New governance structure for ICOS

A NEW governance structure for the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, the co-ops’ national umbrella body, is being implemented and new committee members have been appointed.

ICOS president Padraig Gibbons said the change was made to ensure that the society’s governance structure takes account of the changing business environment facing all co-operatives.

The new structure is in line with the more streamlined governance structure ICOS has been advocating for its own member co-ops, he said.

Three new committees (dairy, livestock mart and rural business) have been charged with formulating policy in their respective areas under the direction of the board.

The board size is also being reduced from 16 to 11 members. The first phase of this reduction occurred at this week’s council meeting and involved a reduction of three elected seats. There will be a reduction of a further two elected board seats by 2010.

Mr Gibbons said the new structure will allow closer interaction between the board and the three new committees, leading to speedier and informed decision-making on key policy issues on behalf of member co-ops.

ICOS director general John Tyrrell said member co-ops approved the new structure last December. The change will be phased in over the 2008-2010 period.