IMPACT Structure

Biennial delegate conference

IMPACT holds a delegate conference every second year. This is the union's main decision-making forum. It is here that union policy is debated and decided by representatives from all branches. The conference also elects the union's executive officers (see 'central executive committee' below).

Every IMPACT branch is entitled to send one or more delegates to conference, with larger branches entitled to send proportionately more delegates. The union's central executive committee is empowered to call special delegate conferences in exceptional circumstances.

Central executive committee

IMPACT's central executive committee (CEC) is elected to manage and conduct the union's affairs, subject to the policy agreed by the delegate conference. It meets monthly and is the most senior body of the union apart from the delegate conference.

The union's biennial conference elects a president, four vice-presidents, a secretary, treasurer and equal opportunities officer, all of whom sit on the central executive committee. These are joined by representatives of each IMPACT division. The CEC also has a number of sub-committees, responsible for key areas like finance, equal opportunities, training, health and safety, European affairs and membership services.

IMPACT's democratic structure

IMPACT's divisions

IMPACT believes that members in each sector should have full control over the policies and decisions that affect them in the workplace. To this end, IMPACT is divided into five divisions responsible for union business in their areas.

The five divisions reflect both the origins of the union and the diverse nature of its membership. Each IMPACT branch is allocated to the division most appropriate to its members' occupations. In branches that have members in more than one sector, each separate group of members is assigned to the appropriate division.

Each division holds a conference every two years. Here, branch delegates decide divisional policy and elect a divisional executive (which meets monthly) and a consultative divisional council (which may meet at least three times a year) to oversee divisional affairs.

Vocational groups

Within IMPACT's divisions, a number of vocational groups provide forums for discussing issues of relevance to specific occupational groups. These advisory groups provide a forum to advise on and promote the interests of particular professions, grades or occupations. A full list of vocational groups is published in the IMPACT annual report.