126

The AGM rolls along peacefully, if you’re interested you can read the last two parts here www.inquirelive.co.uk/node/124 and here www.inquirelive.co.uk/node/124

so far every motion has been passed, Let’s have a clean page:

20.36: “Hot air in a question less vacuum”, the only phrase that can describe the unnecessary motion proposing the name change of our sabbaticals to vice- presidents. This has been dragged out for far too long. There are many bored faces indeed. No wonder these bureaucratic events have such a low turn out.

20.49: The motion changing the name of the sabbaticals to vice- presidents passes. Some are happy, others are not. However, the issue has now been settled.

20.51: The quorum count is called for, it looks like there might not be 150 here any more.

20.56: This has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. The numbers are being counted as people start growing wary…157 have been counted, that’s only 8 over quorum!

20.59: There has been a trickle out of people, it looks as though the AGM is unofficially below quorum.

21.00: A motion concerning officers meetings between members of the JCC and Sabbaticals has been put to the audience. A woman comes to the floor and calls the AGM a sham.

21.03: There is now a heated debate between the JCC Officers and the Sabbaticals and Part- Time Officers. This is a clash of individuals that might not be in the interest of the AGM attendees.

21.07: This has become nothing more than just several conflicting personalities bringing their own misunderstandings to a formal meeting. This should not be sanctioned by the chair. The Chair rightfully calls for an interval to check the existing constitution, as well as for individuals to regain a level head to the proceedings.

21.30: We’ve, perhaps correctly been told of for our biased reporting, we apologise for any offence caused, and are in the process of rectifying the possible bias and offences. Once again we apologise for this.

21.40: The Officers Meeting motion has now been scrapped. The details of the motion were already sanctioned under the Constitution adopted last year. A sense of order returns to the AGM.

21.42: A motion has just been passed to improve pedestrian safety. It received backing from all attendees.

21.59: James Bull takes the floor and talks about the societies, funding as an issue is raised.

21.51: Someone from the audience raises the question of how difficult small societies find it to get funding. James Bull agrees and admits it’s a difficult issue. People also go on to raises issues with the Kent union societies website.

21.57: Tom Marsh, sports sabbatical has the floor and talks about his ‘fresh start’ campaign, which involves healthy living. He envisions more people participating in recreational sport on campus.

22.01: Marsh thanks everyone, including his girl friend, to huge applause.

22.10: Tom Marsh answers some difficult questions from an audience member, and handles the tough questioning professionally, and with good humour.

22.20: We are now on motion eleven, which begins the third and final bucket of AGM motions. This is a motion to introduce course representative penalisation. The proposer of the motion makes the point of course representatives being accountable to the department and not Kent Union. Archie Ofodile responds to the proposer by saying that course representatives ARE accountable to Kent Union. Individuals are having individual concerns with the motion. Points of question are being used to try and make the motion clearer, however many in the audience do not seem to be convinced by the proposition.

22. 30: Motion eleven has proven to be a contentious one. Accountability of course representatives is the crux on the motion. Debate continues.

22. 39: The motion passes with ease, despite the odd vote against.

22. 40: There is quoracy count, once again…

22. 42: The count comes in as 134, inquorm. All motions from now on will have to be passed at Union Council, but the discussion continues and the vote is still important as this will influence the council’s decision.

22. 44: Next Motion: Coke as unethical. The proposers sight the unethical practices of coke in various countries and urges the council to make a stand. The opposition dismisses the motion as irrelevant. Tom Christian seconds the motion, and reminds us that there once a time when corporations feared the student collective will. He urges us to ‘raise our voices’ and make them heard against unethical practices. A member of the audience is asked to leave the room as he made an ‘inappropriate comment.’

22. 52: Vote on another round of speeches. It passes.

22. 54: Archie supports the motion, and states the union should make a stand and the opposition should apologise for talking of a ‘fascist mindset.’

23. 00: A opponent of the motion says that you can’t pick and choose the companies you should make a stand against.

23. 04: The vote looks close…

23. 06: The motion passes. The motion now goes to Union Council.

23. 06: Next motion- a vote of no confidence in the international officer. The proposer highlights this is not a personal attack, but he has been absent from meetings and isn’t doing there job properly.

23. 09: The opposition states this is not a motion that should be discussed at AGM or voted in Union Council, as the international officer should be talked to privately, and not made a public show. There is also the question of who will take the responsibility of the role.

23. 14: James Bull comments that this officer in question has had plenty of support and has still not fulfilled his role. Peter Mackintosh surmises for the proposition. He gives a damning report of the international officer. He says that this is holding part-time officers to account.

23.21: The motion passes. Two more to go.

23.22: Next MOTION: The abolition of the position of men’s position. Peter Mackintosh proposes. He suggests that we shouldn’t keep a position from the ’19th century’ and that there is not many men’s officers left in the country, as the position is redundant.

23.25: The Men’s officer takes the floor himself to oppose and defence himself. He says the position insures individuality and equality and getting rid of it would be discriminatory.

23.26: Archie supports the motion. Women and minorities officers are discriminated against and men are not to the same extent, so the position is rather unnecessary.

23. 31: Tom Christian asks the men’s officer how many men have come to him for help. He answers honestly- three.

23. 33: The post-graduate officer asks Peter Mackintosh about the percentage of men to women in the university. The answer is 48: 52. The plot thickens.

23.41 Luke Walter has signed off, we’re currently awaiting the vote count for the abolition of the men’s officer…

23.42 MEN’S OFFICER STAYS!!!

23.42: For what looks like the first time this evening, Kent Union have been defeated on a motion, they lost pretty badly as well. Sam Howes, current men’s officer, fought his corner very well and his other contributions this evening will no doubt have helped prolong his political career

23.45: The final proposal of the evening is a motion suggesting the union should remove their support for pro choice group, Abortion Rights UK. Archie is currently defending the motion.

23.48: Apparently the idea is that the union shouldn’t affiliate itself with either a pro life or pro choice group, a man with very funny face paint makes a good point about the union already tying itself to social arguments by campaigning against coca cola.

23.54: Votes now being counted……….

23.55: We are no longer supporting pro choice at Kent Uni.

23.57 THE AGM IS NOW OFFICIALLY OVER. GOODBYE AGM.