Councilreports March11

DRAFT – 13/04/11
Chair’s report on Council meeting of 18 March 2011
The following people were present at the meeting:-
Trustees Corporate Management and Staff

John Gaventa (Chair) Barbara Stocking (Chief Executive)
Karen Brown Bob Humphreys (Finance & Information Services Director)
James Darcy Jane Cotton (Human Resources Director)
Gareth Davies Penny Lawrence (International Director)
Sandra Dawson Phil Bloomer (Campaigns & Policy Director)
Andy Friend Thomas Schultz-Jagow (Communications Director)
Vanessa Godfrey David McCullough (Trading Director)
Rajv Joshi Joss Saunders (Company Secretary)
Matthew Martin Anne Gornall (Trustees Officer)
David Pitt-Watson
Tricia Zipfel
Apologies were received from Maja Daruwala and Marjorie Scardino. This was the second meeting of
Council’s annual cycle for 2010/11 and took place in Oxford.
Matters arising from minutes of January Council meeting

There were no matters arising.
Chief Executives Report

In her regular update to trustees, Barbara Stocking and members of Oxfam’s management team covered the
following key areas:
Humanitarian
Following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Barbara Stocking advised that funds could be channelled to
Oxfam Japan, as it was the Oxfam working there. Instability in Cote D’Ivoire had implications for Liberia and
Ghana. Oxfam was currently providing water and sanitation to around 90,000 displaced people in Liberia, working
with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and UNICEF. It was anticipated that the problems could spread to Ghana.
Within the wider context of diplomatic negotiations and the UN Security Council’s responsibility for protection,
Oxfam was advocating the protection of human rights in Libya. In Yemen considerable efforts were being made to
find out what was happening to the people and to address their lack of food and access.
Trustees endorsed the ongoing focus on protection and the lobbying of the international duty bearers.
Campaigning
Oxfam had participated fully at a number of fora to celebrate International Women’s Day. The new Food Justice
campaign will be launched on 31 May. Following the British aid reviews, Oxfam had given a positive response to
the focus on fragile states, and would be monitoring how things progress.
Fundraising
Upcoming events would include Selfridges Pop-Up shop, Marks and Spencers clothes exchange, an exhibition by
photographer Rankin, and the London Marathon (where Oxfam is the charity of the year).
Barbara Stocking advised that a partnership with Paypal (100% Giving) had been launched in February, and David
McCullough updated trustees on barcode technology in shops.
Oxfam International Board meeting 23/24 March 2011 – Issues for Oxfam GB
Barbara Stocking updated Council on overall progress with the implementation of the single management structure.
The new structure was scheduled to go live in 22 countries where Oxfam GB was the managing affiliate in the
financial year 2011/12. Some useful work had also taken place on support functions, including IT and internal audit,
collaboration, programme standards and leadership.
Council also considered the issues highlighted in the Oxfam International Executive Director’s report: the statement
of purpose and beliefs; constitutional amendments; OI governance and secretariat review; the election of an Oxfam
International chair; and the future of the Oxfam International board.
1
DRAFT – 13/04/11
Annual Plan
Barbara Stocking introduced the annual plan, and also advised Council on the future Oxfam International strategic
plan. The key issues for the year were highlighted, including the launch of the Food Justice campaign, building
capacity in humanitarian work, and securing continued resources. The Honorary Treasurer (Gareth Davies)
advised that the Trustee Audit and Finance Group (TAFG) were happy that this was a robust budget, and after
some discussion, trustees approved the plan.
Aid effectiveness including Oxfam’s own reputation

Thomas Schultz-Jagow introduced the discussion, with input from Jane Cocking (Humanitarian Director), Jen
Corlew (Head of Media) and Max Lawson (Senior Policy Adviser). They explained the inter-related issues that
made the current public discussions on aid both confusing and contentious. Given the implications for Oxfam’s
reputation, future fundraising, and its stakeholders and beneficiaries, it was important for Oxfam and its trustees to
address these issues and engage in the debate.
Oxfam’s place within the international humanitarian system

James Darcy and Jane Cocking introduced a paper. Trustees and CMT supported a small but significant shift in
Oxfam’s positioning, where Oxfam would continue to be a strong and engaged player in co-ordination but would
focus less on carrying out direct provision with its own staff. Instead the organisation would invest more in
developing the capacity of national actors who are the primary duty-bearers for humanitarian response.
The meeting then moved on to the business and governance items on the main agenda, as follows:
1. Trustees noted the 3rd quarterly report of 2010/11, including health and safety.
2. The appointment of Nkoyo Toyo to Council was confirmed.
3. Council considered a paper on their engagement with stakeholders. Suggestions were made, including
interaction with staff, fundraisers and donors, attending fundraising events, and having more exposure to
international staff and partners.
4. The issues that had been discussed at the TAFG meeting on 4 March. Impact assessment and monitoring
and learning (MEL) would be scheduled for Council discussion after consideration by the Programme
Review Group (PRG) and TAFG
5. Matthew Martin reported back on an informal and informative visit to Oxfam Mexico.
6. James Darcy undertook to share the amended terms of reference for the PRG with Council.
The Chair advised that the next meeting would be on Friday 20 May, preceded by the Oxfam Connects event on
Thursday 19 May.
John Gaventa
Chair

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DRAFT – 13/04/11

Chair’s report on Council meeting of 18 March 2011

The following people were present at the meeting:-

Trustees Corporate Management and Staff

Matters arising from minutes of January Council meeting

Chief Executives Report

Aid effectiveness including Oxfam’s own reputation

Oxfam’s place within the international humanitarian system

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