RI Membership Structure Towards an Organisation Based Membership

RI Membership Structure Towards an Organisation –Based Membership

Background • Traditional structure of one member per country presents difficulties • Some countries, for example China, unlikely ever to have one national organisation • Some countries have two or more organisations with overlapping areas of work

• Not desirable for RI to be in position where it must reject applications for membership • Therefore, propose switch to organisationbased membership • BUT, also, not undermining efforts of countries that have worked hard to create one strong body. No incentives to change.

Basic Principles of RI • • Patient-driven Worldwide representation Research focus Not-for-profit

Criteria for Membership Any organisation that: • represents interests of RD patients • agrees RI focus on research • has a SMAB • has charity status • has a constitution, board and audited accounts • accepts RI constitution and rules

Membership Categories 2008 delegates said reform needed. Proposals: • Full members • Candidate members • Interested organisations • Associated organisations

Implications • Governance – GA approval for constitution changes and MC to adapt rules & policies • Voting rights – one member one vote. If multiple members arise in one country, MC will propose capping system • Fees – always controversial but best to amend existing system with shared uplift for more than one member per country.

Motions • Approve switch to organisation-based membership • Approve criteria for membership • Approve membership categories • Agree principle of capping system if warranted in future • Approve fee system with shared uplift for 2013/14