ASSIF announces new president, board and participation plan

Italian fundraising body ASSIF has announced an all-new board and introduced its ‘ASSIF Futura’ vision for the organisation’s future.

The new board was voted in by members at a meeting in May, following the sudden resignation in October of former president Andrea Romboli, followed by three other board members.

Michela Gaffo, who had been made interim president in November, has now been confirmed in the role. Giulia Barbieri has been elected vice president.

The board, whose members will serve for three years, is completed by Pietro Addis, Alberto Almagioni, Claudia Costa, Anna Fabbricotti, Federico Petruio, Alessandro Silipigni and Eleonora Spalloni.

The new board has outlined its aims and strategy through the ASSIF Futura programme, which consists of six pillars:

1. Growing its member base, and improving how it listens to and involves members, including through regional and local activities
2. Producing research and data which will support the organization and the profession as a whole
3. Launching an Advocacy Board and strengthening the organization’s external relations work
4. Offering a range of networking and training opportunities
5. Strengthening governance, with member participation and transparency as key tenets
6. Building a plan for the long-term sustainability of the organization

Speaking to Italian third sector magazine Vita in November, Gaffo said that “active and democratic participation of members is fundamental” to ASSIF, and that the organization had perhaps become disconnected from its membership during recent times.

Gaffo currently leads fundraising for Tender to Nave Italia, a charity supporting people with disabilities through sailing and maritime activities.

She first joined the ASSIF board in 2020, and has previously worked in fundraising and marketing roles for the Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (Italian MS Society); Helpcode, an education and children-focused NGO; and sector-wide organization Italian Non Profit.

Barbieri currently works for COSPE, an international cooperation NGO. She previously sat on the ASSIF board between 2014 and 2019.

Picture by Sergio Agazzi