Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Executive Committee oversees the running of PSC between Annual General Meetings. It has responsibility for the oversight of the implementation of the Annual Plan agreed at the AGM, receives and questions reports on the work of the organisation, discusses any changes needed to the Annual Plan in light of developments, monitors the finances of the organisation, determines disciplinary cases in relation to members and generally provides strategic guidance for the work of the organisation.
The first meeting of a new EC after an AGM agrees a set of Standing Orders which set out the methods of working, agreed conduct and the responsibilities of each post. Formal votes at EC meetings are rare with most proposals modified, approved or rejected by the development of a general consensus.
All members of the Executive Committee are engaged in campaigns work – some mainly conduct their activism through their local branch and provide a vital link to how national campaigns work at a local level, whilst others focus on the work of PSC nationally – either on particular campaigns or in the running of PSC as an organisation (eg fundraising, finances, communications or membership recruitment).
Others, provide a vital link to specific activist networks or link the EC to the leadership of another body – for example the leadership of a trade union.
Many Executive Committee members conduct diverse work on behalf of PSC, from speaking engagements with branches or externally to more organisational tasks, such as preparing financial reports or assisting new branches. However the volunteers of the Executive Committee do not carry out the majority of the work of the national organisation, with this responsibility being carried out by the staff team under the direction of the Director, who in turn is answerable to the Executive Committee.
All EC positions are strictly voluntary and are unpaid. The EC constitute the Board of Directors of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Ltd.
A review of EC positions is being undertaken, with a motion outlining the next stages in this process being proposed to the 2021 AGM. This will consider what changes might be desirable to reflect the current and future needs of the organisation. PSC has largely shifted from requiring portfolio holders to undertake core tasks – such as needing the Campaigns Officer to organise demonstrations or the Publications Officer to write materials – to having a full time staff better placed to carry out this work. Several posts may therefore be proposed for deletion at the 2022 AGM, with other proposals seeking to further broaden the representativeness of the Executive Committee.
The positions elected by the AGM are as follows:
Chair
The Chair acts as the chairperson for Executive Committee meetings, its sub-committees and the AGM. They are also one of the key public faces of the campaign, signing statements on behalf of the organisation and conducting speaking engagements and media appearances. Urgent decisions where it would be impractical to convene a wider meeting may be taken by the Chair, who also acts as the line manager to the Director.
Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair deputises for the Chair on various occasions or in the event the Chair is unavailable.
Secretary
The Secretary coordinates work on administrative and membership matters with the Director, including complaints processes.
Treasurer
The Treasurer works with the Director to provide the Executive Committee with appropriate financial information to enable it to carry out its fiduciary duties, overseeing the preparation of accounts, meeting official reporting requirements and advising the Executive on financial strategy.
Trade Union Liaison Officer
The Trade Union Liaison Officer liaises with the Trade Union Advisory Committee, Executive Committee members and the Director to help coordinate PSC’s agreed plan in relation to trade unions.
Campaign Officer
The Campaign Officer liaises with and assists the Director in the implementation of PSC’s agreed campaigning priorities.
Publications Officer
The role of Publications Officers previously coordinated long-form printed publications but has been in abeyance for several years due to PSC shifting increasingly to rapid turnaround online publications.
General Executive Member (8 places)
The General Executive Members sit on the Executive Committee and other sub-committees and working groups, providing input into all areas of PSC’s work. They are not elected with a specific remit, though many may highlight a particular area of expertise or interest in their election statement.