1999-2000 Committee vacancies

BECTU Branches are invited to nominate members for vacancies on the Standing Orders and Appeals Committees.

Insufficient nominations were received from branches before the date of 1999 BECTU Annual Conference conference for election by the delegates, as follows:

• Appeals Committee (five positions, three nominations only).

• Standing Orders Committee (five positions, four nominations only).

All these are in respect of the periods of office which will end with Annual Conference in 2000.

Vacancy for two members of the Appeals Committee

Rule 26(c) as amended at the 1999 Rules Revision Conference provides that in the event of a vacancy on the Appeals Committee it shall be filled by the unsuccessful candidate with the highest number of votes in the previous election; but that if there are no such candidates, branches shall be invited to nominate further suitable members. Under Rule 11(b) only paid-up members of the union are eligible to hold office. Under rule 26(b) candidates for the office of Appeals Committee member shall have not less than ten years' membership of the union, and shall not be members of the NEC or Disciplinary Committee.

If there are more than two nominations, the NEC shall determine the appointment as provided under rule 26(c) for by the drawing of lots from among the valid nominations.

Vacancy for one member of the Standing Orders Committee

The provisions of rule 42(a) concerning vacancies on the SOC apply only where there are unsuccessful candidates in an election. As there were no such candidates, branches are now invited to submit nominations of suitable members to fill the vacancy. Under rule 11(b) only paid-up members of the union are eligible to hold office. Under rule 42(a) no member of the NEC or of the Appeals Committee is eligible to be a member of the Standing Orders Committee.

If there is more than one nomination, the NEC shall determine the appointment in the same manner as is provided under rule for appointment in the same circumstance to the Appeals Committee, i.e. by the drawing of lots from among the valid nominations.

How branches may nominate

Branches wishing to make nominations should convene a meeting under rule 28(a)(v). However, if such a meeting is impracticable, the NEC authorises the branch committee, under rule 29(f), to make a nomination in the name of the branch. Nominations must be made in writing by an authorised branch officer, clearly indicating whether the nomination is for Appeals Committee or Standing Orders Committee, identifying the candidate in full and stating his/her BECTU membership number, and affirming that he/she is willing and eligible to be nominated under the rules referred to above.

All nominations must be received by BECTU General Secretary Roger Bolton at BECTU Head Office no later than 1200 on Friday 24 September 1999.