SPGB ADM

The ADM doesn't make decisions so you are off the hook.  Nor does Conference on the day as all motions (proposed by branches) discussed there then go out to an individual vote of members, whose results are binding and have to be implemented by the EC.

Travel expenses can be claimed and free accommodation is available for delegates travelling to head office.The unit of organisation is the branch not the individual member. There is nothing, apart from inertia, to stop a branch meeting electronically or physically and sending in resolutions.And as has been said before decisions aren't actually made on the day (with the rare exception of floor resolutions) but afterwards when members return voting papers.Not attending HO is not a barrier to participation and financial support is available for delegates wishing to do so.

We have had onine special party meetings, and branch polls exist as an option for taking action, as do branch resolution to the EC, Party Poll and calls for a special conference.  Also, there's nothign to stop a branch sending a scircular/statement to ADM.

There are currently fourteen branches of the party.  All branches, with the exception of Glasgow, NERB and Swansea, were represented at the last ADM by delegates on one or both days. Branches are the unit of organisation in the party.  Groups, which often comprise non-members, such as the Brighton Discussion Group, do not have separate representation either at ADM or Conference.

I have always been aware of this but have always had a guilt-trip when i have considered availing myself. Paying ones own travel fare means trying to find the cheapest budget price. I would be very critical of a member who paid train or airline full fare and billed the Party for such…Notice of ADM/Conference dates are well in advance and so tickets should be bought in advance to gain the advantage of early booking promotions. Despite the once "spartan" conditions, staying at the HO, has always been my favoured option rather than a hotel. The company and conversation was always interesting. It has a shower and cooking facilities. For those who enjoy a good cholestoral high fry-up, there are a few local cafes that are not unreasonably priced. And some excellent Chinese/Indian/Italian restaurants in the vicinity. I took a sleeping bag and air-bed and always found a corner in the building for a peaceful sleep. Camp-beds were there to be used too. But i do know some members (especially those who arrived with partners) did use hotels and a list of those is (or was) available from the GenSec or HOO.If a branch does not attend, as been said, they are not stopped from participation in the sense of making their views known and having the chair read out the branch supporting statements and opinions. Since conference decisions are no longer the final say having been replaced by Party poll, branch attendance is not the be all and end all….but debate and exchange of information is.If i had one criticism, our meetings from the branch level up lack content of their minutes and reports. For a short period we had the typing skills of Tristan who could moreorless type verbatim what was being said. I believe this ADM was recorded so i expect a moreorless full transcript of what was said by the delegates.  In the future i expect it to be live online so we can all watch and contribute. But some sort of protocol has to be designed to ensure proper representation and participation by some new updated rules of order.

I beg to differ because as someone who cannot attend i don't want an edited version of what someone said. Back to Tristan's skill, your argument was brought up at the time because he was so damn good at providing an near transcipt…and i recollect, so good that he included passing asides that a speaker hadn't wished included and complained about.  If verbatim is good enough for Hansard, it is good enough for me.Some minutes are so sparing of detail, there is sometimes little point in them. Our adoption of technology has never really been our strongest attribute and it is one of the issues we have to address.