Governance

Running the Society

The North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) is governed by its Council, which is made up entirely of Society Members.

Council is made up of  President, Chairperson, General Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary plus one elected representative from each Branch. These are all designated as Charity Trustees for the purposes of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. In addition, the Council can appoint other office bearers who may partake in Council meetings but do not have voting rights.

Officers are elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Society which is held in August and is hosted by the Branches in turn.

Individual Branches normally hold their own AGM in May and elect their own office bearers.

The main legal guideline for the Society and Branches is that they act in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and its subsequent amendments, and the charity’s Governing Document consisting of the Society and Branch Constitution.

There are no paid employees in the Society – all roles are carried out by volunteers who generously give their time and expertise to manage and develop the Society.

Society Officer Members of Council

The following Officer posts are filled by election at the Annual General Meeting, or subsequently by appointment of Council:

Volunteer Roles

There are a large number of Volunteer roles in the Society to assist Council in providing various services to Members and the public. Some of these are listed below: