What is the Annual General Assembly?
The Annual General Assembly is a meeting that takes place during the
Convention every year. The TESOL Greece Board reports to the members on
the activities of the organization. It’s also when the Maricelle Meyer
Scholarship Award is drawn (you have to be present to win) and when new
members of the Board are electedIsn’t it really boring?
The Annual General Assembly is probably not the most fascinating part of
the Convention, but it is one of the most important. The members of the
Board make an effort to get through the business of the meeting as
efficiently as possible. The Annual General Assembly is important
because it’s the main chance members have to get more involved.
What do you mean... ‘more involved’?
First of all, financial reports are presented at the Annual General
Assembly, so members have the chance to learn about how their money has
been spent. In addition, important decisions, such as whether or not to
increase the membership fee, are voted on by members. Finally, the
Annual General Assembly, some members of the Board reach the end of
their term of office. New people can get involved by standing for
election to the Board.
What is the Board, exactly?
The Board consists of 9 regular members and 4 alternate members. The
regular members serve for 3 years and the alternate members for 1 year.
If a regular member is unable to continue on the Board for any reason,
an alternate member takes over. A three-member Oversight Committee, with
one alternate member, oversees the activities of the Board. Oversight
Committee members serve for 2 years.
So what do they do?
Being on the Board involves attending Board meetings about once a month,
organizing events, as well as overseeing the finances and running of
TESOL Greece. Members also volunteer to edit the Newsletter, represent
TESOL Greece at book exhibitions, coordinate volunteers and organize the
Resource Room.
Who can be on the Board?
Any fully-paid up member – although once you’ve been on the Board for
three years you can’t be on the Board again for another 3 years after
that. Members of the Board represent many aspects of teaching English
and at the moment include teachers, teacher trainers, writers and school
owners, amongst others.
I’m not sure I’m experienced or qualified enough…
A desire to be involved and a sense of humor are more important than
years and years of experience or letters after your name. Through being
on the Board, you’ll learn a lot and get a huge amount of satisfaction
from helping other members get the most out of TESOL Greece.
So what do I have to do to get involved?
Anybody can nominate themselves or be nominated for the Board before or
during the Annual General Assembly. Those present then vote on a common
ballot (you vote for as many people as you like, including yourself) and
those with the most votes are elected.
If you want to know more, ask any current Board member about their
experiences and they’ll be glad to help you. Get involved and get more
out of TESOL Greece. |
The Annual General Assembly
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages,
Greece 
