ROLE AND DUTIES OF REGIONAL CHAIRMAN
The Regional Chairman is elected by members in accordance with the Regional
Rules.
ROLE
The role of the Regional Chairman includes the duties shown below and such
additional duties as may be conferred by the Executive Board, National Council or
Regional Committee.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
The Regional Chairman will fulfil the role and carry out the duties defined below:

To attend and preside at all meetings of members at Regional level and the
Regional committee.

At the regional Annual General Meeting to present to the members a report
covering his tenure as the Regional Chairman.

To represent, where appropriate, the Federation as head of any Regional
delegation attending meetings with local government officials or officials of any
official or non-official bodies.

To represent the Federation at local functions where in his judgement it should be
represented.
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To be available to the local media when necessary during the tenure of his office
to issue statements or make announcements on matters of national or Federation
issues in keeping with declared policies of the Federation.

To be aware of and apply the constitution at Regional and Branch level.
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To ensure the smooth running of the Region.
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To liaise with the Regional Secretary over the production of meeting agenda.
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To delegate a Regional Vice-Chairman or other appropriate member to carry out
his duties if for any reason he is unable to fulfil them.
Roles and Duties of Officers
Issue 2013
ROLE AND DUTIES OF BRANCH CHAIRMAN
The Branch Chairman is elected by the members in accordance with the Branch
Rules.
ROLE
The role of the Branch Chairman includes the duties shown below and such
additional duties as may be conferred by the Executive Board, National Council or
Branch Committee.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Branch Chairman will fulfil the role and carry out the duties defined below:
•
To attend and preside at all meetings of members at Branch level and the Branch
committee.
•
At the branch Annual General Meeting to present to the members a report
covering his tenure as the Branch Chairman.
•
To represent, where appropriate, the Federation as head of any Branch
delegation attending meetings with local government officials or officials of any
official or non-official bodies.
•
To represent the Federation at local functions where in his judgement it should be
represented.
•
To be available to the local media when necessary during the tenure of his office
to issue statements or make announcements on matters of national or Federation
issues in keeping with the declared policies of the Federation.
•
To be aware of and apply the constitution at Branch level.
•
To ensure the smooth running of the Branch.
•
To liaise with the Branch Secretary over the production of meeting agenda.
•
To delegate a Branch Vice-Chairman or other appropriate member to carry out
his duties if for any reason he is unable to fulfil them.
Roles and Duties of Officers
Issue 2013
THE OFFICE OF REGIONAL AND BRANCH SECRETARY
ROLE
The office of Regional and Branch Secretary within the Federation is an elected
office that carries with it a number of essential tasks. These are explained in more
detail in the Guide for Region and Branch Secretaries issued following election.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure that Region and Branch meetings are called on a regular basis and in
accordance with the rules.

To liaise with the Regional or Branch Chairman in the preparation of an agenda.

To attend and minute all meetings of the Regional or Branch committee.

To receive and respond to correspondence in accordance with decisions of the
Regional Committee.

To call for nominations for election at Annual General Meeting.

To ensure the Region and Branch Annual General Meeting is called in
accordance with the rules.

To ensure any returns to Head Office are made within the time specified.

To become familiar with the Regional or Branch rules and Standing Orders and to
ensure that copies are available at every committee meeting.
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THE OFFICE OF REGIONAL AND BRANCH TREASURER
ROLE
The Regional and Branch Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that all financial
transactions are: (a) within their approved budget (b) covered by clause 3 of the
Memorandum of Association (c) within official standing Procedures and maximum
limits (d) wherever relevant, authorised by committee concerned.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To keep their committees fully informed of the true state of their finances using
the monthly statement of Income & Expenditure and Reserves provided by Head
Office.

Prepare and deliver a written summary of income and expenditure to all members
attending or entitled to attend Region and Branch Annual General Meetings.

To ensure the Region or Branch financial affairs are run in accordance with the
Financial Procedures for the Federation of Small Businesses.

To comply with Head Office financial procedures.

To prepare an annual budget in accordance with Treasury Committee guidelines.
Roles and Duties of Officers
Issue 2013
NATIONAL COUNCIL
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National Council is the governing body of the FSB and exercises overall control of
its affairs.
It consists of the Executive and one National Councillor from each region.
The National Chairman presides.
The role of the Council includes:
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Determination of FSB policy
Control of FSB funds
Receiving reports from the various bodies with delegated powers
Dealing with issues that are outside the jurisdiction of any other body or
committee
Ruling on any issue referred to it in accordance with the Rules.
It operates under the Memorandum, Articles and Rules supported by the Manual
of Standard Procedures. These identify the roles and authority of all bodies
within the FSB and define the duties and responsibilities of individuals.
A NATIONAL COUNCILLOR:
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Is elected for one year by the members of his Region at AGM following a
democratic nomination and voting procedure.
Is an integral part of the regional committee and carries 1 vote.
May also be a branch representative on the regional committee but only carries 1
vote.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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To attend all meetings of National Council.
To inform the Deputy National Councillor and Regional Secretary if he is unable
to attend a Council meeting.
To represent the views of his Region at National Council. Subject to the
obligation to exercise his role in what he considers to be the best interests of the
Federation, even if this conflicts with any directions of the Regional committee.
To present a report to each meeting of the Regional committee on the business
transacted.
When specifically requested to vote in the Council in accordance with a resolution
of the regional committee, to be free to exercise his own judgement not to do so if
it is regarded as being in the wider interests of the Federation as a whole.
Is a director of the FSB and is registered as such at Companies House. This
carries a responsibility for ensuring that the high reputation and good name of the
Federation is maintained at regional level.
If the National Councillor or Deputy National Councillor fails to attend two
consecutive council meetings, the regional committee must appoint one of its
number to serve for the remainder of the term of office of the original National
Councillor.
Roles and Duties of Officers
Issue 2013
DEPUTY NATIONAL COUNCILLORS
ROLE AND REGISTRATION AS A DIRECTOR

A Deputy National Councillor is effectively in the same position as an Alternate
Director. Responsibility arises from these actions, not from registration at
Companies House.

A Deputy National Councillor’s duties only arise in the absence of the National
Councillor, ie when attending and voting at National Council meeting.

Registration as a director in the Companies Registry has no effect upon the
position, duties, rights and obligations of a Deputy National Councillor under the
constitution of the FSB except in so far as his actions when acting in place of the
absent National Councillor.

A Deputy National Councillor cannot be held responsible for business transacted
at a meeting he was not entitled to attend and vote under the constitution.

A Deputy National Councillor’s duties as a director of the FSB do not extend
beyond his duties under the constitution as a Deputy National Councillor.
Roles and Duties of Officers
Issue 2013