The Governing Body has overall responsibility for the Geographical Association (GA) and as such it has the following key responsibilities:
- To act as guardian of the GA's mission, values and assets
- To protect the probity of the GA
- To ensure that the GA has a strategic direction and a long term vision
- To ensure the vitality and long-term well being of the GA
Members of the Governing Body are the Charitable Trustees of the Association. There are three Named Trustees who have particular responsibility for reviewing the Association's assets, including investments and property.
The main functions of the Governing Body include:
- Determination of the broad policies of the GA and the monitoring of decisions and action taken by Education Committee
- The ordering of the finances of the GA in accordance with its Statutes
- The ordering of the election of officers in accordance with its Standing Orders, the appointing of GA representatives on other bodies and the appointing of salaried staff
- The summoning of an Annual General Meeting in accordance with its Statutes
- The establishment, discontinuance, encouragement and oversight of its own sub-committees and working parties
- Reviewing the financial state of the Association (including budgets) and recommending appropriate financial policies, including its investment policy
- Setting appropriate rates for subscriptions, fees and subventions
- Consideration of any other matter referred to the Governing Body by any Committee, Working Group or Board
