Name
The name of the Association is Hackney Independent Socialist Collective.
Hackney Independent Socialist Collective (HISC) is an unincorporated association and is non-profit making. It was formed for people with a common purpose to come together to act on achieving this shared purpose.
Aims & Objectives
HISC is an association that exists to further progressive politics and democratic engagement in Hackney. We aim to benefit the borough’s communities, campaigning for taxation and spending that prioritises the wellbeing of the many over the needs of the few, prioritising Community Wealth Building. We seek to do so by empowering ordinary people to have an active voice in local government, and by encouraging their activism and leadership. We aim to promote socialist policies and practice including by offering support to the Hackney Independent Socialist Group (HISG) on Hackney Council. We aim to improve Hackney’s housing, education, environment and quality of life for everyone living or working in the borough. At the heart of this is our socialist internationalist approach to human rights and justice.
We are committed to meeting the standards of the Nolan principles (Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership).
We are also committed to the following:
● The concept ‘buen vivir’ or in English ‘living well’ for all communities. Living well is equal for all communities without exception, having equal access to food, health, education and opportunities;
● A long term vision for our planet, its ecosystems and biodiversity. Everything we do seeks to regenerate and protect our planet. This is integral to our approach to current and future developments in housing, planning, transport, access to healthcare etc;
● Putting the rights of residents and workers’ at the front and centre of our policies and campaigns.
Structure & Organisation
Membership of the Collective is open to anyone who lives or works in Hackney and agrees with our aims and objectives, meets the standards of the Nolan principles, and is committed to the principle that every person is entitled to feel safe from harm and prejudice. Actions which are deemed in contradiction to these statements may result in suspension and/or termination of membership of the Collective.
Application for membership shall be by application form.
Members will be expected to contribute financially to the Collective. Fees will be affordable and on a sliding scale.
The officers of the Collective will review and recommend membership fees annually, to be approved at AGM.
Meetings. General meetings will be held at least three times a year and these may take the form of public assembly style meetings, open to all. These meetings will be dedicated to the discussion of current developments in the borough of Hackney, policy issues and to the development of HISC’s campaigning strategy.
Steering Group meetings of the officers of the association will take place monthly. Quorum for Steering Group meetings is FOUR. The Steering Group has the right to co-opt members as deemed necessary.
Officers. The officer positions of HISC are as follows: Chair; Secretary; Treasurer as a minimum. At least half of officer positions will be held by members who identify as women.
Elections. Votes will be conducted on the basis of one-person-one-vote, and will be done with a secret ballot.
AGM
An AGM will be held once every calendar year as a minimum. All members are entitled to attend.
The AGM will consider the Secretary’s Report, the Treasurer’s Report, and any proposed organisational changes, including any amendments to the constitution.
The AGM will elect the Officers and Auditors for the forthcoming year. Time shall also be allocated to review the success of electoral campaigns and discuss manifestos and plans for upcoming campaigns, either at the AGM or an accompanying conference.
An AGM need not be a standalone meeting. A conference can be organised as an adjunct, to serve other purposes of the organisation, so long as the AGM has reasonable time allocated to serve its governance and administrative purposes.
The inaugural AGM will necessarily be different. Its administrative purpose shall be to agree the constitution, governance and associated procedures. It will also elect the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Financial Scheme
All financial decisions will be made by the officers of the association. The financial year shall run from 1 January to 31 December. Audited annual accounts shall be presented to the next A.G.M.
The Treasurer administers the finances under the direction of the Steering Group. The Treasurer should be a member of the Steering Group. The Treasurer will be elected at the AGM.
The Treasurer will produce an annual statement of accounts for presentation to the AGM. The Treasurer will give separate reports and updates to the Steering Group on a quarterly basis, with information on transactions, campaign expenditure etc.
The AGM will elect two Auditors. Auditors shall inspect the Treasurer’s report before each AGM, and be given access to all relevant information in advance of the AGM. The Auditors shall make a report on the Treasurer’s report which shall be circulated with the Treasurer’s report.
Donations of more than £100 will be checked and verified and may be returned to the sender.
Bank account. A maximum of three officers, including the Treasurer will operate the HISC bank account and shall be the authorised signatories to the bank account.
Governance & rules
HISC seeks to minimise bureaucracy in its organisation and activities and to empower members. All activities organised in the name of HISC must adhere to our political values as stated in our aims and objectives.
Alterations to the Constitution may be made by ordinary motion and simple majority at the AGM, provided that notice of the proposed change is received by the Secretary for consideration at the Steering Group meeting preceding the AGM. The Secretary shall notify all members of any proposed changes that have been received.
Agreed by members of the initial Steering Group March 2025.