ร gra Fianna Fรกil Proposals for renewal: Structures, rules & regulations.
Building a vibrant and dynamic national youth movement.
Adopted by Fianna Fรกil Ard Chomhairle 14th July 2011
Time for Change Fianna Fáil needs an independent space for young members of the party. There must be an outlet where young people can be radical and challenge the status quo. This document outlines some key measures to invigorate and renew our youth party.
Key Recommendations 1. Direct election of Uachtarán Ógra Fhianna Fáil. 2. Major reduction in size of the National Youth Committee (Central Officer Board) from the present 28 seats to 11 seats. 3. More definition in the roles and responsibilities of elected officers. 4. Establishment of a new National Council to oversee the work of the Central Officer Board and improve communication with Ógra CDCs and Third Level cumainn.
New Structure Chart
Membership
National Youth Conference
National Council
Central Officer Board
National Youth Conference •
The National Youth Conference is the supreme decision making body of Ógra Fianna Fáil.
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The National Youth Conference should meet every 12 months, but no later than every 18 months.
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Each registered member of Ógra shall be eligible to attend and vote at the National Youth Conference.
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Policy matters at the National Youth Conference shall be decided by one member one vote (OMOV).
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Elections for the Central Officer Board shall take place at the National Youth Conference.
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There shall be a Steering Committee of five elected from the National Council to organise the motions workshops at the National Youth Conference. Candidates running in elections at the National Youth Conference are not eligible to be a member of the Steering Committee.
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The Steering Committee shall work in conjunction with the National Youth Officer to arrange the logistics of the National Youth Conference.
National Council •
The National Council shall provide oversight to the work of the Central Officer Board.
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The National Council shall meet every 10-12 weeks.
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The membership of the National Council shall include the following: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Three delegates from each registered Ógra CDC. Three delegates from each registered Third Level cumann. All members of the Central Officer Board. The Fianna Fáil National Youth Officer.
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National Council voting arrangements shall be as follows: 1. Each delegate shall have one vote. 2. A delegate can represent more than one unit but may not exercise more than one vote. 3. Members of the Central Officer Board cannot be a delegate of an Ógra CDC or Third Level cumann.
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The National Council shall elect from its membership a Chairperson to chair proceedings and a Secretary to take minutes of decisions taken. Members of the Central Officer Board are not eligible to fill these two roles.
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All elected members of the Central Officer Board shall give a report to the National Council at each meeting and take questions as required.
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The National Council shall have the ability to remove an elected member of the Central Officer Board from their position with an 80% majority vote with a quorum of at least 50% of eligible delegates. A motion to remove an elected member of the Central Officer Board must be put by a minimum of 20% of registered Ógra CDCs and Third Level Cumainn.
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The National Council may establish sub-committees as it sees fit.
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The National Council may overrule a decision of the Central Officer Board by a twothirds majority.
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The National Council shall agree a set of standing orders for its meetings.
Central Officer Board •
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The Central Officer Board shall be responsible for the management of the organisation including policy development, campaigns and events . The Central Officer Board shall be chaired by An Uachtarán Ógra Fhianna Fáil and decisions shall be taken by simple majority vote.
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Each elected member of the Central Officer Board must give a report and take questions at each meeting of the National Council.
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The Central Officer Board shall meet every 4-5 weeks.
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Members of the Central Officer Board shall be as follows: 1. Uachtarán Ógra Fhianna Fáil 2. National Campaigns & Policy Director 3. National Membership & Recruitment Director 4. National Events Director 5. National Third Level Organiser 6. Connacht-Ulster Organiser 7. Dublin Organiser 8. Leinster Organiser 9. Munster Organiser 10. Northern Organiser 11. Fianna Fáil National Youth Officer Role, functions and how each member of the Central Officer Board is elected is listed on the next page.
Central Officer Board Roles & Description POSITION
RESPONSIBILITIES 1. 2.
1
Uachtarán President 3. 4. 1.
2
National Policy & Campaigns Director
3
National Membership & Recruitment Director
4
National Events Director
2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4.
An Uachtarán shall be the chief spokesperson and leader of Ógra Fianna Fáil. An Uachtarán shall: o Chair meetings of the Central Officer Board. o Co-ordinate the work of the other elected Central Officer Board members. o Maintain a close working relationship with key stakeholders of the organisation. The President shall report to the National Council. They shall be a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive. The National Policy & Campaigns Director shall be responsible for the promotion and coordination of organisation policy and campaigns. She/he will chair the Policy & Campaigns sub-group(s) of the National Council. She/he shall maintain a policy manual on behalf of the organisation. She/he shall report to the National Council. They shall be a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive. The National Membership & Recruitment Director is responsible for the ongoing development of the organisations national recruitment strategy. She/he shall report to the National Council. They shall be a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive. The National Events Director is responsible for the delivery of events on a National basis as agreed by the Central Officer Board and/or mandated by the National Council. She/he will chair the National Youth Conference Steering Committee. This committee shall work with the National Youth Officer to co-ordinate the National Youth Conference. The National Events Director shall report to the National Council. They shall be a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive.
1.
There shall be a Regional Organiser for each of the Euro Constituencies, one for Northern Ireland and one for Third Level institutions.
2.
Each Organiser is responsible in their respective constituency for: a. Aiding the establishment of new Ógra units in CDCs/Higher Education Institutions in accordance with the Corú agus Rialacha. b. Assisting in the coordination of policy development and the running of campaigns in their respective constituencies.
5
National Third Level Organiser
6
Connacht-Ulster Organiser
7
Dublin Organiser
8
Leinster Organiser
9
Munster Organiser
3.
Each Regional Organiser shall be responsible to the National Council and Central Officer Board.
10
Northern Organiser
4.
The National Third Level Organiser shall be a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive.
1.
The National Youth Officer shall be an ex-officio member of the National Council and Central Officer Board. The National Youth Officer is responsible for overseeing the development of Ógra Fianna Fail. She/he will provide support and advice to the Officers and members of Ógra Fianna Fáil as necessary.
11
Fianna Fáil National Youth Officer
2.
HOW IS POSITION FILLED?
Elected by one member one vote on a national basis.
Elected by one member one vote of the members of the respective constituency.
Document Development Timeline Date April-May 2011 19st May 2011 21st May 2011
21st May-6th July 2011 7th July 2011 9th July 2011 14th July 2011 November 2011
ENDS
Version Consultation with membership.
First draft circulated to members of the National Youth Committee. Presentation and discussion of key recommendations at meeting of the National Youth Committee. Second consultation with members of the National Youth Committee. Circulation of amended document following consultation. Final presentation and approval by National Youth Committee Approved by Fianna Fáil Ard Chomhairle for approval Implementation of proposals
v1.0 v1.0
Responsible person(s) Brian Doyle/Joseph O’Neill/National Youth Committee Brian Doyle/Joseph O’Neill Brian Doyle/Joseph O’Neill
v1.0
Brian Doyle/Joseph O’Neill
v1.1
Brian Doyle/Joseph O’Neill Brian Doyle/Joseph O’Neill Joseph O’Neill/Aoife Golden Brian Doyle
v1.1 V1.2 V1.2