Page 105 - July 2020 Board Meeting Agenda_Neat

SOP20-14 Presidents’ Committee (SOP):

For a number of years now we have run the Chapter Branch Committee. This committee is
normally chaired by the 4th VP and comprises of the Branch and Chapter Presidents. It was
established to share information, raise concerns, ask questions, or exchange ideas between the
branch and chapters and if when needed help elevate any issues up to the International board.

Unfortunately, this Committee has not been successful and over the years the Committee has
struggled to actively engage its members and generate any meaningful interaction.

It has been proposed that the Chapter Branch Committee be abolished and replaced by a new
Committee called the Presidents’ Committee. This new Presidents’ Committee would be chaired by
the International President and comprise all branch and chapter President’s and possibly include
their first VPs along with the International 1st VP.

Firstly, by naming the committee the President Committee it is intended to make it clear to all
Branch and Chapter Presidents that they are expected to be involved in this committee. Unlike the
current Chapter Branch committee where some presidents were not aware that they were an
automatic member of the committee once they become President.

It is hoped that as the leaders and deputies of all the branches and chapters the establishment of
regular meetings will enable the development of closer bonds and working relationships, which
will in turn encourage greater levels of communication and exchanging of ideas. For example, if
one president is thinking about implementing a new initiative they will be able to brainstorm the
idea with their counter parts before taking it to their own board for more detailed consideration.

Similarly, we can use the forum to ‘sound out’ the Branch and Chapter Leaders on possible
international board initiatives, or to directly explain the reasoning behind our proposals or actions.
Such a forum will hopefully bring all branches and chapters closer together and help everyone
gather a better understanding of each other needs, expectations and realities. Therefore enabling
a greater two exchange of information between the leaders will result in a greater and more
accurate flow, of communication, between the members, their boards and international.

The reasoning for including the 1st Vice Presidents is that the many of the Chapters and Branches
only have 1 year terms for their Presidents and as their terms all terminate at various times of the
year it would be beneficial to have some level of continuity and consistency to the membership of
this committee, so that that the individuals all get to know one enable and develop closer bonds
and working relationships. This is something that is less likely to happen if people are only on the
committee for one year and every over month a new person is joining the committee.

While all President’s are extremely busy, it is suggested that the meetings are held every month or
6-weekly, if possible, to facilitate the development of closer working relationships. It is also
encouraged that meetings be conducted via video conferencing whenever possible, as video