21 October 2022
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The 2022 Society of Authors AGM is open for registration, with seven resolutions for Members to vote on’. Sign up or send in your proxy vote now.
We will conduct the 2022 AGM online to enable as many members as possible to take part. We encourage you to participate in the meeting electronically, or if you are a Full Member and cannot join the AGM to appoint a proxy and send us a voting instruction in advance of the AGM.
The AGM is free to attend but you must register in advance.
The AGM is conducted in accordance with our Standing Orders, Code of Conduct for Committee Members and our Dignity and Respect Policy.
How to vote on resolutions
Full Members and Associates are welcome to join but only Full Members can vote on resolutions. If you are an Associate but you are eligible to upgrade to Full Membership, please email info@societyofauthors.org before 31 October 2022 in order to participate in the voting.
Resolutions will be put to a vote via an electronic poll. Instructions for voting online will be emailed to Full Members before the day of the AGM.
If you cannot join the AGM on the day but intend to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf, please download a form from the AGM page. Proxy forms must be returned, either electronically or by post, to reach us 48 hours before the AGM, no later than 17:00 GMT on 15 November. Proxies returned after that time will not be counted.
If you submit a proxy vote and also register to join the AGM on the day, your proxy vote will be cancelled.
2022 resolutions
Resolutions 1-5 were communicated to all Members with the Autumn 2022 edition of The Author. Please note that there are two further resolutions proposed by members and set out at 6 and 7 below.
Resolution 1: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2021 be approved
Resolution 2: that the Company’s annual report and accounts for 2021 be approved
Resolution 3: that the SoA undertakes a consultation on the roles of the Council, President and Management Committee and makes recommendations to the 2023 AGM. During this time, the SoA Council will not elect a new President and the references to the President in Clause 22.7 and 23 of the Articles shall be amended from:
22. Council
22.7 The President shall chair meetings of the Council.
To:
22. Council
22.7 The President shall chair meetings of the Council. If there is no President in place or present at the meeting, then the meeting shall be chaired by a person appointed by the Council at the meeting.
From:
23. President
The President shall be elected by the Council from among its members, for such term not exceeding five years (renewable once) as the Council shall determine and may be removed from office by it at any time by a simple majority resolution of the Council.
To:
23. If the Members resolve that a President should be appointed then the President shall be elected by the Council from among its members, for such term not exceeding five years (renewable once) as the Council shall determine and may be removed from office by it at any time by a simple majority resolution of the Council.
Resolution 4: That Clause 2 of the Bye-laws be amended from:
2. Holding of shares by nominees
The Society is a company limited by shares and its shares are held by and registered in the names of three Nominees, being the President, the Treasurer and a member of the Council (the Official Nominee) designated by the President. The Nominees are obliged under a Trust Deed only to act in accordance with resolutions passed by the Members from time to time so that the Members have full power to control how the rights attaching to the Society’s shares are exercised. These Bye-Laws set out how relevant decisions are to be made by the Members.
To:
2. Holding of shares by nominees
The Society is a company limited by shares and its shares are held by and registered in the names of three Nominees, being the Treasurer and two members of the Council (the Official Nominees) designated by the Council and chosen from willing candidates in any way the Council see fit. The Nominees are obliged under a Trust Deed only to act in accordance with resolutions passed by the Members from time to time so that the Members have full power to control how the rights attaching to the Society’s shares are exercised. These Bye-Laws set out how relevant decisions are to be made by the Members.
Resolution 5: That the name of the Council be changed to ‘SoA Fellows’ and individual members of the Council be called ‘SoA Fellows’ and that all references in the Articles, Rules, Bye-laws or Trust Deed be amended accordingly.
Additional resolutions proposed by SoA members
Resolution 6: That in light of her documented behaviour and comments, which are not compatible with the Society’s goals of protecting free expression and their policy of dignity and respect, that Joanne Harris stand down as Chair of the Management Committee.
Proposed by
- Julie Bindel
- Amanda Craig
- Jane Harris
- Milli Hill
- Richard Morgan
- Jane Roffe
- Michelle Smart
- Michelle Styles
- Heather Welford
- Julia Williams
Resolution 7: That in the light of disturbing recent press coverage about the Society, that the Society urgently reviews how to pursue its stated aim “to protect free speech” and puts in place a robust framework to do so, including a member and Management Committee working group that looks at how best to protect the fundamental right of all authors to express themselves freely within the law, and to uphold the impartiality expected of the Society, including all who govern and work for it. This should include a sub-committee of the Management Committee.
Proposed by
- Julie Bindel
- Elizabeth Buchan
- Marika Cobbald
- Amanda Craig
- Jane Harris
- Milli Hill
- Richard Morgan
- Jane Roffe
- Michelle Smart
- Michelle Styles
- Heather Welford
- Julia Williams
Unable to join the AGM on the day? Download a proxy form from the AGM page