Today we’re calling for BFS volunteers to step up and apply to join our board of trustees; and we’re also announcing the date for our AGM. So save Sunday 16 June in your diaries, and think about what you could bring as a BFS board member.

Our AGM

All members of the Beltane Fire Society are invited to attend our Annual General Meeting.

• What: The Annual General Meeting of the Beltane Fire Society
• When: Sunday 16th June 2019, 1:00 pm
• Where: Main Hall, City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX.*

The Beltane Fire Society (BFS) is a community of volunteers and a charity; and each year at our annual general meeting, we take stock of the year that’s passed and look ahead at the year to come, as well as voting in a new board of trustees to keep our society going.

All members of BFS are welcome – you’re a member if you have volunteered at one of our Beltane or Samhuinn festivals in the past three years. (And for those who like to know in advance: yes, we will have BFS posters, leaflets and other bits and bobs available at this meeting to take home, in return for a donation!)

What’ll happen when ahead of the AGM…

If you’d like to stand for election as a board member for the coming year, see details below and apply by 7 June; if you’d like to submit an item for discussion or vote at the AGM, see details below and send by 26 May; and if you want to appoint someone to vote for you if you can’t come to the AGM yourself, see details below and let us know by 14 June.

We’ll share details of the agenda, those standing to be trustees and other key detail a week before the AGM to the announcements email group – if you are a member and aren’t sure if you’re on that list, email chair [at] beltane [ org] to be added.

Want to stand to be a member of the BFS board? Apply…

The main item on the agenda is the election of the Board of Trustees/Board of Directors (the team that keeps the society as an organisation running throughout the whole year).

If you’ve got skills and experience that could help BFS continue to learn and thrive as an organisation: WE NEED YOU.

If you would like to put yourself forward for election as a member of the Board at this year’s AGM, take a look at what the board does and the responsibilities of trustees, complete the BFS Board of Directors/Trustees application form and send it to chair [at] Beltane [dot] org by Friday 7th June. The applications will then be circulated via email to the membership by Sunday 9th June (one week before the AGM), and you’ll be invited to address the membership at the AGM before votes are cast.

If you’re not sure or have questions about what’s involved, email us and we’d be happy to chat about it.

Please note: candidates for the Board of Directors/Trustees should be available for the AGM and Board Handover Weekend on Saturday 29th June and Sunday 30th June.

Want an item to be discussed? Tell us…

If you have any items you would like to be raised for discussion or voting at this meeting, please email chair [at] beltane [dot] org. Any items to be raised for a membership vote should be submitted by Sunday 26 May (21 days before the AGM), so they can be sent to all members in advance.

Want to vote at the AGM but can’t make it?

If you are a member of our Society and would like to vote but will not be able to attend the AGM, you can choose a proxy (someone to vote on your behalf). In order for this to happen, please email chair [at] Beltane [dot] org with your name and your proxy’s name before 5:00 pm on Friday 14th June. Your voting slip will then be handed to them on their arrival. Your proxy can only vote on behalf of one person so please ensure that you don’t ask someone who is already a proxy for someone else. Your proxy cannot be running for election to the Board.

Documents you might need

• BFS Board of Directors/Trustees application form (ODT format – available in other formats on request)
• BFS Articles of Association
• BFS Memorandum of Association
• Key responsibilities for BFS trustees
• A description of what our board does

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If you have any questions, just get in touch – we’re looking forward to seeing you there!

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*On venue accessibility:
The Main Hall of the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church has a shallow ramp at the entrance and the interior and toilets are accessible (a wide-door lift operates to the floor with the main hall). Limited parking for Blue Badge holders is available outside the venue by prior arrangement with the church, and several Lothian buses stop immediately outside the venue entrance.

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Photo from Beltane Fire Festival 2019, by Asier Goikoetxea for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved.