What is Direct Member Voting?
One of the biggest changes to our Democracy is Direct Member Voting which means instead of branch delegates voting on your behalf, you'll be invited to cast your individual vote on many important decisions that impact the way the society is run. Prime members will receive their first Voting Pack in May. A motion will be put to a direct member vote if it’s:
- It is submitted by the Board.
- It is submitted by the Member Council.
- It has the support of 250 members.
Some of the things you can expect to vote on include:
The Board of Directors
The people making decisions at the highest level of the Society.
Your Benenden Health Community Representatives
The people running your Benenden Health Community and through which your ideas will be considered, explored, and developed.
Significant product and service changes
You can have a direct impact on the services you receive.
Proposals to change the Society’s rulebook
Any fundamental changes to the way we are governed.
How will you vote?
Members will be able to vote in the following ways:
- Online.
- By post.
- In person during the formal AGM part of our annual Conference.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel like you will have enough information to vote. We will equip you with all the details you need to make an informed vote. Any proposals requiring a Direct Member Vote will be discussed at length by the Board and the Member Council which will flow through to your Benenden Health Community.
Proposals will be communicated through member meetups and online communities and once voting opens it will be accompanied by clear rationale. Voting will typically take place once a year ahead of our AGM in June and you will receive an invite to vote via your chosen channel (email or online) with all the information you need. When it comes to electing the Board of Directors and your Benenden Health Community Representatives, the candidates will be supported by clear and concise biographical information with more detail available on request so you can make sure you’re making the most informed decision possible.
Voting information will be sent out to all members at least 28 days before Conference via their preferred communication method.
Members will vote in person, by post or online. Members will also have the option to appoint a proxy, which means appointing a person to vote on their behalf.
The deadline for receipt of postal and online votes will be two days before Conference.
Voting will reopen on the day of Conference for those in attendance. In future, we are looking at the possibility of members being able to attend – and vote live – either in person or online.
Voting results will be announced at Conference.