Reportback from council

Nicola Ansell Chair of council

Council had its first meeting of 2023 on 28 January, and the main agenda item was to provide feedback on the workplan for the year. This year’s workplan is the first since we developed our new strategy (as discussed at the AGM in July). It was very encouraging to see this strategy playing out through the more detailed workplan. Over a few pages, each staff team set out their goals and objectives, and explained how these relate to the overall strategy. They then articulated their theory of change, a set of actions to achieve their goals, and a plan for how the actions will be funded.

Carrying out these well thought through plans will occupy the majority of people’s time, but we are aware that it is often necessary to be able to respond quickly and flexibly to a rapidly changing national and global context. Each campaign plan, therefore, builds in a proportion of time each week for undertaking activities that are responsive to the immediate situation. This ability to balance carefully researched and planned campaigns with the broader expertise and agility to respond to situations is a very valuable characteristic of Global Justice Now.

Council also discussed co-opting new council members. We are allowed to co-opt three individuals beyond those who are directly elected, if we feel the elected members are lacking in particular areas of expertise. Overall, we don’t think there are significant absences in our expertise, but we are conscious that there are some areas that could be strengthened.

We are also aware that we are currently half way through the current council’s term, and it would be useful to bring in people with certain types of expertise now, to increase the chance that we have the necessary skills on the next council. In particular, we are interested in having one or two people join us with financial and legal experience. If you think this might be you, please do get in touch.