TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Reforming the Constitution
- What Is the Fringe Society?
- Timeline for the Festival Fringe Society Proposed Constitutional Review
INTRODUCTION
The Festival Fringe Society (FFS) exists to support Fringe performers and venues through promotion, marketing and the sale of tickets, as well as providing information about the Fringe to the public and acting as an advocate for the Fringe.
At the 2008 AGM, the Society’s board gave a commitment to review the constitution. The current constitution of the Fringe Society was written in 1969. It is widely accepted that that this constitution is no longer ‘fit for purpose’. The FFS needs a constitution that reflects the demands of the world’s largest open-access arts festival with over 250 unique and ever-changing venues and now over 2,000 shows each year.
The Fringe Society board have established a Working Group to lead the constitutional renewal process. The working group has now come forward with an ambitious plan for extensive consultation with the Fringe’s stakeholders ahead of a new constitution being in place by this time next year.
The working group are convinced that the founding core objectives of the Fringe Society are as relevant today as they were in 1969. Any constitutional changes should enhance this work not detract from it.
Terms of Reference for the Working Group
- To review the current composition of, and process of election to, the FFS board.
- To provide options for change, with models of alternatives.
- To identify options for change to the constitution.
- To determine the process for changing the constitution/memorandum and articles.
- To determine breadth, process and time scale of consultation.
- To fix a timeline for delivering final options.
- To present final options for discussion and adoption at either an extraordinary general meeting or the AGM in 2010.
REFORMING THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitutional Reform Working Group propose that the first stage in the process is a widespread online survey. An opportunity for everyone to have their say. Later stages of the consultation will include ‘open space’ meetings for live participation in the debate later this year and early next year. For full details on the consultation timetable, see below. The final part of the process will be a special meeting in June/July 2010 to discuss the options that have emerged and vote on any change. It is envisaged that next year the AGM of the FFS will be under the new constitution.
The Working Group has put together a set of questions on the constitution, the membership and the board to try and structure the responses. There will also be room (up to 600 words) for any other suggestions you might have.
WHAT IS THE FRINGE SOCIETY?
The Festival Fringe Society (FFS) is the company that organises the structure that underpins the Edinburgh Fringe. It is not the Fringe. It does not put on the shows, run the venues, make people laugh, cry or sit in stunned silence. That is achieved by the participants – the performers, the venues and producers. The FFS provides the information, the box office, the advice and support to enable the largest arts festival in the world. It is a charity limited by guarantee with directors who have the responsibility for running it. It has a simple set of objectives in the current constitution.
The Working Group agreed that the primary aims of the FFS remain that the Society:
- advises, supports and encourages all participants at the Festival Fringe;
- provides comprehensive information services, including ticketing, to the participants and the public;
- promotes the entire Fringe as a festival in the context of Edinburgh and other festivals;
- maintains a sustainable business through fundraising and commercial activities.
It is widely accepted that the way the board is established and the relationship between the members of the company and that board has got out of date and no longer fits the requirements of the company. The board has the responsibility for running the FFS, not in a day-to-day sense, but setting the strategy for the FFS and making sure that the company is financially fit, the staff are implementing the aims of the company and the business plan. The board’s role is typically: to agree goals for the FFS and the strategy to achieve them; to ensure that the process of determining those goals and strategy is in some way accountable to the needs of the participants; to monitor the performance of the organisation against its goals and agree key performance indicators; to hold the management of the FFS (senior staff) to account; to assess, sanction and manage risk; and to be accountable to the Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR.
TIMELINE FOR THE FESTIVAL FRINGE SOCIETY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
- September 2009: Call for responses to consultation goes out to stakeholders.
- October 2009: Deadline for submission of consultation responses.
- December 2009: Findings of consultation submissions published.
- January 2010: Working Group hold meetings with stakeholder groups.
- August 2010: ‘Open Space’ meeting held to discuss consultation.
- October 2010: Final proposed constitutional amendments published.
- November 2010: General meeting held to vote on constitutional amendments.
If you have any views on how the Fringe Society might be better ran, the Society’s board would be delighted to hear from you at any time. You can email us at review@edfringe.com.
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