As you’ll be aware, the Co-operative Party suspended all local meetings back in March due to Covid-19, and these restrictions on in-person meetings remain in place.

Although some branches and party councils were able to hold their annual general meeting before the restrictions, we know that many others were not.

Head Office is now issuing updated guidance that you will not be required to hold an AGM in 2020.

That means that all existing officers and delegates will remain in post.

AGMs play an important role for officers to report on their activity and for members to elect their representatives and plan future activity.

However, the unique circumstances of the last few months justify the postponement of all remaining AGMs until 2021, when we hope that they will be able to safely take place in person.

If you currently have vacancies or if your branch has recently been established or relaunched and doesn’t have officers, please get in touch as we can help you hold elections to fill these vacancies.

Many branches and party councils have been holding meetings online via Zoom and this way of organising will continue to be a big part of our activity. If your local party has yet to hold an online meeting and you were due to have an AGM, now is a great time to hold your first one.

To get started, you can read our guides on how to use Zoom as well as template meetings – click here to view the resources.