Alliance was founded in 1970 with the objective of healing the bitter divisions in our community. Nationalists, unionists and those who do not believe in such designations are welcome to join Alliance. The past year has seen record numbers of people joining Alliance from all walks of life and from all over Northern Ireland.
Party Council is the governing body of Alliance. It meets 4 times a year and decides the party's policies, elects the Party Leader, the Deputy Leader, Party Chair, Party Executive, as well as the Party President and Vice Presidents.
Every party member is assigned to one of the Party's 18 Associations, which are organised along the lines of Westminster constituencies. All Associations have an Executive Committee and send 10 delegates to Party Council.
Alliance Youth is open to any Party member aged 30 or younger, and sends 10 delegates to Party Council.
The Alliance Women's Network organise meetings and events to develop and promote the roles and perspectives of women within the party, and in society as a whole.
The Associations select candidates for elections to District Councils, Westminster, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Elected representatives are members of Party Council by right.
The Party Leader appoints the Chief Whip.
The Party Chair is responsible for chairing Party Council and Party Executive meetings.
The Party Executive conducts the day-to-day business of the Party, subject to the direction and control of Party Council. It includes Party Officers and 12 other members.
The Party President chairs the Party Conference, which is held annually and is open to any Party member.
A copy of the Party's Constitution and Rules is available to any member: contact Party Headquarters.
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David Ford's interview with Jennifer O'Leary about equal civil marriage will be on BBC Spotlight NI at 22:35 on BBC1
4 PM yesterday