EXECUTIVE ENLARGED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31247, 20 December 1966, Page 35

EXECUTIVE ENLARGED

Youth Hostels Association

Each of the 25 branches of the Youth Hostel Association will in future be represented at the annual and special meetings of the association. The national council previously consisted of only 12 representatives.

The decision to increase the number was made at a special meeting in Christchurch. It is the first time for about 10 years that the constitution has been amended. The new constitution and regulations will come into effect after the annual meeting on April 29 and 30.

The executive has also been increased from five to eight members and will meet more frequently, not less than four times a year. There will be four regional councils compared with 12 previously, and it is anticipated that they will play an increasingly important part in the affairs of the association.

The old system of voting, which was based solely on branch membership, has been amended to include recognition of hostel usage in branch areas. This means that the smaller branches which have busy hostels, but only a small membership—for example Invercargill—will have some voice in association affairs.

The management of each hostel will be under the control of the branch, but the national executive will assume financial responsibility for hostel maintenance and administration.