This year marks the 175th EIS Annual General Meeting (AGM) and it will defi nitely be one to remember as the entire meeting, including debating of Motions, will be held completely online, due to the current restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members will also be able to keep up to date with the debate and all the goings on at the event via our social media channels and the EIS website.

The AGM is the main decision making body of the EIS. AGM instructs Council, which in turn instructs the Committees of the Council. Around 350 members of the EIS including the Office Bearers, members of Council and Delegates from Local Associations and Self-Governing Associations (EIS-FELA and EIS-ULA) are eligible to take part in and vote at the AGM. The 2021 Annual General Meeting will run from Thursday 10th June to Saturday 12th June. Here we outline the key events that will take place over the course of the AGM and the order of business for this year’s conference.

The Opening Session

This session embodies the traditions of the Institute which was founded in 1847. The President, Carole Thorpe from Aberdeen, welcomes the guests from kindred organisations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, together with other trade union and official guests, before giving her retiring address. Then the Convener of the Board of Examiners presents the members who have been admitted as Fellows of the EIS. The incoming President (Heather Hughes, West Lothian) and Vice-President (Andrene Bamford, East Dunbartonshire) will then be introduced to the meeting and make short speeches.

First Business Session

This session is extremely important as it is where the AGM are able to review the work of Council and its Committees over the past twelve months, when the Committee Conveners deliver their annual reports. This work comes before the consideration and debating of motions dealing with new policies.

Consideration of Motions and Amendments

The remainder of the AGM is taken up with debating the Motions and amendments which have been submitted by Council, Local Associations and Self-Governing Associations. The Motions and amendments are grouped into subject headings and blocks of time are allocated to Motions under each heading. This year there are 44 Motions to be debated as follows: • 13 on Education matters;• 2 on Employment Relations matters;• 7 on Equality matters;• 11 on Salaries matters; • 11 on Organisation matters.

Guest Speaker

This year’s AGM will feature the Cabinet Secretary for Education as a guest speaker. They are likely to discuss the Scottish Government’s plans for education in the years ahead and the next steps to be taken as part of the recovery from the pandemic. There will also be a short Q&A session.

Fringe and Other Events

The EIS holds a number of fringe events at the AGM, offering the opportunity for external organisations to speak to delegates in order to raise awareness of key issues.

Further information

on the EIS AGM, including a full list of Motions to be debated, will be available on the EIS website www.eis.org.uk. Regular updates will be posted on the AGM section of our website, Facebook and Twitter account throughout the event, so that members can keep updated as Resolutions are agreed.