Potential Future Directors
The Potential Future Directors’ (PFD) Programme was established in the spring of 2002 to provide sponsored training and support for Southern Co-operatives’ members who may be interested in standing for election to the Board of Directors within the foreseeable future.
The Programme, which is open to new members as well as those with active experience, is designed to prepare lay-member (non professional) Directors for service on the Board should they be successful at a future election. It also aims to ensure a continued pool of candidates with a broad range of skills required to support the future success of the Society and to protect it’s mutual status.
Of course we cannot guarantee that any trainee would be elected to the Board but existing PFD trainees agree that the training is worthwhile in its own regard. Much of the knowledge gained is transferable and a number of PFD trainees also take up positions as School Governors or members of Health Authorities or other participatory bodies as well as secondments to the Boards of Credit Unions, Housing Co-ops, Employee owned businesses, etc.
The Programme is developed, supported and managed locally, but also integrates with the education and training offered nationally by the Co-operative College. The Co-op College has been commissioned to provide courses and training days specifically for Southern Co-operatives’ members or jointly with other Co-operative Societies.
Most education and training events will be of a single day (Saturday) duration although full weekend courses are also offered. There may also be the opportunity for those able and willing to attend longer residential summer schools of up to a fortnight duration where several modules can be covered.
In addition to the above “formal” education and training, participants in the PFD Programme will receive invitations to social events as well as receiving the opportunity to participate in a range of Co-op member activities.
If you would like more information please email: membersupport@southerncoops.co.uk or telephone 01329 223 046.
All members are entitled to vote in the elections for service on the Board, provided they have been in membership of the Society for at least six months. Nominations are generally sought two months prior to the Society's Annual General meeting with elections taking place during the month prior to the AGM
All members who meet the Qualifications of Directors set out in the Society’s Rules are eligible for nomination.
Eligible members may apply for a postal vote by completing an Application Form (click here to download a PDF of the form) or by contacting 01329 223072. Alternatively eligible members may vote in person, on Election Day, at the Society Head Office in Fareham. Requests for nominations and election details are publicised within our stores during the two months leading up to the Annual General Meeting.
For further details on qualifications, nomination procedures and elections, please send an email to membersupport@southerncoops.co.uk
