Page 3 - FERC_2024 Handbook

FERC Handbook

FERC Governing Structure - Role of the FERC Board

The FERC Board* is the legal, governing body of the Foundation and is governed by the Thai
government via the Regulations of FERC, amended/approved ?? 2024.

Our Board members presently include 3 Thai citizens and 1 Expatriate. They bring a wealth of
highly relevant skills and experience to our work. The Board members are not paid and often
contribute time and money to FERC as needed.

FERC was granted Foundation status in Thailand in June 2002 and listed as a non-profit
organization.
[The Thai Commercial and Civil Code defines a ‘foundation‘ as assets arranged only for the
purpose of charity, religion, arts, science, literature, education, or any public interests that are duly
registered under the regulations of the law. Furthermore, no trustee, director, or any member may
directly benefit from the profits earned by the foundation incidental to its operation.]

Role of the FERC Advisory Committee (AC)
Our AC is a collection of both unpaid Thai and Expatriates who bring unique knowledge and skills
which augment the knowledge and skills of the FERC Board in order to effectively guide the
organization. The AC does not have formal authority to govern the organization, that is, the AC
cannot issue directives that must be followed. Rather, the AC serves to make recommendations
and/or provide key information and materials to the FERC Board. The AC plays an important public
relations role as well as providing program helpers with a fresh perspective on programmatic
issues. The AC serves as a properly composed and structured committee to complement the
effectiveness of the FERC Board as it works to carry out the FERC initiatives, primarily student
scholarships.

Since the FERC Board has ultimate governance authority for the organization, the AC is able to
focus narrowly on specific initiatives in order to advise or support the organization. The AC may
evaluate the performance of an initiative, review/monitor/assess a specific initiative, serve as an
advocate for the organization to the community it serves, gather input from/serve as a liaison with
relevant constituencies, provide feedback to the organization from the community, provide
technical expertise, provide an independent/unbiased sounding board, and assist in determining
important activities. Other responsibilities of the AC include determining the mission, vision, and
values of FERC, articulating the goals, means, and primary constituents to be served by the
scholarship program, ensuring effective planning, monitoring, and strengthening of the scholarship
program and services, ensuring adequate financial resources, and enhancing the organization’s
public standing.
The AC does have a specific term limit for the various positions as identified in the Terms of
Reference, Section 7, ‘Tenure’. The next renewal of term limits is set for August 2023.

AC Responsibilities: The AC do not have any legal authority; therefore all of their responsibilities
are assigned at the discretion of the FERC Board. Responsibilities assigned to the AC include the
following.
1. Program Creation and/or Planning

2. Development of Program Policies

Updated: 4 Mar 2024 2