Created on: 03 Jun 2013 | Last modified: 23 Sep 2015
The Annual General Meeting of the EIS will be held at Perth Concert Hall from Thursday 6 June until Saturday 8 June.
The AGM features keynote addresses from both the EIS President (Thursday 6 June, 2.30pm approx) and EIS General Secretary (Friday 7 June, 12 noon approx).
This year, for the first time, a politician has been invited to address the full EIS AGM.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Mike Russell MSP, has accepted the invitation to speak this year (Saturday 8 June, 11.00am approx.).
Following his address, Mr Russell will also answer questions from the teachers and lecturers attending the EIS AGM.
Commenting on the decision to invite the Cabinet Secretary to address the AGM, General Secretary Larry Flanagan said:
"The decision to invite the Cabinet Secretary to address the EIS AGM is the result of our on-going review of membership engagement and was taken after very serious consideration, as the EIS has always been proud of its political independence which is highlighted by the fact that we remain free from any party-political affiliation."
"However, we feel it is important that Scotland’s teachers and lecturers are given the opportunity to hear directly from the Cabinet Secretary, and to ask him important questions about to the Scottish Government’s education policies.”
"This is a real chance for the Cabinet Secretary to engage constructively with Scotland’s teaching professionals, and to hear their views first-hand."
"While I am sure that the Cabinet Secretary will face some vigorous questioning, I am confident that AGM delegates will treat Mr Russell with respect throughout his speech and during the question and answer session."
"We look forward to a particularly lively and interesting session on Saturday morning as the result of the Cabinet Secretary’s appearance.”
The AGM is the sovereign body of the EIS, and is key to the democratic structure and decision-making processes of the organisation. The AGM meets in June every year.
The AGM debates Motions, sets EIS priorities and policies, and approves the EIS Council decisions from the previous year.
This year, the AGM will debate 52 Motions on a wide range of issues, including 19 Motions on Education matters, 9 Motions on Employment Relations matters, 6 Motions on Equality matters, 9 Motions on Salaries matters, and 9 Motions on Organisation matters.
Around 350 teacher and lecturer delegates elected by local associations and the self-governing associations, (EIS-ULA and EIS-FELA) attend the AGM.
The 125 elected members of the national EIS Council are automatically delegates at the AGM.
(ENDS)
For further information, contact Brian Cooper on 0131 225 6244 or bcooper@eis.org.uk
- Members of the media are welcome to attend the EIS AGM to observe and report on the debate. Contact the Communications department on the number above to request accreditation, or report to the EIS Office at Perth Concert Hall during the AGM itself.
