Inaugural Annual Members’ Meeting

Our first Annual Members’ Meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th August at The Merse (the old Church Hall on Lochancroft Lane) from 7pm – 8.30pm.

Our Annual Members’ Meeting of the Wigtown Community Inn Community Benefit Society is a special milestone for us – a chance to share what we’ve achieved so far, and look ahead to the year to come. The past year has been a whirlwind of hard work, community spirit, and a shared belief in what this pub and project can mean for the people of Wigtown. It will be about celebrating that progress, showing the impact on the community, being open about the challenges, and making sure every Member’s voice helps shape our next steps.

We’re looking for people who can not only support the project, but take an active role in shaping its future by joining the Management Committee. In particular, we’d welcome Members who could take on roles such as Secretary, Deputy Chair, or a Personal Licence Holder, as well as those with experience in HR and recruitment, facilities management, hospitality, or volunteer co-ordination. If you’ve got relevant skills – or just the passion to learn – please submit a nomination form at the bottom of this page. Your involvement could make a real difference in the years ahead.

Who’s currently involved?

Current Management Committee

Craig Hamnett (Chairperson), Tracey Warmen (Secretary), George Moore (Treasurer), Pennie Cumming, Peter Dobson, Julie Willan, David Cannon, Gillian Wray, Kate Brown, Nadine McGaw

Bar/Events Subcommittee

David Cannon, Ada Montgomery, Julie Willan, Nadine McGaw, Craig Hamnett, Leanne McGaw, Gillian Hamnett

Decor Subcommittee

Julie Willan, Ada Montgomery, Rosanna Dobson, Gillian Hamnett

Kitchen Subcommittee

Frank Irvine, Stuart Taylor, Molly Hanson-Steel, David Cannon, Leanne McGaw, George Moore, Nadine McGaw, Craig Hamnett

Volunteer Co-ordinators

Meg MacPherson, Pennie Cumming

All positions on the Management Committee and any Subcommittees are undertaken on a voluntary basis. We’re incredibly grateful to those who give their time, skills, and energy freely to help run and improve the project. This spirit of volunteering is at the heart of our community ownership, and every contribution – big or small – helps us achieve more together.

    Nomination Form: Management Committee Election



    Home address




    Are you a Community Member or Supporter Member?

    Are you over 16 years of age?

    Personal Statement

    Declaration

    By submitting this application you confirm that you:

    • Are a current Member of the Society

    • Support its Purpose and Objects

    • Are willing to serve as a member of the Management Committee if elected

    • Agree to sign and abide by the Committee's Code of Conduct

    We will accept Management Committee nominations on the day of the meeting, but it will help streamline the procedure if your nomination is submitted beforehand, thank you!

    AMM Procedure

    Step-down of Current Committee

    Under Rule 10.3, all current (founding/incumbent) committee members must retire at the first Annual Members’ Meeting. They are eligible for re-election. Members of Subcommittees are not elected and thus do not stand down from their current roles.

    Management Committee Size

    • Minimum: 3 members
    • Maximum: 12 members
    • Co-opted members: No more than ¼ (i.e. max 3) may be co-opted by the Committee.
    • Reserved seat: One seat is reserved for Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative.
    • Community Members must form a majority of the Committee.
    • No more than 2 seats may be filled by Supporter Members (i.e. those not residing in the community) (See Rule 5.1 & 5.2)

    Management Committee Roles/Skillsets Needed

    • Secretary
    • Deputy Chair
    • Personal License holder
    • HR and Recruitment experience
    • Facilities management experience
    • Hospitality experience
    • Volunteer co-ordination experience

    Nomination & Election Process

    • Nominations and elections must follow procedures determined by the Management Committee (Rule 5.6).
    • Only Members over the statutory minimum age (16+) may be elected (Rule 5.7).
    • Members can be co-opted until the next AMM, but elected positions are filled by vote at the Members’ Meeting (Rule 5.5).
    • Members are encouraged to submit a nomination form before the AMM, but can also be nominated at the meeting.
    • All candidates must:
      • Be over 16 years old
      • Be current Members
      • Support the Society’s Purpose and Objects
      • Agree to adopt a Code of Conduct

    Voting Procedure

    • Voting takes place at the Annual Members’ Meeting (Rule 4.4.4).
    • One Member = One Vote (Rule 4.18).
    • Voting is by show of hands (Rules 4.16–4.22).
    • Simple majority decides, unless otherwise stated (Rule 4.19).

    Counting & Results

    • Votes will be counted by the Secretary (as Returning Officer), supported by two independent scrutineers.
    • Candidates are ranked by total votes received.
    • The top-ranking candidates are elected subject to:
      • A Community Member majority
      • A maximum of 2 Supporter Members
    • If these conditions aren’t met, adjustments are made by:
      • Prioritising the highest-voted eligible candidates
      • Disqualifying excess Supporter Members (beyond 2) even if they score higher

    Staggered Terms (to be established at the AMM)

    To create continuity after this first election (Rule 10.4):

    • ⅓ of those elected (highest votes): 3-year term
    • ⅓ (next highest): 2-year term
    • Remaining ⅓: 1-year term

    After this initial staggering, all future terms will be three years, with a maximum of 3 consecutive terms before a 12-month break is required (Rule 5.5.A).

    What Happens if There Are More Than 12 Candidates?

    Members vote, and the 12 candidates with the most votes are elected.

    • Community Members must form a majority of the Committee (Rule 5.2).
    • No more than 2 Supporter Members can be elected.

    If a tie occurs for the 12th spot, a runoff vote will be held at the meeting by show of hands.