In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all being forced to make difficult decisions to enforce social distancing in order to protect the health of our families, staffs, and the most vulnerable people.This affects our day-to-day operations and our ability to provide services, in some cases resulting in clinic closures, and it also has implications for governance. Governing bodies are required to meet regularly, and must be especially agile and responsive during crises.
The UK Charities Commission recently released guidance for how non-profits can ensure smooth, transparent, and accountable decision-making while practicing necessary social distancing. It advises that meetings of Trustees can take place virtually, and that the decision to move to virtual meetings must be documented if the organization’s governing documents do not already allow for virtual meetings. Similarly, in the event that an organization needs to postpone its annual general meeting, this decision should also be documented.
At the global level, IPPF has decided to move all governance functions to a virtual format, including the work of the Transition Committee and the final meeting of the Governing Council, scheduled for May 15-17. While the Charities Commission guidance applies to UK-based charities, MAs located in countries that have implemented lockdowns should check their regulations and local advice against this guidance to plan for the smooth functioning of their governance.