WEA moves to incorporate

In April 2004, the WEA'S National Executive Committee agreed that it would be in the best interests of the Workers’ Educational Association for the organisation to be incorporated as a charitable company. The WEA’s English Regions are hosting events on the subject of incorporation between February and April for WEA Branches and members. The decision will need to be ratified and agreed at the WEA National Conference in Manchester in October 2005.

The main changes occurring as a result of incorporation will happen around governance and legal structure. As an incorporated company, the WEA’s charitable interests will be better served, and the democratic principles, on which it was founded in 1903, will be made stronger.

The main changes can be summarised as follows:

• The WEA will move from an unincorporated trust to become a charitable company limited by guarantee for social purpose
• A new WEA Board of Trustees/Directors will be formed with roles and responsibilities in line with charity and company law
• New independent Trustees will be nominated and able to join the Board of Trustees
• The role of the current NEC will be revised in keeping with the responsibilities of the new Board of Trustee/Directors
• The WEA.s current Governing Document, (the Constitution), will be replaced by a new Governing Document called the Memorandum and Articles of Association
• A subsidiary trading company will be formed to ensure legal compliance and raise funds

Dates for the Regional events on Incorporation are as follows. Further details can be obtained from WEA Regional Offices.