Five pillars, forty-five seats

How the pillars work

Each pillar is a working arm of the Association with its own officers, reporting to the Executive Committee. The pillar’s Vice President leads it, its Vice Secretary keeps the records and its Vice Treasurer keeps the pillar’s budget within the Association’s accounts (clause 10), each working with the Association’s Secretary and Treasurer. The six Committee Members carry out the work.

Clause 9.1 of the Constitution allows the Executive Committee to set up subcommittees for finance, projects, welfare, events, diaspora engagement, safeguarding or any other purpose. The Committee has chosen projects, welfare and events from that list, and two pillars under the “any other purpose” limb: Education, to carry out objects 3.3 (a) and (b), and Extra Curriculum, for sport, culture and everything pupils do beyond the classroom (object 3.3 a). Finance remains with the Treasurer and the signatories under clause 10, and safeguarding with the Safeguarding Lead under Policy 2.5. Each pillar is set up with written terms of reference, a named chair (its Vice President), a defined scope, a budget, a reporting line and an end date, and cannot commit the Association unless expressly authorised. Any Voting Member may nominate, be nominated or second a nomination; the appointments are made by the Executive Committee.

Who can be nominated

• A Voting Member aged 21 or over who is not materially in arrears — the Committee applies the same standard as for office-bearers (clause 7.7).
• Nominated by one Voting Member and seconded by another; the nominee must consent.
• One person may hold only one pillar position at a time.
• Nominations close on 31 October 2026. The Executive Committee considers all nominations received and makes the appointments under clause 9.1, recording them in its minutes.