How we are Governed

Member Organisations:  We have 54 member organisations 
 
General Assembly:  Each member organisation is represented by 2 people from their organisation at the National Federation General Assembly which meets on a quarterly basis 
 
Areas Federation Committees:  There are 5 Area Federation Committees:

• Dublin North-East Area Federation Committee;
• Dublin Mid-Leinster Area Federation Committee;
• Southern Area Federation Committee;
• South-Eastern Area Federation Committee; and
• Western Area Federation Committee.

Each Area Federation Committee is made up of representatives from member organisations in the area/region where they provide services.    

Board of Directors:  In accordance with our Constitution, the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers arranges for the election of its Board of Directors as follows:

Each Area Federation Committee has the power to elect two directors to the Board and which currently are as follows:

• Dublin Mid Leinster: Clare Dempsey (St. John of God Community Services)  & Breda O'Neill (IRL-IASD)
• Dublin North East: Liz Reynolds (St Michael’s House) & Vacancy
• Southern Area: Sean Abbott (COPE Foundation) & Michael Hegarty (St Joseph’s Foundation) 
• South East Area: Vincent O'Flynn (Carriglea) & Fiona O'Neill (WIDA)
• Western Area:  Michael Hennessy (Brothers of Charity) & Audrey Pidgeon, CEO, Ability West

The above Directors have the power to nominate up to 5 co-options, however, one must come from each of the following geographical areas: Dublin North East; Dublin Mid Leinster and Western Region.

The current co-options to the Board are as follows:

• Dublin North East:              Lorraine Macken (Avista)
• Dublin Mid Leinster:           Mr Joe Mason (Walk)
• Western Region:                Vacancy   

The Board elects a Chairperson every two years.  Clare Dempsey (St. John of God Community Services)  is the current chair, elected in September 2023. The Vice Chair is Fiona O'Neill, Chief Executive of Waterford Intellectual Disability Association. The Board is responsible for the governance of the National Federation in accordance with its Constitution and directs the National Federation's work programme.  In terms of the financial management of the National Federation the Board has in place a Finance, Audit and Risk Sub Committee to oversee this task.