Our member leaders

Our member governance team is constantly working in the best interests of you, our members and customers so that we can provide the best products and service we can.

Making a difference Foresters member leader

What is Member Governance

As a mutual organisation we don’t have shareholders, so any profit we make is used for our members’ benefit. At Foresters our members have a say in how we run as a business, our members represent a system of government, where members are elected at local, regional and international levels to represent members’ interests.

Our elected leaders help us as a business to focus on what is important to our members and support them and their communities.

Foresters members interested in Member Governance

Foresters member making a difference in his community

Foresters Branch Elections 2021: Important dates

6 May – 15 June
Nominations open for Branch Councillor positions

August
Watch for your election package in the mail.

12 August – 10 September
Vote online or mail in your ballot.

October
Election results announced.
Please note that in Branches where the number of candidates matches or is fewer than the number of open positions, no election is necessary.

Helpful Resources:

You’ll find more details about nominations in this Nominations FAQ. If you have any other questions, such as whether you are eligible to vote, please email elections@foresters.com.

Get involved in making a difference

One of the benefits of Foresters membership is the opportunity to get involved in our democratic process, through participating in elections or nominating yourself or someone else for a leadership role as a Branch Councillor.

These elected leaders provide a guiding hand, which helps to focus and support the impact that Foresters makes in our member’s communities. By participating in your local Branch, you can:

Develop valuable leadership skills for your personal life or career
Connect with fellow members who share your passion for community volunteerism
Be inspired by world-class speakers at our annual 3-day Leadership Development Conference, where Foresters takes its elected members to a destination to participate in and experience
Take part in a rewarding volunteer experience with a low time commitment

Meet Your Branch Councillors

In the UK, Foresters has a Regional Council and eight Branch Councils. Learn more about the Branch Councillors in your area.

Northern UK – Meet your Branch Councillors

Yorkshire and East Midlands – Meet your Branch Councillors

North West England and North Wales – Meet your Branch Councillors

Eastern England – Meet your Branch Councillors

South West England and Southern Wales – Meet your Branch Councillors

Central UK – Meet your Branch Councillors

London and South East England – Meet your Branch Councillors

South Central – Meet your Branch Councillors

Branch Councillor Meeting Dates and Minutes

View here

How our members are organised

At the core of Foresters membership is our member-governed Branch network which focuses our efforts where they are needed most – on our members and their communities.

All Foresters members belong to a local Branch and have the opportunity to elect local leaders or to even stand for election themselves.

Foresters Branch Network has a three-tiered governance structure: Branch, Regional, and International, through which Foresters members elect their leaders and ultimately the Board of Directors. Each tier has its own responsibilities and accountabilities.

Chart showing the Foresters Financial Member Governance Structure

Branches/branch council

When you join Foresters you become a member of your local Branch. As a Branch member, you are eligible to vote and hold office on the Branch Council. Local Branch membership includes all Foresters members in your area.

Branches are led by a Branch Council comprised of elected member leaders, Branch Councillors. Elections are held annually and Branch Members select ten Branch Councillors to represent them locally and regionally. Voting takes place through an online voting system or by post in ballot.

Elected Branch Councillors work as a team to represent members' interests in their community. They help oversee the resources and funding to support local Community Team activities, provide input on programmes and activities, meet new people and develop skills you can use in your own life and career.

Branch Councillors meet monthly via teleconference and twice yearly in person.

There are eight Councils in the UK and the map below will give you a guide to which Branch Council covers your postcode area. Each Branch Council has a page with details of meetings and who are your Branch Councillors.

If you would like any additional information on your Branch area please contact the Membership Services Department at membergovernance@foresters.co m

Regional councils

The Regional Council is comprised of member leaders across 5 regions, and they meet every 2 years at a Regional Assembly to run elections for the positions on the Regional Council. There are one in the UK, three in the US, and the other in Canada. Each Branch belongs to one of these five Regional Assemblies.

The Regional Assemblies bring together member leaders from across the Regions geographical area to collaborate and oversee the activities of the Branches within their area.

The Regional Assemblies elect a Regional Council of 10 Regional Councillors, and one Regional Council President. The Regional Council manages the Region and its Branches between meetings of the Regional Assembly.

International Assembly

Every four years, our highest governing body, the International Assembly, meets to review Foresters financial results, fraternal activities and governance highlights and vote on changes to the Constitution.

International Fraternal President, Chris Stranahan, was elected in June 2017 in Atlanta, along with the Board of Directors. The 190 delegates left with a renewed commitment to our Purpose, and ideas for bringing this purpose to life in their own roles and communities. The next International Assembly will be occurring in June 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Governance

Foresters is member-based and democratic, which means you can stand for election yourself or vote for the members that do.

We have two levels of elected leadership. Our 8 Branch Councils and 1 Regional Council are made up of members just like you, interested in sharing their ideas on member programmes and policy, and planning for the future. Members of the Councils are also responsible for electing the International Board of Directors.

Why not open the door? You’ll meet new people, attend interesting conferences and know you’re involved in something great – enhancing the well-being of families and communities.

For further information please contact UK Governance at membergovernance@foresters.com

Member leadership benefits

Foresters members have the opportunity to volunteer with the organisation in a number of different ways, depending on their interests, skills and availability. We provide the resources to support local projects and the tools to help you develop the skills you need to get the most out of your volunteer experience. Whatever your time commitment or level of experience there is an exciting opportunity waiting for you.

Leadership

Community Teams

Giving back is an incredibly rewarding experience – no matter who benefits – especially when it comes to improving the well-being of families right in your very own neighbourhood.

Community Teams will be made up of at least two members who are interested in holding a leadership role. These members will work together to plan community and member events that will be simple to initiate. All leadership positions within community teams are non-elected.

Your membership gives you access to the funding and support you need to organise activities based on your interests and the needs of your local community. You can either join an existing Community Team or create a new one to get started.

Top 3 Benefits of Leading a Community Team:

The freedom to create your own volunteering experience
Running projects and events with ease and flexibility
Connecting with fellow members who share your passion for community volunteerism

Foresters Constitution provides the framework of the laws and principles by which we operate and sets out the authority, responsibilities, and obligations of Foresters members, officers, and representative bodies. Take a look >

Foresters member benefits are non-contractual, subject to benefit specific eligibility requirements, definitions and limitations and may be changed or cancelled without notice.