Minutes and demonstration

For those of you who aren't yet aware, the Labour Party conference is taking place in Brighton... The NUJ is supporting a demonstration on September 27 on the theme of jobs, education and peace. According to the NUJ website, "Protestors will demand the government spends public money on preserving employment and public services – rather than war and bankers’ bonuses."
Protestors will be assembling at 12.30pm on Sunday 27 September at Madeira Drive, Brighton, with a rally at 2pm at the Peace Statue, Kings Road, Hove Seafront. http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1333

Thanks for all those who attended the last branch meeting. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12 November at the Mitre Tavern on Baker Street, off London Road.

Minutes 16 September 2009

1. Present: Tim Norman, John Thompson, Alan Pipes, Melita Dennett, Peter Knight, Phil Mellows, Su Quinn, Rachael Glazier

2. New members: Ruth Hayhurst, Rod Addy and Laura Ellis

3. Nicola Tann has resigned as treasurer. Phil Mellows was nominated to take over the post, and the attendees unanimously agreed to this. Action: RG to get account details from Nic and contact the bank to make Phil a signatory and remove Nic.

4. Phil asked if the demonstration on 27 Sept could be advertised. RG to email members along with minutes of meeting.

5. ADM delegates: Phil Mellows and Su Quinn will be going to ADM. The meeting discussed which motions the delegates will be voting on and how they would like them to vote. It was agreed that motion 85 should be voted against by the delegates (RG argued that there are money issues in the NUJ and funds should therefore be spent on journalism), and that 72 be voted for (with an amendment proposed by Phil Mellows: Delete all after "investigate", replace with "how new media and social networking in all its forms might facilitate more active participation, both real and virtual, by members in the work of branches.")
It was also agreed that the branch would pay £370 towards a student going to the ADM, as requested by head office.
RG to send the amendment and delegate forms to head office, and sort out cheque for student delegate.

The next meeting is before the ADM so there will be another chance for members to instruct delegates as to how to vote. To read the preliminary agenda containing the motions, go to: http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1316 and download the file.

6. The next meeting is on Thursday 12 November. It will be held in the Mitre Tavern following complaints that the Eagle is too noisy. The Mitre is easily reached from the main station, has disabled access and, importantly, a good selection of beer.