Why union branches have to follow the money...

Picture from last weeks packed Greater London workshop on branch finance in the UNISON centre. NEC Chair of the Finance Committee, Josie Bird, led the training supported by National and Regional officers.

The aims of the training were:-

• To understand the principles of activity-based budgeting (ABB) 
• Discuss the benefits of activity-based budgeting to your branch
• Consider how OLBA functions can help support the budgeting process
• To identify the next steps for activity-based budgeting within your branch

It was an exceptional turnout for a training on branch finance. It used to be the case in some branches that financial planning and budgeting wasn't all that important. They would just role over the last years accounts and add a bit for inflation. Thankfully this is no longer the case in most branches (I hope). The entire union movement is under attack by this Government and we have to make sure that all our money is used effectively to defend us.

I was there as Regional Finance conveyor. I closed the training by thanking the all those who helped organise this meeting and especially my NEC comrade, Josie Bird. I am proud that my union grows its rank and file lay activists, so they can take on such positions of responsibility.

I also pointed out I used to be a treasurer of a branch that had hundreds of thousands of pounds in reserves, which was very scary for someone who didn't have a finance background. I wish then I had the kit and support that is now on offer.

At the best of times it is vital that we have sound financial governance, never mind nowadays, the worse of times, when we need to make sure that every penny we have is well spent.

We must never forget either that our funds do not belong to the "union" nor to the "branches" they belong to our members and it is our absolute duty to make sure that they are spend properly and solely in their interests.

Picture of  London Regional Secretary, Linda Perks, leading discussion on workshop outcomes.

UNISON Greater London regional AGM 2014

Tomorrow is our AGM and I will be standing again as London Finance Convenor with the forces of light and reason against the "evil ones"(the now official Dis-United left).

If you are a branch delegate please also vote for:-

Gloria Hanson - Regional Convenor
Conroy Lawrence - Deputy Convenor
Lynn Bentley - Publicty Officer
Yvonne Green - Equalitiies Convernor
(Michaela Smikle already auto elected since only candidate).

Below is my election statement.


GRAY John

Standing for: Regional Finance Convenor

I am currently the Regional Finance Convenor, and firmly believe that strong management of our member's money is the foundation to organising campaigns that deliver for our members. In the best of times this is true but now in the worst of times it is even more important than ever.

If re-elected as the Regional Finance Convenor I will continue to ensure that the member's money is used to support branches focusing on real issues for real members such as:

· Resisting the Tory Coalition Cuts

· Defending the NHS and Pensions

· Campaigning for directly provided services and to defend our public services

· Recruitment & building branch organisation

· Campaigning for equalities

· Strengthening our influence in all areas but in particular Community & Voluntary, Education and in Private Contractors

Open & transparent

Financial decisions need to be open and transparent and be easily understood by activists. We have a responsibility to our members to be diligent and ensure probity in our financial matters .

I want to make sure that activists better understand the financial support that is available to branches and ensure that the money gets to them to support recruitment and organising campaigns.

I am an experienced branch officer and regional activist for many years. I am currently the Branch Secretary of the Housing Associations branch, member nominated representative on Pension panel and Chair of London Labour Link. I am also the elected National Executive Council member for Community.

As part of the current lay leadership team, working in partnership with the regional office, we have had significant success in the past 8 years in strengthening our union in London by bringing greater unity, building participation across the differing service and self organised groups, and building a union to be proud of. I hope to be re- elected to continue the work we have started. In these difficult and demanding times we need a team that can deliver.

If anyone wishes to discuss my statement with me they could email me at
johndotgray2012atbtinternet.com

UNISON London Regional Council AGM 2011

This morning is my third Labour Movement AGM in less than a week.  I have at least 4 more before the end of the Month.  At the London Regional Council AGM, the forces of light and reason will be battling with those of the destructive left who wish to destroy any chance of building real unity in the movement against the cuts - for example they want to hand all powers over Council finances to highly paid Chief officers to do as they see fit. 

I think we need now more than ever a Sensible Left lay leadership in the region who can unite the union across all our Service Groups and face the coming challenges of cuts, privatisation, reorganisations and direct attacks on our union.  We need an experienced, successful and proven leadership who will put the union first.  

So support Gloria and her team.

Gloria Hanson - Regional Convenor
Conroy Lawrence - Deputy Regional Convenor
John Gray - Regional Finance Convenor
Monica Hirst - Regional Equalities Convenor
Lynn Bentley - Regional Publicity Officer
Emma Rolland - Regional Young Members Convenor

UPDATE: Victory for Sensible Left slate. Full sweep. Report to follow.

John Gray for Regional Finance Convenor

Check out here for preamble - Below is my election statement for Finance Convenor.

"I am currently the Regional Finance Convenor, and strongly believe that strong management of our member’s money is the foundation to organising campaigns that deliver for our members.

If re-elected as the Regional Finance Convenor I will continue to ensure that the member’s money is used to support branches focusing on real issues for real members such as:

• Recruitment

• Defending the NHS and Pensions

• Campaigning for directly provided services and to defend our public services

• Campaigning for equalities

• Strengthening our influence in all areas but in particular Education and in Private Contractors

OPEN AND TRANSPARENT

Financial decisions need to be open and transparent and be easily understood by activists.

I want to make sure that activists better understand the financial support that is available to branches and ensure that the money gets to them to support recruitment and organising campaigns.

The Region has the money to back a growing union – the bigger we are, the stronger we are – let make sure it happens".

I am an experienced branch officer and regional activist for many years (including holding the position of branch treasurer, assistant branch secretary, branch health and safety officer, member nominated representative on Pension panel and vice chair of London Labour Link).

As part of the current lay leadership team, working in partnership with the regional office, we have had significant success in the past four years in strengthening our union in London by bringing greater unity, building participation across the differing service and self organised groups, and building a union to be proud of and I hope to be re-elected to continue the work we have started.

If anyone wishes to discuss my statement with me they could ring me or email at john.m.grayATntlworldDOTcom

My Election Statement - Regional Council AGM 2009

Further to my last post here is my election statement. I am standing for re-election as the UNISON London Regional Finance Convenor (and as a member of the Regional Health & Safety Sub-Committee).

This election will take place at the Regional Council AGM on Wednesday 4 February 2009. I am also standing for re-election to the Regional Health & Safety sub-Committee.

I am also calling for delegates to support the re-election of Gloria Hanson (Regional Convenor), Conroy Lawrence (Deputy Regional Convenor), Lynn Bentley (Regional Publicity Convenor), Gill Brown (Regional Equalities Convenor) and election of Emma Rolland (Regional Young Persons Convenor).

UNISON is the biggest trade union in London with 130,000 members in the region. There are 152 London branches who are entitled to send delegates to vote at the AGM for Regional Council Officers (I’m applying for one of these posts), the Regional Committee and its sub-committees. If anyone wishes to contact me to discuss my statement with me please ring 07977 285 297 or email via my profile section.
Many thanks

Election Statement: London Regional Finance Convenor 2009

I am currently the Regional Finance Convenor, and strongly believe that strong management of our member’s money is the foundation to organising campaigns that deliver for our members.

If re-elected as the Regional Finance Convenor I will continue to ensure that the member’s money is used to support branches focusing on real issues for real members such as:

Recruitment

Defending the NHS and Pensions

Campaigning for directly provided services and to defend our public services

Campaigning for equalities

Strengthening our influence in Education and in Private Contractors

OPEN AND TRANSPARENT

Financial decisions need to be open and transparent and be easily understood by activists.

I want to make sure that activists better understand the financial support that is available to branches and ensure that the money gets to them to support recruitment and organising campaigns.

The Region has the money to back a growing union – the bigger we are, the stronger we are – let make sure it happens.

I am an experienced branch officer and regional activist for many years (including holding the position of branch treasurer, assistant branch secretary, branch health and safety officer and member nominated representative on Pension panel).

As part of the current lay leadership team, working in partnership with the regional office, we have had significant success in the past three years in strengthening our union in London by bringing greater unity, building participation across the differing service and self organised groups, and building a union to be proud of and I hope to be re-elected to continue the work we have started.

London UNISON Regional Council Elections

On Wednesday 6 February 2008 it is the AGM for the Regional Council. UNISON is the biggest union in London with more than 130,000 members. There are 152 branches that are entitled to send delegates to the AGM and vote in a secret ballot for lay regional council officers, regional sub-committees, conference delegates, motions and proposed rule changes. The AGM also approves (or not) various reports.

The president of UNISON, Norma Stephenson, is our guest speaker. There are also speakers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, on public sector pay and a Parliamentary report from Jeremy Corbyn MP.

I am standing to be re-elected as Regional Finance Convenor. This is one of the 5 Regional Council Officers posts. I am also supporting Gloria Hanson for Regional Convenor; Conroy Lawrence for Deputy Regional Convenor; Lynn Bentley for Regional Publicity Officer; Gill Brown for Regional Equalities Convenor.

Check out “UNISON members win at Regional AGM” (5 February 2007 – one of my first ever posts)

Below is my election statement. I'm sure Andrew will post my opponents statement in "comments".

REGIONAL FINANCE CONVENOR ELECTION STATEMENT

ORGANISE TO WIN

I am currently the Regional Finance Convenor and strongly believe that
strong management of our member’s money is I believe the key foundation to organising campaigns that deliver for our members.

If re-elected as the Regional Finance Convenor I would ensure that the member’s money is used to support branches with key issues such as:

Recruitment

Defending Pensions

Campaigning to defend our public services

Campaigning for equalities

OPEN AND TRANSPARENT

Financial decisions need to be open and transparent and be easily understood by activists.

I want to make sure that activists better understand the financial support that is available to branches and ensure that the money gets to them to support recruitment and organising campaigns.

The Region has the money to back a growing union – the bigger we are, the stronger we are – let make sure it happens.

I am an experienced branch officer and regional activist for many years (including holding the position of branch treasurer, assistant branch secretary, branch health and safety officer and member nominated representative on Pension panel).

If anyone wishes to discuss my statement with me they could ring **** or email johndotgrayatunisonplusdotnet