ISPAL Head of Policy and Information, Jane Strange, has been consulting members on the shape and remit of a new ISPAL regional structure.

Needless to say, views have been wide-ranging and “one size won’t fit all”.

So far three clear views have emerged:

a) any structure will have to reflect the needs and commitment of each region. ISPAL is advised not to set up regional networks where there isn’t widespread demand for one - as any such imposed solution will probably fail through lack of interest.

b) regional networks should focus on the regional needs and requirements; agendas must be set by the members themselves and address their issues.

c) there must be adequate resources, though this will differ from region to region.

Nothing new here?! Such feedback is of course a healthy reminder for “HQ people” that regional networks are primarily for ISPAL members to exchange information and share experience. But, of course, the centre of any organisation badly needs the input from the regional representatives, especially for policy making.

So, where do we go from here? ISPAL doesn’t want to tell the regions how to organise themselves. But it does want to support them strongly, and help the “organic development” of the right regional structure.

A way forward is for one region to act as a pilot; to try out governance arrangements, together with resource options, to find what “works”. Clearly there are pluses and minuses to being “first up” but we are talking to one region which is keen to get going. We will give updates here in your ISPAL e-zine.

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