INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS: MODELS OF MEMBERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
Background Presentation for discussion, Beirut, January 2014
SUMMARY OF MODELS KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER
Why Develop a Membership System?
Membership Models
Membership - Key Points to Consider
Governance Models
Management Support, Decision-Making and Other Issues
Why Develop a Membership System?
Benefits
Claim to legitimacy by number of members, diverse representation (geography, language, sub-populations) and community representation
Consultation and InputResource for advocacy
campaigns, and more
Challenges
• Divert attention because of problem members, debates between members, or on issues.
• Administrative burden
Membership Models
• Exclusive Region Based
• Organisations Only
• Individuals Only
• Multi-Tier Membership System
Exclusive Region Based
ICASO and GNP+ have an exclusive membership based on their regional members.
MSM networks/organizations have not developed in all regions.
Is the model viable at this time? If the Platfom were to work towards this model,
it would require making the development and support of national networks/organisations to be a main priority and activity
Organisations Only
APCOMAPN+ASAP and ILGAAfricagayRANAA?!Benefits of excluding individual members
Exclusion?
Individuals Only
ITPCApplicable to the Platform?Administration
Multi-tier membership system
How to work with national MSM networks/organisations?
Role of organisationsRole of individuals
MembershipKey Points to Consider (1)
What are the key reasons for the Platform to develop a membership system?
Can the Platform operate effectively, like comparable advocacy organisations, without a membership system?
When is a membership system donor-driven?
What can the Platform offer member organisations or individuals?
MembershipKey Points to Consider (2)
• What would the Platform expect from member organisations or individuals?
• What would the criteria be for membership (i.e. type of organisation)?
• If a membership system is developed, what administration, IT needs and human resources are required to implement it?
• How is membership related to governance?
Governance Models
• Exclusive Membership
• Membership and Additional Representatives
• Member Organisation Representatives
• Ad-Hoc Representatives
Exclusive Membership
• Organisation is governed only by representatives of member organisations (GNP+, Seven Sisters Coalition, APN+, APCASO)
Membership and Additional
Representatives• ICASO is governed by representatives
of member organisations but co-opts additional expertise and representation
• APCOM’s member organisations would be involved in the board through their region and sub-region, but additional positions are allocated for government, UNAIDS, and experts.
Member Organisation Representatives
A number of networks are governed by a Board or Executive Committee that is nominated from among their member organisations (APCASO, APN+)
Ad-Hoc Representatives
• Individuals involved with the organisation at different levels can be part of the Board or Executive Committee. They generally come from relevant organisations but do not represent them (MSMGF, ITPC, HIV Collaborative Fund Regional Advisory Commitees).
• Clarification is needed whether the individuals represent regions or countries as well as themselves
Advisory Board
Some organisations include an advisory board as part of their governance structure that can provide:
advice, fundraising support, links to key stakeholders, and legitimacy/reputation (if the members of
the board are prominent).
Governance Key Points to Consider
How much do governance structures gain legitimacy from their composition vs how they operate?
Does the Platform need to link governance to membership, and if so, how?
Is an Advisory Board necessary or useful for the Forum? If so, who should be on it? How should it be run?
RepresentationKey Points to Consider
Does the Platform need to have formal representation of regions, sub-populations, and/or expertise? What is sufficient commitment to “coverage” ?
If an important issue, how to balance it with outcomes, (potential for conflict on various issues)?
If a priority, all countries? How to define sub/regions and would anyone be excluded?
Are other types of representation necessary: transgender, HIV Positive MSM, and certain realms of expertise (religion)?
Management Support, Decision-Making & Other
Issues
• How will the Platform provide effective support to the Executive Officer/Coordinator and Secretariat?
• Can the Platform’s work be expanded through working groups and partnerships with member organisations or other key partners?
• How can decision-making in a small network be inclusive, democratic and effective, particularly when done through teleconference, skype and e-mail?
Management Support, Decision-Making and Other
Issues (2)• Language Issues – how can the Platform
increase its accessibility to and participation by non-English/French speakers?
• Location of the Secretariat - Operational and functional benefits to being located at AFEE?