Frustrated with how things are going at work? Got an idea that could fix something broken? Then you’ve already taken the first step to contributing to Napo policy. Because at Napo it all starts with you.
Napo isn’t just a service. It’s a space for members to speak up, shape the agenda, and hold the union to account. That’s not a slogan, it’s how we’re built. Every policy Napo holds, every campaign we run, every national demand we make has one thing in common: it began with members.
Whether you’re concerned about unsafe workloads, want a stronger anti-racism stance, or believe your profession is being hollowed out or underfunded; this is where change starts.
What is AGM – and why does it matter?
AGM (our Annual General Meeting) is where Napo sets its policies for the year. Members from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland come together to debate motions, share experiences, and vote on what Napo should be doing and saying.
And when we say every vote is equal, we mean it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the union for 20 years or joined last week, your voice carries the same weight. That’s democracy in action.
Last year, motions passed at AGM helped shape our response to the cost-of-living crisis, reasserted our commitment to anti-racism, and ramped up our campaigning on workloads and mental health. Real issues. Real impact.
Got an idea? Turn it into policy
It doesn’t take a committee of experts to write a motion. Just two members, or a branch, or a committee/ network. If there’s something you care about and want to see Napo take a stand on, you can write it, submit it, and have it debated at AGM.
Here’s how it works:
- You write a motion – a clear statement of what you want Napo to do or change.
- You get support – either from another member, or through your branch/network.
- You submit it by the deadline 12 noon 13 August – and once accepted, it goes into the running order for debate at AGM.
- You speak for it. You vote. And if it passes, it becomes official Napo policy.
Need help writing one? Your branch can help you or you can check out this Handy guide to writing motions. Either way, you don’t have to do it alone.
Can’t wait until October? There’s another route
Some issues just can’t wait. That’s where the National Executive Committee (NEC) comes in. The NEC is Napo’s decision-making body between AGMs. It votes on urgent matters, responds to emerging issues, and makes sure we’re sticking to the policies members set.
Each branch has a rep on the NEC. If there’s something you want acted on sooner, your branch can take it directly to an NEC meeting and ask for a decision.
This isn’t someone else’s union – it’s yours
Too often, it can feel like things are happening to you, not with you. But Napo doesn’t work like that. You’re not just a subscriber. You’re a policymaker, a decision-shaper, a driver of change.
And there’s many different ways you can do get involved. By submitting a motion, attending AGM, or just turning up to your next branch meeting. It doesn’t matter which as long as you’re involved.
Take action this month:
- Contact your branch to find out how to get a motion on the agenda
- Talk to a colleague about seconding your motion
- Start a conversation in your team or network about the issues that matter to you
- Check out last year’s motions/Resolutions to see what’s been done – and what still needs doing
- Submit your motion using the form that can be found at https://www.napo.org.uk/agm
Because who runs this union? You do. And if you want things to change, the power’s already in your hands.
One Response
Need to be given a decent pay increase. Money – pittance for the amount of work which is done, daily changes, more challenging each day. dealing with higher crime. More MH, and working with drugs and alcohol issues. Government need to pay better this is not a normal day at work. It is really hard and stressful day after day and it is exhausting for every part of probation from the Reception,Admin right the way through. The government need to come to Probation Office themselves for a period of 2 weeks to see for themselves not for a day and go away and think things will resolve.