ASLI and Representation
ASLI is membership led and we have a regional structure to do this in the most effective way possible.
The Chair of each region is responsible for the business of the region. They respond to any emails that are sent to the regional ASLI emails. Organise regional meetings or ensure that the organisation occurs. Distribute information to regional members and delegate responsibilities as they see fit for the effective running of the region. This could include sub-dividing a region administratively (the regional will still only be eligible for 1 Chair and 2 Representatives).
Representatives are responsible to ensure that members are consulted with and issues from their members are raised at the NEC. They are also responsible for feeding the business of the NEC back to their region. The Chairs and Representatives should work together in ensuring clear channels of communication between the membership and the NEC.
Each Region has 1 Chair and 2 Representatives. Any 2 of the 3 regionally elected post holders can attend NEC meetings with the purpose of representing the views of their region. When there are job shares for Representatives any 2 of the regional team can attend an NEC meeting. Issues that concern their region should be raised at the NEC as well as issues that might have a wider impact. Regional activity should not be in conflict with nationally agreed activities, decisions and policies.
Policies should be driven by the needs of the membership. These are drafted because of issues raised by regional representatives from members. The NEC is also party to external information that can help them to form motions, policies and task groups. Relevant information is then sent out to the members for consultation and, if necessary, voted on at the AGM (the highest democratic body of ASLI) or dropped if not judged as relevant by the members.
It is hoped that the top down (members to the NEC) and bottom up (NEC to the members) approach ensures ASLI is a democratic organisation.