WEA Conference 13
The Corn Exchange and Guildhall, Cambridge
Friday 11th and Saturday 12th October 2013
On Friday 11 October, we will be running a high profile national event with some fantastic guest speakers and workshops on the theme of Building Communities in Challenging Times. We will shortly be inviting colleagues, partners, politicians and organisations from inside and outside the WEA to Conference once our speakers are confirmed.
As it is also the centenary of Eastern Region, a themed dinner will be held in Cambridge Guildhall to enable delegates to socialise, make new friends and renew acquaintances.
The formal business of WEA Conference will take place in the Guildhall on Saturday 12th October. Sessions that day will include the announcement of election results for two WEA Officer positions; the debate and resolution of motions, and reports by the WEA’s President and General Secretary. Conference packages for WEA delegates available on the forthcoming booking form will include bed and breakfast at the nearby Cambridge City hotel.
Association Officer Elections
Once again, all WEA members (there are now over 60,000) will be able to vote, nominate and stand in this year’s elections for two of the four WEA Association Officer positions. If either election is contested, voting will take place by post and online this summer, with the results announced at Conference. A nomination form including further details of the Officer roles and eligibility and rules for nomination is available below.
Please note the 12th April deadline by which anyone who wishes to participate in the elections (including as a voter) must be registered as a WEA member. Further details are available on the enclosed nomination form.
WEA Conference Motions and the 2013 Principal Themes
The WEA Conference provides the chance for WEA branches and regions (including their Scottish equivalents), plus affiliated organisations, the chance to debate and vote on motions – which they can also propose in advance of the debate using the forms available below. Photocopies of the forms can be used if necessary. Only delegates present at Conference can vote on motions.
WEA branches and local associations are reminded to copy any motions which they propose for Conference to their Regional Committee or the Scottish Committee. The WEA Council has asked me to pass on a request that Regions and WEA Scotland be proactive in pointing out to sponsors any manifest defects in their original wording. Regions and others are encouraged to put forward appropriate amendments for the Final Agenda to tidy up any such wording issues. Forms to suggest amendments to motions will be sent out with the preliminary agenda mailing in June.
Motions are wherever possible being grouped into five Principal Themes; these have been finalised for the 2013 event and are listed below. This format enables both the interests of clarifying existing practice, and of promoting debate at Conference on major issues of common concern facing the Association, while leaving freedom for branches, local associations and regions to put forward motions and amendments reflecting their particular concerns as set out in the WEA governing document, a copy of which is available by request or online at www.wea.org.uk/governance. The Trustees and WEA Council intend to submit only a small number of motions, each fitting one of the themes and supported by a report, and to encourage amendments to those motions.
Principal Theme A: The role of adult education in overcoming social and geographical isolation
Principal Theme B: Branches in the community
Principal Theme C: Volunteering and membership engagement
Principal Theme D: The health benefits of adult education and of volunteering
Principal Theme E: The role of adult education in promoting equality, democracy and justice
All English regions and branches, WEA Scotland and local associations that they have the right, at any time, to submit their views and recommendations to me, for consideration by WEA Council or the Trustees. They do not need to wait for discussion at Conference.
Further venue, accommodation and fee details, and a booking form to attend Conference, will follow later.
Related documents
Submit a Motion Form
Nomination form for WEA Association Officer elections
Guidelines for WEA Conference Participants