KS/CS Communication Switzerland sets a new course

On Friday, the 95th General Meeting of KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz took place at the Kulturhaus Kosmos. In a consultative vote, the members were able to decide whether they wanted to realign the association strategically and organizationally. With a large majority, they said yes. They thus gave the Executive Committee headed by former Council of States member Filippo Lombardi the task of drawing up a concrete proposal by the next General Meeting, which is expected to take place in May 2021.

New Board of Directors and broad-based Advisory Board

The provisional proposal is to greatly simplify the structure of the association. The current umbrella organization with its three independent regional language sections is to be replaced by a single umbrella association for the whole of Switzerland. In the future, it will be operationally managed by a board of 8 to 12 members, who will elect a president from among themselves for a term of three years. The current communications council will be replaced by a broad-based advisory board; instead of the current politician at the head of the association, it will include several members of parliament.

Focus on three areas of activity

Thematically, KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz will focus primarily on the areas of "public affairs," "self-regulation," and strengthening acceptance of the communications industry. The previous topics of legal advice and continuing education will play a less prominent role in the umbrella organization in the future.

Taskforce of key stakeholders

The repositioning was preceded by months of planning. A task force headed by Peter Felser had worked out the basis for the realignment on behalf of the Executive Board. The most important KS/CS stakeholders - from LSA and SWA to the Swiss Media Publishers Association - were involved in this task force with the aim of making the umbrella organization fit for the challenges of the future.