IOA MEMBERSHIP FEES TASK FORCE

At the IOA Executive Committee Meeting held in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 21 June, it was decided that a comprehensive review would be undertaken of Annual Fees which are paid by Member Associations towards IOA administration costs and which also help fund Regional activities.  At the same time the voting structure at World Council Meetings will also be reviewed.

A Task Force to carry out this review has now been established and the members are Gerry Barry (Australia), Chairperson, Gene Zapf (Canada) and Knut Ellingsen (Norway).   The Task Force has put forward the following objectives to be used to guide the review. 

Review of Fees

1.   Review the Fee structure to see if it is the best arrangement for the way IOA presently operates

2.   See if the present 9 level Fee structure can be reduced to a smaller number (about 5 or 6)

3.   Try to spread the burden of funding IOA as equitably as possible

4.   Address the concerns of our smaller members who may struggle to pay any increase

5.   Review the definition of membership numbers of Member Associations for the purpose of the calculation of Fees

6.   Ensure that proposals for  adjustments in Fees take into account future revenue needs of IOA

7.   Address any specific issues raised by member associations or the Executive Committee

8.   Review the Fees for Associate Members

Review of Voting Entitlements

1.   Review the voting structure to see if it is the best arrangement for the way IOA presently operates

2.   See if, in conjunction with the changes in the Fee structure, the present 9 level voting structure can be reduced to a smaller number (about 5 or 6)

3.   Ensure that any adjustment in the voting structure does not result in unacceptable distortion in voting entitlements

4.    Address any specific issues raised by member associations or the Executive Committee

5.    Consider the question of whether proxies should continue to be allowed and if so on what terms

The Task Force wishes to invite all Full and Associate Members and any other interested parties to put forward ideas or submissions on matters they would like the Task Force to take into account during the course of the review.  The Task Force has been asked to provide a preliminary report by September so submissions should be forwarded as soon as possible but no later than 31 August to-

The Chairperson, IOA Fees Task Force

Email: gabarry@bigpond.com

It is expected that the preliminary findings will be the subject of a discussion paper which will be circulated to all Members before final proposals are considered by the Executive Committee.  It should be noted that any changes to Fees will require a resolution of World Council and changes to voting entitlements will require a change to the Constitution.