Who gets to vote?
With close to half a million members all around the UK, it’s crucial that any votes cast at Congress properly represent the views of the entire membership of the RCN. In order to achieve this, votes are distributed proportionately between the branches, forums and the UK Representative committees.
Branches and forums are allocated one voting member per 1,000 members. Each representative committee (Students, Nursing Support Workers, Learning Reps, Safety Reps and Stewards) are allocated seven voting places each.
Who chooses the voting members
Voting members are selected by the committee members from each branch and forum. They take into account:
- whether members have been active in the branch/forum or would be interested in becoming active.
- how many days the member is able to attend Congress
- how many days the member is willing and able to vote
- how many years has the member previously attended Congress
- how many years has the member previously received funding to attend Congress
- whether they are willing to meet with branch or forum committee members to discuss the agenda, before and after Congress, in order to provide feedback
- whether they were selected as a voting member for Congress 2021 (which did not go ahead)
Branch committee members are accountable to their Board for their selections, and forum committee members are accountable to the Forums Governance Group.
Voting member responsibilities
Voting members must attend sessions in order to vote on the resolutions on behalf of your branch, forum, or your representative committee. Voting members have specific responsibilities. Please see this guide for more information.
A guide to claiming expenses for Congress 2022 will be published here shortly.