Page 13 - How to run and represent a party

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13
4. PARTY LEVELS AND RELEVANT
STRUCTURES
This section deals with the Party’s organization and structure.
LOCAL - MEMBERS - BRANCH
We start at the base because the local party structure is the most important; it is the party’s
root and the foundation. The stronger this foundation, the stronger the party as a whole is.
In any area a certain number of members can form a local party structure called a
Branch.
The number of members in a Branch can vary, often consisting of between 50 and
1 000 members, sometimes more. The Branch formulates and proposes policies to higher
levels. It also holds higher structures in the party to account. The Branch is the party’s
most important body. Branch members are the party’s ear to the ground and also the best
‘ambassadors’ for the party since they are able to talk directly to people in the
communities.
The key task for a Branch is to recruit members and activate them. The members’ skills,
energy and political insights are what form and develop the party’s politics and
organization. A Branch with active members and many activities that reach out to society
are a party’s best assets.
This manual focuses on the building of the Branch. Provided within are guidelines on
setting up and running structures and meetings and tips on how a Branch can work in its
community.
BRANCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Party’s highest decision making body at any level is the Annual General Meeting
(AGM) where representatives from lower structures elect Executive Committees. At local
level AGMs, the members elect the Branch Executive Committee (BEC) which consists of
a number of portfolios.
The BEC is elected at the AGM and consists of a chairperson, deputy chairperson,
secretary, deputy secretary, treasurer and between three and ten additional members. The