BASW AGM and general meetings

A motion can be put forward by any of the following:

• A member proposer and member seconder plus 18 full voting BASW members who have signed in support of the motion.
• One of BASW’s Standing Committees or National Standing Committees (as agreed by the Chair)
• The Social Workers Union
• A properly constituted Branch
• A properly constituted Special Interest GroupWe’ve provided this simple form to help you and us deliver the best possible UK & International Policy & Ethics General Meeting (GM).   If you want to discuss any ideas or have any questions, do let us know. You can contact us at policyadmin@basw.co.uk; you can contact us either before you’ve started the form or as you complete it, whichever works best for you.   

• Closing date for receipt of policy-related proposals and motions is 5pm on Friday 31st January 2025.
• Members should submit motions in the same way as previous years, in line with BASW's Guidance on submitting motions (member login required).
• Following review by the Standing Orders Committee of Council, and liaison with motion proposers, we will confirm by end of February 2025 if your motion is going forward to the UK and International Policy and Ethics GM on 8th May 2025, or if it will be taken forward in another way.
• If your idea or motion cannot be put forward for the GM, we will discuss the reasoning with you.
• If a motion is submitted which is of a constitutional nature rather than of a policy or ethics nature, it may be voted on at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 4th 2025 (online) instead of at the UK & International Policy & Ethics GM.
• Proposers will be updated at every stage of the submission and review process and there will be no difference in the status of motions that are voted on at either meeting; both meetings will be chaired by the BASW UK Council Chair, and all passed motions will be reviewed and progress reported through Council.

BASW UK tries to be inclusive of all attendees and in the previous four years have offered both an in person an online experience.

In person: BASW UK focus strongly on accessibility and inclusivity with all in-person and online meetings. The BASW Events team make early planning considerations to optimise the successful delivery of their events. 

• Information on accessible transport routes/nearby hotels/nearby restaurants
• Accessible entrances/bathrooms/seating
• Food requirements via online booking
• Accessible resources and documents for the event/meeting
• Wheelchair-accessible seating and paths throughout the space

Online: We will open comments and monitor chat during the online event and aim to share engagement with the conference speakers. Closed captions can be enabled by individual viewers. All online delegates will not have mic / camera functionality, any comments must be made via the chat facility.

After each motion, there will be an opportunity to speak or comment.

In person: Fill in written slip with name and topic; this will go to the Chair who will invite you to speak from your seat with the mic brought to you.

Online: Please put your questions in the chat; it will be forwarded to the chair to answer.

General Meetings (GMs) provide BASW members with an opportunity to influence the future of BASW and social work by submitting motions – a motion is a proposal from members that BASW endorses and/or takes action on an issue.  

View guidance for members: How to write and submit motions to BASW’s annual general meeting. (Member login required)

Proposer will speak in person in the room for two minutes. Seconder can speak for one minute or use show of hand to second.

Speakers have one minute to speak on a motion, here is how to request to speak:

In person: Fill in the slip available from staff with your name and the motion number; this will go to the Chair who will invite you to speak from your seat with the mic brought to you.

Online: Please put full comment in chat marked as Response to Motion Number X; it will be forwarded to the Chair and read out. If you know that you will not be attending the meeting in person and want to speak on a motion, you can nominate someone in the room to speak for you.

Speaking on motions - advance comments

The chat will be open online for discussion between members so that you can debate the motions. Please view this and engage as you would like.

In person: show of hands in the room, unless close and poll count called.

Online: Online voting will be via polls, please follow the instructions.

The count will be given to the Chair to announce the result unless proxies are needed, in which case there will be a delay and the result will be given as soon as possible.

Non-members are welcome to attend and view the BASW AGM, however please note only BASW members can engage, vote or comment on motions.

The original motion will be proposed and seconded to start with.

• Then the amendment will be proposed and seconded, and discussed. The proposer of the motion has a right to speak at the end of the discussion on the amendment, however the proposer of the amendment does not.
• The amendment is then voted on and, if it is agreed, it replaces the original motion. If the amendment is not agreed, then the original motion remains.
• There is then discussion and voting on the motion in line with above for online and in person guidance.

If you have any questions, please contact the events team at events@basw.co.uk