> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://strategy.gfmd.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://strategy.gfmd.info/governance/general-assembly/2021/agenda/pre-assembly.md).

# 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](/master.md). 

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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{% content-ref url="/pages/-Mj9BLIQQz5Vmw2twdD7" %}
[Broken mention](broken://pages/-Mj9BLIQQz5Vmw2twdD7)
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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](/governance/general-assembly/2021/agenda/pre-assembly.md#13-aug-10-sept-2021).&#x20;
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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. &#x20;
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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).&#x20;

* **Read the new Constitution** [**here**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit)**.**&#x20;
* **Download the presentation that was shared at the meeting from the link below:**&#x20;
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{% file src="/files/-Mk1nskDwrWQn5wYM56o" %}
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](/governance/steering-committee/candidates.md) 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](broken://pages/-MgpxWhNGVDPqzZeh8xx#steering-committee). &#x20;

### - Voting to adopt the new GFMD Constitution

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

Following the consultation process -- [13 Aug. - 10 Sept.](/governance/general-assembly/2021/agenda/pre-assembly.md#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](/reports/2016-2021/activity.md)
* [GFMD financial report 2017-2021](/reports/2016-2021/finance.md)
* [Draft GFMD strategy 2021-2025](/planning/general-strategy-2021-25/2021-2025-draft-strategic-plan.md)&#x20;
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