Arena Magazine 2005 Issue 6 November December

Do you want to be elected?

The next few months will be the busiest in the union's calendar. The election process for the president and the executive council, the union's governing body, are now underway.

In addition members and reps should also be thinking about getting involved in the union's parliament, the Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) in spring 2006.

The presidential, executive council and divisional council elections are held every three years and are an important part of the internal democracy of the union.

The president is elected by a national postal vote of the membership. Executive councillors are elected, again, by individual postal ballots, but by members in their respective divisions.

This year marks the final year for current president Marge Carey MBE who has held the position since 1997. Marge will chair her last ADM next year and hand over to her successor immediately after the conference.

"I've really enjoyed my time as president," she said. "It's a very busy role.

"The president has to be approachable, a good listener, honest and must reflect the views and decisions of the membership as agreed at our annual conference, not his or her own personal views.

"Our democratic processes allow us all to play a part and it's important members use their vote."

Nomination papers have been sent to branches and should have been returned by November 21. Ballot papers and election addresses will be sent out to all members on Monday 23 January, 2006, (January 30 for divisional council and other elections).

The last date for return of your president and executive council ballot papers is Friday February 17, 2006.

The closure date for divisional council and other elections, which are voted on by branches, is Monday 13 March, 2006.

If you have changed your address in the last 12 months you must notify our records department on 0161 224 2804 immediately.

For more details on the elections and ADM contact your local Usdaw office or the Usdaw web site.

The role of the president and the executive council

The president chairs the executive council meetings and the ADM and is also co-opted onto most of the union's delegations to conferences such as the Labour Party, TUC and others.

While the president performs an ambassadorial role, the position is not as a paid employee of Usdaw.

Similarly the executive council is made up of lay members who are responsible for the business of the union and charged with ensuring the union's rule book is adhered to between ADMs.

The executive council meets eleven times a year at central office, attends ADM and their respective divisional council meetings.

To be eligible to stand for the positions of president and/or executive council you must have been a member of Usdaw for at least 12 months, be aged between 18 and 64, and attended at least half of your branch meetings in the last 12 months.

For more information on the rules, role and procedures you should refer to the union's rule book.

Important dates for ADM 2006

Issue of Preliminary Agenda Paper, Amendment Form and Credential Form	Monday 23 January 2005
Last date for return of Amendment Form	Friday 24 February, 2006
Last date for return of Credential Form	Friday 31 March, 2006
Issue of Interim Agenda Papers Annual Report and Executive Council Statements	Monday 10 April, 2006
Despatch of Delegates' Credentials, Voting Cards and Visitors' Tickets	Week commencing Monday 17 April, 2006
Annual Delegate Meeting, Blackpool	Sunday 30 April - Wednesday 3 May, 2006

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