The document outlines the basis, roles, terms, composition, and operating guidelines for Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE). Key details include: - RACs were created per FPE's bylaws, with one each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to advise the board and serve as a link to regional constituencies. - Each RAC will have 15 members nominated from regional consultative groups and confirmed by the FPE board. Composition is based on sub-regional groupings within the regions. - RAC members serve two-year terms and can be re-elected once, with at least three incumbent members

1. ORIENTATION
REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
October 21-22, 2014 – Quezon City

2. Basis for RAC Creation
Per Article 5, Section 3 of FPE’s Bylaws:
•The Board of Trustees shall organize a Regional
Advisory Committee (RAC)
•One RAC each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
•Created out of regional consultative groups
•Composed of NGOs, POs, academic institutions
and other development and environment groups

3. Roles of RAC
•Advise the Board in policy making, program
development, nomination of incoming board, and
governance
•Serve as FPE’s link with the broader constituency in
the regions other than its project partners
•Serve as a forum for collaboration and cooperation
on national and regional environmental concerns

4. Term and Composition
• The FPE BOT shall have the sole discretion to
determine the number, term and composition of
the RAC
• The RAC shall not be eligible for nomination to
the BOT during his/her incumbency
• There will be 15 members per RAC
• Nominated at the RCG meetings
• Confirmed by the FPE Board of Trustees

5. • Reg 1: Ilocos Provinces, La Union, Pangasinan
• CAR: Cordillera Administrative Region
• Reg 2: Cagayan Valley
• Reg 3: Central Luzon
• Reg 4: Southern Luzon
• Reg 5: Bicol
• National Capital Region (NCR)
• 15th member - from the region with the
biggest coverage or most centrally located
RAC Luzon: 2 members from each of
the 7 regions
Composition | Sub-regional
Groupings

6. • Western Visayas
• Central Visayas
• Eastern Visayas
RAC Visayas: 5 members from
each of the 3 regions
Composition | Sub-regional
Groupings

7. • Camiguin-Bukidnon-Misamis Oriental (1)
• Caraga: Agusan, Surigao and Dinagat Provinces (2)
• Lanao Provinces (2)
• South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City (2)
• Maguindanao-North Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat (2)
• Davao: Davao and Compostela Valley Provinces (2)
• Zamboanga del Norte-Misamis Occidental (2)
• Zamboanga del Sur-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (2
RAC Mindanao: 8 members from
each of the 8 bioregions
Composition | Sub-regional
Groupings

8. Nomination and Confirmation
Nominees must be:
• individuals with environmental perspective
• representatives of NGOs, POs, academic
institutions, or other environment and development
groups
Nomination in absentia is considered, provided
that a letter from the absent RAC nominee that
signifies his/her interest to serve is presented during
the RCG

9. Terms of Office
• Two years
• Eligible for one re-election immediately thereafter
• Former member may be elected again - should
have interval after 2 consecutive terms
• At least 3 incumbent members shall be retained to
facilitate transition
• Each RAC shall define its own internal policies to
effect transition

10. Representation
• Membership qualification is set by FPE
• Once confirmed by the FPE BOT, RAC shall
represent the interests of his/her region
• Member shall vote in his/her individual capacity
• Member organization may participate in RAC
activities, but cannot decide on the issue of
replacement of a RAC member

11. Succession, Resignation and
Replacement
Member replacement shall be nominated by the
remaining members from the original list of
nominees from the RCG meetings subject to the
Board’s final confirmation.

12. Operating Guidelines
Structure
Coordinator
• one per region
• selected by the members
• convenes and chairs the RAC meetings
• disseminates copies of proceedings to members
through the Regional Unit
• term is co-terminus with his/her term in the RAC

13. Operating Guidelines
Meetings
• Minimum of two regular meetings and a national
meeting in one year
• One regular meeting shall be scheduled back-to-
back with an FPE Board meeting
• Sub-regional meetings may be held at the option
of the regional committee
• Not to be convened if the regular RAC members
do not compose the majority

14. Operating Guidelines
Meetings
• Maximum of two absences shall be ground for
disqualification of a member
• If an alternate shall be sent to the meetings due to
unavoidable circumstances, notice should be sent to
FPE through the Regional Coordinator within
reasonable time
• Notice of absence should be sent at least a week
before the meeting
• BOT attendance shall be upon the request of the RAC

15. Operating Guidelines
Representatives to Meetings
•Member is allowed only one alternate of his/her choice,
to be submitted to FPE
•Alternate is allowed to vote in behalf of the official
member but a written authorization from the RAC
member concerned is required
•It is the RAC member’s responsibility to update the
alternate on issues concerning the RAC and FPE
•It is the alternate's responsibility to give a written report
to the RAC member

16. Disqualifications from Membership
Grounds include, but are not limited to:
• Transfer of operations/residence to areas outside the
region
• Movement to a conflicting field of specialization/interest
• Misrepresentation of FPE in other meetings, forums or
conferences
• Grave misconduct (e.g. dishonesty)
• Disqualification shall be through a consensus decision
of the RAC and subject to due process

17. Decision-making Process
• Consensus or voting, depending on the sensitivity of
the issue at hand
• Decisions in relation to RAC advisory and nominating
roles the Board shall remain as the ultimate decision-
maker
• With regard to its role as a voting body for
amendments to the FPE Article of Incorporation and
By-Laws, each region shall have one vote and a
majority of two votes shall be valid as one RAC vote

18. Coordination
• RAC national meeting shall be convened by FPE
• Regional meetings shall be the initiative of the RAC
themselves
• Members can directly communicate with FPE on
related concerns (and vice-versa)
• Members consult/ communicate with one another on
regional FPE-related matters
• FPE shall appoint a National RAC Coordinator from
within the ranks of its employees

19. Capacity Building
FPE will involve RAC members in capability-building
programs to help enhance their knowledge and skills,
particularly on:
• Biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development
• Community-based resource management
• Environmental advocacy
• Para-legal and meta-legal training
• Media training
• Conflict management

20. Accessing Funds from FPE
• Membership in the RAC shall disqualify the NGO/PO
and academe represented from accessing FPE funds,
except for Small Grants, subject to FPE policies and
procedures

21. www.fpe.ph