standing for office
There are three ways of getting more involved with the Society and they are standing for election onto the following;

• Board of Directors
• Membership Committee
• Members Council

I am eligible - what should I do?
Nomination – 56 days before the AGM (so that means sometime from the end of January to early March each year), the Society displays preliminary notices in stores inviting members to put forward nominations for the Board of Directors, the Membership Committee and the Members’ Council.  Nomination Packs are available by post from the Secretary or from the Customer Service Desks in the ‘quadrant’ department stores.  Nominations must then be submitted to the Secretary 42 days before the AGM (usually by about mid-March).

what is the election process?
The person nominated completes a nomination form, including a proposer and a seconder, and submits a short pen-picture called a “Candidate Statement” to assist voting members decide for whom they wish to vote.
Voting takes place

• in the two department stores for the two weeks prior to the AGM.
• by post under the Postal Voting arrangements and
• at the AGM.

Results are declared at the AGM.

Becoming a Council member, Membership Committee member or Director gives an opportunity for members to use their knowledge and experience for the benefit of other members, customers and the wider community to which we all belong.

If being a Director sounds too demanding, you may wish to consider starting off on the Membership Committee or the Members’ Council. 

the members council
The Members’ Council meets four times a year and introduces members to the Society’s inner workings.  The Membership Committee deals with all aspects of membership from recruiting new members to promoting their involvement in the Society’s affairs.

The Members Council is made up of 8 elected members - 4 being elected at each AGM to serve a 2 year term.
membership committee
The Membership Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Directors and is responsible for encouraging the growth of membership, and getting members involved in Society affairs through elections. This is a “leading edge” committee, and receives regular reports from the Member Relations Officer whose job is to follow and develop the corporate plan established by the Board of Directors.

The Membership Committee comprises four directors and three members elected at the AGM, one being the Chairperson of the Members Council who receives an honorary seat to provide a link between the two structures. The Membership Committee is attended by the Member Relations Officer and the Society Secretary. The Committee meet as frequently as it considers necessary to carry out its work, but not less than eight times each year. Terms of office are two years.

To discuss any aspect of our Corporate Governance structure please contact;