Governance

Vision

To maximise gains for biodiversity through the skills and judgement of all ecologists and environmental managers.

Mission Statement

To develop the science, technology and practice of ecology and environmental management for the benefit of people and biodiversity.

Role of Council and Council Members

1. To ensure compliance with the objects, purposes and values of the organisation and with its governing document – see specific duties in the Memorandum and Articles;
2. to approve policies, plans and budgets in order to achieve agreed objectives, and to monitor performance against them;
3. to ensure the solvency, financial strength and performance of the organisation;
4. to ensure that the organisation complies with all relevant laws and regulations, financial or otherwise;
5. to appoint and if necessary dismiss the Executive Director;
6. to set and maintain a framework of delegation and internal control;
7. to agree or ratify all policies and decisions on matters which might create significant risk to the organisation, financial or otherwise;
8. to act as ambassadors for IEEM and lead in the ceremonial functions of IEEM;

Officers – Roles
President:

1. To represent IEEM externally;
2. to preside over ceremonial functions for the Institute;
3. to chair all General Meetings, Council Meetings and F&GP meetings;
4. to act as line manager for the Executive Director;
5. to liaise with the Geographic Sections and their Committees and attend meetings from time to time;
6. to liaise with members and respond to members’ needs where appropriate;
7. to appoint members of Disciplinary and Appeal boards;
8. to be a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Vice President:

1. To deputise for the President in all functions when he or she is not available;
2. to represent IEEM on selected committees and Boards e.g. SocEnv;
3. to be a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Company Secretary:

1. To sign all property leases and contracts above agreed values and durations on behalf of IEEM;
2. to ensure compliance with requirements of Companies House;
3. to ensure compliance with all items within the Memorandum and Articles of Association;
4. to ensure compliance with legislation in general, especially health and safety;
5. to oversee staff related issues including remuneration and pension schemes;
6. to  consider appeals from IEEM staff in the case of disputes with IEEM management. 
7. to approve expense claims for the Executive Director;
8. to be a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Treasurer:

1. To approve all expenditure above agreed limits;
2. to act as a signatory of cheques and other banking matters;
3. to present the budget and accounts for approval by Council and General Meetings;
4. to sign all financial matters where the Executive Director might have a potential conflict of interest;
5. to liaise as necessary with the IEEM Auditor;
6. to keep under review issues such as investment policy and return on investments; 
7. to be a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

President - Elect:

1. To act in all matters under the instigation of the President or Vice President where experience prior to becoming a president would be advantageous;
2. to become familiar with the workings of all main Committees and the Geographic sections;
3. to be a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Committees

Finance and General Purposes

1. To oversee the administration of the Institute, including property maintenance, staff issues, finance and budget planning;
2. to prepare annual reports, to convene Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings;
3. to promote the development of the Institute including fostering Geographic and Special Interest Groups within the membership.

External Affairs

1. To promote the Institute as the authoritative voice for environmental stewardship and the profession of ecology and environmental management by liaison with other appropriate bodies both within the United Kingdom and abroad, especially in the European Community;
2. to monitor external issues relevant to the Institute, particularly any with implications for the profession;
3. to represent the views of the Institute concerning such issues to government and other bodies and the general public.

Membership Admission

1. To review the membership admission regulations including membership grades and fees;
2. to vet applications for membership in accordance with the regulations;
3. to monitor membership applications and renewals and other statistics;
4. to advise on membership promotion and the retention of current members.
5. to oversee Chartered Environmentalist Admissions and the recruitment of Fellows.

Professional Affairs

1. To provide guidance on professional practice and to keep members informed of new developments and professional opportunities in the practice of ecology and environmental management;
2. to review the Code of Professional Conduct, and the adherence of members to it in case of alleged breaches or other forms of default with respect to the Memorandum(4.1.7) and Articles (1.6.4) of Association of the Institute, and to report such cases to the Council for due consideration.

Training, Education and Career Development

1. To promote the acquisition of, and provide guidance on, relevant knowledge, technical and professional skills, for IEEM members and those seeking to enter the profession;
2. to promote continuing professional development (CPD) among ecologists and environmental managers and to set CPD requirements for IEEM members;
3. to provide opportunities for CPD through the Professional Development Programme, conferences and other activities.          

Geographic Sections

Geographic Sections of IEEM have been set up to provide a local presence for IEEM members within a defined geographic area - either a Country or a Government Region of England. Geographic Sections foster the growth, development and activities of the Institute in a particular area. Within the overall Memorandum and Articles of the Institute, Sections are governed by standard Constitutions, approved by the IEEM Council, which determine their operational rules and regulations. Geographic Sections are responsible to the Council of IEEM, and can contribute to aspects of the Institute's Business Plan and policies. Sections support the aims and objectives of IEEM within their geographic area by assisting with external relations, standards, training, membership recruitment and retention, and management.

Secretariat

Under the overall direction of the Executive Director:

1. to inform Council and the Committees of any issues of which they should be aware;
2. to keep up to date with all relevant matters relating to the activities of the Institute;
3. to prepare policies for consideration by Council and Committees;
4. to suggest courses of action for consideration by Council and Committees;
5. to advise Council and the Committees on the consequences of particular courses of action;
6. to carry out actions as agreed by the Council and Committees of IEEM;
7. to represent the Institute in a wide range of external functions; 
8. to act as the day to day operational base of the Institute;
9. to undertake all necessary actions to ensure the compliance of the Institute with all legal requirements, with its Memorandum and Articles of Association and all similar regulations;
10. to be responsive to the needs of members.

IEEM members are encouraged to get involved with these committees.
Download a Committee application form >>

For a list of Committee members please see the Committee Members webpage, or the Geographic Sections webpage for Section Committee members.

Governance documents for the various Committees are available on the Committee Documents webpage (please note that this page requires a password). These are the documents that all Committee members will have in their Committee Folders.