Organisational Structure

Branches
Every member of the Association is a member of the branch of their choice (usually the branch covering their home address if they do not opt to be a member of a different branch). Branches hold regular meetings with talks, slide shows, social evenings etc., and most produce a local newsletter or magazine. The network of 35 branches is a vital focal point for local activities and lobbying.

Branch Committees
The membership of each branch annually elects a branch committee (one third of the members of the committee retire by rotation each year) to oversee the running of the branch on their behalf. The elected committee chooses a chairman, secretary and treasurer from amongst its number and appoints other officers as necessary.

Regions
Each branch is part of a geographical region comprising of around three or four branches. Some regions produce a local newsletter or magazine (generally where the branches within the region have decided to pool their resources) and in some cases also hold meetings etc. in addition to the local branches.

Region Committees
The constituent branch chairmen plus at least three members elected by the combined membership of the branches within a region form the region committee which chooses a region chairman and region secretary from amongst its number.

The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Association comprises all the region chairmen plus members directly elected by the membership as a whole. At least half of the members of Board must be directly elected. All the voting members of the Board are either directly or indirectly elected by the membership.

The Board of Trustees elects from its number a National Chairman, and appoints other national officers, members of national committees and the board of the Association's subsidiary companies, Inland Waterways Enterprises Ltd and Essex Waterways Ltd.

The members of the Board of Trustees are the legal trustees and directors of the Association and are responsible in law for the proper management of the organisation.

The Board of Trustees meets every other month to formulate national policy, approve the recommendations of the national committees and transact the business required of the trustees and directors by law. The Board of Trustees is the final arbiter in the event of any disputes within the Association.

Head Office
The Head Office of the Association is based in Chesham in Buckinghamshire. The Association employs a number of full time professional staff to manage the day to day affairs of the Association under the direction of a chief executive who is responsible to the Board of Trustees.

National Committees
The Board of Trustees delegates specific areas of responsibility to a number of committees made up of Board members and, in some cases, appointees from within the membership (including representatives of corporate members)

Navigation Committee
This committee keeps a close eye upon and responds to all matters concerning the use and maintenance of navigable waterways, advises the Board of Trustees on strategic and forward planning decisions, publishes technical information and provides advice on navigation matters.

Inland Waterways Freight Group
IWFG reports to Navigation Committee and encourages the movement of freight by water.

Restoration Committee
Restoration Committee campaigns for the restoration of derelict waterways and the building of new waterways, assists and advises organisations involved in restoration activities, lobbies funding bodies and government organisations to ensure that they understand the merits and benefits of waterway restoration and makes recommendations for the award of restoration grants.

Finance Committee
Finance Committee oversees the financial management of the Association and ensures the proper administration of membership matters and communications management (including the Association's Internet sites).

Promotions and Communications Committee
This committee promotes the Association by attendance at shows and events, and providing advice and support on publications and other marketing materials.  It also manages the Association's input into Wild over Waterways.

Waterway Recovery Group
"WRG" undertakes the physical restoration of derelict waterways and structures, acts as a national coordinating body for voluntary labour on the waterways and provided training, equipment, etc., for restoration work. WRG has its own extensive web site at www.wrg.org.uk.

Inland Waterways Enterprises Ltd
The Association has a trading subsidiary company managed by directors appointed by the Board of Trustees. It has two divisions:

iwashop.com
iwashop.com raises funds for the Association by selling books, maps and other goods by mail order  and via the Association's Shop Internet site at www.iwashop.com.

Inland Waterways Association Festivals
IWA Festivals also raises funds and promotes the objectives of the Association by organising festivals, rallies and other waterways events, including the National  Festival itself.

Essex Waterways Ltd
Essex Waterways Limited is the Association's subsidiary company that manages the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, in Essex.

Working Groups
Working groups are formed as and when required to assist the various committees in their activities. [Top]