Cliff Allum, Chief Executive of Skillshare International has been elected as WEA Treasurer in our first all-member ballot.
Over 3,000 members voted by post and online, with Cliff receiving 69% of the total vote. Cliff has been Treasurer for WEA West Midlands for twelve years, prior to which he was Regional Chair. He has been involved in the WEA for thirty years in all, including as a student, tutor and branch member
In his election statement, Cliff said he would draw on his experience of over twenty years as a voluntary sector Chief Executive and national Trustee, were he to be elected.
In a comment that will strike a positive note for WEA members and volunteers, he says, "I believe that voluntary activity is vital to the distinctive future of the WEA, especially at local level, and our success is based on working in partnership with our staff team at all levels of the Association. I am committed to a WEA that embraces new challenges, while recognising the value of our traditions."
On hearing about his appointment Cliff said, "I am very excited about becoming National Treasurer. My thanks goes to all the WEA members who voted for me and I will do my best to play my part in addressing the challenges the WEA faces. I am also very keen to hear what WEA members see as the key issues that they think need to be addressed nationally on financial issues."
The Treasurer is one of the WEA's four national Officers, who are volunteers and are amongst the twelve Trustees of the charity. They also serve alongside members elected by each region on the Association Committee, which represents all WEA members between WEA Conferences, which are held every two years.
The posts of President and Deputy President were also up for nomination this year, but were not contested as only one candidate came forward for each. Incumbants Colin Barnes and Lynne Smith were duly elected to the posts of President and Deputy President respectively.
The three roles begin their new terms on Saturday 29th October 2011 at the conclusion of the WEA's biennial conference in Nottingham.