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Sutton Women's Forum
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| Author: John Craig-Sharples |
The Sutton Women's Forum is one of the groups which feeds into the wider working of the Sutton Partnership. The forum's terms of reference are detailed below and beneath the terms of reference you can access the agenda for the forum's 17 May 2010 meeting.
Terms of Reference
1. It is recognised that women are consigned by the structures in most societies to a subservient role in those societies.
2. It is also recognised that in almost all societies their structure is male centred and it is believed that this arrangement has not been beneficial to humanity.
3. It is believed that a society in which neither men nor women are dominant but structured so as to benefit all humankind is the best way for human beings. To this end the Sutton Women’s Forum shall be established to address women’s equality issues and promote the interests of women.
4. In the London Borough of Sutton a Forum shall be established under the title of the Sutton Women’s Forum (SWF). It shall have the terms of reference set out below.
Aims
5. SWF shall raise and work to resolve equality issues with public & other bodies and individuals, as appropriate, with particular reference to equality issues pertinent to the women of the Sutton.
6. SWF shall:-
a. Consider, comment and advise on the policies, strategies and action plans of public service providers serving the women of the Borough and elsewhere.
b. Receive and request reports from public service providers on matters relating to employment, service delivery, training and consultation and to comment thereon.
c. Encourage the empowerment of women in combating unfair discrimination and promote equality and related women’s issues.
d. Provide a mechanism for consultation and liaison between SWF, other agencies, organisations and public service providers to facilitate open dialogue, awareness and training on equality issues in the Borough and elsewhere.
e. Hold public meetings and other events at which SWF related issues are discussed.
f. Participate in related activities within and outside of the borough of Sutton.
Membership of the Forum
7. Membership of SWF shall be open to individuals and representatives of community and other organisations located or providing services in the Borough, not excluding council and other employees, interested in and supportive of its aims.
8. SWF may appoint up to four co-opted members, from Sutton or elsewhere, whose special knowledge and experience may be beneficial to the development of equality in relation to women’s issues.
9. Co-opted members may not stand for election to SWF and will not have any voting rights but will have all other rights of SWF members.
10. Any person who ceases to be the representative of a member organisation shall automatically cease to be a member of SWF in that capacity but may reapply for other membership.
Meetings of the Forum
11. The first business at the Annual General Meeting of SWF shall be the election of its chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer. The chair shall be elected for no more than three consecutive years.
12. SWF shall hold an Annual General Meeting within 6 weeks of the end of the calendar year from the previous Annual General Meeting.
13. SWF will meet regularly throughout the year.
14. SWF shall have an Executive Committee of 10 members plus 2 co-opted members. Its members will include a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
15. SWF’s Executive Committee shall meet regularly to consider its aims and work plan.
16. SWF may set up working groups as necessary, and action of such working groups reported back to the Forum.
17. The Secretary shall be responsible for arranging the servicing of SWF, including room bookings, and ensuring that the paperwork for meetings are prepared and provided to the members.
18. Members of SWF shall notify the Secretary of any items to be included on the Agenda, together with any supporting documents, before agreed deadlines.
19. Meetings shall be conducted in a polite and friendly environment, and one which enhances the reputation of SWF.
20. Premises used for meetings and other events shall be as welcoming and accessible as possible.
Forum chair and vice-chair
21. The chair of SWF shall hold office from one annual meeting to the next and shall be eligible for re-election for a maximum of 3 consecutive years.
22. In the absence of the chair and vice-chair of SWF a chair for the meeting shall be elected by those members of SWF present from amongst their number.
Quorum
23. No business shall be undertaken at any meeting unless a quorum of members is present. A quorum shall be five members of SWF.
24. If a quorum is not present the chair may: -
a. Continue with the meeting, whose discussion and decisions shall be ratified by a subsequent quorate meeting of SWF.
b. Adjourn the meeting and: -
i. Fix a time and place for the adjourned meeting to continue or
ii. Leave the business remaining to be undertaken at the next meeting of SWF.
25. In the event of there not being a quorum at an Annual General Meeting the chair or nominated representative shall continue in office until the Annual General Meeting is reconvened with a quorum.
Voting
26. Matters shall be decided through discussion and consensus. Where this process does not achieve a decision a vote shall be held of those present, decided upon by majority.
27. In the event of a tied vote the chair at that meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
Alterations to the Terms of Reference
28. SWF may propose and agree alterations to the terms of reference at any time by a majority vote at a public meeting.
29. The terms of reference shall be reviewed annually at SWF’s Annual General Meeting.
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