1. INAS GOVERNANCE CONSULTATION September 2016

2. Background
Following the 2013 INAS General Assembly a working group was established to review and make recommendations on INAS’ governance structures
Proposals for changes were discussed at the 2015 INAS General Assembly and there followed a period of consultation
Feedback suggested that changes were welcome, but there were some specific concerns – in particular regarding the role of Regions and to the process for choosing independent board members
The Governing Board have listened to this feedback and have produced a revised set of proposals and wish to hear your thoughts on them

3. Our current structure Advantages:
GOVERNING BOARD
Vice President
President
Treasurer
Technical Officer
Secretary General
Head of Eligibility
Asia President
Americas
European President
Oceania President
Africa President
Advantages:
Allows a range of views/perspectives at Board level
Disadvantages:
Does not allow expertise such as Fundraising, Marketing or Legal at Board level
Regions currently vary significantly in structure and programme
Mixes Governance and Operational roles

4. Executive Director (non voting)
2015 proposal
GOVERNING BOARD
President
Elected
(Skill 2)
Vice President
Regional Rep 1
Independent 1
Independent 3
(Skill 4)
(Skill 3)
(Skill 1)
Regional Rep 2
Independent 2
Executive Director (non voting)
Advantages:
Allowed independent/skills based elections
Disadvantages
Smaller Regional representation

5. Revised proposal
The Governing Board recognise the important role of INAS Regions and have therefore revised the proposal following consultation...

6. Revised proposal
GOVERNING BOARD
President
Member At Large
Vice President
Co-Opted
Secretary General
Member At Large
Member At Large
Member At Large
Member At Large
Member At Large
Member at Large
Member At Large
Member At Large
Member At Large
Co -Opted
The new structure will see the Board grow to 18 people:
President, Vice President and Secretary General
12 Members at Large
3 co-opted Members

7. Revised proposal
Each of INAS’ 5 Regions will hold a Regional Assembly on the day before the INAS General Assembly to elect 3 people
This will create a long-list of 15 Nominees
15 Nominees
INAS AFRICA
INAS ASIA
INAS AMERICAS
INAS EUROPE
INAS OCEANIA

8. Revised proposal
Each Region will also identify whether their Nominees are nominated as Member At Large or – if they wish – as President, Vice President or Secretary General
This will create a Short-List for the Honorary Positions
Example of honorary nominations short-list:
INAS AFRICA
INAS AMERICAS
INAS ASIA
INAS EUROPE
INAS OCEANIA
Nominee 1
President
Nominee 1
President
Nominee 1
President
Nominee 1
President
Nominee 1
Member at Large
Nominee 2
Secretary General
Nominee 2
Secretary General
Nominee 2
Vice President
Nominee 2
Vice President
Nominee 2
Member at Large
Nominee 3
Member at Large
Nominee 3
Member at Large
Nominee 3
Secretary General
Nominee 3
Member at Large
Nominee 3
Member at Large

9. Revised proposal
The INAS General Assembly will then follow the 5 Regional Assemblies
At the moment of elections, the 15 Nominees will hold an election from within the Short List for the three honorary posts (each of which must be from a different region)
The remaining 12 Nominees will become Members at Large

10. Revised proposal
When the 3 Honorary Officers and 12 Members at Large are known, they will return to the General Assembly and the Membership will vote to formally accept them
If the vote does not carry, the 15 will return to find alternative people for the Honorary posts until such time that the Membership agree
This establishes an elected board of 15 including Honorary Officers
GOVERNING BOARD
President
Member At Large
Vice President
Co-Opted
Secretary General
Co -Opted
Member at Large

11. Revised proposal
A further 3 co-opted members (non-voting) will later be appointed by the Governing Board based on a skills-based process, making a total Board of 18 people
Board Members will be allocated to chair INAS sub-committees based upon skill/experience

12. Revised proposal Some further points:
Nominees will be elected for a 6-year term
1/3rd (ie. 1 per region) will step down every 2 years (the initial elections will be staggered to achieve this) thereby ensuring that there is continuity within the Board from one General Assembly to the next and an equal turnover of nominees by Region
Nominees may only stand twice consecutively (a total of 12 years) before they must take a break of at least 1 cycle (2 years)

13. Revised proposal
INAS will provide guidelines to ensure a transparent nomination/election process is held at a regional level, however...
...the exact mechanism for identifying the 3 nominees will be determined by the Region in a way that is reflective of the Region (ie. Europe and Asia already have very clear election procedures, but this may not be the most appropriate mechanism for Oceania, as an example)

14. Revised proposal
Regions have the ability to nominate 3 representatives, but may choose less. Any gaps can be filled between Assemblies
INAS Regions will formally become Members of INAS – ensuring a transparent and clear Region-World relationship across all Regions
INAS Regions will determine how the costs of their Nominees are met – either supporting these costs at a regional level or requiring nations to meet them as they do now (until such time that INAS can cover these costs at a World level)

15. Revised proposal
The General Assembly will move around each of the 5 regions in a cycle. (eg. Oceania 2016, Asia 2018, Europe 2020, Africa 2022, Americas 2024 etc)
The Governing Board will meet 5 times per 2-year cycle (including the General Assembly) rather than the current 4, to promote communication and planning and visiting every Region during the 2-year period

16. Advantages There are a number of advantages to this structure:
It places INAS Regions at the heart of the decision making process
It creates parity across all Regions
It brings Regional Assemblies and the INAS General Assembly to the same weekend making substantial cost-savings for Members some of whom currently attend a General Assembly every year (1st year Regional, 2nd Year World)
It maximises the number of nations attending – with benefit to both Regional and World bodies
It ensures the World Governing Board and Regional Executives can meet and communicate regularly
It allows for strong representation from within the organisation, but also the co-option of specific expertise
It brings structure and governance to those currently Regions currently without
As Members, INAS Regions will have a vote at General Assembly where currently they do not

17. Questions
The Governing Board would like to hear your thoughts and opinions on these proposals
Please visit no later than 30th November 2016 to give your views (log-in required)
If supported, the proposals will be published as a motion to the 2017 General Assembly. If approved, the Governing Board will implement a transition to the new structure during the next election cycle