John Cousins, the Chief Executive of Mountain Training UK, explains why he's voting Option A in the upcoming BMC AGM - and why your vote can really make a difference.

Mountain Training UK, Mountain Training England and Mountain Training Cymru essentially create and manage the system of nationally-recognised qualifications that we have in walking, climbing and mountaineering in the UK and Ireland, such as the Mountain Leader and the Mountaineering Instructor Certificate.

All their schemes are designed to educate and train people so that they can safely enjoy the climbing walls, crags, coast, hills and mountains of our beautiful country. Mountain Training is run by small teams based in North Wales, Aviemore, Manchester and Dublin.

The Directors of Mountain Training Cymru, Mountain Training England and Mountain Training UK all support Option A in the BMC AGM. This is because Option B would result in Mountain Training - and nationally-recognised mountain instruction - essentially being cut loose from the broad church of mountaineering, climbing and hillwalking activities and organisations that the BMC supports.

John Cousins, the Chief Executive of Mountain Training UK, explains why he's voting for Option A: 

1 For improved accountability and representation

The BMC has been challenged to develop a more accountable system of governance. Option A offers improved transparency and representation for all climbers, mountaineers and hillwalkers.

2 Option A ensures that Mountain Training can continue to be heard by the English government

Every national Mountain Training organisation is currently linked to its respective government via their sports councils. Option A means Mountain Training remains linked to the BMC, and it grants both bodies direct access to the government.

3 Because being heard by the government and linked to the BMC endorses our role

As a collection of awarding organisations, Mountain Training’s qualifications are recognised by government and our long and close working relationship with the BMC strengthens this position. Option B would mean big changes to our relationship with the BMC and government.

4 Being heard by the government and linked to the BMC also supports our development work through various funding avenues

Current development projects include:

• The current review of climbing qualifications
• Diversity projects
• Improved candidate pathways
• Our continuing development of the quality of everything that we deliver
• Our work to help instructors, leaders and coaches to remain current and active

5 Option A allows Mountain Training and the BMC to continue to be a well-coordinated, joined up group of organisations with a coherent plan for the activities that mean so much to all of us

The British Mountaineering Council is the governing and representative body for climbing, hill walking and mountaineering in England and Wales. Mountain Training Cymru, Mountain Training England and Mountain Training UK all work very closely with the BMC to ensure that the ‘coaching workforce’ matches the various needs of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

This is an article promoting Option A. The recommended option from the BMC National Council (supported by the Organisational Review Group, BMC Board of Directors and BMC staff) and Mountain Training.

Please do vote in our upcoming AGM
We need 75% of the votes to be in favour of one option in order to adopt a new constitution. If you're a BMC member, please check for an email from ERS for your personal URL to vote. It's quick, simple and only takes a minute. If you haven't recieved an email, please fill in the form here: https://intouch.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-agm/

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Your AGM: Thanks for your vote!

This year's historic AGM had a record voting turnout, with 6,796 of those votes being made online. We want to thank everyone for having their say and helping to shape the future of the BMC. 

READ THE FULL REPORT: The BMC's historic 2018 AGM

Detailed info on the BMC AGM 2018

Find out more about the last AGM. It's a complicated topic, so start with this one:

READ: It's your BMC, and we need your vote

We were asking our members to vote on some significant changes to the BMC's constitution. Part of the discussion was the relationship between the BMC and Sport England. 

READ: What are Sport England Tier 3 and Tier 1 relationships?

There were two constitutions to vote for: Proposal A (as recommended by National Council) and Proposal B, proposed by a group of members. To learn more about the two proposals, you can read a detailed comparison written by BMC honorary solictor Martin Wragg.

READ: A comparison of alternative constitutions

How did the recommendations get decided? Read more about the process that lead to this stage, including the reports from the Organisational Review and more. 

READ: BMC Organisational Review reports

Watch the Open Forum debate

We held a debate in Manchester on 15 May for both options to be discussed. You can watch the livestream here:

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