IFS General Assembly 2025

Aug 19, 2025 | News

IFS General Assembly: Join Us on 10 October 2025

(Sydney time)

The IFS General Assembly is your chance to help shape our network’s direction for the year ahead. Whether you’re a long-standing member, a new supporter, or someone considering a more active role, this gathering brings us together to review our progress, elect our leadership, and set priorities that matter to our community.

This year’s General Assembly will be held online to ensure global access. We’ve worked to choose a time that reaches as many members as possible across regions. If you can’t attend live, don’t worry — we’ll share a recording with all members afterwards.

Key details are below, along with how you can participate, contribute agenda items, nominate board candidates, and ensure your voting eligibility. To receive the meeting link, please email info@ifsnetwork.org

Event Details

  • Date: Friday, 10 October 2025 (Oct 9 in some member time zones)
  • Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Sydney AEDT)
  • Location: Online

To request the meeting link and calendar invitation, email info@ifsnetwork.org

 We recognise that time zones are always a challenge for a global membership. The selected time reflects broad consultation and the closest we could get to a workable consensus. If you’re unable to join live, a recording will be made available to all members.

What to Expect: Agenda Highlights

The General Assembly will cover organisational business, strategic updates, and opportunities to participate in decision-making. A full agenda and supporting documents will be circulated after the September IFS Board meeting. For now, here are the key items planned:

  • Opening of the Meeting and Administrative Elections
  • Presentation of the 2023/24 Annual and Financial Reports
  • Overview of the IFS Strategic Plan (2024–2028)
  • Election of New Board Members and President Ratification
  • Updates on EFS Establishment and Upcoming Events
  • Open Floor for Questions and Member Contributions
  • Guest Presentation — to be confirmed

These agenda items are designed to provide transparency, invite feedback, and ensure we’re progressing toward our shared goals. You’ll hear about our performance in 2024, how we’re tracking against our multi-year strategy, and what’s next for our programs and events.

Why Your Participation Matters

The General Assembly is not just a formal step in our governance calendar. It’s where members help set priorities, ask questions, and shape our direction. Your participation helps ensure:

  • Fair and representative elections
  • Accountability through open reporting
  • Community input into strategy and programs
  • Stronger connections across our network

If you care about the future of IFS — from governance to advocacy to member services — this is the forum where you can contribute.

How to Participate

  • RSVP and request the meeting link: Email info@ifsnetwork.org  You will receive a calendar invitation for the online meeting — accepting it helps us manage attendance and ensure a smooth start.
  • Prepare for the discussion: Once the post-September Board documents are circulated, review the agenda, annual report summary, financial overview, and any motions scheduled for a vote.
  • Share with your network: If you know members or trusted partners who should attend, encourage them to join by emailing info@ifsnetwork.org for access.

If you can’t attend live, keep an eye on your inbox — the recording and key outcomes will be shared with members after the event.

Contribute to the Agenda

We welcome contributions from members. If you have items or motions you’d like considered, please submit them by Thursday, 29 August 2025. Early submissions allow the Board and Secretariat sufficient time to review, assemble materials, and ensure that items are properly tabled.

To submit an agenda item:

  • Email info@ifsnetwork.org with your proposed item, background details, and any supporting documents or references.
  • If your item includes a motion, please draft the proposed wording and identify the desired outcome (e.g., vote, referral, or discussion).

Clear, early submissions help us keep the meeting efficient and ensure everyone has the information they need to make informed decisions.

Nominations: Join the IFS Board

In addition to re-electing current board members who are eligible and standing again, there are vacancies on the IFS Board. If you’re passionate about our mission and ready to contribute your skills. In that case, we encourage you to nominate — or to nominate someone in your network who would bring valuable skills and perspectives to the Board.

What we look for in nominees:

  • Commitment to IFS’s purpose and values
  • Relevant governance, sector, or leadership experience
  • Capacity to contribute to strategic decision-making
  • Willingness to collaborate and engage with members

How to nominate:

  • Contact the host team via info@ifsnetwork.org as soon as possible to receive the nomination guidelines, eligibility criteria, and timeline.
  • Early contact helps ensure a smooth, transparent process and gives nominees time to prepare the required documentation.

Strong governance depends on diverse voices and practical expertise. If you’ve considered taking a step forward, this is an ideal moment to do so.

Membership and Voting Eligibility

To vote or stand for election at the General Assembly, you must have a current membership for 2025. If you haven’t renewed yet, please settle your membership as soon as possible to ensure you’re eligible to participate in votes and elections at the meeting.

  • Not sure about your status? Email info@ifsnetwork.org and the host office can confirm your membership and guide you through renewal.
  • Renew early: Early renewal avoids delays on the day and supports a smooth election process.

Membership is more than a formality — it’s how we maintain a strong, representative voice and deliver programs that matter to members.

Strategic Focus: 2024–2028

One of the key agenda items is our Strategic Plan for 2024–2028. The plan sets priorities across four years to strengthen our impact and sustainability. In the Assembly, you’ll hear:

  • Progress updates from the first phases of implementation
  • How member feedback has shaped priorities
  • Where we’re investing effort next, including partnerships and events

This discussion will help connect the dots between our long-term goals and the practical steps we’re taking this year. It’s also a chance to suggest areas where you think we should go further or adjust course.

Transparency and Reporting

We’ll present the 2024 Annual and Financial Reports, summarising achievements, challenges, and the financial position of IFS. Expect transparent reporting on:

  • Program outcomes, milestones, and lessons learned
  • Revenue, expenditure, and reserves

Open reporting enables us to remain accountable to our members and ensures that decisions made at the Assembly are informed and well-grounded.

Open Floor: Your Questions and Contributions

The agenda includes time for open discussion. This is your space to:

  • Ask questions about reports, strategy, or governance
  • Share insights from your community or practice
  • Propose ideas for collaboration or events

If you’d like to ensure your question is addressed, you can email it to info@ifsnetwork.org in advance. We’ll group similar questions for a smooth discussion.

Accessing the Meeting

For security and privacy, we’re not publishing the meeting link publicly. To receive access:

  • Email info@ifsnetwork.org and request the General Assembly meeting link
  • Accept the calendar invitation you receive to confirm your attendance

If you have accessibility needs or require support to participate online, please include this information in your email so we can assist you.

Key Dates at a Glance

  • Agenda item submissions due: Thursday, 29 August 2025
  • Full agenda and documents shared: After the September IFS Board meeting
  • General Assembly: Friday, 10 October 2025 (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM Sydney AEDT; (Oct 9 in some time zones)

Add these to your calendar and share with colleagues who should be in the room.

Share the Event

Help us extend the reach of the Assembly:

  • Forward this invitation to colleagues and trusted members
  • Encourage potential nominees to contact the host team
  • Remind peers to renew membership for voting eligibility

A strong turnout means richer discussion and better decisions for our community.

How to Get Involved Today

  • Request the meeting link: Email info@ifsnetwork.org
  • Submit agenda items by 29 August 2025
  • Renew your 2025 membership to secure voting rights
  • Save the date and accept the calendar invitation once received

Your voice matters. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement with IFS. We look forward to seeing you at the General Assembly and working together on the next phase of our shared plan.