RCN COUNTY DURHAM & DARLINGTON
BRANCH MINUTES
Of the meeting held on Wednesday 24 January 2012 at 9.30 a.m. in the RCN
Northern Regional Office, Sunderland.
RCN MEMBERS PRESENT
1 Michael Appleby
2 Patricia Atkinson
3 David Cook
4 Tim Grace
5 Carolyn Mason
IN ATTENDANCE
1 Sandra Bullock
2 Lin Clarkson
3 Julie Lockhart
SECRETARY TO THE BRANCH
Stuart Isles had tendered his apologies for the meeting
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
1 Katrina Denton
2 Karen Dyson
3 Denise Elgie
4 Kath Fawcett
5 Jill Gale
6 Stuart Isles
7 Carol Lancaster
8 Barbara Hudson
ITEM
2012/01
2012/02
2012/03
2012/04
2012/05
2012/06
2012/07
2012/08
2012/09
2012/10
2012/11
2012/12
2012/13
2012/14
9 Andrew Parkes
10 Josie Robinson
11 Janet Mortimer
12 Andrew Simpson
13 Jean Taylorson
14 Amanda McEwan
SUBJECT
Welcome, Introductions and apologies
Notes of previous AGM
Matters arising from previous notes
Recruitment
Treasurer’s Report
Branch Action Plan
Reporting on Casework
Reporting on Casework
Feedback on Mentorship Programme
Future Activist Programme
Preparing for Congress 2012
Board Papers
Date and time of next meeting
Any Other Business
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2011/01 Welcome, introductions and apologies
1.1
Apologies were noted and it was recorded that the meeting was not
quorate.
1.2
As so many branch members had tendered their apologies, a discussion
was held around the lack of attendees at the meeting and it was agreed to
circulate a survey to ascertain why members did not attend meetings. It
was suggested that this idea be raised at the other 4 Branch meetings to
ascertain if there was interest in circulating this to the other Branches.
2011/02 Notes of previous Meeting
2.1
The notes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true and accurate
record.
2011/03 Matters Arising from the previous notes
3.1
There were no matters arising which were not substantive Agenda items.
2011/04 Recruitment
4.1
The membership statistics were tabled at the meeting and it was noted
that the numbers of full and HCA members recruited, had increased
month upon month from October through to December.
Student
membership had dipped in December 2011.
4.2
Lin Clarkson reported that the Branch merchandise had been ordered and
would hopefully be received in the regional office in the near future.
4.3
Lin informed those present about the Freshers event taking place at
Teesside University and asked for any volunteers to assist on the day.
Michael Appleby agreed to attend.
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2011/05 Treasurer’s Report
5.1
Branch members were informed of the closing balance for the branch
account as at the end of December 2011.
2011/06 Branch Action Plan
6.1
At the time of the meeting no action plan had been received but following
the meeting it was discovered that the Action Plan had been emailed
through to the regional office. Unfortunately the regional office staff were
not aware of this at the time of the meeting and therefore it was circulated
to the Branch Chair after the meeting.
2011/07 Reporting on Casework
7.1
There have been 10 cases opened since October 2011. Members
present at the meeting accepted that they were opening files within their
respective areas but not through the agreed system. It was felt that
pressure of workload was a contributing factor for this not being
undertaken.
7.2
Lin reminded members about facilities for time off but it was felt that this
was not necessarily the issue as activists were granted time off – the time
off is just used for different things rather than opening case files. Lin
provided members with examples of where files being opened had been
of invaluable assistance to members and those present agreed to contact
the regional office if they encountered any difficulties whilst opening files.
7.3
Members were reminded to return closed files to the regional office so that
they can be audited, recorded and archived.
2011/08 Feedback on Mentorship Programme
8.1
It was reported that all activists were engaging in mentorship and it
appears that activists are finding it really helpful. Case supervision is also
working really well and mentors gain a great deal from mentorship as well
as the mentees.
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2011/09 Future Activist Programme
9.1
Some activists have not undertaken any training throughout 2011.
Module 2 does need to be completed and there are still some reps who
have not undertaken the training – 6 within the Branch. Copies of the new
prospectus are available.
It was agreed that a letter be sent to all activists who have not completed
their module 2 with a recommendation that they attend.
2011/10 Preparing for Congress 2012
10.1
Referring back to the last minutes, it had been noted that Michael, Katrina
and Stuart would attend as voting members. Tina Denton was booking
the accommodation. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Tina Denton,
Stuart Isles, Kath Fawcett and Amanda McEwan to ask them to confirm
their attendance at Congress
2011/11 Board Papers
11.1
Lin provided an update on the Board papers in Amanda’s absence.
2011/15 Date and Time of Next Meeting
15.1
The next meeting will take place on 12 June at 1430. David Cook sends
his apologies in advance.
2011/16 Any Other Business
16.1
15 minute activist campaign. Sandra briefed the meeting on details of the
campaign and informed members that posters and materials are
available. These materials can be emailed and printed off when
necessary.
/JAL
8.2.12
These notes were approved by the Branch Chair and will be ratified at the next
meeting of the Branch
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