HOW TO PROPOSE A RESOLUTION

As a membership organisation we are governed by our Articles of Association, in place to support how we are run and operated, including our responsibilities to members and ways and means members can engage and input into the organisation.

For resolutions to be put to the AGM they must fulfil one of two main criteria, the first is that it is supported (as signatories) by the equivalent of 0.5% of eligible voting members at the last AGM, the other is that it is voted and supported by the Members Council.

Any Voting member of the BMC may submit a resolution to be considered at the AGM provided that the Voting Member: 

• is aged 18 years or over at the date of the meeting (16.1.1.); and 
• has paid any subscription fee due and payable to the Company (16.1.2.)

Once the resolution has been received by the Governance and Compliance Manager, a webform will be set up, which sets out the resolution, provides a hyperlink to the more substantive document (if applicable), and allows members to give their support. 

The deadline to submit and vote on a resolution is 45 days (Saturday 27 April 2024) prior to the AGM - this has now passed.

This year we have had two resolution proposal suggestions being discussed, debated and support campaigned for. They included themes across financial transparency and structure of the GB Climbing department and performance activities.

The deadline for resolution proposals (for the 2024 AGM) meeting these criteria was 27 April, following that deadline we can confirm that neither of the criteria have been met for resolutions being proposed. Therefore, they will not be put forward at the AGM. The response from Members Council is below.

 Resolution 1

Council fully supports the principle of transparency of accounts both in line with our legal obligations and to ensure members understand where money they contribute, or the organisation receives, is used.

The 2023 accounts and 2024 budget will be published before the AGM and the Board has already committed to providing a clear explanation to members of the GBC and wider financial position as part of the AGM paperwork.  In addition, the members will have opportunities to discuss any concerns further at the Open Forum in May or at the post AGM ‘Drop-In’ Discussions already advertised.

The 2022 accounts have already been finalised and posted in the 2022 financial audit.  The Council accepts the opinion of the CEO and Chair of the Board that it would be an unacceptable cost in staff and volunteer time to re-open and restate the accounts to provide the information required, and such effort would not move the BMC forward or be a use of BMC resources that would benefit Members. 

 The Council therefore rejected the proposed resolution. 

 Resolution 2

The Council recognise the need to discuss the future of GB Climbing within the wider BMC structure.  This has already started, is being facilitated at the current round of Area Meetings, as well as in the Open Forum in May and will be discussed with staff and stakeholders and at the post AGM ‘Drop-In’, which we encourage you to be part of.

The proposal made would, in the opinion of Council, be very detrimental to a significant section of our membership.  Holding a vote at this time could also significantly damage the BMCs reputation with partners and potentially further jeopardise the funding we receive.  This would not be in the interests of the BMC or its members. As is detailed in the implications paper.

The Council fully supports the proposals and process of consultation outlined by the Chair and President in the statement published on 28 April 

The Council therefore rejected the proposed resolution.

Note: The 2024 threshold for 0.5% member support of a resolution to be added to the agenda is 382 votes.

VACANCIES AND HOW TO APPLY

All upcoming vacancies will be listed on our website, along with information on how to apply and deadlines to do so: www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-jobs

Certain roles will be voted upon as part of the AGM.

VOTING AND PROXY NOMINATIONS/VOTING

At a General Meeting and AGM, every Voting Member shall have one vote, to be cast by the Voting Member either personally or by proxy, provided that the Voting Member: 

• is aged 18 years or over at the date of the meeting (16.1.1.); and 
• has paid any subscription fee due and payable to the Company (16.1.2.)

Civica Election Services Limited (CES) will be administering all the voting, including proxy voting, for the AGM.

The voting emails will be sent out after 27 May 2024 once registration has closed.

If a member can’t attend, they can still vote by appointing another person (proxy) to vote on their behalf, this can be a member or a non-member.

Further details on how to vote, including appointing a proxy, will be set out in the voting guide, which will be released before registration closes.

If a member has changed their email address since last year’s AGM, or hasn’t provided the BMC with an email address, please get in touch with office@thebmc.co.uk – to tell us as soon as possible and before 13 May 2024 (two weeks ahead of registration deadline). This will assist us in ensuring we are able to send voting details.

If you are a member, or you know of a member, who does not have access to the necessary technology to attend the virtual AGM or access the voting website, then you can email our company secretary (thom.nixon@thebmc.co.uk) to request a hard copy proxy voting paper.  Please do this as soon as possible, as the form will need to be returned to the office by 13 May 2024 (two weeks ahead of registration deadline).

‘DROP-IN’ DISCUSSIONS

MEMBERS OPEN FORUM WEBINAR SERIES

There are two forums prior to the AGM.  

We are always working to create more ways for members to hear about the work we are doing, ask questions and get more involved. To that end we also host online members open forums, the next of which is on 21 May and will be chaired by globe-trotting archaeologist turned adventurer and BMC ambassador, Mary-Ann Ochota and will cover several important themes including access, conservation, competition climbing and the Olympics. You can register to attend here.

Registration and questions submission deadlines are online here.
 

CLUBS AND VOLUNTEERING

The BMC also has local area groups, volunteers who represent the BMC in their local areas and who meet quarterly to discuss issues local to them as well as wider national issues. Click here to volunteer with the BMC.

You may already be a member of a club but if not, this is a great way to meet like-minded people local to you while at the same time developing your skills and knowledge. You might want to look at setting up your own group or club, something which the BMC can support you with.Click here to find a club.