To serve August 2023-August 2025

Voting begins 13 March 2023. Eligible voters have until 12:00 CEST on 12 April to cast their votes.

The role

IFLA’s Regional Council plays a key role both in increasing the presence of world regions in IFLA, and IFLA’s presence around the world. It has a particular focus on advocacy and capacity building.

Its Chair oversees this work, liaising both with IFLA’s Professional Council, and ensuring that the voice of regions is heard on the Governing Board. The Chair of the Regional Council is a full member of the Governing Board, so this is a busy position with obligations for involvement in meetings of both the Governing Board and the Regional Council.

The role of the Chair of the Regional Council includes coordinating and supporting the development of Regional Division action plans, reviewing Regional Division activities and raising emerging issues to the Governing Board.

They should also lead efforts to provide input on IFLA advocacy work, review success in developing the regional dimension of the IFLA Strategy and promote IFLA membership and fundraising in the regions. They oversee coordination of work with the Management of Library Associations Section and the National Libraries Section, as well as with the Professional Council.

The position

Positions available: one (1)

Term of office: two (2) years. Re-election possible provided that the new term does not commence until at least one term after the conclusion of the previous term.

Nominations

Nominations required: five (5)

Who can nominate: Members and Affiliates and Regional Division Committee members

Eligible nominees: Outgoing Chairs and Secretaries of the Regional Divisions. Candidates do not have to be an IFLA Member or Affiliate and if elected, are elected in their own right and not as the representative of their employer or nominator.

Expectations of Candidates

Skills and attributes: A candidate for this position should be able to demonstrate:

  • Expertise, experience and interest in/across the library field, and in particular of the work of libraries in different world regions.
  • Proven ability to inspire, provide guidance and support, and represent the interests of a diverse range of colleagues.
  • An understanding of financial management, fundraising and risk-management.
  • An understanding of strategic planning, implementation and review processes.
  • Proven leadership skills, with experience in communication, representation, and networking with both library and non-library audiences, as well as an ability to leverage networks, and a strong engagement in library politics and advocacy.
  • Willingness and ability to devote time and energy to the role – this is usually several hours per month.
  • Time allowance to prepare and attend meetings of the Governing Board and Regional Council, and financial resources to attend at least the IFLA annual Congress.
  • An ability to act with respect, trust, confidentiality and transparency within the Governing Board and recognise the need to protect personal and privileged information. They must declare any conflicts of interest and abstain from discussions where they have a conflict or potential conflict of interest.

Candidate statement: A statement of up to 500 words is requested with the nominee form.

How do I find a nominator?

Check the list of IFLA Members and Association Affiliates found on the Membership page. Contact IFLA members in your country or region and ask if they are willing to nominate you.

How do I submit my nominee form?

Those wishing to stand as a candidate will need to submit a nominee form for this position. This should be done once nominators have been found. In this form you will be asked to provide a statement of up to 500 words describing how you demonstrate the skills and attributes required.

A nomination only becomes valid when there is a match between the number of required nominations and a completed nominee form.

More information

Learn more about the remit of the Regional Council in Rule 20.1.1 of the IFLA Rules of Procedure.