INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

Background

Organisational dynamics have an influence on the functioning of IPA Training Institutes and Component Societies. In 2014, the IPA created an Institutional Issues Task Force to scope the field and to develop proposals for longer-term IPA work; this led to the creation of a permanent committee to place continuing focus on the issue of group and organizational dynamics, to raise awareness among the IPA's Members, and to act as a resource for parts of the IPA (such as Component Societies or training Institutes) which may wish to use the skills and expertise of the group to support them. Following several years of very successful operations, this revised mandate is intended to provide a sharp focus for the committee to enable them to continue their good works.

Mandate

The Institution Issues Committee is mandated:

1. After receiving a referral from the officers, Executive Committee or Board, to advise the IPA about the group and organizational dynamics of any particular situation within societies (or such other work covered by the referral -- eg, consultative and advisory work with the leaders of groups in dispute, etc).
2. To develop proposals for the IPA communications initiatives (e.g., in consultation with the Communications Steering Committee) to disseminate among the membership information about group and organizational dynamics..
3. To recognize and develop a space for psychoanalytic discourse in this area through various activities: panels at meetings; large groups at international and national conferences; initiating group discussions for people to express and share their views and concerns, etc.
4. To develop learning and “best practice” opportunities arising from the committee’s work, especially around interactions that might otherwise be degrading or injurious (eg, related to a power-based conflict, group disputes, etc).

Ways of working and reporting

The Institutional Issues Committee will be expected to do most of its work electronically, using GoToMeeting, or other free-to-use communication systems. The Committee, like all IPA committees, will be expected to be self-supporting for secretarial and other purposes. It will have access to the web and email support services offered by the IPA.

Any face-to-face meetings should take place, so far as possible, adjacent to IPA or regional congresses. The Committee will provide a written report to the Board at least annually.

Composition of the committee

The Institutional Issues Committee will be composed of a Chair, three regional Co-Chairs, and six members (two from each region). The Executive Director will be an ex-officio member.

The Committee may request the appointment of Consultants to advise on specific issues as needed (Consultants will not be funded to attend in-person meetings).

Budget

The Committee will propose a budget during the annual IPA budget cycle.

Approved by the Board January 2018

Revised by the Board March 2022