Following a successful week of meetings in New York this month for its annual in-person gathering, the ChildFund Alliance Board of Directors and all members of the Alliance approved a new constitution and governance structure that will soon guide the 11-member network of child-focused development and humanitarian organizations.
The newly adopted structure gives voice to all members on key matters and decision making through the establishment of a new Members Council and a smaller, skills-based board of directors, among other changes. The new structure will formally take effect January 1, 2025.
The new Member Council, comprising the chief executives from each member organizations, will provide ongoing strategy and policy recommendations and advice to the ChildFund Alliance Board. A priority of the Member Council will be overseeing the development of a new ChildFund Alliance strategic plan and providing leadership and vision for member growth and collaboration.
“By reducing the size and composition of the Board, we can allow for more efficient management of Board business and avoid its unlimited expansion as new organizations join the Alliance,” said outgoing Chairman Simon Whyte. “In addition, we established a nominations committee and a rotational retirement structure to ensure the Board is refreshed regularly and vacancies are filled by individuals who through their skills and experience can contribute significantly to the vision and mission of ChildFund Alliance as vacancies arise.”
Chairman Whyte recognized the particular contribution of outgoing board member David Shortland from ChildFund Australia whose expertise and hard work was critical to the success of the new governance structure. He also expressed gratitude to the others who are retiring from the board as part of the reform process, including Hans-Juergen Foerster of ChildFund Deutschland, Helen Thompson and Isam Ghanim of ChildFund International USA, Alain Gibert of Un Enfant par la Main, and Youngkey Huang of ChildFund Korea. Chairman Whyte thanked them for leaving the Alliance stronger and better positioned to advocate for children’s rights and safety, especially during times of escalating crises.
“I have been extremely gratified to have had the privilege of serving as ChildFund Alliance board chair since 2019,” shared Chairman Whyte. “I wish to also acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all members, member chief executives, Meg Gardinier and the rest of her hard working team at the Secretariat in New York and Brussels, and all members of the Alliance Board in working together over a considerable period of time to establish and agree to the new constitution and structure. Everyone has contributed to this process.”
During his closing remarks, Chairman Whyte presented a gift made by students at Otahuhu College, a secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand for students aged 9 to 18. The wooden Māori sculpture (whakairo, pictured below) was hand carved by students Freddy, Benjamin, and Jacob and will permanently reside in the New York offices of ChildFund Alliance. The carving represents children and youth, perseverance and resilience, and connection to communities.
