New BECTU Conference format

BECTU's next Annual Conference will be following a new format in May 2008 at Liverpool.

The new format, agreed at last year's Conference, means that BECTU's National Executive Committee (NEC) report will not be taken paragraph-by-paragraph during Conference, but will be sent out to Branches well in advance.

Branches can then indicate which paragraphs of the NEC's report they would like to debate at Conference. All other paragraphs will be 'taken as read'.

It is planned the time saved will allow Conference to break up into three workshop sessions on the Saturday. The topics for these will be announced in due course, but one is likely to be on greening the workplace.

Branch delegates from all parts of the union will be attending the Conference, which will debate:

• BECTU's NEC report to Conference.
• Proposed changes to the union's Rules.
• Policy motions submitted by both Branches and the NEC.

The Conference takes place Friday and Saturday, 9 and 10 May 2008, at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.

The Standing Orders Committee (SOC), which has responsibility for deadlines and the agenda for the Conference, has issued the timetable for the Conference, which includes a 31 January 2008 deadline for receipt of proposed motions (propositions) and Rule changes from Branches.

Branch Secretaries have been sent details about the Conference by the union Head Office.

BECTU members should contact their local Branch if they:

• Have ideas for Rule changes and/or motions which they would like their Branch to put forward.
• Are interested in representing their Branch as a delegate.

Women, BME, LGBT and disabled members are especially encouraged to put themselves forward as delegates.

The SOC requests that Branches begin now to arrange general meetings of members in relation to the SOC's schedule of dates, in order to consider and submit on time proposed propositions, amendments and nominations, and to consider the appointment of delegates.

The SOC is willing to help Branches frame their proposals, but if Branches wish to avail themselves of this they must submit a draft proposition well in advance of the 31 January 2008 closing date, with a written request for SOC assistance. Correspondence should be addressed to the SOC, c/o David Cormack (Administrative Officer) [email protected] at BECTU Head Office.

Conference is the supreme policy-making and governing body of the union and BECTU Branches are encouraged by the SOC to play their full part.