Aims, Constitution, AGM Guidelines & Code of Conduct

Aims

The Stop the War Coalition was formed on September 21st, 2001 at a public meeting of over 2,000 people in London. The platform statement above was ratified at public meetings held in October 2001 in London.

1. The aim of the Coalition should be very simple: to stop the war currently declared by the United States and its allies against ‘terrorism’. We condemn the attacks on New York and we feel the greatest compassion for those who lost their life on 11th September 2001. But any war will simply add to the numbers of innocent dead, cause untold suffering, political and economic instability on a global scale, increase racism and result in attacks on civil liberties. The aims of the campaign would be best expressed in the name Stop the War Coalition.
2. Supporters of the Coalition, whether organisations or individuals, will of course be free to develop their own analyses and organise their own actions. But there will be many important occasions when united initiatives around broad stop the war slogans can mobilise the greatest numbers.
3. The Coalition shall elect a steering committee which reflects the breadth of those involved to carry forward the aims and objectives. Local groups should have regular, open and inclusive meetings.
4. We call on all peace activists and organisations, trade unionists, campaigners and labour movement organisations to join with us in building a mass movement that can stop the drive to war.
5. We are committed to opposing any racist backlash generated by this war. We will fight to stop the erosion of civil rights.

Constitution

Objectives

1. The objectives of the Coalition are as set out in its founding statement of aims, as may be amended by its national conference as it considers appropriate.

Affiliation

1. The Coalition is open to the affiliation of any organisation that accepts those objectives, and of any local Coalition that works in support of them, on payment of an affiliation fee as laid down by conference.

Individual Membership

1. Any individual may become a member of the Coalition who supports its objectives and pays an annual subscription as laid down by conference.

Conference

1. The Steering Committee of the Coalition shall convene a national conference not less than once every eighteen months.
2. The Conference shall be convened on a representative and equitable basis, with the basis for representation to be determined by the Steering Committee.
3. The Conference shall have the power to decide changes to the Coalition’s statement of aims, and adopt any resolutions appropriate to the Coalition’s work which may be submitted by affiliated organisations or local Coalitions.
4. The conference shall receive a financial report from the Steering Committee, and shall elect the Steering Committee.

Steering Committee

1. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for directing the national work of the Coalition in line with its objectives. It shall set national guidelines for the Coalition’s political work, ensure that proper accounts are maintained and shall supervise the office of the Coalition and any employees.
2. The Steering Committee shall elect such officers, in addition to the Chair, Convenor and Treasurer directly elected by Conference, as it feels necessary to ensure the discharge of these responsibilities and to conduct the day-to-day work of the Coalition.

AGM Guidelines

Every local Stop the War Group should aim to hold an Annual General Meeting, ideally at roughly the same time each year. This gives an opportunity to review work, elect officers and plan activity.

All members of Stop the War in each location should be invited to attend, both national members (those paying StWC centrally) and local members. A list of the former can be obtained from the national office. At least a fortnight’s notice should be given of the meeting (ideally by email), which should be held in a venue accessible to all – note, some Muslim supporters may be uncomfortable attending a meeting on licensed premises.

Meetings can be held in person, on zoom, or in hybrid format as preferred.

The agenda of an AGM should include a political opening, which may also review the work the group has done over the preceding period. It may also consider any resolutions compatible with StWC national policy (available on our website) which members may submit on suggestions for future campaigning. If given sufficient notice, the national office will endeavour to provide a national officer of the coalition to speak at the meeting.

All members attending the meeting have an equal right to speak and vote. There is no length-of-membership requirement for attending and voting.

The AGM should elect officers for the coming year. These should include a Chair, a Secretary (or Convener) and a Treasurer as a minimum. Other officers – for publicity, social media, events, youth, trade unions etc – can be elected as possible and as the meeting desires.

The AGM should receive a financial report and accounts for the preceding year, and vote on accepting the same.

After the AGM, the national office should be advised of the names and contact details of officers and of any resolutions passed. This should also be circulated to all members in your group, whether or not they attended.

The national office can answer any questions and may be able to assist with practical arrangements if that is required, again given sufficient notice.

Code of Conduct

We ask all members and those active on behalf of Stop the War Coalition to abide by the following code of conduct:

We want all Stop the War Coalition members and participants to feel respected and comfortable in the movement.

Healthy debate plays an important part in our activities, but it’s possible for debate to get out of hand. No matter how passionately you feel there is never an excuse to be abusive or aggressive.

Any volunteers or individuals who campaign on behalf of Stop the War Coalition at any level of the organisation must be treated with respect and consideration.

We take the issue of equal opportunities very seriously. At all our events we aim to create an environment that is accessible to everyone and one that is free from discrimination and prejudice.

Any discriminatory comments, including, but not limited to: sexist, racist, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, homophobic, transphobic, ageist or disablist comments, are not allowed, even if you don’t mean to offend. This stands for all communications on behalf of Stop the War including any social media posts and emails.

The national officers will investigate and act upon formal complaints made, including having the power to suspend/remove membership or affiliation. Such decisions are final, unless appealed during the Annual General Meeting.