IPPF’s Regulations set out the organization’s internal governance structure and the powers and responsibilities of its governing bodies. The Regulations adopted by the Governing Council on May 15-16 2020 include several key changes to institute the set of reforms agreed by the General Assembly, as follows:
General Assembly
The Regulations define IPPF as a Federation of Member Associations, and establish a General Assembly (GA) of these members as the highest governing body of IPPF. The GA shall:
- Meet once every three years.
- Comprise representatives from all MAs (though only full members vote), the Board of Trustees (BoT), and the Nominations and Governance Committee.
- Review and approve the overall strategic direction of the Federation.
- Appoint Nominations and Governance Committee members.
- Confirm BoT members.
- Have the power to remove Trustees by two-thirds majority.
- Approve amendments to the Regulations.
- Confirm amendments to the Procedural Byelaws.
Nominations and Governance Committee
The Regulations establish a Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC) that shall:
- Comprise 7 members with a majority of its membership coming from the MAs, with at least 50% women and 20% youth.
- Have a term up to three years, with a maximum of two terms per member.
- Be accountable to the General Assembly.
- Recruit members of BoT and Board sub-committees.
- Evaluate the performance of BoT and sub-committees.
Board of Trustees
The Regulations create a Board of Trustees (BOT) to govern IPPF according to the strategic direction set by the General Assembly. The BoT shall:
- Comprise 15 members (9 from MAs and 6 non-MA), at least 50% women and at least 20% youth under 25 years of age who meet specific profiles on expertise, skills and experience.
- Have a term up to three years, with a maximum of two terms per Trustee.
- Elect its Chair for a three-year term and the Chairs of the Board’s Committees.
- Have the power to appoint, support, oversee, evaluate the performance of, and dismiss the Director-General.
- Establish policies and amend Procedural Byelaws subject to the GA confirmation.
In addition, the Regulations:
- Establish that the BoT can meet virtually and face-to-face.
- Harmonize the role of the Independent Complaints Panel with that of the Board of Trustees in terms of suspension and expulsion of a Trustee.
Membership of the Federation
Key changes with regard to membership include:
- Introduction of the possibility for an MA to resign from IPPF membership.
- Introduction of the possibility for IPPF to consider loss of membership following the MA’s winding up.
- Introduction of non-transferability of IPPF membership to another organization.