|
By Philip Lee, Deputy-Director of Programs
23 Directors from around the world, two consultants, and 11 staffers have wrapped up a week-long series of meetings ending in new priorities and directions for WACC’s future life and work.
After year-long consultations with stakeholders, WACC’s Board of Directors adopted a new Strategic Plan 2012-2016. The document presents a vision and direction for the next five years with the potential to catalyze changes well beyond that period.
 |
| WACC Board of Directors and staff |
WACC will continue to ground its work firmly within an ethical values framework rooted in an understanding of justice and liberation. It will strengthen its ties with international ecumenical networks, giving increased attention to and support for communication rights.
In particular, WACC’s communication activities and projects will be streamlined and focused on promoting the public voices and participation of poor, marginalized, excluded and dispossessed people and communities. There will be greater emphasis on advocacy and on changing policies and influencing decision-makers on issues related to communication rights.
Meeting at the global secretariat in Toronto, Canada, October 9-14, WACC’s elected representatives took the first steps towards approving a revised set of Christian principles of communication. Called “Communication for All: Sharing WACC’s Principles”, they affirm “the centrality of communication – including mass, community and social media – in strengthening human dignity and in promoting democratic values and social justice.”
“Communication for All” outlines a vision of restoring “voice and visibility to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in a spirit of genuine solidarity.” The document will be communicated to WACC’s regional executive committees for comment before being considered for approval by the global Executive Committee in 2012.
WACC’s leadership undertook a rigorous and much appreciated series of training sessions on governance. Conducted by Joette Thomas, a trainer and consultant from the Craighead Institute, Glasgow, Scotland, the training combined opportunities for reflection, discussion and sharing of ideas. Specific topics covered include accountability, finance, strategy, management and governance, and how to develop regional leadership.
 |
| Leadership training conducted by Joette Thomas |
The week-long programme included the Annual General Meetings of WACC-Canada and WACC-UK, setting a Budget Framework for 2012 for WACC-Canada in anticipation of a new operational plan, and approving a Budget for 2012 for WACC-UK.
For the first time in WACC’s history, the Board of Directors recognized organizations with a global mandate that contribute a minimum of US$20,000 per annum to WACC as Funding Members with the status of Corporate Member.
The meetings saw the election of new Officers. Dr Dennis Smith was re-elected as President for a second-term of three years. Praxedis Bouwman was re-elected as Vice-President for a second term of three years; David Wanless as Treasurer and Dr Samuel Meshack as Secretary both for their first terms.
 |
The new Executive Committee
|
The Directors spent time reviewing policies and appointing committees. There will now be a Conflict of Interest Committee which also serves as Constitution and Policy Committee; Finance and Fundraising Committee; Communication & Marketing Committee; Membership Task Force; Continuing Education & Training Task Force; Strategic Plan Implementation Task Force.
The future of the WACC Congress was discussed. Congress has occupied an important place in terms of WACC’s sense of community and identity and has provided an orientation function in terms of programming and work. The Directors committed the Officers to presenting a proposal that explores alternatives and different modalities for holding such an event, with flexibility both on programme and timing.
At the end of the meetings, WACC General Secretary, Rev. Karin Achtelstetter, congratulated the Directors, thanked them for their hard work, new sense of purpose, and their ongoing collaboration. She said, “We look forward to renewed energy and commitment as we implement the tasks laid out by the Board in this exciting new phase in WACC’s life.”
|
Comments