List of Branches 

& Member Colleges 

 

 

 

 

Model Rules for LEAF Branches  

Terms of Reference

 

The Branch is established as a local organisation of the Lecturers Employment, Advice and Action Fellowship, in order to give voice to the professional interests of Lecturing staff and to further the aims and objectives of the Fellowship as set out in the Constitution. The Branch may not take actions or express views which are inconsistent with the Fellowship's aims and objectives, or which infringe the Constitution.  

    

 

 

Membership 

  

The membership comprises all those members of the Fellowship who are employed in the College or undertaking, together with any such other members of the Fellowship who may be attached to the Branch for effective membership. 

  

  

Officers 

 

The Officers of the Branch shall be a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as may be considered necessary for the efficient running of the local Branch. 

  

  

Branch Committee 

  

The purpose of the Branch Committee is to bring in a larger group of the Fellowship's membership into involvement in decision making, and to consider issues and present proposals to the Branch membership as a whole. The Branch Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Branch, together with any additional members the Branch deems appropriate. 

  

  

Negotiation 

  

Negotiation with the employers on any matters relating to the terms and conditions of membership must not take place without the knowledge and agreement of the National Council. This does not mean, though, that Branch officers may not represent the membership. The purpose of this guideline is to ensure that the Fellowship is able to continue in its task of creating a single national arrangement for determining the pay, conditions and prospects of Lecturing staff. Any Branch proposing to enter negotiations must contact the National Officer or a National Council member for advice. 

  

  

  

Election of Officers 

Nominations of Officers and members of the Branch Committee   

Nominations for Branch officers and members of the Branch Committee should be made in writing and delivered to the Secretary of the Branch, ideally in September each year. A general meeting of the Branch at which elections shall take place should be held within four weeks of the close of nominations. Notice of this meeting shall be publicised widely for the information of all members. 

  

If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies in any elected post, a ballot shall take place of those at the meeting. If the number of nominations does not exceed the number of vacancies in any category, it shall be moved formally that those duly nominated be declared elected. 

  

The terms of office of elected members shall be one calendar year or until the new elections have taken place. 

  

  

Meeting 

  

Ordinary Branch meetings shall be held regularly throughout the academic year. The meeting should consider as far as possible such business referred to it for deliberation by the National Council, the National Officers or by the Branch Committee. Other business may be taken at the discretion of the meeting. Notice of a Branch meeting shall be given as much time beforehand as is practical, to allow for the fullest participation. The Chair shall conduct the meeting in accordance with these rules, and established procedures for the conduct of democratic gatherings. 

  

  

Annual General Meeting 

  

Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given at least fourteen days before the meeting and shall be widely publicised. The annual meeting shall receive a report from the Branch Treasurer of the income and expenditure for the previous calendar year and on membership, and from the Branch Secretary on the work of the Branch over the same period. The meeting shall then appoint auditors for the forthcoming year and appoint representatives on any bodies on which the Fellowship has representation. It is recommended that the AGM be held early in the new academic year. 

  

  

Special Meetings 

  

A special meeting may be held to conduct urgent business. A meeting may be called exceptionally by officers of the Branch, National Officers or National Committee members or by a written representation of five Branch members or 10% of the Branch membership (whichever is greater). A special meeting shall be held as soon as is practicable but not later than 10 days after being called. 

  

  

Quorum 

  

A quorum shall consist of five members or 10% of the Branch, whichever is greater. 

  

  

Finance 

  

The Branch Treasurer shall ensure that Branch funds are used solely for purposes within the aims and objectives of the Constitution. The Branch Treasurer shall ensure that the expenditure of Branch funds is limited to monies made available through the National Treasurer, together with monies raised by the membership 

  

The finances of the Branch shall be conducted in accordance with arrangements determined from time to time by the National Treasurer or other bodies of the Fellowship. This shall include an annual submission of a set of accounts to the National Treasurer 

  

The National Treasurer shall make available funds to enable the Branch to conduct its business in accordance with these guidelines, on the basis of sufficient funds to enable the Branch to function effectively. 

  

  

Powers of the Committee 

  

The Branch meeting may make or amend standing orders to regulate the business of the Branch provided such amendments are not inconsistent with these rules. 

  

  

Alteration of Rules 

  

A proposed alteration of rules may be agreed at an Ordinary Meeting or the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to alter the rules must be preceded by written notice, and the full text contained in the notice of the meeting at which the alteration is to be considered. No alteration to rules shall take effect unless and until the National Council has approved it. 

  

  

  

Advice and guidance on forming a Branch of LEAF at your establishment 

  

Arguments for setting up a Branch 

  

The basic arguments for setting up a Branch of LEAF at your college or place of work are the same as those advanced by working people since trade unions began to be formed in Britain in the late 1800's. They are, to enable employees to band together to improve their pay, conditions of service and prospects. You are probably considering setting up a LEAF Branch because your establishment has no union, or because the existing union is moribund or incapable of protecting and advancing your interests.

 

In Further Education, we have unfortunately suffered the consequences of an absence of determined, thoughtful and committed professional representation. LEAF was founded in 1995 to remedy this situation, and to bring about a return to national pay and conditions of service at a high level. We are committed to achieving this transformation within a short time scale, and the National Council of LEAF has given the highest priority to setting up a Branch network.

 

By having a network of Branches, we are able to involve every member in decision-making in a much more direct way. We can also provide for day to day negotiation on conditions of service issues and assist members at their place of work through the Branch officers. Branches also offer the union an unrivalled source of knowledge and information about your views at the 'chalkface'.  

  

One of LEAF's distinguishing features is that it is a union formed by Lecturers for Lecturers.  

  

Unlike other organisations, we do not have divided loyalties, nor do we worry unduly about upsetting college corporations when your interests are at stake. A Branch structure enables us to focus on the real issues which concern our members much more closely. 

 

 

By forming a Branch and having regular meetings and publicity events, LEAF's profile will grow dramatically. We are now well known in over 70 colleges, and applications from Lecturers at new colleges arrive daily. The employers are wary of LEAF because they know that as well as being wholly professional and direct in its approach, it is controlled by Lecturers at both national and local level. Bureaucratic baggage is at a minimum, and we intend to keep things that way.  

  

From a standing start in 1995, LEAF is now growing fast, and we expect to have a presence in every college very soon. We want our Branches to be the voice of the union, and to articulate the real views of the Lecturing profession. That is why we strongly urge you and your colleagues to form and maintain a Branch at your college. 

  

To have been employed in Further Education in the nineties is to have seen your pay, conditions of service, prospects and morale deteriorate year on year. It is a matter of the utmost urgency that we learn the lessons of this setback, and create a situation where our pay, conditions and prospects are among the best.  

  

When teachers are fighting to get into the profession, rather than desperately searching for a way out, we will know we have done our job. 

  

  

Setting up a Branch of the union––practical steps 

  

What follows is an aide memoire for setting up a functioning Branch. It is a guide, and not a blueprint. Be prepared for some hostility, from perhaps the college management (though we have not yet experienced this) and from other unions.  

  

Don't be dissuaded by any arguments such as 'it's against the law' (false), 'you can't be in more than one union' (false), 'you will not achieve anything' (false), 'you will play into the hands of management' (rubbish) etc, etc.  

  

These arguments generally come from individuals who have nothing to contribute, who have given up on improving our professional status, or have vested interests to protect. 

  

  

To set up a Branch, the following steps are suggested: 

  

Make contact with a small group of colleagues who are interested. Ask them to help in the undertaking. If you would like to be put in touch with other LEAF members at your establishment, contact the National Office (Membership 0181-471-3607). If the colleagues are not yet in LEAF, persuade them to join. 

  

Recruitment literature is available, and can be downloaded from the website. 

  

Meet informally and plan a meeting to set up a LEAF Branch. Book a venue, with a time and date that enables the group of colleagues to attend. Allow a week or so, to enable invitations to be passed around. 

  

At the meeting, issue a simple agenda, and propose that you conduct the meeting, subject to any future changes after formal elections. 

  

The agenda could contain a few items, such as 

  

––Proposal to set up a Branch of LEAF: 

  

'This meeting agrees that it shall set up a workplace Branch of the Lecturers' Employment, Advice and Action Fellowship (LEAF), and seek to recruit new members.' 

  

––Adoption of Branch Rules:

  

Agree and adopt the model rules (download from the website). Issue a copy to each person in attendance.

 

 

––Election of Branch Officers: 

  

Ask for and take nominations for the positions of Branch Secretary, Branch Chair AND Branch Treasurer. If the meeting is fairly small, you may want to elect only a Secretary, who would also be the Branch Representative, with whom the National Officers and National Council will communicate. 

  

Notify the National Officer, David Robinson, of the Branch's existence, and leave a contact name and address or phone number, for information to be passed through. 

  

Don't issue a general invitation to the founding meeting. This may encourage individuals who would seek to disrupt the Branch formation from attending. After the Branch has been set up, meetings can be generally advertised. 

  

  

  

Current LEAF Union Branches and Memberships  

   

Acacia Hall Therapeutic Community, Lincoln, Lincolnshire 

Amersham and Wycombe College (Prison Education), Perry, Cambridgeshire 

Arthur Mellows Village College, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire 

Barking College, Romford, Essex

Barnet College of Further and Higher Education, Colindale, London

Barnsley College, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Bishop Auckland College, Bishop Auckland, Durham

Blackpool and Fylde College, Blackpool, Lancashire 

Boston College, Boston, Lincolnshire 

Bradford College, Bradford, West Yorkshire 

Bradford and Ilkley Community College, Bradford, Yorkshire 

Braintree College, Braintree, Essex 

Brighton College of Technology, Brighton, Sussex

Brooksby Melton College, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire  

Burton Upon Trent Technical College, Burton upon Trent 

Cambridge Regional College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 

Cannock Chase Technical College, Bridgtown, Staffordshire

Cannock Group Training Limited, Cannock, Staffordshire  

Canterbury Adult Education Centre, Canterbury, Kent 

Canterbury College, Canterbury, Kent 

Carshalton College, Carshalton, Surrey 

Central St. Martins College of Art and Design, Holborn, London 

Chichester College of Arts, >Science and Technology, Chichester, West Sussex 

Chippenham College, Chippenham, Wiltshire 

City and Guilds School of Art, London 

City and Islington College, Islington, London 

City College Birmingham, Tysley, Birmingham 

City College Manchester, 141 Barlow Moor Road, West Didsbury 

City College Norwich, Norwich, Norfolk 

City of Westminster College, Maida Vale, London 

Clarendon College, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire 

Colchester Institute, Colchester, Essex 

College of North East London, Tottenham, London

College of North West Kent, Dartford, Kent  

College of North West London, Neasden, London 

Doncaster College, Doncaster, West Yorkshire 

Education Lecturing Service, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

East Berkshire College, Langley, Slough, Berkshire  

East Durham & Houghall Community College, Peterlee, County Durham 

Epping Forest College, Loughton, Essex 

Grimsby College, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire 

Halton College, Widnes, Cheshire 

Havering College of Further and Higher Education, Hornchurch, Essex 

Hendon College of Further Education, Colindale, London 

Hugh Baird College, Liverpool, Merseyside 

Huntingdonshire Regional College, Huntingdon 

Islington Sixth Form Centre, Islington, London 

Keighley College, Keighley, West Yorkshire 

Kingston College, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey 

Lambeth College, Clapham Centre, Clapham, London 

Leeds College of Technology, Beeston, Leeds 

Liverpool Community College, Liverpool, Merseyside 

London Guildhall University, Whitechapel, London

The London Institute, London  

Macclesfield College, Macclesfield, Cheshire 

Merton College, Mordern Park, Surrey 

Mid-Cheshire College of Further Education, Northwich, Cheshire 

Moulton College, Moulton, Northamptonshire 

New College, Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove, Worcs 

New College Corporation, Durham, County Durham 

Newham College of Further Education, East Ham, London 

Newark and Sherwood College, Newark, Nottinghamshire 

North Birmingham College, Great Barr, Birmingham 

North Hertfordshire College, Hitchin, Hertfordshire 

North Lincolnshire College, Monks Road, Lincoln 

North Lindsey College, Scunthorpe 

Northumberland Tertiary College, Ashington, Northumberland 

Park Lane College, Leeds, Yorkshire 

Pendleton College, Salford, Manchester 

Peterborough Regional College, Peterborogh, Cambridgeshire 

College of Further Education Plymouth, Devonport, Plymouth 

Pontypridd College, Pontypridd, Glamorgan 

Redbridge College, Romford, Essex 

Rother Valley College, Dinnington, South Yorkshire 

Runshaw College, Preston, Lancashire 

Sandwell College, West Midlands 

The Sheffield College, Stanningfield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Shipley College, Shipley, West Yorkshire

Solihull College, Solihull, West Midlands

Somerset College, Taunton, Somerset 

Soundwell College, Stoke Gifford, Bristol 

South Cheshire College, Crewe, Cheshire 

Southgate College, Southgate, London 

Southampton City College, Southampton, Hampshire 

Southport College, Southport, Merseyside 

South Thames College, Tooting, London 

Southwark College of Further Education, Waterloo, London 

Stafford College, Staffordshire 

Stamford College, Stamford, Lincolnshire 

Stoke-on-Trent College, Burslem, Staffordshire 

Stratford-upon-Avon College, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire 

Suffolk College, Ipswich, Suffolk 

Sutton Coldfield College, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 

Swansea College, Tycoch, Wales 

Swindon College, Swindon, Wiltshire 

Teesside Tertiary College, Middlesbrough, Teesside 

Thanet College, Broadstairs, Kent

Thurrock College of Further Education, Thurrock, Essex 

Trowbridge College, Trowbridge, Wiltshire

University of Middlesex, Hendon, Middlesex

University of Surrey, Roehampton, London

Walsall College of Arts and Technology, Walsall, West Midlands 

Warrington Collegiate Institute, Warrington, Cheshire 

West Cumbria College, Whitehaven, West Cumbria 

West Kent College, Tonbridge, Kent 

Westminster College, Westminster, London 

West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk 

West Thames College of Further Education, Isleworth, London 

Weymouth College, Weymouth, Dorset 

Wigan and Leigh College, Parsons Walk, Wigan 

York College of Further and Higher Education, York, North Yorkshire 

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