SNU AGM 2026: Results, Awards and a welcome to the new President & Vice President of the Union!

Delegates, members, officials and friends from all over the Union came together this weekend for one of the most important events in the SNU’s calendar – our Annual General Meeting.

Over what was an impassioned, robust and at times even emotional weekend, crucial business, discussion and votes were undertaken. Members exercised their democratic and constitutional right to raise queries, voice concerns and ask questions of the Union and its leaders.

Brilliantly chaired once again by Minister John Blackwood, given the sheer volume of Motions and anticipated levels of debate and input from delegates, it was communicated early on that it would be highly unlikely all tabled motions would be discussed and voted on in the time available. Any outstanding Motions and business would be carried forward to a future General Meeting of the SNU in due course.

The Chair also explained how Motions 14 and 15, being filed under Companies Act, would have to be voted upon before the weekend closed, owing to the legal obligation of the Union to complete voting on these Motions within a certain time period.

We are pleased to provide to members with a brief overview of the substantive motions that were floored, discussed and voted upon, along with the results.

Please note – an initial motion was submitted that requested Motions 14 and 15 were brought forward to be discussed and voted upon first. This Motion was taken as a show of hands both on the floor and with online delegates, and the Motion was carried.

Motion 14 – That, pursuant to Section 168 of the Companies Act 2006 and Article 41(d) of the Articles of Association of the Spiritualists’ National Union, Jackie Wright be removed from office as a director of the Spiritualists’ National Union with immediate effect.

Votes FOR – 487 (57.0%)

Votes AGAINST – 367 (43.0%)

MOTION CARRIED.

Motion 15 – That, pursuant to Section 168 of the Companies Act 2006 and Article 41(d) of the Articles of Association of the Spiritualists’ National Union, Les Henderson be removed from office as a director of the Spiritualists’ National Union with immediate effect.

Votes FOR – 436 (51.8%)

Votes AGAINST – 406 (48.2%)

MOTION CARRIED.

Motion A – That the decision by the National Executive Committee to void the most recent elections be overturned, and that the election results as announced stand.

This motion was undertaken as a show of hands in the room and online on Zoom, both of which were overseen by the AGM officials and scrutineers.

Whilst the exact number for and against the motion in the room is not currently available, the motion passed in the room by a notable margin that the scrutineers were happy to approve.

For online hands raised for Motion A:

Hands raised FOR – 90 (87%)

Hands raised AGAINST – 13 (13%)

MOTION CARRIED.

With the above motions all carried, it meant that at the close of the meeting, Minister Julia Almond began her term as President of the Spiritualists’ National Union, and Mr Des Beaumont OSNU began his term as Vice President.

Speaking at the outset of her Presidency, Minister Almond spoke of her gratitude and excitement as a new chapter began for the Union:

“Today marks a watershed for our Union!

“The members have spoken, democracy has won and now we step forward on to the next phase of our growth as a movement.

“I am looking forward to meeting people, to listening to your ideas and your hopes about how we can build a stronger Union together.

“I’d like to give thanks to our volunteers who work so hard to keep our church doors open, offering healing, friendship and evidence of survival.”

Mr Beaumont touchingly spoke to us of the need for the Union and religion of Spiritualism to come together once more, after what was for many a somber and emotive AGM:

“It does not matter who sits around any table – if we cannot find peace amongst ourselves, nothing will truly change.

“Every moment spent in conflict is time we do not spend supporting our churches, lifting our districts, and welcoming new souls to our faith.

Welcome to a new Executive – Minister Julia Almond (top) and Des Beaumont OSNU are your newly-elected President and Vice President of the Spiritualists’ National Union, respectively (photo © Kyle Pedley @SNU 2026).

“How can we ask people to join us if we ourselves feel lost? Isn’t it time we lay those differences down? Isn’t it time we come together?

“If we do – if we truly choose unity – we will make a difference. Nothing changes until we choose to change. But if we want it, if we build it together, our tomorrow will be brighter than our todays.”

Whilst the packed agenda and considerable number of important Motions meant that the AGM’s usual Sunday service and award ceremony had to be considerably truncated, nonetheless delegates once again paused to remember our Arisen Friends, and announce this year’s award winners, whom you will find listed at the bottom of this article.

I am sure you will join us all in congratulating all our wonderful award winners on their richly-deserved wins. Head Office will be posting out certificates and prizes to you all shortly.

We also take this moment to acknowledge the outgoing NEC and executive, and thank them for their service, and their dedication to Spiritualism and the Union.

As one chapter for the Spiritualists’ National Union draws to a close, a new one begins, and Minister Almond closed reflecting on the world beyond even an impassioned and robust AGM.

“Our world is changing, and we need to change with it.

“We can all be part of that change, and help to build our future.

“Together, we can make Spiritualism strong, visible and confident again.”

Article and summary by Kyle Pedley, SNU Communications.
With quotes from Minister Julia Almond and Des Beaumount OSNU.