May 2012 Special General Meeting

7pm  Patcham Community Centre

At the Brighton & Hove Allotment Federation (BHAF) AGM on 20th March, an allotmenteer presented a motion calling for the Fed’s objectives to be updated by its members, i.e. us allotment-holders.

It was submitted as a response to the proposed (but at the time almost certain) 67% rent rise. Plotholders were not informed or consulted and the rent hike was only defeated thanks to a campaign by individual plotholders against the rise.

None of the current Allotment Federation objectives mention anything about representing the rights or interests of its members. (Click here to see the current objectives)

The motion gained near-unanimous support from the 170 or so plot-holders present, and for a Steering Group to be set up to organise the Special General Meeting necessary to change the objectives of the constitution.

After years of neglect, allotments are now very much on the political landscape. If the Fed is to be the voice of allotment-holders and champion the cause of allotments in Brighton & Hove then it needs to re-connect with its members and allow plot-holders to take ownership of the organisation. The first step is to update the objectives – i.e. “what does the Fed work for?”

The first Steering Group meeting was held on 28/3/12. The outcome was a commitment to make the renewal of the objectives a grassroots, participatory process.

We urge all interested allotment-holders across the city to seize this opportunity by giving thought to what objectives should govern the Allotment Federation’s activities. You can submit your suggestions

  • on the Federation Forum on this site
  • by post – FAO Guissepina, c/o Brighton & Hove Unemployed Worker’s Centre, 4 Crestway Parade, Brighton BN1 7BL
  • AND by attending the SGM on 16th May, 7pm at Patcham Community Centre, Ladies Mile Road, Brighton, BN1 8TA, where the new objectives will be voted on by all present

There are other suggestions for objectives being posted on the Brighton & Hove Allotment Federation forum and on the “Don’t Lose the Plot” Facebook page. You can find examples of other allotment groups’ objectives on the net, with examples on both the English and the Scottish National Federation pages.

We look forward to welcoming you at the meeting. Have your say!  Participate!

Any further enquiries please ask your reps/ join the forum / check this website.

Thanks,

Steering Group members 

 

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