Dear Colleagues,

CWU Retired Members Conference - Thursday 6 March 2008

The CWU Retired Members' Conference will be held on Thursday 6 March 2008 at CWU Headquarters.

a)     Motions

Each Region will be entitled to submit two motions to the Conference Agenda.  The closing date for submission of motions will be 4 February 2008.   Branches are reminded that should they wish to submit motions to the Retired Members' Conference this should be done through the Regional Committees.  Two motions will then be selected by each Region for submission to the agenda.

As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions  which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee would not be admissible to the General Conference agenda.

Branches will be aware that the Retired Members' Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit 2 motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference. It is therefore important that if branches wish their motions to be in this category, they must contain policy that is capable of being discharged by the NEC, as opposed to either of the Industrial Executives.

As with previous Conferences, the 2 motions for submission to the General Conference agenda will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference. A ballot to select the 2 motions will be held at the Conference.

b)     Delegates

As last year, delegate entitlement to this Conference is on the basis of four retired members per Region.  Branches should therefore forward nominations for delegates direct to their Regional Secretaries.

In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, etc.,  it is important that you advise us in writing of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than 4 February 2008.

c)     Observers

There will be the potential for 25 observers to attend the conference, this number includes any Regional or Branch Secretaries who may wish to be present.  Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis taking into account regional representation and names should be submitted either by email to cmccudden@cwu.org or in writing to Carmel McCudden, no later than 4 February 2008.  All observers should ensure they have their membership card with them in order to gain access to the Conference.

d)       Election of Delegates to General Conference

As you will know, the Retired Members' Conference will select two delegates to represent the Retired Members to attend General Conference 2008.

The Standing Orders for the Retired Members' Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates will be conducted during Conference itself.

Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination, and must have the nomination of their own region, and/or the Retired Members' Advisory Committee, to be eligible.

The exception to this are members of the Retired Members' Advisory Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Retired Members' Advisory Committee and/or any Regional Committee.

Branches should forward nominees for this ballot to their Regional Secretary.

John Donnelly

General Conference Standing Orders Committee