The 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the EIS will be held in Aviemore for the very first time. Taking place at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort from Thursday 8th June to Saturday 10th June, the theme for this year’s event will be “Stronger for Sound Education.” This will also be the very first AGM with Andrea Bradley as General Secretary, having taken up the post in August last year.
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 attend and vote at the AGM.
Here we describe the key events that take place over the course of the AGM and the order of business for this year’s conference.
The Formal Opening Session
This session embodies the traditions of the Institute which was founded in 1847. The President, Andrene Bamford from East Dunbartonshire, 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 (Paula McEwan, Inverclyde) and Vice-President (Allan Crosbie, Edinburgh) 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. 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 outcome of these motions will determine the priorities and work of the EIS in the year ahead. The motions and amendments are grouped into subject headings and blocks of time are allocated to motions under each heading.
This year there are 75 motions to be debated as follows:
- 22 on Education matters;
- 5 on Employment Relations matters;
- 14 on Equality matters;
- 12 on Salaries matters;
- 22 on Organisation matters.
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.
Work, Rest, Play
Wellbeing is a central part of the equality agenda – caring for ourselves and our community can be a radical act! This fringe event will be an opportunity to reflect on the importance of rest and play for workers’ and activists’ wellbeing and to put both into practice, in a positive and uplifting shared space.
Staying Campaign Strong
There will also be a fringe event entitled ‘Staying Campaign Strong’ featuring EIS General Secretary, Andrea Bradley. It will examine the success of the Pay Attention campaign and how we build on this as we organise for our campaign for fair funding for Scottish education.
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, Instagram and Twitter accounts throughout the event, so that members can keep updated as resolutions are agreed.