Young Greens AGM 2022
We are thrilled to welcome you to our AGM 2022, which will be taking place 10:00-17:00, Saturday 9th July 2022 in Clyde Community Hall in Govan!
This is the most important SYG event of the year and we'd love to have you join us, be it in person-in or virtually. Our prep-team are working hard to make sure there is an equal experience for all attendees.
We ask that you register AND purchase your ticket on Eventbrite, tickets go live on the 19th of June at 09:00 AM. We want this AGM to be accessible to all! For those who live outside of Glasgow and those who may not be able to attend due to financial barriers, we will be creating a financial travel support scheme. More details about this are in the registration form and exact details of support will be announced soon.
The agenda for the AGM will be revealed in the coming weeks. It's going to include loads of fun things, fringe sessions, guest speakers and space to socialise. Two of the key aspects of the AGM are voting on a proposed constitution and electing our next National Council!
New Constitution Proposed! SYG Council has also proposed a new constitution! Our current constitution was more than 10 pages long - we have proposed a new, shorter constitution which is accompanied by a number of internal policies to make it simpler to find and understand how SYG operates. The old constitution, new constitution and new internal policy document are all listed below. If you would like to submit an amendment to any of these documents, please email convenor.syg@scottishgreens.org.uk with full details of your amendment (including details of anything you are adding/removing/replacing) no later than 23:59 on Saturday 25th June 2022.
Could you be on our SYG National Council 2022-23? Nominations are now open for next year's Council! Role descriptions are below, and you can nominate yourself by clicking here and filling out the nomination form. Nominations will close during the AGM. Being on SYG National Council is a fantastic way to get more involved in Green politics and activism, whether you're completely new to the scene or you've got a few years under your belt. SYG can't function without our amazing Council, so if you'd like to play a part in shaping the future of the Scottish Young Greens (as well as taking on a role that'll look amazing on your CV), why not run for Council?!
Anyone can stand so long as you're an SYG member (you must be 16 or over at the time of the election to stand for Co-Convenor, and 18 or over to stand for Welfare Officer). Being on SYG National Council is a volunteer role and successful candidates will take on their new roles from Monday 1st August, with a three week handover period following the AGM.
If you have any questions relating to the AGM please email our Events & Fundraising Officer, events.syg@scottishgreens.org.uk. We are SO excited to make this the best AGM yet!
National Council Positions
Co-Convenors (x2)
The main constitutionally defined role in the SYG is the co-convenors. Per the SGP rules regarding representative groups, SYG must have at least one convenor. A maximum of one co-convenor can be a man.
It is also required that the co-convenors must represent regional diversity. Where there is no constitutionally recognised Local Area Group in the area a co-convenor comes from, their local Branch of the SGP shall be considered for the purposes of geographic balance as their Local Area Group.
The co-convenors ensure the operation of the Scottish Young Greens Council and act as the face of the SYG to both the public and to the SGP. The co-convenors shall typically exercise the right to attend and vote at SGP Council and SGP Executive on behalf of the SYG. They may also chair meetings of SYG Council, certain sessions of SYG AGM and any wider meetings of the SYG membership arranged by SYG Council.
Welfare Officer
The Welfare Officer’s duty is to ensure that the SYG is a welcoming place for all members, and provide support to any member that has encountered difficulties. This is intrinsically tied to the Safe Space Policy. They may also be called upon to handle any complaints that arise. The Welfare Officer will have discretion as to how to handle those complaints.
Due to their role in handling complaints, the Welfare Officer may not vote on any recommendations they bring to SYG Council because of a complaint they have investigated. They may otherwise vote as normal.
The Welfare Officer is encouraged to act as the SYG’s representative on The Scottish Green Party’s Complaints and Conduct Committee (CCC). CCC may act as a valuable source of guidance with handling complaints and ensuring the SYG continues to strive to create safe spaces.
Membership Officer
The Membership Officer takes the lead in internal communications, acting as a point of contact for correspondence with members, contacting members (for example in the form of newsletters), and managing internal communications platforms (e.g. Slack). Additionally, they help manage the SYG's membership, including contacting new members.
The membership officer shall act as the SYG representative to the Scottish Green Party Membership Committee.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer
The EDI Officer remit is to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded
in our practices, both within the SYG, and in the way we engage with individuals and
groups in the wider public. Specifically, the role includes:
Monitoring issues of equality, diversity and inclusion within the party,
tracking progress, and recommending improvements;Organising EDI training sessions;
Exploring areas relating to marginalised communities within the SYG;
Oversight of SYG's arrangements for marking significant calendar events
which relate to equality and diversity (for example, Black History Month.)
In addition to general issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, a key focus for the EDI Officer’s year will be to improve the SYG’s engagement with ethnic minority communities and supporting members from minority ethnic backgrounds, until such a time when SYG has achieved parity in representation of people of colour.
Ordinary Member (x2)
The ordinary members are not elected with any specific responsibilities but rather, to help out with any tasks which meet both their interests and the needs of SYG. This is therefore a good role for someone who does not particularly prefer any defined role, and is interested in exploring which areas best fit their interests. They are full voting members on Council.
Secretary
The secretary is effectively responsible for the administrative functions of the SYG. They help organise meetings of both SYG Council and the SYG as a whole and ensure accurate records are kept of those meetings.
The secretary may also act as a clerk during council meetings, applying knowledge of the constitution andstructures of the Scottish Young Greens.
The secretary works closely with the co-convenors to ensure the operation of the Scottish Young Greens Council and will operate as the SYG treasurer for the 22/23 mandate.
The secretary will act as the SYG representative to the Scottish Green Party
Standing Orders Committee.
Elections and Campaigns Officer
As supporting SYG members who are standing for election and running youth-focussed campaigns is one of the main aims of the SYG, the constitution calls for an Elections and Campaigns officer to lead in these areas.
In addition to acting as SYG Council's lead on campaigning matters, they will also
hold the SYG's seat on the SGP's Elections and Campaigns Committee (ECC).
Social Media Officer
The Social Media Officer is the person primarily responsible for communicating on all social media platforms. Currently, these are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, but we would love to expand onto other platforms.
Importantly, the Social Media Officer does not have to create all content for these platforms, but is responsible for making sure the right content is going up at the right times, as per the communications strategy which they will co-create. Graphic-making experience is a welcome bonus for any potential Social Media Officer, but is absolutely non-essential.
Website & Content Officer
The Website and Content Officer will focus on making sure the website is kept up-to-date with content. Depending on the skills and interests of the successful candidate, could take more of an IT-based role, while working with others to create content, or a more creative, content-creation-based role, while working with others to manage the mechanics. Or, they could focus on both! Either way, they will work in close contact with the Social Media Officer and the Membership Secretary in a communications cluster.
Policy Officer
The policy officer will have three primary focuses.
Helping create policy focussed campaigns within the SYG.
Working with other Young Greens to draft policy proposals for the Scottish
Green Party Conference.
Acting as the SYG representative to the Scottish Green Party Policy
Committee.
International Officer
The Greens are part of a truly global movement. As a result, the SYG gets the opportunity to attend between two and four international events with other Young Green organisations, principally the Federation of Young European Greens, per year.
The main expectation of the International Officer is therefore to be available to travel occasionally. Of course, other officers can attend events with or instead of the International Officer.
The International Officer also serves as SYG's point of contact with these other organisations, acting as a channel for international co-operation and communication. They are generally expected to help organise and welcome other Young Greens to Scotland, help arrange SYG delegations abroad, and help the SYG get involved in the broader Green movement.
Events Officer
The Events Officer is responsible for leading efforts to plan events and raise funds for the SYG. Both of these tasks are carried out by multiple people, and SYG as a whole is likely to aid in the planning of events, but the Events Officer is the lead facilitator of these efforts. The SYG holds an AGM every year, and has also held events such as a hackathon. The SYG raises funds through fundraising events, but is also seeking to increase funds raised through grants from, for example, European institutions.
Past experience in helping organise events is helpful but not necessary. A willingness to coordinate a small team of organisers and help grow the SYG is a great deal more important.