Elect Leaders for Operation Noah (23 April)

On the 10th May, 2008, at the Church of St. Mary and St. John, Oxford, Operation Noah will hold its first AGM as a newly constituted body. Under its rules, the founding trustees must retire. (However, they are entitled to be nominated and re-elected for one year only (up to a maximum of five years).)

Under Operation Noah's Articles of Association elections to the board must take place at the AGM on the 10th May, 2008. Up to 12 Trustees must be elected at the AGM. In addition, and in order to ensure balance on the board, the Trustees have the power to co-opt additional trustees (e.g. experts on the science of climate change; on theology etc.)

Nominations must by submitted in writing to the ON office by the 2nd May, 2008.

Proposed composition of the new board

A vital, and indeed the only qualification for election to the board is that any nominee should be committed to ensuring that the campaign achieves its goals. In addition the founding trustees are concerned that the new board should be representative, where possible, of the major denominations and of different strands of Christianity. As guidance the board would like to see more of the following skills and demographics represented on the new ON board:

• More women, to ensure gender balance
• As good representation as possible from the four nations, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland
• Representatives from the black majority churches
• Younger people, e.g. students and/or people in their 20s
• An economist
• A scientist (possibly someone connected with the Environmental Change Institute)
• A theologian
• Someone from a church development agency
• Someone with a detailed understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework needed for a "Zero Carbon" Britain
• Someone with experience of non-violent affirmative action for change
• A senior church leader

How to vote at the AGM

The new board will be appointed by Operation Noah's supporter members. To vote at the AGM supporters will need to a) register as supporters on the Operation Noah website and b) register to attend the AGM. If you do not have a computer you may register by writing to Operation Noah, at the Grayston Centre, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT.

ON does not currently have a requirement for supporters to pay subscriptions. This will be a matter for the AGM to debate and decide. However, the campaign is heavily dependent for its success on donations, and so supporters are encouraged to make a contribution by a) becoming an Ark-tivist and donating £20 on the website or b) making a separate donation via the website

How the board will be made up

The board takes the form of a 'college' with three distinct sections nominated in the first instance by three different constituencies, but elected at the AGM by all those supporters present. At the AGM a minimum of 1, but no more than 4 trustees can be elected to each section of the board.

How to nominate to the board

There are three categories of people entitled to nominate individuals to the board. The first two are Christian Ecology Link and the churches' Environmental Issue Network - both founding organisations of the campaign. The third category is made up of supporters and supporter groups. Each category can nominate persons, who will then be elected by everyone present at the AGM.

a) Christian Ecology Link (CEL) is entitled to nominate no less than three people to the board, but can nominate more, as there is no maximum.

b) Environmental Issues Network (EIN) is entitled to nominate no less than six, but possibly more, as there is no maximum number of nominations.

c) ON individual supporters and groups are entitled to nominate a minimum of three, but possibly more candidates, for election by the whole AGM to the board.

Timing of nominations

Nominations must be submitted to the Operation Noah office no later than the 2nd of May, 2008. These nominations will then be notified to all of ON's registered supporters, via email.

How the board will be elected

On the 10th May, at the AGM, all the supporters present will vote for elections of a maximum of four people to each of the three sections of the board.

We want to thank you for participating in this important, democratic process for electing a board of trustees to oversee the work of the campaign. And I personally look forward to meeting you all at the AGM.