Members of the Supervisory Board have a community-engagement role with decision-making power. They approve the strategy and budget of the association, elect the Executive Board and represent the association to the membership and the membership to the association. It is a role that focuses as much on the membership as on the association’s management and operations.

Board members shall:

• Adhere to the mission, vision, and values of WAN-IFRA;
• Be strong leaders and astute business executives. Active news media executive with an experience as a senior executive of WAN-IFRA member publishing company;
• Be proactive and engaged: Board members are expected to advocate for WAN-IFRA, have a purpose of loyalty, of care of the organisation, and represent the larger group of constituents involved in the organisation;
• Serve as champions for the organisation, leveraging their individual spheres of influence to enhance the public image, gain resources for the non-profit and have a greater impact on those they serve;
• Hold the responsibility for ensuring an organisation is fiscally sound and adequate resources are available to carry out the mission and vision;
• Shall dedicate personal time to spend onboard work, and attend the Board meetings at least once a year.

They are charged with:

• Embodying the values and missions of WAN-IFRA, advocating for WAN-IFRA, with a purpose of loyalty and care for the organisation;
• Supporting and promoting WAN-IFRA’s activities in its three operating pillars: press freedom and journalism, media sustainability, media innovation;
• Representing the larger group of constituents involved in the organisation;
• Serving as champions for the organisation, leveraging their individual spheres of influence to enhance the public image, gain resources for the nonprofit and have a greater impact on those they serve;
• Ensuring that the organisation is fiscally sound and adequate resources are available to carry out the mission and vision;
• Taking responsibility for the strategic planning of WAN-IFRA’s programmes and the patronage of the association. That power is shared and distributed among all constituencies and communities represented by the WAN-IFRA Advisory Boards, Regional Committees and Association representatives sitting in the Supervisory Board;
• Focusing on fundraising and/or membership acquisition. One of the primary activities of the Board is to arrange, facilitate, and solicit funds through their personal and business networks;
• Conveying to WAN-IFRA the interests of news publishers, and what support they expect from the organisation;
• Approving the Strategy and Budget
• Approving the accounts before ratification at the General Assembly of Members;
• Electing the Executive Board and Nominating Committee;
• Admitting new National Association in membership. Approves membership fees for national member
• Deciding membership fees before ratification at the General Assembly of Members;
• Deciding on Golden Pen of Freedom.

The President and Vice President(s) shall:

• Be in activity with an experience as a senior executive of a WAN-IFRA member publishing company, demonstrating strong integrity and sense of collective action;
• Be responsible for advising the CEO on the strategy and long-term objectives of WAN-IFRA;
• Have a role in assuring that the organisation is delivering membership value and have a role in keeping the membership aware of the benefits of membership in WAN-IFRA;
• Be willing to become President of WAN-IFRA. The first vice president is, in principle, first in the line of succession to President;
• Serve as champion for the organisation, leveraging their individual spheres of influence to enhance the public image and impact of WAN-IFRA;
• Have strong communication and collaboration skills and a capacity to inspire, motivate and develop the organisation;
• Have political impact, possess real political influence and a strong international network;
• Have experience from working in an international company or organisation.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS’ ROLES AND DUTIES

The WAN-IFRA Supervisory Board approved these guidelines in Paris on 12 December 2019.

Executive Board members have an oversight and stewardship role under the strategic guidance of the President. They assist the management in executing the mission and vision of WAN-IFRA and smoothly running the organisation. They work to ensure that the organisation benefits all members, advances the news media profession and improves the community. They ensure that the Supervisory Board is aware of any significant development. Executive Board Members meet at least four times a year.

They are charged with:

• Mentoring senior management, provide guidance and resources, advice and introductions to ensure the organisation’s success;
• Ensuring that the Supervisory Board is aware of any significant development;
• Deciding on important strategic & operational issues;
• Helping the organisation to focus on the activities that contribute most to its overall objectives as defined by the Supervisory Board, and to use its resources effectively;
• Ensuring that WAN-IFRA is managed in the best interests of all its stakeholders;
• Representing WAN-IFRA with regard to third parties.

The Treasurer is particularly charged with:

• Overseeing the management and reporting of an organization’s finances;
• Facilitating the preparation of an annual budget, as well as regularly monitoring and comparing the actual revenues and expenses incurred against such budget;
• Keeping the board apprised of key financial events, trends, and concerns, and his/her assessments of the organization’s fiscal health;
• Ensuring the completion of required financial reporting forms in a timely manner and making these forms available for the board’s review;
• Having the organisation’s financials audited whenever required or advisable