National Gathering and AGM 2025

All Friends of the Earth Scotland members are warmly invited to our National Gathering and AGM in Edinburgh, on Saturday 7 June 2025. 

You can join us at the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square EH9 8BX between 11am and 4pm, or online via video link. 

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s National Gathering and AGM will be an opportunity for the movement to come together, build connections, and make plans for the future. 

In 2025, many of us have been grappling with how we can seek a better world. The challenge is daunting. Despite this, we believe that together we can build a movement that can dismantle the systems which are threatening our planet.  

We have a new plan to build a thriving movement for change, and at the AGM you will have the chance to discuss this, share ideas and vote on it, along with other motions. 

We’ll be joined by Kirtana Chandrasekaran, Climate Justice Coordinator at Friends of the Earth International, to put our struggle in its global context. More speakers will be announced in the run up. We’ll also be workshopping our campaigns, celebrating local activism, and there’ll be good food and time to chat. 

We are energised by the opportunity we have to make Friends of the Earth Scotland a vehicle for transformative change and we hope to see you there! 

This is a member only event. If you are not yet a member and would like to attend, you can sign up here.

Take part

Our AGM is your chance to get involved with the running of Friends of the Earth Scotland. As a member, you can vote on motions and the election of new board members. 

The people elected to the board are responsible for the governance of Friends of the Earth Scotland, including overseeing finance, policy and ensuring that strategic goals are met, in line with our strategy. 

This year, we’re looking for a new Board members as well as a treasurer. Please complete a board nomination form (the form should automatically download) if you wish to put yourself forward.

If you are interested, find out more about being a Treasurer.

As a member, you can also put forward a motion, this is a way to have a policy or issue you care about debated by the members of Friends of the Earth Scotland. Any member can raise a motion, but it must be seconded by another member (we can help with this).  

How to put forward a motion? 

To submit a motion, you can do so by downloading and completing this form and emailing it for the attention our Director, Rochana Sheward to agm@foe.scot. 

The deadline to submit a motion is Saturday 24 May 2025. Please make sure you have sent your completed form before this date, as we will not be able to accept late submissions. 

If you have a motion you would like to raise, but you don’t know another member willing to second this, please contact us as at agm@foe.scot, and we will help to organise this. 

What to expect once the motion has been submitted? 

Your motion will be available for members to read ahead of the AGM. At the AGM, you will be asked to say a little bit about the motion and why you believe it is important for Friends of the Earth Scotland to adopt it as a position. There will then be time for questions and debate before the members present at the AGM vote on whether to approve it. 

Approved motions will then be taken into consideration when shaping the work of Friends of the Earth Scotland. 

Could you be a new board member?

Are you passionate about climate justice and skilled in governance or oversight? We’re looking for board members, including a treasurer, from our membership. These are voluntary roles, vital to overseeing the organisation, guiding our financial health and shaping our future growth. 

Board meetings take place four times a year, and board members also participate in a sub-committee that also meet quarterly

Please complete a board nomination form (the form should automatically download) if you wish to put yourself forward. You will need a seconder who is also a member of Friends of the Earth Scotland – please contact us if you need support.

Get in touch at agm@foe.scot if you’d like to have an initial chat with our director Rochana Steward.

Papers

We’ll send all members an email to notify you when the papers are available in advance of the AGM.

FAQs

If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please email us at agm@foe.scot 

Can I register for the AGM if I am not a member of FoES? 

The National Gathering and AGM is only for Friends of the Earth Scotland members. Everyone is welcome to join us to take part, you can do so online here.

How accessible is the venue? 

The venue has a range of accessibility functions, listed below: 

• There is step-free access to all the areas we will be using for the event; there is a ramp to enter the building and a lift to get to the Great Hall.  

• Disabled toilets can be found on the same floor as our event

• Gender neutral toilets are available in the venue

• A hearing loop will be used for as much of the event as possible

I have accessibility needs not listed on the sign-up page or in the FAQ page

We want our event to be as accessible as possible. If you have additional needs not covered, please reach out and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs and make this event, not just accessible but also enjoyable. Email agm@foe.scot or phone 0131 243 2700.

How can I submit a motion? 

Please see details further above. If you have any issues downloading the form, let us know at the email above. 

Who can apply to be a board member? 

To be eligible for election, you must be a member of Friends of the Earth Scotland. We will be voting on board members this time, for which you will need a Board nomination form (the form should automatically download).

I cannot attend; can I still vote? 

Yes, you can vote by proxy, and there are two different ways you can do so: 

• You can choose to send details of each motion and / or nomination you wish to vote on and each of your respective votes to the Chair. Email agm@foe.scot or phone 0131 243 2700.

• Or you can elect another member to vote on your behalf on the day for the AGM. 

You will need to let us know by email if you decide to vote by proxy, at least 1 day before the AGM (deadline is Friday 6 June) so your vote can be counted. 

I have signed up to attend online, but I haven’t received a video link. 

You will be sent the video link a few days ahead of the AGM with more information on how to connect. 

What is Mentimeter? 

Mentimeter is a website that we will be using to gather and record the votes during the AGM. A QR code and link will be sent on the day to record your vote. You do not need to sign up to vote, but you will need a device with internet connection. 

Will you be taking photos or videos at the event? 

Yes, we will have a photographer during the event, and we will be recording the livestream. You can let us know if you are uncomfortable with your picture being taken on the day.  

I have a question, but I cannot find the answer here. 

Please call or email us and we will do our best to answer your query as soon as possible. Email agm@foe.scot or phone 0131 243 2700.

I am experiencing technical issue on the day. 

Please call us on 0131 243 2700 or email us at agm@foe.scot