The Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Service’s constitution requires the AGM to take place before the end of August each year.

The prohibition of large group gatherings under Level 3 of the government’s risk-adjusted lockdown stages means that we will unlikely be able to have a physical AGM within this time frame.

There are also different requirements to get potential resolutions submitted and nomination processes in place, which have not been possible given the lockdown situation.

A virtual AGM is an option, but we believe that many of our supporters would not be properly equipped to participate fully in an online meeting.

These are unprecedented times and there are no guidelines within our constitution on how to deal with this situation. While we appreciate the requirements of the constitution, we believe that the situation calls for an extraordinary response.

In view of the circumstances, the executive committee, in consultation with the governing body, made the following decisions with regard to the 2020 AGM:

1. To postpone the 2020 AGM until such time as Stepping Stone Hospice is able legally and practically, to convene an AGM.

2. To extend the term of all current governing body members until a new committee can be elected, with an agreement to continue in these positions from the current governing body members. (All current office bearers have agreed to extend their term as proposed).

The landscape is changing on a daily basis and we must be responsible, decisive and flexible to adapt quickly to evolving circumstances so that we ensure the survival of our organisation.

Tersia Burger, CEO