Governance

Decision-making within the FSC takes place by members, who are divided into chambers, each with equal voting power. Internationally there are three chambers (social, environmental and economic), and in Canada there is a fourth, Aboriginal Peoples chamber. Members elect a Board of Directors that is representative of these chambers. The purpose of the chamber structure is to maintain the balance of voting power between different interests.

• Aboriginal Chamber:
  This chamber is unique to Canada and includes Aboriginal organizations and individuals.
  *Research, academic, technical institutions, and individuals are eligible to become members. The FSC Board will determine their designation to a particular chamber. Government organizations are not eligible to become members. (The governing board of FSC member organizations must also be independent of government organizations.)
• Economic Chamber: Includes organizations and individuals with an interest in commercial forest products entities. (Examples: certification bodies, industry and trade associations, wholesalers, retailers, consumer associations, and consulting companies) Applicants with economic interests must demonstrate an active commitment to implementing the FSC Principles and Criteria in their operations.
• Environmental Chamber: Limited to non-profit, non-governmental organizations with a demonstrated commitment to environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest stewardship.
• Social Chamber: Intended for social movements that have an active interest in environmentally viable forest stewardship.

There are over 35 FSC National Initiatives around the world.

There are four regional FSC offices (Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe) and is represented nationally by voluntarily established National Initiatives (NIs).

FSC International is located in Bonn, Germany.

FSC Canada

By-Laws

• By-Laws of Voluntary Forest Certification Canada (revised in 2001)

Board of Directors

The FSC Canada Board of Directors is accountable to the FSC members. It is made up of eight individuals, two from each chamber, each elected for a three-year term.

FSC Canada Board of Directors for 2006-2007

Annual General Meeting

The FSC Canada AGM is a meeting of FSC members resident in Canada at which resolutions are passed and decisions are made. See below for copies of AGM minutes and Annual Reports.

• September 28th 2007, Toronto, ON
  Minutes (draft)
  Annual Report English
  
• September 29th 2006, Montreal, QC
  Minutes
  Annual Report English
  
• September 16th 2005, Fredericton, NB
  Minutes (revised as of Sept. 29 2006)
  Annual Report English French
  
• October 1st 2004, Richmond, BC
  Minutes
  Annual Report English
  
• September 20-21st 2003, Quebec City, QC
  Minutes
  Annual Report English
  
• June 13-15th 2002, Edmonton, AB
  Minutes
  Annual Report English
  
• June 2nd 2001, Dartmouth, NS
  Minutes
  Annual Report English
  
• March 10th 2000, Thunder Bay, ON
  Minutes 

FSC International

By-Laws

• FSC-IC By-Laws (revised 2005-2006)
• FSC-IC Statutes (revised Nov. 2002)

Board of Directors

The FSC International Board of Directors is accountable to the FSC members. It is made up of nine individuals, three from each chamber with a split between Northern and Southern representation. Board members are elected for a three-year term.

For a list of current FSC International Board members click here.

The General Assembly

The General Assembly of FSC Members is the highest decision-making body in FSC and is made up of the three membership chambers Environmental, Social and Economic. Members of Canada's fourth chamber, the Aboriginal Chamber, vote in the Social chamber for General Assemblies.

General Assemblies take place on a tri-annual basis.

• December 7-9 2005, Manaus, Brazil: LINK www.fsc.org/general_assembly/en/
• November 24-26 2002, Oaxaca, Mexico