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THE Scottish Independence Convention has evolved, together with some other organisations, into the new Movement for Scottish Independence (MSI) – and they plan to hold a conference in summer.
The Inaugural General Meeting (IGM) of MSI will take place on Thursday, April 27 at 7pm over Zoom and all existing members of SIC are automatically members unless they withdraw.
The group stated in their announcement that the meeting to establish an executive will "be followed by an MSI conference in the early summer" to develop future policies and actions.
The IGM will see the election of two co-conveners, with gender balance, as well as a secretary, treasurer and six executive members. All member organisations have one vote.
The group are seeking nominations for these positions. Candidates must be nominated by one member organisation and nominations must be received by April 20.
After the group receive the nominations, the list will be sent to members with the final agenda.
"This is a new opportunity for us at an important time for the independence campaign and we need your participation," the group said.
One SIC member previously told The National: “The movement needs to have an ongoing body which would convene big assemblies at regular intervals and feasibly build a prospectus for an independent Scotland – it would be representative of the movement, rather than the politicians.
"I think the key thing is that we’ve got a very strong window of opportunity here, to be able to say to the new leader that we’re the thing. So there’s a balance here but whatever we’ve got to do, we’ve got to do it quickly.”
It was recognised by the Independence Forum in February that, for an event or a convention to succeed, there had to be a single non-party-political body bringing together as many Yes groups as possible.
The forum also considered that the conference should not be a one-off event, but that it should work over a period at least until independence is achieved.
It is also understood that the body will eventually strive to include as many aspects of society, such as religious, educational, and health bodies as well trade unions, charities, and businesses, as possible.
