# Pre-assembly (2 Aug. - 28 Sept.)

## 2 August 2021

### - Date of General Assembly announced

### - Calls for candidates for GFMD Steering Committee

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**FORMAT:** Email to the GFMD members email list: [*GFMD Members’ Digest - 2nd August 2021 + SAVE THE DATE! GFMD General Assembly September 30th & October 1st 2021*](https://groups.io/g/gfmd-members/message/269) 
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As well as announcing the date and explaining the hybrid format of the event **the email announced that General members are able to submit applications to be a candidate for the next (2021-2025 Steering Committee using this form:** [**https://forms.gle/bdfnW9hALPQxk6229**](https://forms.gle/bdfnW9hALPQxk6229) 
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## 13 Aug. - 10 Sept. 2021

### - Consultation period for changes to GFMD Constitution 

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**13 Aug. - 10 Sept. 2021**

On August 13th the Secretariat published and shared proposed amendments, additions to, and questions about GFMD's new constitution and bylaws along with a rationale for the proposals on the [GFMD strategy development workspace](https://strategy.gfmd.info/master). 

General members were asked to submit their comments and suggestions for amendments and addition to the GFMD constitution and bylaws in advance of the meeting by using [this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeL_7qP0gNOR16PE58KWRRxrFo7Fcm0EeVfW6b1u5_xyZMlzg/viewform). 

*As per GFMD’s constitution, these proposed changes were shared more than 45 days before the General Assembly.* 
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## 10 September 2021

### - Deadline for members to submit candidacy for GFMD Steering Committee

### - Deadline for feedback about the proposed changes to the GFMD Constitution

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**FORMAT:** Online only 
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10th September was the deadline for General members to submit their applications to join the GFMD Steering Committee by August 20th 2021. 

**General members were able to submit applications using** [**this form**](https://forms.gle/bdfnW9hALPQxk6229)**.**
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[Broken link](https://strategy.gfmd.info/governance/general-assembly/2021/agenda/broken-reference)
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10th September was also the deadline for General members to submit their [feedback about the first draft of the new GFMD Constitution](#13-aug-10-sept-2021). 
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## 15 - 17 September 2021

### - Constitutional changes finalised and presented to members

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**15th September**

The final draft of [GFMD's new constitution](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit?usp=sharing) was published and shared with General members for final comments.  
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**17th September** - **1500 CEST**

The Secretariat hosted an online meeting for GFMD members to answer any outstanding questions about changes to the [GFMD constitution](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit?usp=sharing). 

* **Read the new Constitution** [**here**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit)**.** 
* **Download the presentation that was shared at the meeting from the link below:** 
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{% file src="<https://2799981049-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MR5bhYBAByNiK9AJSoj%2F-Mk1nEDWjlCwjOsOiacw%2F-Mk1nskDwrWQn5wYM56o%2FGFMD%20Constitution%20-%20Key%20Changes.pptx?alt=media&token=c7659c1f-c224-48a0-a217-1b0cb025ab23>" %}
GFMD Constitution - Key Changes
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## 21 - 28 September 2021

### - Voting for new Steering Committee

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**FORMAT:** Online only&#x20;

* Secretariat published and shared the [list of candidates](https://strategy.gfmd.info/governance/steering-committee/candidates) for the Steering Committee alongside their written presentations.&#x20;

* Secretariat shared details of how each member should use the online voting system.
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* Read more about the Steering Committee's mandate in the [new GFMD Constitution](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit?usp=sharing), Section VI.&#x20;

* See our [FAQs on the Steering Committee here](https://strategy.gfmd.info/governance/general-assembly/2021/agenda/broken-reference). &#x20;

### - Voting to adopt the new GFMD Constitution

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**FORMAT:** Online only&#x20;

Following the consultation process -- [13 Aug. - 10 Sept.](#13-aug-10-sept-2021) -- and the final change publication of the final proposed new constitution -- 15 Sept. -- voting on the [final draft of the new Constitution](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit?usp=sharing) is took place from 21-28th September 2021.
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## 27 September 2021

### - Five-year reports shared with General members

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**FORMAT:** Online only&#x20;
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Secretariat publishes and shares:

* [GFMD activity report for 2017-2021](https://strategy.gfmd.info/reports/2016-2021/activity)
* [GFMD financial report 2017-2021](https://strategy.gfmd.info/reports/2016-2021/finance)
* [Draft GFMD strategy 2021-2025](https://strategy.gfmd.info/planning/general-strategy-2021-25/2021-2025-draft-strategic-plan)&#x20;
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