Minutes of the 10th Meeting
Minutes of the 10th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 5th August 2012The meeting started at 3.05pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer & Chair)Apologies: Hannah Dutton, Ed Mann1. Minutes of the 9th Meeting dated 1st July 2012 were before the meeting.Motion 1. Cox & M.Chesham “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED2. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Canterbury StallIt had been suggested that having a stall on a weekday might be a possibility and with that mind it was agreed to hold the next one on Friday 24 August. In addition a further Saturday was arranged for 22 September. Whilst it was hoped that more members would be forthcoming to support this activity we were pleased to learn that a supporter and a member of Socialist Studies had expressed their willingness to assist. Same time and place but see website for details.NOTEDii) Departmental Terms of Reference (draft report)Motion 2. (to the EC) D.Chesham & Cox”That the following observations from K&SRB concerning the Departmental Terms of Reference draft report be sent to the EC for their attention.” a) Advertising DepartmentAdd the following clause: “Be responsible for advertising centrally organised events in conjunction with the Campaigns Department.”The suggested addition: “To devise and run at least ONE major cross-media campaign per year in conjunction with other departments” instead be allocated to the Campaigns Department’s TOR.b) Audio/Visual DepartmentThe suggested additional clause: “To recruit and manage a team of volunteers to read current Socialist Standard articles as podcasts for blind and partially sighted web visitors, in conjunction with the SSD” is overly ambitious given the current strength of the Party.c) Ballot CommitteeThe proposed additional clause: “To monitor which members regularly receive voting papers but have not voted in the past three ballots, and to report to the EC on efforts in conjunction with other departments to reengage the members” is not a sensible suggestion. In a democratic organisation individuals should be free to decide whether or not they wish to participate in Party ballots. It is also excessively bureaucratic and time-consuming.d) Enquiries DepartmentRemove final proposed clause: “To post difficult or unusual enquiries for discussion on Spopen” and substitute: “To refer difficult or unusual enquiries to the Party’s voluminous website.”e) Internet DepartmentAdd as the primary term of reference: “To ensure that sufficient personnel are deployed in the important task of maintaining the Party website.”f) Media DepartmentThe proposed changes are a retrograde step and will limit the opportunities of this department to do its work and for that reason we oppose them.g) Membership Applications DepartmentThe proposed changes are excessively bureaucratic and time-consuming and we oppose them.” CARRIED 3-0 (Three members present)Motion 3. (to the EC) D.Chesham & Cox”The Branch notes the clear conclusion of the report that there is a case for a departmental restructure and is flabbergasted that the Committee made no such recommendations. We also note that consideration of or even reference to eight departments or committees terms of reference have been entirely omitted from the report.”CARRIED 3-0 (Three members present)iii) Motion for which notice had been givenMann & Cox “That in view of problems relating to the Socialist Standard, EC minutes and bank statements it is proposed that branch meetings should revert to the 2nd Sunday of the month.”It was agreed to defer consideration of this motion to the September meeting3. EC minutes of the 7th meeting, 30th June 2012NOTED4. ADM items for discussionTwo supporting statements for the items agreed at the last meeting were to hand but we are still awaiting three more.An absent member has emailed a further suggestion for an item for discussion at ADM.Motion 4. M.Chesham & D.Chesham “Should the EC be instructed to set up a committee to draw up a proper programme of advertising in periodicals or national newspapers to a) promote the Party and its message and b) increase readership of the Socialist Standard?”AGREEDThe member concerned has already supplied a supporting statement.5. Future propaganda activitiesNone at present other than the two dates for the literature stall in Canterbury.6. Any other businessAt the request of the same absent member it was agreed to send the following item to the EC for its consideration.Motion 5. (to the EC) D.Chesham & Cox “That the EC be requested to update the out-of-print introductory pack for new members so as to encourage participation in party activities and to outline the way party democracy operates; to be read in conjunction with the rule book and declaration of principles.” CARRIED 3-0 (Three members present)Meeting adjourned at 6.50pm