Dear NAC Members,

We are writing to update you on an important governance matter concerning the current ILGA-NAC Regional Board, whose two-year term is due to conclude in November 2026, and the timing of our next Regional Meeting and Board elections.

Under ILGA-NAC’s normal governance cycle, the conclusion of the current Board’s term would be accompanied by the process for electing the next Regional Board. Our Constitution anticipates Regional Meetings every two years, with Board elections forming part of that process.

Following discussion, the Board has determined that ILGA-NAC does not currently have the organizational and financial capacity to convene a separate in-person Regional Meeting and election process in November 2026. The Board is therefore proposing to hold the next Regional Meeting and elections in September 2027, in conjunction with the next ILGA World Conference.

The ILGA-NAC Constitution provides for this circumstance. It allows the Regional Meeting to be held in conjunction with the ILGA World Conference to facilitate elections and provides that, where an ILGA-NAC Regional Meeting is postponed, the terms of Board representatives may be extended as deemed necessary.

What this means for the current Board

To ensure continuity of governance and avoid leaving ILGA-NAC without a functioning Regional Board between November 2026 and the next Regional Meeting, the current Board’s term will need to be extended until the September 2027 Regional Meeting and election and transition of the incoming Board.

We recognize that this extends the service of the current Board beyond its normal two-year term and believe it is important to be transparent with the membership about both the change and the reasons for it.

The proposed extension is intended solely to provide governance continuity until members are able to participate in the next Regional Meeting and election process. It is not intended to replace or bypass the membership’s role in electing the next Regional Board.

Why September 2027?

Convening a separate Regional Meeting requires significant financial, administrative and logistical resources. At this time, organizing a standalone meeting in November 2026 would place additional pressure on ILGA-NAC’s limited organizational capacity and resources.

Holding the Regional Meeting alongside the ILGA World Conference in September 2027 will allow us to make more effective use of available resources while facilitating the in-person governance processes required for the Regional Meeting and elections. This approach is contemplated by the ILGA-NAC Constitution, which allows the Regional Meeting to be held in conjunction with the ILGA World Conference for financial accountability and efficiency.

Preparing for the 2027 elections

The additional period also gives ILGA-NAC an opportunity to engage members earlier and more deliberately in preparation for the next Board.

• keep members informed as the election and Regional Meeting process is finalized;
• provide opportunities for members to learn more about Board service and the election process;
• encourage potential candidates to begin considering Board service well in advance; and
• provide adequate notice of nominations and other key deadlines.

At its October 1 Extraordinary Meeting, the Board agreed that the membership should receive clear communication on the revised timeline and proposed process for the postponed elections and Regional Meeting and discussed holding information sessions in advance to encourage member engagement and prepare potential candidates.

Interim Board vacancies

Separate from the 2027 election process, ILGA-NAC currently has vacancies for the Bisexual, Intersex, Woman and Youth representatives on the Regional Board.

Under the ILGA-NAC Constitution, vacancies in these BITWY positions may be filled by appointment of the Regional Board for the unexpired portion of the term. ILGA-NAC will therefore issue a separate Call for Nominations to identify individuals interested in serving in these positions on an interim basis during the transition period leading to the September 2027 Regional Meeting and Board transition.

We ask for your understanding and continued engagement

We appreciate that members had an expectation that the current Board cycle would conclude in November 2026. We therefore wanted to communicate this change openly and provide the context for the proposed extension.

Our priority is to maintain continuity in ILGA-NAC’s governance while ensuring that the next Regional Meeting and Board election process can be undertaken responsibly and with meaningful participation from our membership.

We ask for the membership’s understanding as we make this transition and, importantly, for your continued engagement as we prepare for the September 2027 Regional Meeting and the election of the next ILGA-NAC Regional Board.

Further information, including the election timeline and opportunities for member engagement, will be shared as planning progresses.

Warm regards,

Kenita Placide and Rob Boulet

Co-Chairs
ILGA-North America and the Caribbean