F ID I AS SO C I ATI O NS FIDIS REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: HOW THEY WORK AND WHAT THEY DO? FIDIs 27 regional Associations represent the interests of Affiliates in each part of the world. To remind us about the central part the Associations play in the overall governance of the FIDI Global Alliance, Customer Relations Officer Lydia Cope answers some frequently asked questions F LYDIA COPE, FIDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER IDIs regional Associations play a vital role within FIDI, helping the organisation to run smoothly and maintaining it as the leading industry body worldwide. Each Association is driven by a group of professionals from FIDI-affiliated companies in that region. Wherever they are in the world, they have the same objective to represent and support their local members and to maintain FIDI as the leading global industry organisation. Lets take a closer look at the important role these regional Associations play within FIDI. FIDI GOVERNANCE FIDI Affiliates = FIDI membership Local or regional FIDI Associations Delegates Meeting & General Assembly = represent all FIDI Affiliates = the FIDI parliament FIDI Board = executive body FIDI office = daily management 68 FF303 Sept_Nov 21 pp68-69 FIDI Associates.indd 68 FIDI Focus: What exactly is a FIDI Association? Lydia Cope: FIDI Associations are full members of FIDI, which have voting rights. They represent the national and supranational intercontinental household furniture removals trade and are legal entities, which are formed in accordance with the laws of the country in which they are established. There are currently 27 FIDI Associations, each representing a country or a group of countries within a region. FIDI Asia is currently the largest, with 81 Affiliate members. Each FIDI Association has an elected board of directors. It nominates a delegate to represent its members at FIDI governance meetings. These elected individuals share their challenges and opportunities, and collaborate with one another to help drive the FIDI organisation and the mobility industry overall forward. FF: What role do FIDI Associations play at FIDI? LC: The FIDI Affiliates in each of the 27 regions have voting rights with their own FIDI Association. Their regional Associations then represent their members interests at the Delegates Meeting and vote accordingly at the FIDI General Assembly. The FIDI General Assembly is the supreme authority governing FIDI. FF: What happens during a Delegates Meeting? LC: Delegates meetings are held twice a year and are hosted by the central FIDI Board, with all 27 FIDI Associations represented by their elected delegate. These meetings give Associations the opportunity to come together and put forward any issues arising from their members, and collaborate on FIDI matters for the good of the industry. These include FIDI services, the annual FIDI conference, the organisations finances and industry matters. These meetings facilitate debate and advise on future developments, according to their members views. FF: What are the key powers of the General Assembly? LC: The General Assembly elects the members of the FIDI Board. It appoints an auditor, approves the annual accounts and budget, and decides on items including FIDI developments, amendments to the FIDI Statutes (rules) and membership fees. FF: Are Affiliates required to be a member of their FIDI Association? LC: Yes. All FIDI Affiliates are required to be a member of their FIDI Association. As laid down in the Statutes, they must WWW. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 15/09/2021 11:11