RCN President addresses AGM

Speaking at this year’s annual general meeting, RCN President Andrea Spyropoulos told members that standing up for members and looking out for their interests was her number one priority.

Acknowledging the increasing number of challenges facing nursing staff today, she reflected on the “slow but steady” attacks on the reputation of nursing and often unfair comments highlighted in the media.

She encouraged members to visit the This is nursing website, where, she said, the incredible challenges facing nursing staff are highlighted. “This is one of the most important initiatives the RCN has ever undertaken,” she said.

The President also made reference to the pay cartel in the south west of England and said the RCN is “fighting with everything we’ve got” to protect members and patients in the area. “Together we will overcome the challenges, fight attacks and deliver for patients,” she said.

Read more about the RCN annual general meeting.

Vote results

At the Royal College of Nursing annual general meeting the following resolutions were voted upon:

Ordinary resolution

From 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014 the annual membership fee will be: £198.72, an increase of 32p per month, for full nurse members and £99.36, an increase of 16p per month, for health practitioner members

For: 7,545
Against: 9,590
Not carried

Special resolutions

To amend the RCN Standing Orders to enable the alignment of RCN elections to the calendar year.

For: 14, 670
Against: 1,043
Carried

To amend the RCN Standing Orders to provide for the definition of RCN activists and representatives and to provide for the policies and processes associated with fulfilling their roles.
14,546
912
Carried

To amend the Standing Orders to enable one of the elected Health Practitioner Council members to become chair of the Health Practitioners Committee in line with the arrangements for the Students Committee and Country and Regional Boards.
For: 14,790
Against: 1,059
Carried

To amend the Standing Orders to require that casual vacancies on Council are filled by election.
For: 15,574
Against: 723
Carried