Branch Executive Protocols
Branch Executive Protocols (as approved atExecutive Meeting 25/3/02
Purpose
The Branch Executive is an elected body of the NTEU elected to:
1. Represent the membership’sinterests as a group to the university.
2. Engage in the open debate on anyissue that impacts on the members.
3. Develop and contribute to policiesand strategies at all levels of the Union.
4. Provide a Union perspective to theuniversity in matters of governance and all other relevant matters.
5. Provide transparent accountability tothe membership for the fees received from the membership.
6. Ensure the growth and stability ofthe membership in consultation with other levels of the NTEU.
Composition
The Branch executive shall comprise wherever possible of twelve Academic and General staffmembers elected by the membership, including the President, Vice President Academic, Vice PresidentGeneral staff, Branch Secretary and Treasurer. In addition the Branch also has provision for up totwo designated indigenous positions. A quorum will be a majority of members holding office.
Meeting Protocols
Regular Executive meetings are held the last Monday in each month. The BranchPresident can call additional meetings.
Each meeting shall commence at 9.30am and be open to observers until 10.30am. The agendafor this hour will cover the following items:
1. Apologies
2. Confirmation of previousminutes
3. Financial Report
4. NTEU report (State andNational)
5. Presidents report
6. Reports from University Council,Academic Board and University working parties
Commencing at 10.45am the meeting will be closed to observers and conducted incamera. The items discussed will be treated as confidential. The agenda for this sectionof the meeting will cover the following items:
1. Meetings with managementreport.
2. Industrial Officersreport.
3. Cases review.
4. Other Branch business includingpapers to be discussed.
Status of Observers
· Observerstatus At RMIT Branch Executive meetings is open to all NTEU members
· Observershave no representative role at meetings but are welcome to observe the non-confidential business ofthe Branch.
· The roleof observer is non-participatory unless invited by the chair to speak.
· Observersare required to notify their intention to attend a meeting three working days prior to the scheduledmeeting.
· Thenumber of observers at any one meeting will be limited to three due to constraints withspace.
· A limitof four consecutive meetings shall apply to each observer.
· Memberswho have not previously attended as observers will be given preference in situation where there aremore than two requests to attend a meeting.
Papers for discussion
To allow proper discussion of written proposals by the executive, papers to bediscussed should be circulated well prior to the meeting to allow proper reading time. Circulationshould be by the Branch Executive Officer. In situations where prior circulation has not beenpossible the papers should be taken away by the executive and comments received in a way agreed atthe meeting. Papers are not provided to observers unless deemed appropriate by theexecutive.
Election of Executive members
Branch Executive members including office bearers are elected for a two-year term by the membership. Office bearers who resign from their role part way through their term may be replaced bya vote by the Executive. In addition NTEU members may be co-opted on to the BranchExecutive any time by passing a motion of the Branch Executive. Co-opted executive members havevoting rights.