This meeting has been called by the two executive officers of The Guild -
(the master and the treasurer) - see Rule 9 - Meetings - 9a,b,d on The Guild website.
We confirm that notice has been printed in the Ringing World - 22nd August p775.
BACKGROUND TO PROPOSED RULE CHANGES
A recent incident brought to the notice of the committee has prompted an urgent review
of the process of electing new members to the Guild. The basis of these proposed changes
was suggested by the Guild Safeguarding Officer and accepted by the committee.
The rules with regard to Guild membership are laid out in Rule 2 - as shown on the Guild
website. This document proposes changes to a number of rules and the addition of a new rule
PROPOSAL TO CHANGE RULE 2(e)
PRESENT RULE
Rule 2(e)
Membership of any class is only valid after full completion and approval of an online
application.
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE
Reword Rule 2(e)
Membership of any class is only valid after completion of a Membership Application
form AND registering on line via the Guild website awaiting confirmation by the Membership
Secretary - AND payment of membership fees
PROPOSAL TO CHANGE RULE 6(a)1
PRESENT RULE
Rule 6(a)1
Ringing members and associate members shall be elected by a show of hands at a Branch
meeting at which both nominee and proposer should ideally be present. The proposer shall
confirm the nominee's competence and eligibility for election.
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE
Reword Rule 6(a)1
Ringing members and associate members shall be elected by a show of hands at a Branch
meeting at which both nominee and proposer should ideally be present. Each candidate for
election at the meeting shall be proposed, seconded and considered individually not en
bloc with other candidates for election. The proposer shall confirm the nominee's competence
and eligibility for election. In addition the proposer shall confirm that he/she has seen
photographic ID* to confirm the nominee's identity. The branch secretary will record the
fact that photoID has been seen by the proposer in the minutes of the meeting. Following
the meeting the branch secretary will inform the Membership Secretary and Guild Treasurer
of the new member. The new member will then need to register their membership via the
Guild website.
Non-Resident Life Members (Rule 2b) may be elected by a Belfry election and shall be
subject to confirmation at the next Annual General Meeting of the Guild
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE
Reword Rule 6(a)2
Any competent change-ringer who is not resident in the Diocese of Lincoln may be elected
as a Non-Resident Life Member (NRLM) of the Guild on payment of a fee agreed each year by the
Guild Committee. The Guild member accepting the fee from the NRLM (e.g. before a peal) will be
the proposer and undertake to receive and pass on the fee to the Guild Treasurer and shall
confirm that he/she has seen photographic ID as defined in rule 6(a)1.
Rule 6(a) (5) In the event of a member being reviewed under the Code of Conduct the decision
of the Guild Committee about any period of exclusion from Guild membership will override the
election process set out in 6 (a) (1).
Rationale for above
Under the present rules a Branch would be able to re-elect a ringer whose membership has been
terminated under the Code of Conduct. It seems unlikely this would happen.
AGENDA
Brief discussion on above
Vote on proposed rule 2(e) change
Vote on proposed rule 6(a)2 change
Vote on proposed new rule 6(a)5 change
Any other business related solely to Guild Membership
Note : Rule 9d states
At any General Meeting of the Guild the number of voting members present required to constitute a quorum shall be at least 25, including at least
two executive officers
at least one CC representative
and ideally at least two voting members from each branch
Keith Butter (Master and acting Secretary)
Barbara Rand (Treasurer)
