General meetings of members of the Association are the means by which members hold Council (BASW’s Directors) to account, vote in new Council members, accept audited accounts and vote upon constitutional issues as well of matters of policy and strategy.
An Annual General Meeting of members is held in the spring or summer of each year and Additional General Meetings can be called from time to time.
Member Guidance on submitting motions
The BASW Annual General Meeting (AGM) provides BASW members with an opportunity to influence the future of BASW and social work by submitting motions – a motion is a proposal from members that BASW endorses and/or takes action on an issue.
View guidance for members: How to write and submit motions to BASW’s annual general meeting. (Member login required)
BASW AGM inclusion guidance
Joining the AGM
BASW UK tries to be inclusive of all attendees and in the previous four years have offered both an in person an online experience.
Accessibility
In person: BASW UK focus strongly on accessibility and inclusivity with all in-person and online meetings. The BASW Events team make early planning considerations to optimise the successful delivery of their events.
- Information on accessible transport routes/nearby hotels/nearby restaurants
- Accessible entrances/bathrooms/seating
- Food requirements via online booking
- Accessible resources and documents for the event/meeting
- Wheelchair-accessible seating and paths throughout the space
Online: We will open comments and monitor chat during the online event and aim to share engagement with the conference speakers. Closed captions can be enabled by individual viewers. All online delegates will not have mic / camera functionality, any comments must be made via the chat facility.
Asking questions at the AGM
After each motion, there will be an opportunity to speak or comment.
In person: Fill in written slip with name and topic; this will go to the Chair who will invite you to speak from your seat with the mic brought to you.
Online: Please put your questions in the chat; it will be forwarded to the chair to answer.
Proposing motions
Proposer will speak in person in the room for two minutes. Seconder can speak for one minute or use show of hand to second.
Speaking on motions
Speakers have one minute to speak on a motion, here is how to request to speak:
In person: Fill in the slip available from staff with your name and the motion number; this will go to the Chair who will invite you to speak from your seat with the mic brought to you.
Online: Please put full comment in chat marked as Response to Motion Number X; it will be forwarded to the Chair and read out. If you know that you will not be attending the meeting in person and want to speak on a motion, you can nominate someone in the room to speak for you.
Speaking on motions - advance comments
The chat will be open online for discussion between members so that you can debate the motions. Please view this and engage as you would like.
Voting
In person: show of hands in the room, unless close and poll count called.
Online: Online voting will be via polls, please follow the instructions.
The count will be given to the Chair to announce the result unless proxies are needed, in which case there will be a delay and the result will be given as soon as possible.
Non-members are welcome to attend and view the BASW AGM, however please note only BASW members can engage, vote or comment on motions.
Process for voting on Amendment
The original motion will be proposed and seconded to start with.
- Then the amendment will be proposed and seconded, and discussed. The proposer of the motion has a right to speak at the end of the discussion on the amendment, however the proposer of the amendment does not.
- The amendment is then voted on and, if it is agreed, it replaces the original motion. If the amendment is not agreed, then the original motion remains.
- There is then discussion and voting on the motion in line with above for online and in person guidance.
If you have any questions, please contact the events team at events@basw.co.uk