Membership

Membership & Governance | List of Current OCNKM Member Organisations | Further Membership Application Information | Governance & Accountability

Governance & Accountability

On this page:

• The Governance Structure of OCNKM

OCNKM is a membership organisation. Organisations wishing to use OCNKM accreditation should follow the membership application procedures. The table below gives an overview of the governance structure of the OCN.

You can download the current Rules and Regulations for OCNKM. Please note that the Memorandum & Articles of Association for OCNKM are not available on line. Member organisations will receive copies upon successful admittance to the OCN.

[Go to top]

The Governance Structure of OCNKM

(click on the links for a brief description)

(1) Members' Council

Each member organisation is entitled to send one representative to the Members' Council. This normally meets once per year for the AGM at which it elects the Board of Trustees and receives an annual report on the performance of the OCN. This is the main elected body for members of the charity.
[Go to top]

(2)Board of Trustees

The elected Board is responsible for all of the governance issues of the OCN. It operates within the framework of principles established by the Charity Commissioners. One third of the Board are re-elected annually at the AGM. The OCN is committed to widening the membership of the Board in line with the broad profile of the OCN's membership. Members of the Board are responsible for Personnel, Quality and Finance issues

[Go to top]

(3) Quality Committee

This is the central working committee of the OCN and it is responsible for all quality issues relating to the OCN as an awarding body and to the OCN's organisational operation. Its main function is to monitor and sample the work of the OCN. Membership is open to individuals from member organisations and the OCN seeks to obtain a representative spread of expertise from across its membership.

[Go to top]

(4) Programme Validation Panels

These are panels of individuals, drawn from both within the OCN's membership and from the wider pool of expertise within the region, which scrutinise proposals to offer OCN accredited programmes. They are established on a peer group principle and they have the power to amend the programme proposal. The validation process is not complete until the chair of the panel has signed off any amendments required at panel and until the Quality Committee has formally received notification of the outcome.

[Go to top]

(5) Access Validation Group

This is a group of Access to HE experts who for the core membership of Access to HE Validation panels. The group is charged with ensuring consistency of outcomes and procedures with respect to Access to HE validation panels.

[Go to top]

(6) Access to HE Forum

This is a forum composed of individuals from member organisations with an interest in Access to HE issues within OCNKM's work. The forum assists in developing policy on Access to HE matters within OCNKM and contributes to the promotion and sharing of good practice within the AVA. It meets twice a year and contributes to the planning for the annual Access to HE Conference.

[Go to top]

(7) Specialist Groups

These are usually made up of experts drawn from member organisations who have a shared interest in pursuing particular curriculum areas in relation to OCN accreditation. They have an advisory role within the OCN and can help to shape the development of OCN programmes and policies. They can be set up for single issues or meet over time until their work is completed.

[Go to top]