First Divisional Council meeting.

On Wednesday 27th May I attended my first Divisional Council meeting at the USDAW Redditch office.

The meeting was started by all of the DC introducing themselves with a brief resume of there involvement with USDAW. 

We then moved into the agenda and we all read the minutes from the previous DC meeting in April. These were accepted. 

We then read through the minutes of the recent EC meeting. Maureen Bowen read through a few of the main points and gave feedback from the meeting. These were accepted. 

We took a look at the minutes from other Divisional Councils. These were accepted. 

We looked through a large selection of circulars from central office and a selection of press releases. These were accepted. 

We received a list of dates for all the 2015 Midlands Divisional Council meetings.  

We discussed an upcoming spotlight day. This will be held at Tesco Redditch on Wednesday 24th June the same day as the next DC meeting. I will nip and support the event for a few hours after the DC meeting. 

We also discussed the Women's chain makers festival. Being held in Cradley Heath high street, Cradley Heath on Sunday 12th July. The Midlands Division is aiming to raise £1,000 to donate to the event. 

We received the report from the Divisional officer and discussed a few items. 

We received the Deputy Divisional officers report. This included a discussion on the positions available within the Midlands Divisional Council. The positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman, East Midlands federation observer and West Midlands observer will all be discussed and voted on at the next meeting on Wednesday 24th June. 

Membership total as of May 23rd - 429,434 nationally and 56,554 divisionally. 

Stand down - 113 reps since 1/1/2015

Who have signed up 1,133 new members. 

Membership week - over the 4 week period 862 new members were signed up. 

Academy 2 - 3 organising officers who have so far signed up 186 new members and 19 new reps. 

Academy 1 - 30 reps applied. 14 were invited to take part in the interview / test sessions. 6 organising officers have been selected. 

We discussed the applications for summer school series one and two. 

We voted on the nominees who would go forward to the EC for concideration. 

Eight people were nominated for summer school series one and six people were nominated for summer school series two. 

A reserve list was created for both summer school series. 

We moved on to any other business. 

The referendum on EUROPE was mentioned and what USDAW will be doing to campaign on this issue. 

The leadership of the Labour Party was mentioned and that a strong leader is needed. 

The meeting was then closed. 

Preparation for my first USDAW Midlands Divisional Council meeting.

I have received the agenda and associated paperwork for my first USDAW Midlands Divisional Council meeting.

The agenda is as follows:

AGENDA

1. Minuets of April Divisional Council meeting

2. Minuets of Executive Council meeting - May 2015

3. Minuets of other Divisional Councils

4. Central office Circulars/press releases 

5. Federation reports

6. Divisional officers report

7. Other competent business

I have read through all of the documents that I have received in preparation of the meeting.
I found it interesting to read about what the EC discussed and what is happening within the Midlands.

The members of the USDAW Midlands Divisional Council will also be required to agree on Eight nominees to send to the USDAW Summer School series one and Six nominees for the USDAW Summer School series two. 

I have read through all the applications received and I have made a list of people who in my opinion would benefit from attending the USDAW Summer Schools. 

I would say a personal thank you to every applicant. I have attended both USDAW Summer Schools series one - 2008 and series 2 - 2009 and I really enjoyed them. They are a great experience and really help you to understand more about USDAW.

The Women Chainmakers festival is taking place on Sunday 12th July - Cradley Heath High Street, Cradley Heath, Sandwell, B64 5HJ.

The Midlands region is asking branches to make a donation towards the event.

The Divisional officer Gavin Dadley hopes that the Midlands branches can raise at least £1000 for the event and  encourages as many members, Reps and there families attend this important event.

2015 USDAW ADM - record of proceedings and final agenda paper.

I have received a copy of the 2015 USDAW ADM - Minutes and Record of Proceedings and final agenda paper. 

This is a really useful document as it contains all the information about the 2015 ADM. 

This will be very useful to show members and other reps so they know what was discussed at ADM and what the voting results are. 

USDAW website updated 1st May 2015

Today the USDAW media department have updated the USDAW website with the names of the Midlands Divisional Councillors. 

This makes being elected on the the USDAW Midlands Divisional Council feel real.