There were no flashy events, but the IBM did accomplish what is set out to do – allowing the Canadian presidency and representatives of member countries to continue planning for the summer congress in Riga, Latvia, and the way ahead for the organization.

The presidency of the CIOR rotates through member countries every two years. Canada has the presidency from 2006 - 2008 and is leading an aggressive agenda.  This includes studies on issues shared between member nations related to the support and care of reservists returning from operational deployments, in addition to studying ways to best ensure and augment employer support for reserve service generally, particularly in the current environment of more frequent and longer operational deployments of reservists from many nations.

“The CIOR allows reserve officer associations to speak at arms length from national ministries of defence,” said Capt(N) Carman McNary, CIOR president. “We must provide value for money, bring effective advice and results to NATO, establish links and even partnerships with the civilian sector, and convince employers of the benefits of reserve service.”

Representing the interests of approximately 1.3 million reservists in 34 member countries, the CIOR serves as a NATO centered umbrella for national reserve officer associations. It is supported by NATO’s National Reserve Forces Committee (NRFC). With delegates from 22 countries representing their nations on reserve issues to NATO, the NRFC works to strengthen the readiness of alliance reserve forces, including providing advice and support to the CIOR. The Toronto IBM was attended by Major General Herb Petras, the Canadian NRFC chairman and the CF’s Chief of Reserves and Cadets.  Although the chair of NRFC speaks to CIOR delegates during some of the larger-scale summer congresses and winter meetings in which all delegates attend, it was apparently the first time in CIOR’s history that an NRFC chair addressed the more compact executive-level IBM meeting.

Emphasizing that reserves can make a significant contribution to national -- and ultimately NATO’s -- capabilities, Major General Petras underlined the need to include reserves in the operational planning process and increase confidence in their ability to support domestic and international operations, and highlighted the important role CIOR plays in sharing reserve experiences and lessons learned between nations.

“The work you do boosts the credibility of your organizations,” said Maj.-Gen. Herb Petras, NRFC chairman.   

Structurally, the CIOR uses standing committees to support policy and advice development, including those focused on civil-military cooperation, public affairs, legal, and defence attitudes and security.  A Partnership for Peace program has for many years been a useful tool for better integration into NATO of aspiring and new members.  The products delivered by CIOR include a young reserve officers workshop and seminar, a military skills competition that tests combat skills and knowledge, and a language academy that provides second language training in both English and French to enhance inter-operability between all allies and associated countries.  Throughout all of these activities, the CIOR involves representatives in year-round discussion of issues important to all its member countries.

The Toronto IBM was the last official gathering before the Summer Congress, and the CIOR president made it very clear he expects action and results from the committees and all involved in the planning process.

“The Congress in Riga is important because it will allow us to make progress on issues that really matter to reservists,” said Capt (N) McNary. “We must move ahead in Riga in order to gain the needed momentum to achieve our goals through 2008 and beyond.”   

* Capt Mark Giles is a PAO with the Canadian presidency team of the CIOR.