Session C

MC diversity, representativeness and accountability

The Purpose of this session

• To discus how diverse, representative and accountable the MC is; is it presently meeting our aspirations in these areas and how could it be improved.
• Do we want affirmative action, more support and encouragement for under represented sections of the Network etc.
• Also do we need more accountability of the MC e.g. re-election and votes of confidence.

Background Info

P&P’s highest body is the Management Committee (MC), which oversee all the work that the P&P does and keeps the organisation working in the best interests of the network: it decides on the strategic direction of P&P, approves accounts and annual budgets, appoints the Director, and comments on and approves staff plans, ensuring that the office is working on the best projects to support your campaigning. It is therefore, of vital importance that P&P is representative of the Network. Yet at the last two Forums no women or ethnic minorities have been elected.

Also MC members serve two years, to ensure continuity. However, not having to stand for re-election means that the student MC members are not accountable to the Network as there is no way for the Network to remove an MC member if the Network is unhappy with the decisions or the work of an MC member.