admreports

All meetings of the Socialist Party are open to the public,including, our Executive Committee meetings,held monthly, our Annual Conference, and the Autumn Delegates Meeting.This is the most open and democratic political party in the world.Along with members of our companion parties in the World Socialist Movement, we eskew leadership,in the party ,holding to the principle,that the working class as a whole must emancipate themselves from wage slavery by their own efforts and not through the leadership of a vanguardist organisation or political party,this is reflected within our organisational working practices.and all members hold officers who do work for us fully accountable to the membership as a whole, with one vote per member, and no block or priveleged voting practices. We dont ask you to believe us ,we rather, urge you to check us out.	This page is just a working overview of events surrounding our Autumn Delegates Meeting. You may find the link ADM on left a more conveniet way to view items separately..
The Socialist Party Autumn Delegate's Meeting Agenda Officers and Executive Committee report Call for nominations
Call for nominations `Comrades,` `This is the call for nomination by branches to the EC and Party` `Officers posts for 2005. The timetable for the ballot is that all` `nominations be received at HO on a form B by Friday 3rd December` `2004. The ballot papers to be issued on 4th December 2004 with a returning` `date of Friday 7th January 2005. The Party Officer posts are: General` `Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer,` `Central Organiser, two auditors, two trustees and ten Executive Committee` `members. This message will also sent by post to branch` `secretaries along with a form B.M Browne Ballott Committee.`
Officers and Executive Committee report `Officer's and EC's Report to Autumn Delegate's Meeting 2004` To be Held at 52 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7UN On 16th & 17th October 2004 Suggested Times: Saturday 11 am to 6pm Sunday 11am to 5pm. Contents: Officers Reports: pg. General Secretary 1 Treasurer 1 Central Organiser 2 Executive Committee's Report Advertising Archives Audio Visual Campaigns Elections Enquiries Head Office Organisers Library Socialist Standard Production SPINTCOM/SPOPEN Moderator Standing Orders Premises Publications Officer's Reports General Secretary ADM is a fundamental part of the Party's planning process: about looking ahead to the coming year's activity. It is a time for party activists and members to outline what they want to do, in preparation for making detailed plans to submit to the EC for allocation of a budget. That is why it is every bit as important for members and branches to take part in ADM as Conference, even if ADM doesn't make policy. It is about sharing and communicating an understanding of the activities of The Party. Next year presents us with a general election, and all the propaganda opportunities that this entails: complete with an opportunity to take to the Electoral field as the only party calling itself Socialist. B. Martin (Acting General Secretary) Treasurer Party accounts are now kept in a hard copy "pen and paper" method as agreed. This has not prevented a number of small "surpluses" over the last six months when our bank balance shows more money that can be accounted for in the books. The EC has agreed to ignore these as the effort expended in reconciling the accounts exceeds the sums involved. I have produced a six-month Statement of Account report on the Party's Income and Expenditure for the period January to June 2004. As you can see our finances are in a reasonably healthy condition with a sum in excess of £125,000.00 still on deposit. This sum will be reduced considerably by the work that needs to be done so that HO meets the requirements of our Insurers, and by other projects approved by the Party. You will also note that our expenditure still exceeds our income and that Party activity is overly reliant on donations and legacies. I would suggest that the Party seriously address this potential problem while we still have time to deal with it rationally rather than as an emergency measure. G. Thomas (Treasurer) Central Organiser After consultation with our Irish comrades, who have the right to use World Socialist Party (Ireland) in their propaganda, I am investigating with them the possibility of forming a WSP(I) group within Central Branch, along the lines of the WSP(Gambia). 1.. It would help coordinate our Irish members, who are currently often isolated. 2.. It is felt by some of these comrades that their work is impeded by appearing to be an English political party. 3.. It would be good for the Party as a whole to increase activity within the area. 4.. The obvious downside is the political divide between north and south, and our policy of operating within existing political boundaries so as not to lay ourselves open to the charge of nationalism. Further investigations will follow any guidance or instruction from ADM. S. Wigley (Central Organiser) Executive Committee's Report Advertising Most of our paid for adverts continue to be in three of the four regional editions of the Big Issue - London, the North & Wales (the Scottish edition produced relatively poor results and has been temporarily suspended). In the first six months of 2004 we spent #xxx on Big Issue advertising. We obtained discounted rates by not changing the copy and for a year or so the adverts have been for the Socialist Standard. Although Big Issue has been costly in terms of pounds per response, we ask members to bear in mind that the value of advertising is not measured in terms of short-term responses only. In May this year we paid £600.00 for a half page advert in the New Internationalist, listing our major publications. This produced a disappointing response and we do not propose to repeat this expenditure, at least for a while. We considered a request from a member to pay £180.00 for a series of four large-ish ads. in Private Eye. But because of a nil response to a previous small ad. we rejected the proposal. We paid £125.00 for a one sixth page in an issue of Tribune corresponding with the Labour Party Conference. We used it to advertise our book, Socialism or your money back. M. Browne S. Parker Archives Centenary Publications: Assistance given to the editorial committee with regard to suitable photographs. Pamphlets: Work continues on listing these. A number of duplicates are available for purchase please contact me with a wants list or similar. Old Bound Volumes of the Socialist Standard: Hopefully a list of these will be available to members soon. K. Scholey Audio Visual Department. The Audio Visual Department has this year been able to commit to CD various Party talks including the socialist history makers series we recorded in the 1980's. The list of all current talks available on CD will be available at ADM. Another recent development is that we have been able to put many of our talks on the internet so that they are able to be downloaded by anyone who has a computer geared up for the MP3 format. As of 4th September the two talks given at our centenary meeting at Regent's College have been downloaded approximately 300 times. Putting these talks on our own website is something that is being looked into. Tapes are still available but it is far more useful and practical to have material on CD. Duplicating means no loss of quality and precious tapes don't mangle. B. Martin Stair Campaigns Dept. Work undertaken by the Campaigns Dept in the previous six months included: a.. Reprinting the 'Spoof Rail Ticket' that advertises the www.worldsocialism.org website, and which we still believe to be the best campaign 'gimmick' that the Party has come up with in recent years. We hope that Branches and individual members will write in, requesting tickets for local distribution because the response that we have received from people has been overwhelmingly positive, and it has helped to both raise the profile of the Party, and increase the number of visitors to our website. b.. Liaising with the Publications Dept and cde Pieter Lawrence, we produced a Party leaflet for this year's May Day which was distributed in both London and Glasgow. c.. Worked with Branches and individual members in ensuring that the Party had a presence at Tolpuddle, the SWP's Marxism event and various demonstrations and other events in the previous six months. (It has to be stated that there has been a fall off of the number of demonstrations - and the numbers of people attending - this past six months, in comparison to the massive marches and demonstrations that took place in the first six months of last year.) d.. Met the request from a discussion group in Canterbury, Kent for a Party speaker to address their meeting. Cde Pieter Lawrence volunteered to speak on behalf of the Party, and we understand that it was a useful meeting for all concerned, with the possibility of further requests for Party speakers in the future. The Campaigns Dept proposed plans for the next six months include: 7 Working with the Publications Dept, other Depts, Branches and individual members in providing a Party presence at the forthcoming European Social Forum that will be held in London over the weekend of October 15/17. Previous Forums, held in Paris and Florence respectively, have attracted tens of thousands of participants, and we feel it is an opportunity for the Party to sell and distribute Socialist Party literature, and to make contact with politically minded people not only from Britain but from overseas. We will be looking to book a Party stall at the event if we can get approval from the EC, and also seek to produce Socialist Party leaflets that will tie in with, and address, the themes of the Forum, in English, French, German and Italian translations. 7 Following a request from the Election Dept, members of the Campaigns Dept will work with London Branches and other individual members in seeking to organise stalls and other Party activity in the Vauxhall Parliamentary constituency (where Head Office is located) in anticipation of the forthcoming General Election. 7 Ensuring that the Party has a presence, and leaflets are produced, for any forthcoming demonstrations in the next six months. 7 Working with London Branches in resuming the running of London Party Day Schools. 7 Meeting with any requests from Branches and individual members for support in organising mailouts, meetings and/or leaflets for distribution in their local area. On that last point, there is a standing Conference resolution from a few years back that commits the Party to producing a topical month on month for distribution by Branches and other Party members. If Branches and other members indicate an interest in this regular leafleting campaign in their area, the Campaigns Dept is happy to work with other Departments in producing a new Party leaflet for local distribution every month. D. O'Neil Stair Election Department The department hopes to contest two constituencies in the coming year: Vauxhall and Jarrow; and preliminary preparation is already underway with the branches concerned. The dept. will continue to monitor electoral processes/law as set out by the workings of the electoral commission. B. Martin Enquiries Department The work of the Department has carried on per normal since the last report we submitted to Conference. The Department has, in the main, had to deal with enquiries from the following sources: Requests for trial subscriptions to the Socialist Standard from the advert that appears in the various editions of the Big Issue. Requests for trial subscriptions and information packs from Party leaflets distributed at various demonstrations around the country and elsewhere. Requests for information packs that have come to the Party via people accessing the website, and forwarded onto us by Cde Rob Stafford of the Internet Dept. We have also in the previous six months taken the opportunity of contacting again former enquirers and subscribers to the Socialist Standard to inform them of Socialist Party events that have taken place in Glasgow, Birmingham and London. These mailouts have been met with mixed results, but we do feel that it is important that, from time to time, we make use of our Enquiry database to contact former enquirers around the country, to inform them of forthcoming events local to their area; new Socialist Party publications and to ask if they would be interested in talking out a subscription to the Socialist Standard. Plans for the next six months include carrying on the work of the Department as per usual, which will include mailouts to former enquirers but we are also looking into 'freshening up' the information pack that we send out to first time enquirers. As well as sending out copies of the Socialist Standard, our introductory pamphlets and recently produced Party leaflets we have also been sending out two handouts that are a collation of articles from old Socialist Standards that deal with such subjects as the 'anti-capitalist movement' and 'Marxism versus Leninism.' We will liaise with other Depts and individual Party members to compile a new selection of articles to be sent out to first time enquirers. Enquiry figures breakdown for the period January-June 2004 to follow in time for the Autumn Delegate Meeting. D. O'Neil. Head Office Organiser As well as the general day to day duties of Head Office Organiser, duties involved with making the place clean and tidy, dealing with the mail, meeting members and enquirers needs and making sure the Standard gets posted out efficiently I have been able to use my initiative to make other improvements. This can be done by liasing with various people concerning the premises or other improvements, from shifting builders' rubble to sourcing competitively priced office supplies. I have been able to oversee the publication of our centenary book with the advantage of having face to face meetings with the typesetter at various stages. Along with this I have been co-ordinating the electrical work and various carpentry jobs needed to maintain and make good the building. My aim is to continue to keep the place in a tidy and clean manner so that we give a far more welcoming, friendly and efficient approach to the public/potential members/supporters. Stair Work Continues as usual. S. Wigley Library [late report] The library has begun to use its budget to make a more structured approach to acquisition of stock, and has purchased an electronic database of the works of William Morris. Members and branches are reminded that ADM is a good time to browse and borrow stock, and that a complete list of the library's holdings is available from Head Office on request. B. Martin Socialist Standard Production Committee Our main activity in the first half of the year was the production of the 48 page special issue of the Socialist Standard to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Party. Editorial committee members were also involved in the production of the book Socialism or your money back, a selection of 70 articles from the Standard over the period 1904 - 2004, of which the EC ordered 5,000 copies. We also produced a smaller 24 page special issue in September to mark the hundredth year of continuous monthly publication of the Standard. Two members of Lancaster branch have proposed a new design and layout for the Standard. We can go along with most of the suggestions. The new design will start in January 2005. Sample copies should be available for circulation at ADM. P. Bennett A. Buick D. Perrin S. Wigley Spintcom/spopen moderator. Work continues as usual. S. Wigley Standing Orders Conference will be Friday 25th and Saturday 26th March 2005. The timetable therefore (as per Rule 21) will be: First call for items for the Preliminary Agenda made by email and post on 6th November 2004, A second reminder call to be issued on 4th December 2004 with a return date of Friday 7th January 2005. The items on the Preliminary Agenda to be issued ASAP after that date with a call for any amendments to the items to be returned by Friday 11th February 2005. The Final Agenda and (hopefully) the report of Party Officers and the EC to Annual Conference to go out by Friday 18th February 2005. Could Branches note these dates so that they can submit items in time for both the Preliminary and Final Agendas. M Browne S Wigley Premises Committee The premises committee have this year made sure that the long neglected fabric of 52 Clapham High Street has and continues to be taken care of. Loose chimney stacks have been made good, cracked and/or missing coping stones have been replaced on the roof. The repair of various outside window sills and outside brickwork has taken place. Much tidying has been undertaken in the basement and neglected plastering and brickwork has been remedied so that we are able to make more functional use of our available space. The plastering will be complete in the basement in the coming months. By the time of ADM the building will have been completely re-wired by a reputable electrical firm. We failed various electrical tests and it's previous state was a danger and a fire hazard. New windows are planned to replace the few rotten-beyond-repair ones we have. A shower will now be able to be installed because we have created the necessary space for it. The flooring in various areas still needs attention. This will be decided on the basis of quotes and sustainability. The conference room flooring is probably most pressing but this can only sensibly proceed when we have been able to resolve the problems that our neighbours' "unkempt" flat roof present us with. We share a drainpipe into our building and when it gets blocked with rubbish/debris from their roof it has various repercussions for our own building. These difficulties are also being dealt with. As well as for our own practical use, safety and general care many of the measures mentioned above are necessary to fit our insurer's requirements. Stair. Publications In May this year 2,000 copies of the booklet 'Are We Prisoners of Our Genes? ' were published at a cost of #2,014, cover price #4. There has been a steady demand for this booklet. In June 5,000 copies of our 300-page book 'Socialism or Your Money Back' were printed at the relatively low print cost of #7,396. The print order was large, not only to get a low cost per copy, but also to gain a wider distribution of our literature rather than just among Party members. Steps taken to achieve this are that we have sent out at least thirty copies for review. We have sent a mailshot out to all UK Public and Political Science Libraries, encouraging them to take on the book. (And the Socialist Standard, incidentally.) By ADM, we will have also made concerted attempts at proper distribution so that we are able to have the book promoted in other distribution catalogues and by reps and, therefore, have a better chance of it being available in High Street book chains. We shall recoup the printing cost after selling about 700 at full cost and the book is expected to remain in print for a long time. Promotional leaflets were printed in-house. The Party pamphlet 'Some Aspects of Marxian Economics' has recently been reprinted in-house. Previously an A4 pamphlet, the reprint has been reformatted as an A5 pamphlet. One thousand copies of an 8-page illustrated list of Socialist Party publications were recently produced, including circulation with the September Socialist Standard. Regarding future publications, Gwynn Thomas has produced a 5-page outline of a proposed pamphlet on The Socialist Party and War. We intend to publish this as soon as content and title can be agreed. John Bissett is liasing with Suhuyini Nbang-Ba about the proposed pamphlet, 'Africa: A Marxist Analysis'. J. Bissett D. O'Neil S. Parker Stair	Agenda `The Agenda for the Socialist Party's` `Autumn Delegate's Meeting` On Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th October 2004 at Head Office. Suggested Times: Sat: 11am to 6pm, Sun: 11am to 5pm ORDER OF BUSINESS: A Election of Chair, Deputy Chair and Tellers. B Arrangements by Delegates of the order of taking the items of Business. C The EC and Party Officer's Report to ADM 2004. D The items from branches for Discussion. E Any Other Business. ITEMS OF BUSINESS: The Quorum for ADM is 11 delegates. The suggested order of taking the items of business is: 1/ Delegates assemble at 11am on Saturday and Elect a Chair, Deputy Chair and Tellers. 2/ Apologies from Branches and fraternal greetings. PARTY OFFICER'S REPORTS 3/ General Secretary's report. (to include a oral report on Conference voting decisions and floor resolutions). 4/ Treasurer's report: 5/ Item for discussion: That an investigation be conducted by the E.C. or the internet committee or who-ever is best qualified, of providing on the Party's website the capability to order and purchase literature and then to pay for the literature, either thru Pay-Pal or some other suitable secure method of online credit/debit card transaction. Edinburgh. Backing Statement: Many other organisations and internet enterprises conduct online financial transactions, seemingly with minimal problems. Such an addition to our websites could possibly increase the circulation of our own literature and increase revenue. It is also possible to use online transactions to conduct the financial business of the branches and HO concerning payment of invoices and members dues. There is also the facility to solicit donations as well. A recommendation should be sought on this. 6/ Central Organiser's report. LUNCH 1.30pm to 2.30pm EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS: 7/ Advertising report. 8/ Archives report. 9/ Audio Visual report. 10/ Campaigns report. 11/ Election report. 12/ Item for Discussion: How does the practice of members at large contesting local elections relate to the Party's electoral policy? South London. 13/ Enquiries report. 14/ Head Office Organisers reports. 15/ Library report. ADM adjourns for the day at 6pm. ADM resumes on Sunday at 11am. 16/ Socialist Standard report. 17/ SPINTCOM/SPOPEN Moderator report. 18/ Standing Orders report. 19/ Item for Discussion: How should the 1984 Conference Resolution on amendments to the Preliminary Agenda be applied? South London. 20/ Item for Discussion: What are the reasons for the low attendance of delegates at ADM and Conference?" South London. LUNCH 1.30pm to 2.30pm 21/ Premises report. 22/ Item for Discussion: How can the frontage of Head Office be made more inviting and visually attractive to passers-by? Should we reduce the brick and extend the glazed area, which would give greater scope for invention? West London 23/ Publications report. 24/ Item for discussion: That the Party endeavors to publish at least one book a year. Edinburgh. Backing Statement : We feel it desirable not to waste the valuable experience and knowledge gained by members from producing "Socialism or your money back" and that a book a year should be produced by the Party, using the similar format of reprinting past Standard articles as in " Socialism or your money back ", but a book shorter in number of pages, smaller in print run, and cheaper in price. The idea of future books and themes is itself suggested in the introduction of "Socialism or your money back ". The Party would be wise not to wait another 100 years to publish the next book. One possible book subject could be on economics (of which many articles can be gleaned from the 70s period). .Another option is a book of great social(ist) thinkers pen-portraits. Again, maybe another, concentrating on memorable working class moments in history for the next book's theme. The advantage of such subjects is that of the books potential not only for propaganda but as a theoretical and academic textbook. Another suggestion could be, in addition to the small numbers of bound copies of the Socialist Standard already printed but that aren't widely sold and held mostly for archive purposes, is an annual " Best of ,,,, " be produced of a selection of articles from each year's Standard, interspersed with pictures of some of the year's better Standard covers to brighten up the book. The party possesses the financial wherewithal for such ventures as long as it minds to be modest in its ambitions and strives to improve its distribution skills. 25/ Item for Discussion: The need for a WSM discussion journal in either printed or electronic form. South London. 26/ Item for Discussion: That the Party have 'Workers of all Lands Unite' prominently displayed at the front of Head Office and also on the front cover of the Socialist Standard each month. South London. 27 Adoption of the Party Officer's and Executive Committee report. ADJOURNMENT of meeting at 5pm Delegate's Credential Forms are enclosed. A call is made for nominations for Chair and Deputy Chair. Branches not attending the Autumn Delegate Meeting are requested to inform Standing Orders. Standing Orders, 2/10/04.