NFUS considers constitutional reform

The move follows a resolution from the Perth branch, which requested the constitution be amended to allow a president to serve longer than four consecutive years in office. Currently a president cannot serve longer than two consecutive two-year terms in office.

The union’s board of directors is to consult all 71 branches, not only on the president’s term of office, but also on the length of time a vice-president should serve and whether or not these should be altered. Vice-presidents currently serve for a year before the positions are re-elected. 

NFU Scotland chief executive James Withers said: “This resolution gives us the opportunity to discuss with all branches whether the length of terms served those people elected to our presidential team are appropriate.

“While the Perth resolution was confined to the president’s term of office, the directors believed it made sense to discuss the vice-presidential terms at the same time given the issues around succession and the appropriateness of opening the vice-president posts up to election every year.”

He said comments should be received by June 30, and if members were in favour of any changes, this would then require altering the Articles of Association and need members’ approval at an extraordinary or annual general meeting.

 If required, an extraordinary general meeting can be held in conjunction with the scheduled National Council meeting in November 2010. Changes could therefore take effect for the next presidential and vice-presidential elections in February 2011.  

For members, the consultation can be found on the union’s website at: http://www.nfus.org.uk/members-area/commodities/general-or-cross-commodity/consultations/12420

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