There are 8 resolutions to be voted on for the meeting, which is taking place in Birmingham on 22 June. Four of them are Special Resolutions, which deal with proposed constitutional reform of the Fund.
If approved, it will change the Fund to a registered charity, differing from its current status of being a registered benevolent society, and ensure that it’s well equipped to provide its best service as the in-house charity for all current, former, and retired civil servants, and their dependants.
The Special Resolutions respond to recent significant changes to the Fund’s external environment and regulatory situation, together with the evolution of the Fund’s activities away from residential care and toward grant-making activities. Together, these developments require a form of governance different from what we currently have.
More specifically, under the Charities Act 2006, the Fund will cease to be an exempt charity from some time in early 2011. It will then be regulated by the Charity Commission and will be expected to adopt their guidance on various issues, including organisational and governance structures.
Voting is open to all Fund donors who receive voting papers with their copy of the 2009 Impact Report, which is also being sent out.
Over half of our donors are eligible to vote on the resolutions, because they have been donating more than £24 per year (£2 per month) to the Fund.
To encourage donors to have their say, voting can also be done on the Fund’s website, on our special voting page. The process is quick, easy, and secure.
Chief Executive Merrick Willis says, “These proposed changes to the Fund’s constitution will make us better equipped as a charity to continue our vital work.
“But we won’t make these changes without your support. Please get involved with the Special General Meeting and cast your vote, so that you can have your say, on your in-house charity.”
Anyone wanting to know more about the proposed changes, or who would like to attend the SGM, should contact our Administration team.
And we’ll have all the details from the SGM on the Fund website soon afterwards.
