I hope that you all feel well rested and reenergized for what promises to be another year of challenges ahead, both in continuing to shape the direction of your union but also in continuing to provide help and support to your members locally.

At AU, our key objectives for 2026 will be engagement and member growth, and we all have a part to play in this space. Very soon, your NEC rep will be talking to you about your plans for growth in your area, and don’t forget to take full advantage of the ‘Starter 4 10’ campaign. Remember, this is open to all reps and members, and just by advocating for Advance you can get £10 for each member recruited.

We have a renewed focus on Area Committee meetings this year as they are a very important step in firstly keeping you, as reps, engaged and up to date, but also they play an important role in making sure the views of members are presented in the right way and in the right forum. If you haven’t already, you will soon see your NEC member send out invites for the full year, so please make sure you engage with your manager to agree the time off needed to attend your Area Committee meetings but also the business meetings you would like to participate in.

Not wanting to steal the thunder from your Area Committee meeting but there will be a local plan for recruitment in your area and don’t forget that regardless of whether you are recruiting members as part of your local campaign or just proactively speaking with colleagues, you will be eligible for rewards under our Starter for 10 campaign.

As we continue to develop our new operating model, you will see there are more and more different ways for you to get involved with supporting and representing members. The work you do as reps is invaluable in delivering a first-class service to our members. There is scope to develop your union activities in recruitment, representation, both collective and individual, health and safety and governance, so please speak to either your NEC member or reach out to me directly if you have any questions about how you can become more involved. In addition, please continue to encourage members to engage with the webinars and podcasts and ensure you are following us on social media, liking and sharing our content.