https://meassociation.org.uk/about-the-mea/policies-and-documents/
Following upon the 2024 AGM, we thought that you would find it useful to have our replies to the many questions that were raised before, during and after the meeting. These are listed by subject matter. They will be added to when needed.
Governance
Question:
Will you be changing the Articles of Association to reflect the Charity Governance Code?
Answer:
We are committed to undertaking a comprehensive review of our current Articles. That review will look at the Code, the Charity Commission’s Model Articles and any other source of good practice. To this end we shall consult widely and transparently including recruiting an independent charity governance professional to advise the charity. We have the same aspiration of all our members, namely, to ensure that the ME Association is run to the highest standards and continues in its charitable mission.
General AGM questions
Question:
Where is the Chairman’s Report for 2024 and why was the AGM not open to the public?
Answer:
The report will be written after the end of 2024 in order that events during the whole year, such as the recent AGM, can be included. In the previous year we did prepare a Statement that was ready for the AGM in December of that year. But, on reflection, we think publishing the 2024 Statement early in the new year is the best route to take.
As to the AGM, this is an occasion for the membership to hear about the work of their charity and question the trustees. There is no requirement for the charity to have an AGM but the trustees believe it is useful to our members. It is very simple to join the charity and therefore attend the AGM. Information regarding the holding of our AGM has always been given in the charity’s magazine.
Service Contracts with Trustees
Question:
People have said that you have contracted out services to trustees without the consent of the Charity Commission and that the payments are illegal. Is that true?
Answer:
No. That is entirely wrong. The allegation has no foundation.
Our
Articles permit the charity to enter a contract with a trustee to provide services to the charity. This is a common occurrence with charities. Many do this and the Charity Commission recognises the value of such arrangements to charities. There are strict rules for this laid down by the Charity Commission, including provisions covering conflict of interest. Those rules, which appear both in our
Articles and in the Charity Commissions requirements, have been fully complied with.
Please note that the ME Association does not employ a Director of Communications and that contracts issued in respect of either Campaigns or IT systems comply with our Articles and follow Charity Commission regulations.
Trustees
Question:
Why are there four trustees that have been on the Board of the charity for more than 10 years?
Answer:
Because they have been re-elected by the membership over the years. The members recognised the hard work and their passionate commitment to the ME community. The trustees have grown the charity, making it a bigger, better organisation. There has, over the years, been a steady turnover of trustees with new trustees taking the place of those that have left. All trustees have to be elected by the members and it is their decision whether to elect or re-elect.
Our charity’s rules allow for up to 8 trustees and we only have 6 at the moment. Members or those who would like to become members, please come forward and apply to join us. We are open to applications to supplement the tremendous capability and experience we have across legal, information technology, marketing and communications, medical, scientific and business. With your experience of life, the willingness and ability to work each day within our team and those professional skills that you’ve acquired, but above all, bring your passion to improve the lives of people with ME. We are sure you will enjoy the role.
Contact us to apply.
