Watch our 2023 meeting
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11.00 - Welcome from Stephen Ladyman, Chair of Trustees
11.05 - Address from Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive
11.20 - Address from Stephen Ladyman, Chair of Trustees
11:30 - Introduction of approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and proposed version of National Autistic Society articles
11:32 - Introduction of the new trustee appointment and 10 minutes voting
11.50 - Explanation of the Accounts
12.00 - Guest speaker: David Carter from our South Hampshire branch
12:10 - Questions from members and final address
12.30 - Close of meeting
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Q1. What support is there for teenagers?
A: There is a range of advice and guidance available, depending on the support you need. Our volunteer-led branches and online community offer peer support. Find out more here.
You can also use our Autism Services Directory and online advice and guidance to find the answers you are looking for. And our dedicated casework and specialist helpline services can support you with specific challenges. Find out more about the help and support available on our website.
Q2. I am just a member at the moment I can only vote and ask questions. I did not become a member just to do that. I am autistic myself and have lived with it for over 30 years now, I intend to try and use my understanding of my own condition to advise. I agree that the approach should be to advise society rather than trying to train me. How do I contribute to advising people on making autism friendly policies and aid in telling people the do's and don'ts of interacting with autistic people?
A: That’s great that you want to contribute. You could join our autism insight panels, which help to inform our work and help us to understand the issues you are facing so we can focus our efforts. There is information about our panels here.
You could also support our campaign work. Alongside our supporters, we campaign to protect the rights and interests of autistic people and their families. Through our campaigns we correct unfair policies and practices, we build public understanding and we create a movement of support. You can find out about supporting our campaign work on our website here.
We also have 116 volunteer-led branches across the UK, covering almost three quarters of the country. We also have online branches for autistic people with a shared interest, identity or experience. Find out more about our branches.
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What are the Articles?
The Articles are the NAS’ governing document. They set out the charity’s objects – the reasons why it was set up – and describe the details of how the charity conducts itself. The trustees must ensure that everything the NAS does is in accordance with the Articles.
What is the proposed change?
When the NAS was established there was no such thing as the internet and it was assumed that meetings of members, including the Annual General Meeting, would be conducted on a face to face basis. However, the restrictions on meetings introduced as part of the Covid prevention measures meant that face to face meetings were impossible. The government therefore passed legislation to enable those organisations whose Articles did not specifically allow for meetings via video link to introduce this technology. The NAS took advantage of this and since 2021 its AGM has been held on line.
It was clear that quite apart from the requirements of the Covid restrictions, holding the AGM on line had distinct advantages. In particular, the NAS has members across the UK and overseas and for most, travelling to a venue to attend the AGM was not a realistic option. However, joining the meeting via video is simple and free so many more members are able to attend.
Recognising that the specific Covid-related legislation enabling meetings via video has now lapsed, the board is proposing and recommending that the Articles be updated to enable the AGM to continue to be held on line. This requires appropriate changes to the wording around ‘general meetings’ at paragraphs 13, 14 and 16. A copy of the Articles with the proposed updates can be found at autism.org.uk/agm
Procedure
Any changes to the Articles must be confirmed by a special resolution, passed by 75% of members who vote. A resolution is therefore included in the agenda for the meeting.
Also enclosed with the notice of the AGM is a proxy form that members can use to enable another person to vote on their behalf, should they so wish. A member can either appoint another member as their proxy or can nominate the Chair of the board. When appointing a proxy, a member may indicate whether they wish to vote in favour of the resolution or against, or may leave the choice to the person appointed as proxy. Please note the deadlines for the submission of proxy forms which may be returned via the post or by email. Instructions are included with the notice of the AGM