Committees

Stichting IFOR

Stichting IFOR is the foundation/trust that oversees IFOR’s responsibilities as a legally registered non-governmental organization in the Netherlands. These responsibilities cover issues related to tax status, property and personnel. The Stichting’s decisions are made in consultation with the elected IFOR leadership. Stichting members are Jan Schaake (President), Vololona Razafindrainibe (Treasurer), Willem Laan (Secretary) and Paul Kruyswijk (Deputy Secretary).

During 2004 most of the ground and all the first floor of the building were redecorated. The building was also officially granted the status of being a historic Alkmaar monument.

The Stichting is also responsible for the use of the building. IFOR is pleased that another organization, Musicians without Borders (MWB), continue to use two rooms in the building. MWB were initially sponsored by IFOR and are a group of musicians and singers who show how a shared love of music can be a powerful force for reconciliation.
Other groups, such as Amnesty International and a local support network for asylum seekers, use the building regularly.

International Committee

The International Committee is the principal decision-making body of the IFOR between Council meetings. Its members are responsible for translating the directions and recommendations decided on by the International Council into a programme of work for the international secretariat. They are also responsible for monitoring the secretariat’s programme of work and for coordinating IFOR’s regional activity and the operation of the IFOR Working Groups. In addition, the International Committee determines and approves the IFOR annual budget and decides on the size and shape of the IFOR staff.

The International Committee was elected at the Council in Japan in 2006 and will continue in office until the next Council, in 2010. The members are:

President: Jan Schaake, Kerk & Vrede (The Netherlands)

Vice-President: Françoise Pétremand, FOR Switzerland (French-speaking branch)

Treasurer: Vololona Razafindrainibe (FIEFA / FOR Madagascar)

Committee Members:
Stella Tamang (BIKALPA Nepal);
Richard Deats (FOR USA);
Nahmo Sithole (FOR Zimbabwe);
Zoughbi Zoughbi (Wi’am Center Palestine)

The three officers– President, Vice-president and Treasurer– form the IFOR Executive Committee.

Executive Committee

The principal officers of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation are the President, the Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These three officers form the IFOR Executive Committee and are also members of the International Committee.

The President coordinates the work of the International Committee and is the chief representative of the International Fellowship in its external relations.
The Treasurer exercises the responsibility for the administration of IFOR funds. He/she therefore works in close cooperation with both the IFOR staff and the International Committee on all matters involving finance. The treasurer is responsible to the International Committee and is an ex officio member of International Committee and Representative Consultative Committee and the Stichting.6.3 The International Council selects the Vice-President. The Vice-President assists the President in her/his tasks.

The Executive Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the International Committee between International Committee meetings. It is responsible to the International Committee. It should keep the International Committee fully informed of all business in progress and takes account of any views expressed by International Committee members.

Representative Consultative Committee

The Representative Consultative Committee is composed of two representatives from each region and the members of the International Committee. The regional representatives are nominated and elected by the Branches, Groups and Affiliates of their respective region.

Its tasks are mainly consultative, which includes evaluation and advising:

to give feedback and guidance to the International Committee on current aspects of its work;

to hear and respond to the reports of working groups and regions;

to look at the progress of IFOR work in relation to the decisions taken at Council;

to review the current work of the Secretariat.

The Representative Consultative Committee also has the task of deciding the venue of the next Council, setting general directions for the preparation of that Council, and determining the processes to be used during that Council.

The Representative Consultative Committee may also make decisions regarding the granting of IFOR affiliate or IFOR group status to new groups or organizations.
The Representative Consultative Committee may also be requested by Council or the International Committee to undertake additional tasks.