rules&forthe&meeting&&3 …...! 7! session 1: mandate, roles and responsibilties...
TRANSCRIPT
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RULES FOR THE MEETING ....................................................................................... 3
SESSION 1: MANDATE, ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................. 3
SESSION 2: CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE WILPF BODIES .............. 4
SESSION 3: PENDING ISSUES .................................................................................. 5
SESSION 1: MANDATE, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILTIES (CONTINUED) ...................... 7
SESSION 4: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ............................................................. 7 Update on the Ad Hoc Committee on the WILPF Organisation ...................................................... 7 ExCom Liaisons for Standing Committees and Working Groups .................................................. 8
NEW SESSION: JAPA AND FINANCIAL ISSUES .......................................................... 8 Letter from SFC: Bequest from Ethel Sanjines ...................................................................................... 8 Investment Ethics Policy ................................................................................................................................. 8 Investment of Jane Addams Legacy Money ............................................................................................ 9 Policy for Funds to be Granted to Sections, Including Bequests through JAPA ...................... 9
SESSION 5: REGIONS, SECTIONS AND LIAISONS ...................................................... 9 Regional liaisons ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Roles of the Regional Liaisons ................................................................................................................... 10 Non-‐active sections ........................................................................................................................................ 10
SESSION 6: FINALISING THE TOOL KIT FOR EXCOM ............................................... 12
SESSION 7: WRAP-‐UP AND EVALUATION OF MEETING ......................................... 12
Annex 1: Updated Section list .............................................................................. 13
Annex 2: Investment Policy .................................................................................. 15
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Summary from the WILPF Executive Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday, 17th July 2013 Responsible: WILPF Secretariat Participants: Kerstin Grebäck, Martha Jean Baker, Neelima Sinha, Ila Pathak, Madeleine Rees, Adilia Caravaca, Nancy Ramsden Listeners: Nina Maria Mørk Hansen, Edith Ballantyne, Krishna Ahoojapatel Absent: none Facilitators: Emma Rosengren, Margrethe Tingstad Minute takers: Joanna DuFour, Martine Halleux Abbreviations: VP: Vice President SG: Secretary General IB: International Board SFC: Standing Finance Committee ExCom: Executive Committee
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RULES FOR THE MEETING General:
• Start / end our meetings on time • Read materials, minutes etc. and be prepared to discuss at meetings • Stay on task; no side conversations • Listen to others and don’t interrupt • Follow the agenda • Accept the fact that there will be differences of opinion • Show mutual respect • Attack the problem, not the person -‐ "no blame game" • Share time so that all can participate • People will speak when recognized • Don’t attribute ideas to individuals • Facilitators are allowed to interrupt for clarification
Decisions: • Operate on consensus – seek general agreements all can “live with” • Make decisions based on clear information • Bring closure to decisions • Identify actions that result from decisions • Agree on what information goes “out” and what stays in the group
Minutes: • Keep our own notes of the meetings – the official minutes will be focused on
decisions • Use Meeting Summaries (Includes Agenda Items & Minutes) • Identify pending issues and agreements at end of meeting
SESSION 1: MANDATE, ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES The aim of the session was to understand and agree on the roles and responsibilities of the ExCom. The ExCom went through the Constitution and By-‐Laws word by word to clarify the mandate, roles and responsibilities of each member within ExCom. It was clear that all members of ExCom have the right to vote on the board. ExCom will address wording in the Constitution and By-‐laws to the Ad Hoc Committee of the WILPF Organisation, and later to the Standing Constitution Committee. Moreover,
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ExCom will work on a separate description of the roles of each ExCom member, as the roles of the VP are particularly vague. One discussion item that arose repeatedly was the extent of the work of ExCom and ExCom’s day-‐to-‐day involvement in the work of the Secretariat. There needs to be clarification on the words overseeing vs. doing. During the session the facilitators went through strengths, threats, weaknesses, and red flags within the ExCom and theories on group dynamics and group performance. The ExCom took stock of their achievements since being elected in 2011, including: 1. The Standing Finance Committee is working well together with the International
Treasurer and finances are in good shape. The SFC has made final recommendations on investments and has established a fundraising sub-‐committee.
2. The website is up running, and it feels like communication and information sharing systems have improved.
ExCom also discussed their meetings, as these are not working optimally. There are often too many items on the agenda, and discussions are not well prepared in advance. The role of the facilitator was discussed, including the difference between a facilitator and a chair. ExCom will work on improving their meetings in the future. The Secretariat has made some templates for agenda items, which work well and will be further developed after this ExCom meeting.
SESSION 2: CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE WILPF BODIES During this session ExCom talked about the culture and communication within the organization. They went through the different communication channels that they can use for communicating to:
1. ExCom >> ExCom 2. ExCom >> WILPF bodies, incl. the secretariat 3. ExCom >> external audience
A draft for an email policy was handed out by the Secretariat as well as a draft for a Code of Conduct for Social Media.
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SESSION 3: PENDING ISSUES In the beginning of the session, the facilitators introduced ExCom to a template for an excel work plan, which ExCom would start to work on the following day. Then followed a discussion on pending issues from the IB meeting in Madrid 2013. a) Follow up on finalizing the resolution against drones Adilia had made a draft for the language in the resolution. The draft was seen and approved by Catia Confortini, WILPF US, and Sameena Nazir, WILPF Pakistan. DECISION: ExCom approved the resolution with one amendment. The introduction should be (changes marked in italic and bold): The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) International Board as a particular response to the initiative of the WILPF Sections in Pakistan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, b) Resolution on the Palestinian Prisoner on Hunger Strike There wasn’t a draft. Adilia is still trying to get a draft from WILPF Palestine. If she receives a draft, this will be discussed at the next ExCom meeting in September. ExCom will inform IB on why there is not a final resolution. c) Text regarding the next IB meeting DECISION: ExCom decided to make the language in the conclusion more precise: “IB decides that: The next IB-‐meeting will be held in 2014. Inge Stemmler (WILPF Netherlands) with the support of Marianne Laxen (WILPF Finland) volunteered to organize and fundraise for the meeting. The next IB-‐meeting will be held in one place where every section will be represented by at least one participant.” d) Sections with the right to vote (text in the minutes): Marianne Laxen had proposed that the language in the minutes regarding non-‐paying sections’ right to vote would be changed as not all sections had the right to vote (as written in the minutes). DECISION: ExCom decided that the change in the minutes of the meeting will not happen as all sections were voting.
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Summary from the ExCom Meeting Date: 18th July 2013 Responsible: WILPF Secretariat Participants: Kerstin Grebäck, Martha Jean Baker, Neelima Sinha, Ila Pathak, Madeleine Rees, Adilia Caravaca, Nancy Ramsden Listeners: Nina Maria Mørk Hansen, Edith Ballantyne, Krishna Ahoojapatel Absent: none Facilitators: Emma Rosengren, Margrethe Tingstad Minute takers: Joanna DuFour, Martine Halleux
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SESSION 1: MANDATE, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILTIES (CONTINUED) ExCom used the morning to add tasks to the work plan. One of the items on the work plan was the upcoming IB meeting in 2014. According to the minutes from the IB meeting in 2013, Inge Stemmler (WILPF Netherlands) volunteered, with the support of Marianne Laxen (WILPF Finland), to organize and fundraise for a face-‐to-‐face meeting. As ExCom has not any news from Inge Stemmler and Marianne Laxen they decided to write them a letter to clarify that if Inge Stemmler and Marianne Laxen have not found the money and the place for the next IB meeting (plan a) by 30 September 2013, then ExCom will start on planning an online meeting (plan b). If the result is plan b, the SG will take care of the meeting logistics for an online meeting. DECISION: the IB meeting is for questions and decisions only, not for workshops – business only. Part of the ExCom liaison’s responsibility will be to follow up on reports from standing committees.
SESSION 4: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Update on the Ad Hoc Committee on the WILPF Organisat ion In the beginning of the session Margrethe Tingstad gave ExCom an update on the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the WILPF Organisation. A draft on regionalization of WILPF is included in the committee’s work, as the survey showed that many responders believe this is the future for WILPF. DECISION: It is decided to prolong the mandate of the Ad Hoc committee on the WILPF Organisation to September 30th 2013. DECISION: It is decided to invite Lyn Lane, Heidi Meinzolt and Margrethe Tingstad to a special meeting of ExCom in the beginning of September 2013 to discuss their draft on regionalization of WILPF. The purpose of this meeting is that ExCom can have input on the draft. DECISION: It is decided to invite Margrethe Tingstad to the October meeting of ExCom to decide on the conclusion of the Ad Hoc Committee on the WILPF organisation.
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ExCom Lia isons for Standing Committees and Working Groups A document on the organizational structure was shown on the screen. DECISIONS
• Ila is the ExCom liaison for the Standing Communication Committee. • Kerstin is the liaison to the Standing Personnel Committee. Adilia replaces
Kerstin as a member. • Neelima is the liaison for the Nomination Committee. • Ila is the liaison for the Environmental Working Group. • Neelima is the liaison for the 1325 Working Group. • Adilia is the liaison for the Conflict Resolution Working Group. • Kerstin is the liaison for the 100 Anniversary Committee. • Nancy is the liaison to the SFC, which includes reports from the Investment
Sub-‐Committee (which falls under the SFC), whose liaison to SFC is Laura Roskos, and the Fundraising Subcommittee, whose liaison to SFC is Inge Stemmler.
The work of a liaison is to report to ExCom on the work in the Standing Committees and Working Groups.
NEW SESSION: JAPA AND FINANCIAL ISSUES
Letter f rom SFC: Bequest from Ethel Sanj ines
DECISION: Next week Adilia will answer the SFC’s letter and tell them that she will be writing the committee of 6 to plan a meeting rather than writing a formal letter to JAPA. She will send a letter to have the meeting amongst the 6 women from JAPA, WILPF Int., and WILPF US ASAP to finalize the division of funds. She will report back at the next ExCom meeting.
Investment Ethics Pol icy DECISION: The language of the policy has been approved. Nancy will communicate this to the SFC at the latest at their next meeting. Nancy will also send an email out to the IB with a link and attachment to the policy which the secretariat will add to the website, announcing the new policy.
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Investment of Jane Addams Legacy Money DECISION: The Executive Committee approves the Standing Finance Committee’s proposal that the Treasurer of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has the authority to open and sign for an investment account with Domini for purposes of investing the Jane Addams Legacy fund as follows: 60% in the Domini Social Equity fund and 40% in the Domini Social Bond Fund.
Pol icy for Funds to be Granted to Sect ions, Including Bequests through JAPA DECISION: Nancy and Ila will comment on the draft made by Adilia and the team will come back to ExCom at the meeting in September with a draft that all three agree on and that includes the requested changes in the text. There are no changes to the decisions made since Feb 11th on the actual policy. DECISION: Language change – Money can’t be accountable. Change language to “it is important that the recipients are held accountable for the use of the money.“
SESSION 5: REGIONS, SECTIONS AND LIAISONS
Regional l ia isons ExCom discussed who the liaisons for the different regions are. They made some changes, which will be communicated to the organization via the mailing lists. DECISION: Updated list of Regional Liaisons is below, including changes made at this meeting: Africa: Ila Asia Pacific: Neelima Europe: Martha Middle East: Madeleine The Americas: Adilia South Asia: Kerstin
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Roles of the Regional L ia isons ExCom agreed that the roles and responsibilities for each liaison are:
• Be there for their region and answer emails from their region quickly. If the liaison does not know the answer it is the liaison’s responsibility to refer the region’s requests on to the appropriate parties.
• Maintain an updated awareness of special characteristics of their region. • If the liaison is present at a meeting in the region, the liaison shall
maintain a lower profile than the convener of the region. The convener of the region will continue to act as the leader.
• Bring ExCom’s thinking to the region and vice versa. • Inform ExCom of regional activities. • Support the region by working as a communications link between the
sections in the region, the ExCom and the International Board. • Discuss political questions arising in the region with the region and if
important bring regional political questions to ExCom.
ExCom will create a policy on this. DECISION: SG will develop a short template for each liaison to fill out prior to ExCom meetings reporting on their region. She will be presenting this at the next ExCom meeting in September. It will be added to the work plan.
Non-act ive sect ions WILPF has a number of non-‐active sections that never answer emails, do not pay their section fees, etc. ExCom updated the section list. See annex.
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Summary from the ExCom meeting Date: Friday, 19th July 2013 Responsible: WILPF Secretariat Participants: Kerstin Grebäck, Martha Jean Baker, Neelima Sinha, Ila Pathak, Madeleine Rees, Adilia Caravaca, Nancy Ramsden Listeners: Nina Maria Mørk Hansen, Edith Ballantyne, Krishna Ahoojapatel Absent: none Facilitators: Emma Rosengren, Margrethe Tingstad Minute takers: Joanna DuFour
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SESSION 6: FINALISING THE TOOL KIT FOR EXCOM ExCom continued to work on their work plan for 2013 – 2015. The following headlines are in the work plan:
• IB Meeting 2014 • Next Congress • Organizational Development • Regional Organization • Financial Support to Sections • Financial Issues • Working Methods & Procedures • Evaluation and Overview • Roles and Responsibilities
DECISION: The International President is responsible for updating the work plan.
SESSION 7: WRAP-UP AND EVALUATION OF MEETING The meeting was evaluated.
Region
s, se
ctions and
liaisons
Re
gion
ExCo
m Liaiso
n Re
gion
al
Conven
or/s
Section
Mem
bers
Annu
al
repo
rt 201
2 Status
Africa
Ila Pathak
Joy Onyesoh
An
nie Matun
du
Mbambi
1 De
mocratic Rep
ublic of the
Co
ngo (DRC
) 35
Yes
Activ
e
2 Nigeria
55
Yes
Activ
e
Asia Pacific
Neelim
a Sinh
a Lyn Lane
3 Ao
tearoa/N
ew Zealand
60
Yes
Activ
e 4 Au
stralia
240
Yes
Activ
e 5 Fren
ch Polynesia
? No
Activ
e 6 Japan
200
Yes
Activ
e 7 Ph
ilipp
ines
25
Yes
Activ
e Europe
Martha Jean
Baker
Heidi M
einzolt
8 Albania
13
Yes
Activ
e 9 De
nmark
114
Yes
Activ
e 10 Finland
35
Yes
Activ
e 11 France
40
Yes
Activ
e 12 Germany
60
Yes
Activ
e 13 Italy
20-‐25
Yes
Activ
e 14 Nethe
rland
s 91
Yes
Activ
e 15 Norway
380
Yes
Activ
e 16 Spain
36
Yes
Activ
e 17 Swed
en
768
Yes
Activ
e 18 Switzerland
30
Yes
Activ
e 19 United Kingdo
m
237
Yes
Activ
e
Middle East
Madeleine
Rees
Nou
ha Gho
sn
20 Leb
anon
?
No
Activ
e 21 Palestin
e 20
Yes
Activ
e The
Americas
Adilia Caravaca
? 22 Argen
tina
? No
Activ
e 23
Bolivia
15
Yes
Activ
e 24
Canada
? No
Activ
e 25
Chile
? No
Activ
e 26
Colom
bia
5 Yes
Activ
e 27
Costa Rica
20
Yes
Activ
e 28
Mexico
12
Yes
Activ
e 29
United States of A
merica
1400
Yes
Activ
e South Asia
Kerstin
Grebäck
? 30
India
208
Yes
Activ
e 31
Nep
al
10
Yes
Activ
e 32
Pakistan
? No
Activ
e The following sections have to determine if they want to be
active WILPF se
ctions, con
sidering all of the
respon
sibility th
at entails, before the
31st Decem
ber 2
013.
1.
Sierra Leo
ne – negotiatio
ns are ongoing.
2. Ru
ssian Fede
ratio
n ne
gotia
tions are ongoing.
3. Argentina – ne
gotia
tions are ongoing.
4. Ch
ile – negotiatio
ns are ongoing.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Ligue Internationale de Femmes pour la Paix et la Liberté Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y la Libertad Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC, UNCTAD and UNESCO; Special Consultative Relations with FAO, ILO, and UNICEF.
Investment Ethics Policy Valid from 18th July 2013
WILPF Funds are to be invested to achieve WILPF goals, as well as to forward WILPF’s ability to be a
financially responsible corporate world citizen.
Hence, all funds will be invested in activities that accord with WILPF’s purpose. WILPF does not invest
in organizations whose practices conflict with its international goals or those of its subunits or
committees. This includes entities whose revenues are derived from the production of weapons or
nuclear power plants, or substantially derived from the production of military goods and services,
tobacco, alcohol, bottled water, chemical products, mineral extraction, petroleum extraction and
production, or other products and services inconsistent with WILPF’s purpose. This also includes
entities that are currently or have been recently associated with human rights abuses, unfair labor
practices, apartheid, environmental abuses, discrimination, or violence. WILPF reserves the right to
screen all potential investment opportunities and financial institutions, and to decline involvement
with any that would damage its reputation or its ability to function as a strong advocate for social
justice.
The Secretary General, International Treasurer and Geneva Office Manager shall have online access to
view all WILPF deposit and investment accounts. Investments will be monitored regularly with
downloadable reports shared quarterly with the Investment Subcommittee, which will report on the
portfolio to the SFC semi-‐annually. The Standing Finance Committee will prepare an investment
report annually for the International Board.