A Guide to the EIS AGM 2019

Created on: 31 May 2019 | Last modified: 07 Jun 2019

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the main decision making body of the EIS. AGM instructs Council, which in turn instructs the Committees of the Council.

Around 350 members of the EIS including the Office Bearers, members of Council and Delegates from Local Associations and Self-Governing Associations (EIS-FELA and EIS-ULA) are eligible to attend and vote at the AGM.

The 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the EIS will be held in Perth Concert Hall, from Thursday 6 June to Saturday 8 June.

Here we describe the key events that take place over the course of the AGM and the order of business for this year's conference.

The Formal Opening Session

This session embodies the traditions of the Institute which was founded in 1847. The President, Alison Thornton from Edinburgh, welcomes the guests from kindred organisations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, together with other trade union and official guests, before giving her retiring address.

Then the Convener of the Board of Examiners presents the members who have been admitted as Fellows of the EIS.

The incoming President (Bill Ramsay, South Lanarkshire) and Vice-President (Carole Thorpe, Aberdeen City) will then be introduced to the meeting and make short speeches.

First Business Session

This session is extremely important as it is where the AGM are able to review the work of Council and its Committees over the past twelve months. This work comes before the consideration and debating of motions dealing with new policies.

Consideration of Motions and Amendments

The remainder of the AGM is taken up with debating the motions and amendments which have been submitted. by Council, Local Associations and Self-Governing Associations. The motions and amendments are grouped into subject headings and blocks of time are allocated to motions under each heading. 

This year there are 59 motions to be debated as follows:

  • 17 on Education matters;
  • 7 on Employment Relations matters;
  • 3 on Equality matters;
  • 14 on Salaries matters;
  • 18 on Organisation matters.

Fringe and other events

The EIS holds a number of fringe events at the AGM, offering the opportunity for external organisations to speak to delegates in order to raise awareness of key issues.

The EIS PACT Against Poverty

A meeting organised by the EIS Equality Department entitled, The EIS PACT Against Poverty will feature a presentation by Professor John McKendrick, (Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit) and John Dickie, (Director of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland) on the current outlook on poverty in Scottish society.

Organising to Win – Achieving Local Success

The EIS Organisers will be holding a fringe meeting, Organising to Win – Achieving Local Success. It will look at how to build on the success of the Value Education Value Teachers campaign and achieve further wins by applying organising principles to a local context.

Challenging Xenophobia and the Rise of the Right

There will also be a fringe event on challenging xenophobia and the rise of the right. This will feature a presentation from Education International General Secretary, David Edwards, where he will discuss EI's role in the global fight for trade union and human rights.