A key annual meeting that all students are invited to vote on proposed policy changes.
AGM stands for Annual General Meeting and this is a key meeting that is held annually and where all stakeholders (students) are invited. The next AGM is on 28th February 2023. Several activities takes place during the meeting and these include
- Outlining the direction of the Union of Students – An external trustee or an officer trustee will present this through a report which will outline the Union’s progress, including some projects in the foreseeable future.
- Discussing the previous year’s activities – Another element of the report from the senior Union member will include information of what the Union achieved in the previous year, highlighting successes, failures and the status of any changes. The minutes from the previous AGM will also be approved.
- Annual accounts – The report will include the Union’s annual account and ask for approval to appoint the auditors.
- Voting – All stakeholders in the Union, and Union staff, can propose changes to our standing orders and how the Union works. These proposals are then presented at the AGM for all students to vote on. Providing we have quorum then the vote will decide the outcome of the proposal.
What is quorum?
Quorum is the minimum number of members (students) needed to attend a meeting for the resolutions to be validly passed. They need to stay for the whole meeting, otherwise the meeting will have to end, and any votes will not be valid. Additionally, if the meeting does not have the minimum number of members attending then the meeting will have to be postponed and recalled at another time. Quorum for the Union of Student’s AGM is 50 students.
If the recalled meeting does not get 50 members in attendance, then the members who are present shall be quorum.
Who can put forward a proposal to the AGM?
All students are automatically members of the Union of Students, unless they opt out. All members are entitled to attend the AGM and to put proposals forward. Union staff can also put proposals forward.
Who can vote at the AGM?
All members/students are entitled to vote at the AGM, however they must be present at the meeting to do so. They must also be present for the entirety of the meeting. We do also accept ‘postal voting’ where if a student is unable to attend the AGM on the day they can vote on the proposals prior to the meeting. Students are also able to nominate another student to act as a proxy voter for them if they’re unable to attend. This is where the student will direct the proxy voter on how they wish to vote and the proxy will then vote accordingly.
I can’t attend the AGM in person, can I still vote?
Yes! The AGM will be available live via a Teams link which will be shared closer to the day. Any student attending the meeting online can still vote. Or you can do a postal vote or nominate a proxy voter.
Can I ask questions?
Yes. All members attending the AGM can ask questions relating to the reports given by the senior member of the Union, or to the proposals that have been put forward. There will be opportunities to ask questions in the meeting, or they can be emailed ahead of time to alexa.toms@derbyunion.co.uk.