Vote ‘yes’ to this year’s AGM proposals on health care assistants and membership subscriptions:

a special message from Chair of Council Sandra James

As you may recall, two resolutions narrowly missed being passed at last year’s annual general meeting (AGM). Both resolutions required a two-thirds majority to pass and both fell just short. Consequently, as you may have read in last month’s Activate, RCN Council is bringing the votes back to the AGM this year, quite simply because we know that the majority of members are in favour of them.

The two proposals are to enable health practitioners, such as health care assistants and assistant practitioners, to become full members of the RCN, and to enable Council to set subscription rates capped to an increase of up to two per cent above the consumer price index (CPI).

Council has listened to those members who had concerns, however, and we have modified the proposals accordingly. We are now proposing to create a separate health practitioners’ constituency with two seats on Council, much like the current student constituency. This means that health practitioners will have a guaranteed voice on Council but would not be able to stand for President or take on a role such as Chair or Vice Chair of Council.

The subscription proposal has been modified to include a review of the arrangement every five years – enabling members to regularly reflect on how Council has exercised the responsibility.

Members will also be asked to vote on an amendment to the Royal Charter to ensure the RCN has mutual trading status. This is important for the tax concessions the RCN can receive as a special register trade union.

To vote you should return your proxy voting papers sent to you at the beginning of September or attend the AGM in London on 26 October. For more information please visit www.rcn.org.uk/agm2011.

It is very important that we have your support for these proposals in order that the RCN can meet the needs of nursing now, and in the future.

Promoting the vote

To help activists promote the vote here are some key messages to use when talking to members:

Resolution one: health practitioners

• All members of the nursing team should have a voice at the top table of the RCN.
• Council has listened to your concerns and established a separate health practitioners’ constituency.

Resolution two: subscription rate

• Council has a responsible track record and during the last five years’ trial period has consistently set subscription rates below rates of inflation.
• Council has already agreed to a zero per cent subscription increase for 2012.
• Council has listened to your concerns and used CPI, instead of the retail price index, as the inflation measure, as this is the most relevant measure for members, as well as building in a regular review period.
• It is crucial that Council is enabled to set the subscription rate so it can plan its finances effectively over the medium and long term, and create a more stable and sustainable organisation.

Resolution three: winding up clause

• The current clause refers to the previous charitable status of the RCN – we now need to update it.
• It is important for tax purposes that the RCN has mutual trading status.