents the branch and oversees all its functions. Chair: Deputises for the President. Oversees day to day running of the branch, especially in service conditions. Chairs Branch Committee. Vice Chairs(2): At least one must be a woman. Deputises for Chair in meeting chairing role. Secretary:* Branch organisation, staffing and administration. Oversees policy and all branch officers work.Delegation leader/ spokesperson. Asst Secretary:* To assist in many of the above tasks. * One must be a woman. Treasurer: Keeps the accounts, organises expenses system (eg fares, child care costs etc), provides budgets, ensures books audited. Service Conditions Co-ordinator: Oversees all service conditions and negotiations. Staff Side Secretary nominee. Service Conditions Convener (APT&C): APT&C conditions as well as general role. Service Conditions Convener (Manual): As above but mainly for Manual conditions. Service Conditions Convener (Craft): As above but mainly for Craft conditions. Service Conditions Officers(4): At least two must be women. Responsible for service conditions matters across sectors. Equalities: Co-ordinate equalities strategy. Bring equality perspective to service conditions, branch publications. Keep up with legislation. Health & Safety: Develop plans to improve workplace environment. Oversee health & safety activity. Know legislation. Communications: Co-ordinate branch magazine. Develop media strategy. Ensure members get briefings etc. Education: Identify branch training needs. Develop appropriate courses/training plans. Young Members: Co-ordinate and campaign on young member issues, encourage involvement of young members. Welfare: Build support for welfare fund. Visit beneficiaries. Advise on benefits. Membership/ Recruitment: Co-ordinate recruitment. Assist in keeping statistics. Build services to members. International Relations: Keep branch informed of international issues and UNISON policies. Raise members' understanding of international issues as they affect UNISON. Auditors: To conduct an efficient audit in accordance with NEC principles at least yearly. Lifelong Learning Officer: To identify and co-ordinate opportunities for members who wish to access further learning.   Top of Page top