Financial Statements - International Planned Parenthood Federation

IPPF Financial Statements 2009 5
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
IPPF was formed in 1952 and
incorporated in 1977 under a UK
Act of Parliament: The International
Planned Parenthood Federation
Act 1977. The Governing Council
confirm that the Strategic Framework
is in alignment with the purposes
stated in the Act.
Public benefit
In April 2008 the Charity Commission
guidance on Public Benefit was
considered with the recommended
self-assessment for the public benefit
principles undertaken. The Governing
Council confirm that the aims of
the organization as stated in The
International Planned Parenthood
Act 1977 meet the charitable purposes
as outlined in The Charities Act
2006. Specifically, IPPF is engaged
with purposes in relation to the
‘advancement of health or the saving
of lives’ and the ‘advancement of
human rights’.
As discussed on pages 8 to 14, IPPF
has set out its mission to improve
sexual and reproductive health and
rights for millions of women, men
and young people around the world
in its Strategic Framework. The
Strategic Framework demonstrates
that IPPF is engaged in activities
which have general public benefit
in the 163 countries in which IPPF
currently works with our Member
Associations. IPPF works through one
organization in each of these countries.
Member Associations do not pay
any fee to become or maintain their
membership of the IPPF. Through
monitoring global indicators IPPF
assesses its ability to meet the needs
of the poor, marginalized, sociallyexcluded
and/or under-served groups,
ensuring that those in poverty have
the opportunity to benefit from the
services IPPF provides.
Governance
IPPF is governed by a Governing
Council, composed of 30 volunteers
from Member Associations, and
appoints a Director-General as its
Chief Executive Officer responsible
for managing the affairs of the
Federation as determined by the
Governing Council.
Governing Council members are
elected for a period of three years.
Each Regional Council elects five
members to serve as Governing
Council members and also elects
a Regional Executive Committee
to govern the affairs of the Region.
Each Member Association has
a volunteer Board of Directors
(elected by the membership of the
Association) and sends one or more
as a delegate to Regional Council.
The Governing Council meets
twice per year, for three days. This
Council has two sub-committees;
the Membership Committee and the
Audit Committee which meet twice
per year for one day at a time.
Following the election of a new
Governing Council, members receive
a comprehensive induction pack
outlining their responsibilities as
UK charity trustees. In addition, an
interactive session is held where
members are provided with materials
in relation to strategy, policies and
finances as well as practical elements
concerning the role distinctions
between volunteers and staff.
Incorporated under
a UK Act of Parliament,
IPPF’s aims are the
advancement of health
and human rights.