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?