INTRODUCTION
On 29 September the Board shared with Council members and Areas an updated proposal for a new governance model for the Ramblers.
The Board has listened very carefully to the ideas and feedback that we have received over the last two year period. Throughout the Board has been motivated by the desire to ensure that the Ramblers will remain strong and united and have the capacity to grow and flex over the coming decades to deliver our shared strategic intention to campaign for access to the outdoors and create walking opportunities for all.
You will see that we have further modified the proposals in the light of the outstanding concerns expressed about the Area and Group proposals. The Board now proposes not to move to establish a new structure for Areas and Groups at this point but to continue to work with you in the new year to agree a robust and practical way forward. We will set up a separate project to build on the learning to date and work in an open and inclusive way, to design arrangements which will work for everybody and meet the twin imperatives of preserving what is working well, and changing what is not.
All documents, including the 8 September consultation document and the 29 September update document, and the draft Articles of Association and Standing Orders, are available at www.ramblers.org.uk/about-us/general-council. NB These early drafts have been prepared by the charity’s legal advisers on governance matters. These are not intended to be in any way final versions, but will be updated and completed following the conclusion of the current consultation period, and review of the feedback and further advice from our legal advisers.
We would now like to invite each Area (via its General Council members or Area Chair/Secretary) - as well as individual Council members (if they wish) - to provide written feedback and comments.
Please note that we are now asking only for your feedback on the updated proposals which excludes changes to Areas and Groups.
The feedback you provide will assist the Board in preparing final proposals for decision by Council members at the Extraordinary General Meeting.