RCN member consultation on the timing of the AGM

Introduction

In 2019, RCN Council agreed to consult members on whether to continue to hold the AGM during Congress week or whether it would be better to hold it at another time of the year.

RCN members are being asked for their views in advance of Council making a decision for the AGM in 2021 and beyond. 

Background 

Until 2014, the RCN AGM was held annually in October. Attendance was generally low and it was a struggle to obtain a quorum of 150. 

The Standing Orders were amended to enable a quorum to be achieved in person or by proxy which meant that in years when members were asked to vote, the votes cast by proxy counted towards the quorum. 

However in years when there was no vote achieving the quorum was dependent on members attending in person. 

Consequently, a decision was taken to change the financial year to the calendar year and the Standing Orders were amended accordingly. This enabled the AGM to be held during Congress week with the rationale being that more members would participate.

The process to change the RCN’s financial year required a transition period of three years to complete.

The AGM was held for the first time in Congress week in 2014 and attendance has been much higher than when it was a stand-alone event. 

Attendance figures over the last three years have been as follows:

2017 – 931
2018 – 944
2019 – 779

The AGM has been held at various times during Congress week including the last afternoon, the first morning, as well as various points in the week. 
In 2020 the AGM is to be held on the Sunday afternoon before the traditional opening and awards ceremony.

Council is consulting members on the timing of the AGM as there is concern that the AGM disrupts the flow of Congress and changes its atmosphere and that members confuse the AGM and Congress processes.

Consultation question

Do you think the AGM should still be held in Congress week, or whether it should be held as a separate event bearing in mind that, because of the financial year, it would need to be held before the end of June?

Responding to this consultation

Please include:

• Name of person completing response
• Membership number OR postcode
• Name of entity submitting response (if submitting on behalf of a group such as a Committee, Board, branch or forum)

Responses should be returned by email to governance.support@rcn.org.uk by midnight on 31 March 2020.