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Nations / regions representative of the General Assembly

Role description 2026

 

The role and its impact

The General Assembly is chaired by the RTPI President. The General Assembly has around 60 Members, including representatives from each of the RTPI’s nations and English regions.

As a member of the General Assembly, you will have the opportunity to hear firsthand about developments across the RTPI from the Trustees and Senior Executive Team, participate in discussions about planning policy and practice and research relating to planning and provide input into other issues relevant to the objectives and strategy of the Institute.

The General Assembly plays a vital role in the governance of the RTPI. Members of the General Assembly elect members to the Board of Trustees and are responsible for holding it to account for the delivery of the RTPI’s strategic plan.

What’s involved?

Members of the General Assembly are expected to:

  • prepare for and attend four General Assembly meetings a year
  • participate in debates at General Assembly meetings about the development of planning policy and practice
  • elect Trustees to the RTPI Board of Trustees and hold the Board to account
  • respond to consultations or surveys issued by the RTPI
  • consider Board of Trustees proposals for member subscription rates for the following year
  • participate and vote at the RTPI’s Annual General Meeting of members, which is normally held on the same day as a General Assembly meeting.
  • provide their local National Executive Committee or Regional Management Board with regular updates on General Assembly business.

This list is indicative and other appropriate matters may arise.

Members are expected to attend all meetings in person where possible. Ongoing membership of the General Assembly is at risk if members do not consistently attend meetings.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must be:

  • a member of the RTPI (any class)
  • a member, or willingness to become a member, of the National Executive Committee or Regional Management Board local to where they live or work.

Time commitment

Appointment to the General Assembly is for a two-year term from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.

The role will require preparing for, and attending, four full day General Assembly meetings and attending approximate five meetings of their National Executive Committee or Regional Management Board (exact number of meetings vary by nation or region).

General Assembly members are also invited to apply for membership of one of the Board’s standing committees. If appointed, members will be required to attend four half day meetings a year (a mixture of in-person and virtual).

About you

We are looking for individuals with the following experience and attributes:

  • A strong commitment to the RTPI’s strategic objectives and vision
  • A desire to support the planning profession.
  • Active involvement within the Institute in their local area
  • The time to prepare for and attend meetings as scheduled.

How we will support you

  • Members will be invited to attend a welcome session hosted by the President at the start of their two-year term.
  • All new volunteers are invited to an Induction to the RTPI and volunteering.
  • You will have a key staff contact for the role
  • The RTPI will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by volunteers carrying out Institute business, in line with the expenses policy.
  • Volunteer involvement is supported by relevant organisational policies, procedures and insurance. Find out more in the Volunteer Handbook.

Benefits of getting involved

The chance to be part of an enthusiastic body of professionals and make a real difference to the planning profession and communities in which we live and work.

There is also the opportunity to:

  • help shape the future development of the RTPI
  • participate in the delivery of the objectives set in the RTPI’s Strategic Plan
  • network with other planning professionals outside your local area
  • expand your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio
  • gain an understanding of the role of governance in a membership organisation
  • learn about areas of planning outside of your expertise

How to get involved

The self-nomination process

The self-nomination period will run from Wednesday 19 August to Wednesday 16 September 2026.

All members will be sent a link to the self-nomination form in August. The form asks you to summarise your motivation and relevant skills and experience. You will also be asked to provide a headline statement, headshot photo and details of two other RTPI members who support your nomination.

The election process

Regions and nations representative of the General Assembly are elected by the members in their nation or region. The election period will run from Monday 28 September to Friday 16 October 2026.

If there is more than one candidate for the role, the details of all eligible candidates will be published on the RTPI website and on the independent election scrutineer’s voting page on 28 September 2026 and members who are eligible to vote will be notified that voting has opened. The election uses a single transferable vote system (voters rank the candidates in order of preference: 1 for their first preference, 2 for their second preference, and so forth).

Election results will be published at the end of October 2026.

Key contact for the role

For more information about the role of a nation/region representative on General Assembly please contact the Governance Team at governance@rtpi.org.uk

This is a voluntary role. The duties outlined above reflect our shared hopes and expectations, but do not create any contractual obligations.