Ros Urwin expresses appreciation for the opportunity to connect with members at the SI Network’s Annual Conference and congratulates those receiving awards. She thanks former Board Directors Amanda Adamson, Kathryn Smith, and Gemma Cartwright for their significant contributions to advancing occupational therapy and Ayres Sensory Integration.

She shares details from a post-conference Open Forum meeting attended by around 12 members, including five former Directors. This unpublicised forum allowed discussion of concerns about the Network’s legal governance.

Key issues raised:

Disputed governance: The current Board claims to operate under 2004 Articles of Association, as the 2009 Articles (passed at an AGM) were not filed at Companies House. However, forum attendees argue that the 2009 Articles remain valid, as they were legally adopted via member vote.

Lack of transparency and communication: Members were not informed of significant changes, including Board resignations and the absence of occupational therapists on the current Board.

Accountability concerns: Questions about who the Board is accountable to and what defines a “member” were not clearly answered.

Urgent need for improved communication: Ros highlights the lack of AGMs since 2014 and calls for the Board to re-establish two-way communication and accountability with members.

She notes a follow-up letter from the Chair acknowledging concerns. Read More…