NEW ARRANGEMENTS
The end of last year was a time for departures.. Paid staff leaving to pursue other activities and a shortage of trustees to drive the bus drew attention to an opportunity to seriously consider the next steps for Peace and Justice – and the realisation that change and refreshment are still needed when the warring world is in a climate emergency and the human place on the planet is at such terrible risk. In April, the Centre held an emergency meeting and agreed that volunteer led small events, increasing to consider the next steps for Peace and Justice, increasing publications, and building our relationships with different groups in the new home we share with Secure Scotland could be managed and allow time to consider structure and capacity. An interim trustee group agreed to take on the latter. and the former was already happening thanks to former trustee Jan Benvie taking the lead on supporting campaigns and events, working closely with Secure Scotland Organiser Janet Fenton (a former P&J coordinator) to develop procedures and some infrastructure along with Struan Kennedy and Julian Goodare. Trustee Agatha Kai Kai maintained our connections with the Brigend Farm Peace Garden and the new Scots who work in it, as well as putting in a regular shift at WandA.
We all then met with David Somervell, who has been P&J Convenor during these last few very difficult years and who is now very active and focussed with Quaker activists in Scotland on the Palestinian issue, and agreed a way forward. This means working with Trustee Connect, to develop strong and sustainable processes for training trustees who will have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and the legal expectations for funding, agreeing and managing programmes. We have started work through CTECS Troubleshooters to revise the electronic communications network and software, and to stabilise our infrastructure, We can continue to share some projects, publicity and events with Secure Scotland where this provides mutual benefits and works in accordance with Secure Scotland’s obligations towards the landlord and the Words and Actions funding stream. The new board can be adopted and this plan endorsed on Sunday 30th November, at a (very short but critical) meeting to endorse the group, all members and supporters welcome (good day to join P&J if you have not already done so.) The first AGM under the new regime is scheduled for the spring of 2026. Please register if you are a member and able to attend, as it is essential that the gathering is also a quorate meeting of P&J. The proposal before that meeting can be downloaded here.
