Running the branch
As discussed in 'The Basics' tab, the branch is run by a committee consisting of members elected to take on different roles. The committee are referred to as branch officers and are elected by the members each year at the branch AGM (annual general meeting). Within the committee, key roles include those of Chair, Branch Secretary and Treasurer. The exact duties of each branch officer may differ between branches and between unions but their core functions are explained below. However, they do share one common theme: they are all volunteers.
Description of the roles
Branch Chair: To agree the agenda and preside at branch meetings. The Chair ensures that business is properly conducted and works closely with the secretary to provide leadership to the branch.
Branch Secretary: To convene all branch meetings and to ensure representation of members within the branch in accordance with national guidance. The Secretary is also responsible for ensuring the processing of membership applications in addition to regular communications with members.
Treasurer: To conduct the financial business of the branch, to keep accounts in accordance of the rules and to provide financial reports to the branch, in addition to providing an audited financial report for the AGM.
Education Officer: To ensure that all new stewards and safety representatives receive initial information and guidance about their roles. The Education Officer is also responsible for publicising and arranging training courses for branch officers.
Equality Officer: To collect and share information on equality issues and ensure that branch officers consider the equalities dimension of everything they are involved in.
Health and Safety Officer: To increase the awareness of members, H&S representatives and branch officers of health and safety issues. The H&S Officer also advises the branch committee on H&S issues arising in the branch and recommends policies and priorities.
Communications Officer: To provide the information that members need in order to play an active role in their union and to assist with efforts to recruit new members. The Communications Officer also leads on producing bulletins for branch members and is involved in creating a positive image for the branch among members and potential members.
International Officer: To co-ordinate the work of the branch on international relations by ensuring that members are informed of national policy on international matters.
Welfare Officer: To ensure that branch officers, stewards and workplace representatives, and also employers, have regular up-to-date information about UNISON Welfare and its range of services. The Welfare Officer is also responsible for ensuring that members seeking welfare assistance receive a prompt, supportive and effective response.
Labour Link Officer: To explain and develop the role of the UNISON Labour Link within the branch and to circulate information to Labour Link members in the branch. The Labour Link Officer is elected and accountable to the Labour Link section within the branch and must be an individual member of the Labour Party.
Retired Members Secretery: To enable retired members of the branch to continue to be active in the union through the branch retired members' section. The Retired Members' Secretary ensures that those members approaching retirement have the opportunity to become retired members and will organise meetings of the branch retired members and encourage the participation of retired members in branch activities as appropriate.
List of branch officers
The current list of branch officers (listed below) were elected at the branch AGM (annual general meeting) on Wednesday 05 March 2008:
| Branch Officer Position | Representative |
|---|---|
| Branch Chair | Ian Horrigan |
| Branch Secretary | Darren Smith |
| Branch Treasurer | Anne Villegas |
| Communications Officer | Sam Whaley |
| Education Officer | Daisy Hayden |
| Equality Officer | Emmanuel Oyewole |
| Health and Safety Officer | Chris Wood |
| Labour Link Officer | Ian Horrigan |
| Welfare Officer | Michele Golden |
| International Officer | Vacant |
| Retired Members Secretary | Vacant |
This page was last updated: 31 May 2008