Proposal for the Formation of a Constitution Working Group for the BKA

To be presented at the AGM 31st May 2008

Background

At the AGM 2007, following the rejection of the reconfigured constitution originating from the EC, a motion was carried to set up a group to work on developing a constitution agreeable to the members. Since that time nothing has progressed in terms of a working group. This new proposal urges the timely formation of this working group, suggests membership, working material and timescales.

Membership

Given that the constitution affects all the membership and that the constitution provided previously by the EC was rejected, in alignment with the conclusions of 2007’s AGM it is proposed that the membership of this working group consists of elected members from the BKA general membership.

These shall consist of seven members in total including:

· 2 elected members from each of the Bu
· 1 chairman

As will be explained in the next section, given the amount of work put into a new members-led constitution, it is proposed that the role of chair is offered to Mr Errol Blake.

Working Material

At the Iaido and Jodo Dojo Leaders Meeting held on the 5th April 2008, an outline presentation of a new members-led constitution (authored by Errol Blake) was provided to the attendees. Given that prior to this it had been agreed that the Iaido and Jodo Bu and Bucho would need to work closer with the Kendo Bu and the Exec in order to cement a progressive growth and strength in the BKA, the new constitution appeared to address concerns and needs of the members. There still remains of course a lot of development work, communication and addressing of key issues however the spirit of this document appears to be one of fairness, democracy and empowerment.

It is suggested that this working group uses Mr Blake’s work completed to date to form and complete a new constitution.

Timescales

The outstanding work appears to be substantial enough to exclude it from proposal at this year’s AGM but not so onerous that it should not be ready for voting on at an EGM during this year.

The following timescales are proposed:
· Election of working group at this year’s AGM (31st May 2008)
· Completion and communication of document mid September 2008
· EGM to vote on acceptance or rejection of constitution mid November 2008 (or a date which is mutually available for all 3 Bu)

Proposal

Each of the following items to be voted on:

1. That a working group be set up to examine the constitution matter and develop and deliver a new constitution to be agreed by the BKA membership within the timescales specified.
2. That the working group consists of two members from each Bu.
3. That the working group is chaired by Errol Blake

Proposed by: Malcolm Goodwin

Seconded by: Chris Mansfield BKA no.740