MSF attracts a huge variety of people from all over the world. Despite differences in background, culture and attitude, they share a common purpose: to put their feelings of solidarity with populations in danger into practice.
The success of MSF over the last 30 years is a testament to the people who have given their time, expertise and so much more to this purpose, both while working with MSF and when back home.
For this success to continue, the movement relies on people contributing their ideas, experience and passion through its Association groups.
What does the Association do?
MSF staff treat a child at a malnutrition feeding centre for refugees. Cameroon, 2007.
© Jean-Pierre Amigo/MSF
The Association is an integral part of MSF UK. Members of the Association and the elected Board collectively own MSF UK.
Becoming a member means taking collective responsibility for MSF UK.
The Association concerns itself primarily with the bigger picture: the ideals, ethical values, principles and the overall direction of the organisation.
The Association has the responsibility to ensure that MSF remains true to its identity and charter and dedicated to its mission.
It is about thinking, discussing and deciding on issues at the heart of MSF’s strategy and identity.
How does it work?
The Association directs and steers MSF UK through democratic participation and contribution, through organised exchanges of ideas, through elected representatives and by engaging with communities at home.
The Association's representatives, the Board of Trustees (Board), are ultimately responsible for what MSF UK does. The Board delegates the development and implementation of policy and strategy to the MSF UK executive. The Board meets every six weeks to hold the executive to account and ensure that MSF UK is well run and achieving its objectives.
At the Annual General Meeting Association members approve the Trustees' Annual Report and the Financial Statement - an overview of the year’s activities and the funds MSF UK received and spent.
Association members have a significant influence through the Board. Once a year at the AGM members vote to elect the Board, which represents them and is accountable to them. These are the current MSF UK Board members.
Link with civil society
Members of the MSF UK Association are ambassadors of MSF in their communities. They explain and promote MSF’s ideals, aims and mission, raising awareness of what MSF is and what it stands for.
Who can become an Association member?
MSF field staff, office staff and office volunteers may apply to join after they have worked with MSF for six months.
Their contribution to MSF may have been with any MSF section and in any MSF mission. They do not have to live in the UK, nor be a UK citizen.
The MSF UK Association is subject to the Memorandum of Association and Articles filed at Companies House. The Memorandum of Atrticles describes the internal workings of MSF UK.