About DSGA

Executive

  • Chair: Bruce Levitan
  • Vice-Chair: vacant
  • Secretary: Cilla Hollman
  • Treasurer: Stephanie Marbrow
  • Exec Member: Chasca Twyman
  • Exec Member: John Payne
  • Exec Member: Matthew Varnham

What we do

DGSA an organisation for all Derbyshire Governors. Our main aim is to provide a voice for Derbyshire Governors to the Local Authority and beyond. The Executive meets monthly to discuss issues affecting our schools. We share a Governor’s perspective with the Local Authority, meeting with them once a term. In addition, we attend some of the specialist groups, e.g. DDSCP Executive Board and associated sub-groups, DIASS Advisory Board and Schools Forum. We contribute to the governors’ section of the annual Leadership Conference hosted by the county. We welcome new members to the Executive Board, so please get in touch if you are interested.

Constitution

The name of the Association shall be the Derbyshire School Governors’ Association (herein after referred to as “the Association”).

AIMS

The Association shall:

  1. Be an independent forum for all Governing Bodies of schools in Derbyshire, including Academies;
  2. Act as the local representative and consultative body to the Local Authority, Government, and other relevant bodies;
  3. Encourage cooperation between Governing Bodies to further the interests of children;
  4. Promote high standards in the exercise of Governing Bodies’ responsibilities;
  5. Encourage, support and monitor the provision of independent information, research, advice and training for governors and Governing Bodies in cooperation with other organisations;
  6. Affiliate to the National Governors’ Association, participate in their activities, and work with relevant other national organisations towards a single focus for all Governing Bodies;
  7. Hold events, either alone or with others, to advance the quality of provision of public education within Derbyshire.

MEMBERSHIP

  1. Membership is open to the Governing Bodies of all Derbyshire Local Authority schools and Academy Trusts.
  2. Individual membership is open to any Governor or Trustee of a Derbyshire L.A. school or Trust, or governance professionals in Derbyshire schools.
  3. Honorary non-voting membership may be offered to other relevant bodies at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the DSGA.
  4. There is no membership fee. However, if the need should arise in future, the Association reserves the right to introduce one.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE and OFFICERS

  1. The Executive Committee is responsible for the general management of the Association.
  2. The Executive Committee consists of up to 20 members; up to 16 elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and up to 4 co-opted by those elected.
  3. The quorum for Committee meetings is four.
  4. At the first meeting after the AGM the Committee elects the Officers of the Association to hold office for one year, all of whom must be members of the Committee.
  5. Committee meetings are held monthly with the exception of August and December.
  6. The Executive may co-opt non-Governors where their specific skillset will be an advantage. Co-opted members will have voting rights.

OTHER COMMITTEES

  1. The Executive Committee may establish Sub-Committees to address specific/topical issues within education.
  2. Each sub-committee will determine their terms of reference which will be ratified by the Executive Committee.
  3. Sub-Committees must be chaired by a Member of the Executive Committee.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

  1. The Annual General Meeting is normally in March;
  2. The Agenda of the AGM shall include;
  • Officer reports on the proceedings of the Association in the previous year, including a financial statement;
  • The election of the Executive Committee;
  • Consideration of any resolutions submitted by members to the Executive Committee at least 21 days before the AGM and signed by a minimum of three current members;
  • Any proposed amendments to the Constitution.

FINANCE

  1. All monies raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the Aims of the Association, and for no other purposes, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent payment in good faith of the reasonable and proper recompense of any member of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses authorised by the Executive.
  2. The Treasurer manages the financial affairs and keeps proper accounts, making sure all monies are paid into the bank account held by the Association.
  3. Withdrawals from the Association accounts shall be valid only on the signatures of any two from three named Officers.
  4. The financial year of the Association is from September 1st to August 31st.
  5. Accounts are independently verified annually and presented at the AGM.

MEETINGS

  1. Full meetings of the Association are referred to as Assemblies.
  2. Assemblies may be called to consider special and immediate concerns either by the Committee or at the request of 10 or more members.

AMENDMENTS

  1. Proposals for amendments to the Constitution must be submitted to the Chair at least 21 days before the AGM.
  2. Proposals may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by 3 current members and should be communicated to members with the Agenda and notice of the AGM.
  3. Amendments require the support of a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at the AGM.

DISSOLUTION

  1. The Committee may propose by simple majority the dissolution of the Association by calling a Special Assembly with at least 40 days’ notice.
  2. Dissolution requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. Remaining assets are transferred to a similar non-profit body.
  3. In the event of dissolution any assets remaining after debts and liabilities are settled shall be given, or transferred to, other organisations with similar objectives as determined by the Committee.

(last updated 22 April 2025)