When is the AGM?

The next branch AGM will take place on March 15th at noon, in the Kevin Gately Room on the first floor of the Students' Union HQ. For anyone unable or uncomfortable attending in-person, there will also be the option to attend remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Why should I attend the AGM?

We urge all members to attend the branch AGM, which takes place just once a year. A quorate AGM is crucial to the ongoing existence of the branch, and its ability to represent and support members. The AGM needs to be quorate (have a sufficient percentage of members attend) for us to elect a branch committee, approve the branch accounts, and formally adopt the branch budget.

Whilst we recognise that the AGM may not be the most exciting event in your calendar, we will be providing refreshments for those able to attend in person, as well as updates on how the branch has represented you in the last year, and key information on services available to members. There will also be opportunities to share workplace concerns with the committee, and have a say in the direction of the branch's organising in the coming year.

What happens at the AGM?

At the AGM we will:

• Elect a branch committee from the membership (see below)
• Share a report on the branch's activity over the last year
• Discuss and agree the branch plan ("organising framework") and budget for the coming year
• Hear from Thompsons Solicitors about the legal services available to members and their families
• Discuss and vote on any proposed changes to the branch rules
• Approve the branch accounts and honoraria for the branch committee

Why should I stand in the elections?

Every member of the branch committee is an elected volunteer, a member just like you who's trained and supported to help other members. Our branch cannot represent and support its members without them. As we grow as a branch, we need more committee members to ensure all our members get the representation and support they deserve.

You do not need any prior experience to become a member of the branch committee. You will be trained and supported every step of the way, and will have the opportunity to shadow other committee members, as well as a mentor assigned to you. All roles receive reasonable paid time off for the role when/if required.

There are many different roles within the branch, with some key roles listed below and the full list available on the branch committee webpage. Please consider whether you could be, for example:

• A steward (rep) for your area of the University, consulting and listening to colleagues' concerns, sharing them with the branch and helping to resolve them, as well as receiving training to support colleagues.
• A health & safety rep for your area of the University, focusing on health & safety issues that may be affecting colleagues, including relating to Covid.
• Health and Safety Officer, working with health & safety reps and acting as the branch's lead (with extensive support from the rest of the branch) on health & safety issues.
• Communications Officer, collating and communicating key information to members, primarily via email through the members' newsletter.
• Membership Officer, focusing on recruitment of new members to the branch and supporting new members.
• Welfare Officer, organising welfare-related activity for the branch and ensuring members are aware of the welfare services available to them.
• Environmental & Sustainability Officer
• Women’s Officer
• LGBTQUIA+ Members’ Officer
• Disabled Members’ Officer
• Black Members’ Officer
• Young Members Officer (for those under the age of 27)

The full list of positions available will be circulated to members by email (where communication preferences allow) and by post. Please contact the branch committee via UNISON@warwick.ac.uk or the branch chair, Sam Parr, directly via S.Parr.2@warwick.ac.uk if you would like to discuss which position(s) you would like to nominate yourself (or someone else) for and/or request a nomination form.

We look forward to welcoming you to the AGM and as an active member of our branch.