The RCN’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place today (17 July) as a hybrid meeting – in person at RCN headquarters in London and online. The AGM is the principal forum in which RCN Council and the RCN Executive Team accounts to the membership for its stewardship of the organisation. All RCN members can attend and vote at general meetings.
Members voted on six special resolutions, reflected on what the RCN has achieved over the past year, and asked questions about the running of the College. RCN members were able to submit questions both in advance and during the meeting. Delegates were also given a run through of the annual report and financial statements.
Introducing the resolutions, Natalie Brooks, Vice Chair of RCN Council, said: “These resolutions aim to strengthen the College and are part of our commitment to transform the culture and governance of the RCN.”
All six resolutions were special resolutions requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.
The first resolution set out a proposal to amend the RCN Standing Orders to include members of the RCN Executive Team as non-voting members of RCN Council.
This was passed with 84.26% in favour.
The second resolution proposed that the quorum for Council should be at least half of voting members, and at least two members of the Executive Team (non-voting), to be present, for decisions to be valid.
This was passed with 88.44% in favour.
The third resolution aimed to clearly set out the day-to-day responsibilities of the RCN’s Chief Executive and General Secretary in the RCN Standing Orders.
This was passed with 92.62% in favour.
The fourth resolution aimed to agree that a ballot for industrial action needs a stronger level of agreement within RCN Council than we currently have.
This was passed with 77.85% in favour.
The fifth resolution proposed protecting the long-term financial health of the College by ensuring that any significant unbudgeted spending is supported by a bigger majority of Council members.
This was passed with 91.81% in favour.
The final resolution was a proposal to ensure we include a clear definition of the RCN’s Executive Team in the RCN Standing Orders.
This was passed with 91.50% in favour.
RCN President Bejoy Sebastian also updated members that RCN Council, at its meeting on the 16 July, endorsed in principle a proposal to proceed with the integration of the RCN and RCNi.
RCNi is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RCN that produces educational and learning resources for nursing staff.
Work will now begin for the next phase of detailed implementation planning before a final decision is made by RCN Council in October.
Find out more about the AGM and the resolutions.
