Elections 2021

Elections 2021

Because Global Justice Now is a democratic organisation, members get a say in what we do and how we’re organised in various ways. This includes electing our council every three years. This year is one of those years. The timetable is as follows:

Friday 19 February: Nominations opened
Friday 26 March: Nominations closed
30 April to 27 May: Voting period – members will receive a ballot by email or post.
Saturday 5 June: Our AGM, where the results of the election are announced.

About the council

Our council is the main governing body of the organisation, and is responsible for key decisions between each AGM. All 12 council members are directly elected by the membership, and council then elects from amongst itself a chair, national secretary and treasurer. The chair is responsible for managing the director.

Council meets four times a year, approving organisational strategies and key policies, as well as the annual budget, and seeking to ensure the good health of the organisation.

Changes to the election process

Our 2020 AGM voted to update our election procedures. Our previous system involved electing area reps, some of whom then sat on council. It was replaced because it no longer reflected our activist structures, but we are keen to ensure that our council still has a good spread of representation from around the UK.

In addition, our new system involves all council members being directly elected, but with rules to ensure local groups, people of colour, and those under 28 are represented, and that there is an overall gender balance. Further information is contained in the guidance document (pdf).

Further information

The returning officer for this election is Steve Rolfe. For enquiries about the election process or about the details of how to stand you can email him on [email protected]

For enquiries about the role of council, contact Steven Thomson, head of resources, on [email protected] or 020 7820 4900.

Global Justice Now’s Articles of Association and our Rules both pertain to the election process, but especially the Rules. They are available below, together with the guidance document, Standing for Council 2021, which you are advised to read first.

Download: Standing for council 2021

Download: Global Justice Now rules

Download: Global Justice Now articles of association