This section outlines what happens if it is found that a Member Organisation is not complying with the conditions of membership, as set out in the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws or the requirements of this Membership Policy.
9.1 Investigating potential non-compliance
If a Member Organisation is found not to be meeting the membership rights, responsibilities and privileges as set out in Article 10.10 of the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws, and the membership requirements set out in this policy in section 5.3, the relevant Regional Committee will investigate the situation and take appropriate action. Usually, the next step would be to notify the Member Organisation that they will be put in a Concern and Support period, and they are expected to work with the WAGGSG Global Team (usually via the Regional Committee) and take proactive steps to address concerns.
In some cases, the Regional Committee will recommend to the World Board that an automatic suspension should be imposed on the Member Organisation. These may include, but not be limited, to:
- cases where a Member Organisation has failed to pay its membership fees for a period of two full years and does not have a repayment plan in place, as set out in the WAGGGS Membership Fee Policy;
- cases where the actions of a Member Organisation have brought, or have the potential to bring, the reputation of WAGGGS and the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Movement into disrepute.
- cases of significant negligence, where the actions or inaction of a Member Organisation have brought, or have the potential to bring, significant harm. This could be in relation to a range of areas, including, but not limited to, safeguarding and child protection, health and safety, data protection etc.
These procedures ensure that Member Organisations are given support and a fair opportunity to return to compliance before any sanctions are applied.
9.2 Concern and Support Period (pre-suspension)
When a Member Organisation no longer meets the Membership Conditions in the Constitution and Bye-Laws and/or the WAGGGS Membership Policy, the following procedure will apply.
The Member Organisation and the World Board will be notified in writing, normally via the Regional Committee Chair or Head of Membership and Regional Support, of the concern, the possibility of suspension and any potential sanctions.
The WAGGGS Global Team will work with the Member Organisation for up to two years, providing guidance and support to meet specific targets towards compliance. This period is known as the ‘Concern and Support Period’. Where offered, the Member Organisation must accept support from the WAGGGS Global Team and engage in the process.
At the end of this two-year period, the WAGGGS Global Team will review the Member Organisation’s compliance and the effectiveness of the support provided to assess whether the Member Organisation is now in compliance. The review may result in one of the following outcomes:
- The Member Organisation is now fully compliant -the Member Organisation is notified in writing the Concern and Support Period is complete; or
- The Member Organisation has made progress towards compliance / agreed targets but is not fully compliant – the Member Organisations is notified in writing that the Concerns and Support Period will be renewed, up to a maximum of two additional years; or
- The Member Organisation has made insufficient progress towards compliance / agreed targets –the Member Organisation is notified that suspension of their Membership will be recommended to the World Board as soon as the notification is sent.
If, six months after receiving the initial notification, informing the Member Organisation about the concern and the possibility of suspension, a Member Organisation does not engage with the WAGGGS Global Team, they will be notified that the option to engage in the Concern and Support Period will only remain available for a further six months. If a Member Organisation fails to engage during this initial one-year period, and there are no mitigating circumstances, the Member Organisation will be notified that suspension of their Membership will be recommended to the World Board as soon as the notification is sent.
At all stages, external or mitigating factors, such as economic or political circumstances or natural disasters, will be taken into account by the World Board.
9.3 Suspension Period
The decision to suspend a Member Organisation is determined by the World Board, following the recommendation of the Regional Committee, as set out in the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws, sub-clause 10.4.4. Mitigating factors, such as external economic or political circumstances or natural disasters, will be considered. The World Board will issue a formal suspension notice to the Member Organisation, including an explanation of the reason for suspension. All Member Organisations will be notified of the suspension.
The WAGGGS Global Team will work with the suspended Member Organisation for up to two years, providing guidance and support to address the concerns raised. The Member Organisation is expected to actively engage with the WAGGGS Global Team and accept support offered during this period.
Any suspended Member Organisation will be required to continue to pay WAGGGS membership fees, during the suspension period.
9.4 Sanctions during suspension
When a Member Organisation is under suspension, the following sanctions will apply, usually with immediate effect:
- Withdrawal of financial assistance and support, including Regional and “Friends” funds.
- Loss of entitlement to attend, vote or participate in World and Regional Conferences (in person, online, or through written resolutions).
- Exclusion from participation in WAGGGS events and programmes (except those specifically targeted at suspended Member Organisations).
- Prohibition from representing WAGGGS externally.
- Loss of eligibility for new grants. Allocated funded programme grants may also be discontinued.
- Loss of eligibility to nominate candidates for any WAGGGS role (World Board, Regional Committees, or other governance structures).
WAGGGS Trustees (World Board members) or committee members from suspended Member Organisations may complete their term of office. However, if the membership of their Member Organisation is cancelled, they must resign in accordance with WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws, sub-clause 16.1.8. Operational volunteers also must resign their roles if their Member Organisation’s membership has been cancelled.
9.5 Review of suspension period
The suspension of a Member Organisation imposed by the World Board will usually be reviewed within 12 months. Suspension may be lifted earlier by the World Board, on the recommendation of the relevant Regional Committee, if the Member Organisation rectifies the issues identified.
The WAGGGS Global Team will monitor progress and at the end of the suspension period will provide a recommendation to the World Board to either:
- Lift the suspension, if the Member Organisation has addressed the concerns;
- Extend the suspension for a further defined period, if significant progress has been made but some issues remain; or
- Recommend cancellation of membership to the next World Conference, as set out in the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws, sub-clause 10.4.5.