ELSA Network
The UK Network - 24.11.07
The State of Play ...
The UK re-joined the ELSA international network at the Spring ICM in Paris 2004. Our current status is that of Observer. We will lodge an official application to become a Member at the Lisbon International Council Meeting, March 30th - April 6th 2008. There is no guarantee that the network will accept us as Members. If the UK application is rejected, we will automatically be expelled from the ELSA international network.
Result: The International Council rejected the UK's application for Membership. We needed a 2/3 majority (54 votes). We achieved 46, a shortfall of 8. The rejection should not be taken as a reflection on the boards of London, Exeter, Durham, Bristol and Kent. The decision was based on entirely on the UK's past history. The International Council made it clear that they wished the UK to be part of the network and so the UK is expected to apply another period of Observership at the Autumn ICM. This will be held in Nurmeberg in Oct/Nov 2008. At the time of writing, 30/4/08, all local groups have decided to re-apply.
Resumed NCM 24th November 2007
The 2007/8 National Board was finally elected at the (resumed) National Council Meeting held on Saturday 24th November 2007 in London. The NCM was attended by representatives from ELSA Bristol, ELSA Durham, ELSA Kent, ELSA London and invited guests (law students) from the European Society of ESSEX University. Regrettably, due to unavoidable long-standing commitments, ELSA Exeter were unable to attend.
ELSA Exeter
Even though representatives from Exeter were unable to attend this NCM, the Council agreed exceptionally to consider their application to become Observers in absentia. This is because representatives lodged an application in person when they attended the earlier NCM (July 07) and re-submitted the application in writing (20/11/07) for consideration at the resumed Meeting of 24th November 2007.
Result: The Council voted unanimously to approve Exeter's application with one or two provisos.
ELSA Bristol and ELSA Kent
Both Bristol and Kent made applications to become full Members of ELSA UK.
Result: The Council voted unanimously to approve both applications.
ELSA Cambridge
ELSA Cambridge's written submission to terminate its UK Membership due to lack of members (dated 8th November 2007), was accepted by the Council. The UK treasurer will now endeavour to discover whether any funds remain in the ELSA Cambridge account as these should be transferred immediately to the National Board to cover outstanding Membership fees for 06/07.
Suspension of UK SSO
The Council agreed exceptionally to suspend Article 4 (iii) of the UK SSO for a period of two weeks to allow for Exeter and Kent to submit their most recent Statutes and Standing Orders. Once these have been received and approved by the National Board, the membership status of both groups, as voted on at the NCM, will be ratified. To download ELSA UK Statutes and Standing Orders (SSO), please click here
UK National Board 2007/8
President - Gintare Slamaite - election declared illegal due to Ms Slamaite's non member status.
Secretary General - Chris Webber (ELSA Durham)
Regrettably, there were no candidates for the positions of Treasurer, VP Marketing, VP Academic Activities, VP STEP or VP Seminars and Conferences. Consequently these positions remain vacant.
ELSA UK Local Groups 2007/8
- ELSA Cambridge - dissolved 8th November 2007, Membership terminated 24 November 2007
- ELSA Bristol - became Member 24th November 2007
- ELSA Durham Member since October 2005
- ELSA Exeter - became Observer 24th November 2007
- ELSA Kent - became Member 24th November 2007
- ELSA London\ Member since February 2005
N.B. Observers have no voting rights.
UK Membership Fee 2007/8
The Council agreed that each Local Group, whether Observer or Member, should pay an annual Membership Fee of £50 to ELSA UK (i.e. the National Board). The fees for 2007/8 will fall due by 31st January 2008.
Access to ELSA Online
The Council agreed that each Local Group, whether Observer or Member, should be assigned admin rights to the ELSA Online system. This will allow LGs to approve and accept their own members directly without having to go through the National Board.
Preparation for Next ICM
The Council agreed that ELSA UK network is in dire need of training, development and strengthening. It was felt that the UK is not in a position to do this on our own and consequently, approaches should be made to stronger, more developed National Groups within the international network for help and guidance so that we might be in a better position to submit an acceptable Membership application at the Lisbon ICM.
The Next NCM
For logistical reasons, the Council agreed that the next NCM should be held in London. The date is yet to be confirmed but it is envisaged that the NCM (and fresh elections!) will take place in March or April 2008. Any ELSA member from any ELSA group (Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Kent, or London) who would like to stand for election at the Spring NCM, is strongly encouraged, to contact their local board now to see how they may get actively involved in their group and thus improve their ELSA knowledge and ELSA CVs. ELSA London in particular, is always looking for capable people to take on leadership roles within the association. Gintare Slamaite assumed responsibility for this.
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