Formally Establishing the ILF

In spite of its expansion and achievements during its 80-year history, until recently no steps had ever been taken to formally incorporate the Federation.  At the 19th International Lifeboat Conference, held in Cape Town in March 2003, delegates accepted proposals for the formal incorporation of the Federation as a charity operating under the guidance of an appointed Board of Trustees.

A Council of fourteen members was elected during the conference.  This Council was tasked with providing the Trustee Board with information and advice on technical matters, developmental policy and , more importantly, to chart the course for the future of the ILF.  It was specifically tasked with developing, in consultation with member organisations, rules and regulations and a new membership structure.  It is expected that these will be published at the end of 2005 and that the first election of Trustees under the new constitutional documents will occur at the 20th International Lifeboat Conference, scheduled to be held in Gothenburg in June 2007.

Overall responsibility for the affairs of the Federation is currently vested in an inaugural board of three trustees who were appointed during the 19th Confernce and approved by members.   A Chief Executive Officer reports directly to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the running of the Federation's day-to-day affiars and activities.

An aggressive activity plan is being prepared, which is to be supported by an equally active fundraising programme, to ensure that the Federation is capable of achieveing its goals and objectives.

Interim Governance Arrangements

Corporate Status:

Agreements at the 19th International Lifeboat Conference in Cape Town resulted in the registering of the International Lifeboat Federation as a company limited by guarantee in the United Kingdom.  The Company Registration Number is 4852596.  The Company was formed in the names of three "care-taker" members in accordance with the resolutions passed during the conference.  These are:

Sir John James, Deputy Chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Mr. Peter Nicholson, Chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Capt. Rolf Westerstrom, Chief Executive Officer of the Swedish Sea Rescue Service and Chairman of the ILF Council.

The three founder members were subsequently elected as directors of the Company and, in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, also nominated as trustees of the charity established at the same time.

The International Lifeboat Federation was granted charitable status by the Charity Commission of England and Wales with effect from 25th November, 2003.  The Registered Charity Number is 1100883.  The ILF is now at liberty to raise charitable funds.

Mr. Gerry Keeling was appointed by the Bosard of Trustees to the role of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Charity.

Interim Structure

The International Lifeboat Federation comprises three main bodies:

The Board of Trustees
The charity has been established in the names of three "care-taker" members, also nominated as the inaugural Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the governance of the organisation.  Until such time as membership categories and elegibility for membership categories defined the Trustees are the only "voting members" of the International Lifeboat Federation.

The International Forum
This is the body within which all members of the previously un-incorporated International Lifeboat Federation participate and cooperate for the overall development of search and rescue globally.  All members of the "old" ILF are enrolled as "Associates of the International Forum".  Associates have no voting rights but are encouraged to engage in the discussions and debates that shape the Council's recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the decisions made by the Trustees.

The Council of the International Forum
The Council consists of fourteen individuals nominated and elected at the 19th International Lifeboat Conference and additional members seconded subsequently under a pre-agreed procedure.  The Council advises Trustees on the running of the ILF and has been specifically tasked with drafting the new ILF's constitution.

The Secretariat
The Chief Executive Officer, in conjunction with both employed and seconded personnel, has responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Federation and execution of the organisation's programmes.

Interim Membership Arrangements

Historically there was no formal definition of the various membership categories and elegibility criteria of the "old" ILF.  This is something that requires addressing carefully.

The Trustees and Council accepted that the issues surrounding the definition of membership categories and associated financial contributions are complex and will require careful consideration to resolve to the satifaction of everyone.  Taking into account the clear desire to move forward, it was agreed that the ILF should be established as a charity in the names of three "care-taker" members to serve pending the resolution of these issues and ratification of Constitutional Documents.  The intention is that all matters concerning membership, funding and governance be concluded before the Gothenburg Conference in 2007.

All organisations on the "membership list" of the "old" ILF as at the 19th Conference in Cape Town are, regardless of the category of membership assigned to them at that time, recognised as "Associates of the International Forum".  The term "associate" is being used to avoid confusion with the Trustees of the charity who are, currently, the only voting members of the new ILF Charity.  "Associates of the International Forum" are encouraged to participate fully in the development of the organisation and in any of its activities and projects during the transition phase.

Once categories of membership in the "new" ILF have been defined and approved, Associates of the International Forum are invited to apply for the caterories of membership of the "new" International Lifeboat Federation for which they are elegible.

In the interim period (2003 - 2007) new applications for associateship of the International Forum will be scrutined by the Council, pending the establishment of membership criteria for the "new" ILF.


source: International Maritime Rescue Federation
http://www.international-maritime-rescue.org/ilf/the_ilf_now.php

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