A new working group, set up to look at the membership and financing of the INF-FNI, will have its first meeting this month (January 2023).
Christo Bothma, our Africa-Asia-Pacific assessor based in South Africa, is chairing the group. It has the following terms of reference:
“The working group will consider the membership system, including how to bring new federations within the INF-FNI’s embrace. This might include new forms of membership and greater use of observer status. It should also look at the financing of the organisation: whether selling stamps remains the best way and, if not, what other systems might be preferred.”
At the moment, the rules allow only national Federations to be members of the INF-FNI, and only one such federation from each country may be recognised. Non-national groupings, and organisations representing several federations, are not eligible. The rules concerning observers were relaxed after the World Congress in 2021, so observers now have the opportunity to speak, but not vote, at Congresses. Other groups, including commercial entities such as resorts, can become extraordinary members but they need the permission of their national federation. Individuals can also become extraordinary members if they live in a country where there is no member federation.
The organisation is financed through the sale of INF-FNI stamps. Federations have to buy a number of stamps equivalent to the number of members they have at the end of every year, and each individual member should carry a stamp on their national membership card. The working group will consider whether this system needs to be modernized and what alternatives there might be.
Christo has already asked the member federations for their ideas and suggestions and will welcome input.
The working group was created following discussions at the World Congress in Luxembourg in October 2022. It is expected to report in time for the next Congress planned for the autumn of 2024. Any changes will require the agreement of the member federations.
[Photo courtesy of BN]
