- This event has passed.
Extraordinary General Meeting
2 May @ 17:00 - 19:00 BST
We invite all SoA Members to join us online on 2 May 2024 to debate and vote on three resolutions.
This event is exclusively for SoA Full Members and Associate Members.
In accordance with section 10 of the SoA Bye-laws, we have received a request from the requisite number of Full Members (35) calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to debate two resolutions (2 and 3 below).
The SoA Board (Management Committee) has taken the opportunity to include an additional resolution (1 below).
Your votes and participation are important to us. We encourage all Full Members to vote at the EGM or to appoint a proxy and register a voting instruction in advance of the EGM. Associate Members are welcome to attend but cannot vote.
Essential links and downloads for this evening’s meeting
Resolution downloads
Governance downloads
Programme
This Society of Authors’ EGM is open to Full Members and Associate Members of the SoA only.
Only Full Members have voting rights and can propose resolutions.
- Introduction and welcome by Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, Chair of the SoA’s board (Management Committee).
- To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions (see above for full details on the proposed resolutions):
- Resolution 1 – on artificial intelligence (AI)
- Resolution 2 – on ending fossil fuel investment in the books industry
- Resolution 3 – on a proposed SoA statement on Gaza
About the resolutions
The brief summaries below are only headings and do not give the full resolutions. Use the links to download the full text for each resolution to be debated.
Resolution 1 – on artificial intelligence (AI)
Proposed by the SoA Management Committee, asking Members to vote to assert that they do not consent to the use of SoA members’ works to develop AI systems.
Resolution 2 – on ending fossil fuel investment in the books industry
Proposed by 31 Members, asking Members to vote for the SoA to lobby for a responsible end to fossil fuel investment in the books industry. The attached amended resolution has been approved by the proposers and the Management Committee.
Resolution 3 – on a proposed SoA statement on Gaza
Proposed by 66 Members, asking Members to vote for the SoA to make a statement on Gaza. The Management Committee has voted by majority to oppose Resolution 3. This paper includes a recommendation from the Management Committee that Members vote against the resolution, and information to support that recommendation.
How to participate
We will conduct the EGM online to enable as many Members as possible to take part.
Only Full Members have voting rights and can propose resolutions, but we encourage all Members – including Associate Members – to register and join us at the meeting.
The EGM is free to attend but you must register in advance online via the booking form below, or complete and return a registration form to Head of Events, Society of Authors, 24 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4EH.
Please confirm your booking no later than Monday 29 April, 23:59pm BST.
Voting will be managed, securely and confidentially, by Mi-Voice. They will write to all Full Members in the week commencing 1 April 2024 with full instructions on how voting will be conducted on the day, and how you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf if you are unable to attend. If we have an email address for you, they will email you directly. If we only have your postal address, they will send you a printed ballot paper.
At the meeting, the resolutions will be put to a vote via an electronic poll. If you have voted by proxy you may attend the EGM but will be unable to vote.
Any questions? Email [email protected] or call the office on 020 3880 2230.
FAQs
How can I appoint a proxy to vote on my behalf?
You will receive full instructions on voting from Mi-Voice in the week commencing 1 April 2024. This will include information on appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf.
I’m an Associate Member but eligible for Full Membership – can I upgrade in order to vote?
Visit our upgrade page to check the criteria for Full membership, and to update our records on your professional circumstances. It is free to upgrade from Associate to Full membership. If you have any questions about the process or eligibility, email [email protected].
I can’t access the resolution documents – can you help?
Please email [email protected] and we’ll help you access the information in another format.
Need to know
Accessibility
- Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript option to watch with subtitles.
- If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email [email protected]
Before the event
- Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
- If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
- Please add [email protected]to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation, and reminder emails
- EGM attendees will be sent joining instructions prior to the meeting
During the event
- This online event will take place on Zoom Meetings; you will have the option to be on camera or not.
- This event will be recorded for minuting purposes only.
- This event will be approximately 120 minutes.
