Thu, 25 May
|Radisson RED
Risk Management: Addressing Board and Secretariat's hiring and responsibilities
All an Association needs to know so that they are not blindsided

Time & Location
25 May, 14:30 – 17:45
Radisson RED, Rue d'Idalie 35, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
About the Event
Organised in partnership with EY Law and Kadrant Law, this two-part workshop will feature financial and legal experts in dialogue with Association Executives. Together, in an intimate environment, we will explore case studies to make sure that an Association's Leadership Structure is fit for purpose.
Session 1: Hiring an Association Executive – Brain teaser or a world of opportunity?
Whether your organisation is smarll or large, hiring a Secretary General/executive director/director general/CEO whatever you call it is always an important moment in the life of your organisation. Indeed, the position of the Executive is in many ways decisive as to the direction that your organisation will take in the coming years. Finding the right candidate is therefore crucial. But once the real gem has been found, it is still necessary to determine with them how they will be hired by your organisation. If we take into account the significant budget that the remuneration that an Executive can represent for an organisation, the globalisation and mobility of the labour market (especially in the EU bubble), and the applicable legal constraints which vary from one country to another, how to hire an Executive can easily seem like a real brain teaser.
However, with the assistance of the right experts, it is possible to put in place an optimal and tailor-made contractual relationship in order to satisfy both your organisation and your new Executive. This is why EY Law and EY have brought together a panel of experts in non-profit, labour, social, tax and VAT law, which will explore with you through several case studies the field of possibilities in terms of hiring of a Secretary General as well as the pitfalls to be avoided.
Moderator:
- Liesbeth Switten, Secretary General, AIB
Speakers:
- Antoine Druetz, Associate Partner, EY Law
- Barbara François, Executive Director, EY Law
- Marie-Emilie Truyens, Senior Associate, EY Law
- Kim Verhaeghe, Manager, EY Law
- Elise Theys, Manager, EY Law
Session 2: Board Vs GA Vs Secretariat: Who is (really) in charge?
The things an Association's Board needs to know, and they don't, are what can get an organisation in trouble. But, where do the Secretariat's responsibilities lie in informing the Board about what is at stake?
Most of us inherited an organisational structure that we keep going because it is often hard to change, but is it risk-free? Scrutiny will increase in the future, and we need to be prepared. At the same time, rapid changes can bring up conflicts between the Board and the Secretariat, that require clear rules to resolve peacefully.
Organised in partnership with Kadrant Law and EY Law, this two-part workshop will feature financial and legal experts in dialogue with Association Executives. Together, in an intimate environment, we will explore case studies to make sure that an Association is fit for purpose.
Moderator:
- Anna Ostanina, Head of Legal Affairs, ECTA
Speakers:
- Giulia Mauri, Founder & Partner, Kadrant Law
- Frédéric Destrebecq, Executive Director, European Brain Council & European Brain Foundation
Running order:
14.00-14.30: Registrations and welcome coffee
14.30-16.00: First workshop - Hiring an Association Executive – Brain teaser or a world of opportunity?
16.00-16.30: Coffee break
16.30-18.00: Second workshop - The Blind Spots of Responsibilities between Boards and Secretariats
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