FSA members met on Saturday 13th January at Camley Street Natural Park between 1pm and 2pm for the annual general meeting. 4 directors attended and 1 election candidate attended in addition to FSA staff. This in contract to the last AGM where about half a dozen members were able to join the directors. The time of year may have contributed to this and we will look carefully at the timing of the next AGM.
Lily Horseman (Chair) presented the annual report. The board responded to questions from the floor. Proxy questions had been invited from FSA members but none had been submitted.
You can access the full annual report through the following link.
Members in attendance at the AGM, who had not already voted, had the opportunity to do so before the results of the election were calculated and reported.
28 eligible members voted in the election for new directors. All candidates received greater than 50% of the vote and were duly election on to the board.
| Candidate Name | Total Votes | Percentage of the vote |
| Lily Horseman | 26 | 93% |
| Sara Collins | 22 | 79% |
| Sarah Lawfull | 27 | 96% |
| Francesca Signore | 25 | 89% |
Number of eligible voters = 1478
Number of voters = 28
Election turnout = 1.9% (8.2% in 2016, 9.5% in 2015, 9% in 2014, 12% in 2013)
Election turnout was dramatically reduced compared to previous years despite the same voting format being employed as last year. The fact that there were only 2 candidates for 4 positions may have influenced members’ motivation to vote but we are attributing the low turnout to the fact that the election was held over the Christmas period ( 22nd December – 12th January). The board are likely to push the next AGM back by at least a month to avoid this happening again next time.
Two exercises were conducted at the end of the AGM.
- Forest School Principles – areas that need clarifying
Attendees considered the 6 Forest school principles and identified aspects of them that may require further clarification. Half an hour was spent on this. The findings will be used to start a process of reviewing the Forest School principles. All members will be consulted on this. - Recognising Forest School qualifications
The attendees considered issues around the FSA’s ability to recognise various Forest School qualifications. The board will write to all members concerning this topic.
Elly Dolan and Kathryn Barton formally stepped down as FSA directors at the end of the AGM and Francesca Signore and Sarah Lawfull took up their positions.
END
It is a great annual report, reflecting a massive amount of hard work and congratulations to everyone for all the progress on key issues. Also a big welcome to those who came forward to stand as new directors. I do agree with Claire though, something isn’t working well enough on communication and membership engagement and I completely endorse her suggestions. As a member I really entreat the board to make this a number 1 priority to address this year. I understand the history and concerns but it is perfectly possible to use social media effectively without getting mired in controversy. We were all asked to use the forums on here instead but take up is poor. I’ve asked things and been ignored for months, even years (ironically- one example was asking how the review of the communication strategy was going lol)
Specific proposals for how communication and membership engagement can be improved would be gratefully received and will be considered by the board. Each proposal having its own thread on the forum would be ideal. Thank you.
Thanks Gareth, really happy to give this some thought and to post suggestions on the forum as requested. It would help to know what the current communication strategy is as presumably the review was completed ages ago?
As a member I was really pleased to be consulted about several things recently, that definitely helps members feel more valued and part of the organization. Perhaps a good point to start is a survey consulting members about communication (preferred means etc) and member engagement?
I also echo Arainn`s thank the board (past and present) for getting the FSA to where it is today – it isn`t an easy job and I know that from personal experience!
However as a member myself:
I am truly concerned that only 28 members voted (out of 1478).
I am truly concerned that only 4 directors, 1 election candidate and FSA staff were the only ones who attended the AGM in London (if reading the above is an accurate reflection?. Did no one else go?!
With all due respect, there is something seriously amiss with member engagement if you are getting such a lack of interest in something which really is very important and I do hope that the Directors do analyse what has happened and make subsequent changes for the future.
For what it`s worth, my own view is to suggest that the AGM move back to take place during the annual conference and that there is a priority to have a conference each year in which to host the AGM. This years dates are already planned for the annual conference in Norfolk – it would make sense for the AGM to be held over that weekend with any director recruitment campaign starting in June! I would also suggest that the time slot for the AGM if held at the conference does not clash with lunch or other workshops – it needs its own important slot so everyone can go.
That there is a proper election `campaign` and regular build up of interest over the preceding months to generate interest in both director candidates and voting – perhaps a Director could have specific responsibility for this? A couple of emails is not enough and this year`s actions do prove that. Also yes, Christmas is a dreadful time over which to hold the vote and I`m glad that`s been recognised.
The FSA needs a full compliment of Directors or the workload becomes untenable for people, so something needs to be done to actively generate interest in people stepping forward. The FSA needs it`s membership to actively participate and take interest in the governance of the FSA so something needs to be done to generate member engagement in this vital important area of FSA organisational development.
One day, I would very much like to see more applicants for director posts than there are vacancies because a changing/evolving board (in any organisation) is a healthy board and keeps organisations moving forward with new energies and ideas. Without a board, we have no FSA so something needs to be done to change members desires/aspirations to put themselves forward and help in the governance of the FSA.
Sorry I have rambled but hope this generates some discussion – thank you.
Thank you Gareth and thank you all on the board (past and present) for all your good work.