Draft Constitution

WESTMINSTER UNISON CORE BRANCH RULES

1. BRANCH NAME 

1. The Branch shall be called Westminster UNISON Branch, hereafter referred to as the 'Branch'.

2. RELATIONSHIP TO NATIONAL ORGANISATION

1. Branch rules shall be in accordance with national rules, decisions of the Annual Delegate Conference and the NEC. 
2. Any member may have a copy of the current Rule Book. 
3. The Branch shall make an audited annual return of branch income, expenditure, assets and liabilities, as prescribed by the NEC and in accordance with national rules.

3 AIMS OF THE BRANCH 

1. The aims of the Branch shall be in accordance with the aims and values of UNISON as set out in the Rule Book.

4 MEMBERSHIP 

1. Eligibility for membership shall be in accordance with the Rules of the union.
2. Applications for membership take effect from the date at which completed forms are received by the Branch or at regional/national level and the first contribution is made.
3. A meeting of the Branch or Branch Committee may decide not to support a membership application but such a decision must be consistent with the Rules and with Statute. Such a decision must be explained to the individual in writing, together with their rights of appeal.
4. All members must comply with the Rules.
5. The NEC may terminate an individual's membership in accordance with the Rules.

5. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL YEAR

1. The administrative and financial year of the Branch shall commence on 1st January of each year and end on 31st December of the same year.

6. BRANCH STRUCTURE

1. There will be an Annual General Meeting of the Branch to elect, or confirm the election by ballot of Branch Officers and members of the Branch Committee. 
2. Other General Meetings may be called by the Branch Committee or by 20 members of the Branch or 5% of the membership, whichever is the greater. 
3. The Annual General Meeting will determine the basis of representation in the Branch and the number of stewards and other representatives to be elected in each work group or workplace.
4. The Branch shall keep a bank/building society account in the name of the Branch. 
5. The quorum for a General Meeting shall be 75 or 5% of the membership of the Branch, whichever is the greater at a single meeting or through aggregate meetings.
6. The Branch Committee shall administer Branch business in accordance with the national rules and guidance. 

**ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS**

1. The Annual General Meeting(s) shall be held in the January - March quarter
2. All members shall be invited to attend the Annual General Meeting.
3. All Branch Officers should attend the Annual General Meeting(s).
4. The purpose of the Annual General Meeting(s) is to bring the Branch Committee and its Officers to account by:

• Ratify the minutes from the previous Annual General Meeting. 
• Reporting on the Branch's finances for ratification.
• Reporting on the Branch's activity during the past year.
• Elect, or confirm the election if these took place by ballot, of Branch Officers for the coming year as set out in section ****.  
• Seek approval for any proposed honoraria payments to be made.

***GENERAL BRANCH MEETINGS***

1. All members of the Branch shall be entitled to attend Branch Meetings which will be held at a variety of times that enable the majority of members from all grades to attend.
2. Notification shall be given to each member at least 5 working days in advance.
3. Motions to Branch Meetings may be submitted by the Branch Committee, a Departmental/Company UNISON Representative Committee, the Committee of a Self-organised Group or by any two members of the Branch.
4. Motions must be received by the Branch Secretary at least 5 working days in advance of the date of the meeting.
5. The purpose of the Branch Meetings shall be to :-

• Enable the membership to take decisions on matters of Branch policy. 
• Ensure that the Branch Committee is accountable to the membership for conducting the affairs of the Branch.
• Provide a means of communication between the Branch Committee and the membership.

**BRANCH OFFICERS**

1. The following Branch Officers shall be elected by a ballot of all members of the Branch annually in line with UNISON rules:

• Branch Secretary
• Assistant Branch Secretary (WCC)
• Assistant Branch Secretary (Contractors)
• Assistant Branch Secretary (Schools)
• Chair
• Vice Chair
• Treasurer
• Deputy Treasurer
• Health and Safety Officer
• Communications Officer
• Deputy Communications Officer
• Equality Officer
• Women's Officer
• Black Members Officer
• Disability Officer
• Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Officer (LGBT)
• Age Equality Officer
• Young Members Officer
• Faith Equality Officer
• Organisational Change Officer
• Education Coordinator
• Lifelong Learning Coordinator
• International Officer
• Retired Members Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Membership Officer
• Social Secretary
• Departmental/Comapny Convenor
• Steward
• Health and Safety Representative

 **BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS**

1. The Branch Committee shall meet monthly in accordance with the Terms of Reference for Branch Committee Meetings.
2. In addition to these meetings, Special Branch Committee Meetings may be convened by the Branch Secretary or in his/her absence by the Branch Chair.
3. The quorum for the Branch Committee shall be 33% (one third) of the members of the committee.
4. The branch committee will establish arrangements for representation of members and any difficulties will be referred to the regional organiser in the first instance.
5. Delegates to UNISON conferences shall be elected by the Branch Committee or appropriate Self Organised Group in accordance with the Branch Code of Practice for Conferences.

**DEPARTMENTAL/COMPANY COMMITTEE MEETINGS**

Departmental/Company representatives shall meet at least quarterly in accordance with the Terms of Reference for Departmental/Company UNISON Representative Committee Meetings.

8. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

1. All meetings will be conducted in a fair and democratic manner. 
2. All meetings will be advertised widely as far in advance as possible. 
3. The procedures to be used at the meeting will be explained clearly. 
4. The branches will maintain records of meetings, financial records, books of accounts and other appropriate records to enable the branch to function.
5. Branch Code of Conduct ..... 

9. MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Communications to the media on behalf of the branch shall be made only by the following authorised officers:

• Branch Secretary
• Assistant Branch Secretary (WCC)
• Assistant Branch Secretary (Schools)
• Assistant Branch Secretary (Contractors)
• Communications Officer 

10. FINANCES

1. Rates of expenses for members attending meetings or carrying out other activities on behalf of the branch shall be in accordance with Code of Practice for Branch Finance.
2. Affiliations shall be made in accordance with the Code of Practice for Branch Finance.
3. Donations shall be made in accordance with the Code of Practice for Branch Finance.

13. APPROVAL/ALTERATIONS TO BRANCH RULES

1. Branch rules must be agreed by two thirds of members present and voting at a quorate branch meeting. 
2. Branch rules must be approved in accordance with UNISON's procedures. 
3. Any changes to branch rules must be agreed and approved in the same way.