The NfCG Special General Meeting generated support for a new stronger body, to include C o n s u m e r Congress, but we need to have well understood aims and objectives to which we can relate for this new organisation. There are members of NfCG, notably Groups, who wonder how we continue the sort of role we are happy with, such as becoming involved in consumer causes, developing local initiatives and representing consumers? We need a process for input to this new National Body which will give it credence to speak out on our, possibly wider, behalf. Consultation is essential.
Existing members need clarification of their positions now, for instance:
Continued activities. Local Consumer Groups, being independent bodies will, he expects, continue in the sort of role they are happy with. The Working Party set up between NfCG and Consumer Congress agreed that all networks, sub committees and the Hot Issues Group would continue as before, but, hopefully we will be able to expand membership to include some of the new talent at our disposal.
Communication and Consultation. Roy hopes that the new NCF Executive Committee will initiate the NfCG plan to link via the Internet as many of our grass roots Members as can be reached in this way, thus enabling them to be consulted quickly on all manner of subjects both cheaply and regularly.
Roy and others hope to persuade Consumer Congress to hold a one-day grassroots Conference in late June at which our combined membership (including, one hopes, some of those who did not get to the Special General Meeting) can air views on consumer issues and ask questions about the new organisation. NCF could be launched on the world's media at this event, as a precursor to summer elections.
Membership and Subscriptions. Roy hopes that subscriptions for the next twelve months. are being renewed as normal. At what level subscriptions will have to be set in the future will be one of the considerations in making a business plan for the new organisation. In due course membership will be transferred to NCF and if a change in rate or collection date be proposed both will have to be agreed at an AGM, which Roy expects to take place at our Annual Conference in September. We may be able to hold this at Brunel University.
Formal registration. NCF will be registered as soon as the Memorandum and Articles of Association are agreed and the Executive Committee welcomes any suggestions or constructive criticism appertaining to these as soon as possible. This means that NCF and NfCG will run in parallel for a while until, when all activities and funds have been transferred, NfCG Groups will be invited to close NfCG down. A sad occasion but progress is essential if a strong consumer voice is to continue.
Roy's vision. That NCF will fulfill its objectives, namely to:
These objective are very similar to what we understand NfCG does now, so, other than injecting some renewed enthusiasm, and with more and different members to help, there should be little departure from our present way of working apart from being able to do more of it better!
Our place in the future organisation. It will be for the new, wider membership to decide. Roy hopes that any present NfCG Members who are interested (and I am sure there are plenty - Ed) in playing a part in the new organisation will put their names forward for a place on the Executive Committee and will, hopefully, be elected. The Working Party has made every effort to ensure that the new Executive Committee will fairly represent what they expect the new Membership to be in a way that will err on the side of grassroots consumers but it will be up to the members themselves to ensure that this aim is fulfilled.
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