current	  By-­‐Law	
  Proposed	
  language	
  or	
  change	  By Laws to the Articles of the International
Federation ofSocialWorkers

By Laws to the Articles of the International
Federation ofSocialWorkers

ByLaw1OFFICIALLANGUAGES(Article1)
TheofficiallanguagesoftheFederation are English,
French and Spanish.

By Law 2 REVIEW OF THE ETHICAL DOCUMENT (Article4) The Executive Committee shall review the “The Ethics of

	
  
	
  

Social Work – Principles and Standards” at intervals of notless thanfour years, and prepare any amendments it
considers necessary for adoption by the General Meeting.
ByLaw3APPLICATIONSFORMEMBERSHIP(Article5)
National organisations and Co-ordinating Bodies[hereinafter referred to collectively as ‘organisations’]
wishing to become Members of the Federation are obliged
to submit a written application to the Secretariat. The
Secretary General shall provide such applicants with astandard form and with a copyof the Articles and “The
Ethics of Social Work – Principles and Standards”. The form
will include an undertaking to observethe Articles andsupport the Ethical Document and policies oftheFederation.Thisshallbecompletedandsignedonbehalfof
the applicant organisation. Additional documents, such as
may from time to time be determined, shall be supplied bytheapplicant organisations in support of the applicationand inproof of fulfilment of criteria for membership.

ByLaw1 APPLICATIONSFOR MEMBERSHIP(Article5)
National Social Work Organizations wishing to be admitted as
Members of the Federation shall submit an application in writing
to the Secretary General who shall provide applicants with thenecessary documents. The application shall be signed by a bonefide official of the Asociation applying and shall include anundertaking to observe the Articles and support the EthicalDocument and policies of the Federation. Additional documents
may be requested from the applicants in support of the applicationand in proof of fulfilment of the criteria for membership.
The application with all the documents shall be referred to theappropriate Regional President and Regional Deputy for theirrecommendation.
The Secretary-General shall submit the said application and therecommendation of the Regional President and Regional Deputy
to the Executive Committee. The applicant shall be admitted to

Rationale	
  for	
  amendments	
  Propose	  to	
  delete	
  this	  clause.	
  Rather	
  than	  stipulating	
  only	  three	
  official	
  languages,	
  At	
  some	  point	  we	
  may	  be	
  required	  to	
  communicate	
  and/or	  translate	
  into	  Chinese,	
  Arabic,	  Portuguese	  or	
  any	
  other	  language.	
  There	  are	  obvious	
  cost	  implications	
  for	  translation	
  when	  we	
  make	  languages	
  official.	
  Deleting	
  this	  By-­‐Law	
  does	
  not	
  mean	  that	  IFSW	
  will	  change	
  current	
  practice	  of	
  translating	  in	
  Spanish	
  and	
  French	
  but	  rather	  it	
  allows	
  for	
  some	  discretion	  and	
  especially	
  calls	
  for	
  justification	
  in	
  incurring	
  any	  costs	  of	
  translation	
  in	
  whatever	
  language.	
  	
  Propose deletion of this By-Law as is tooprescriptive and it should be left to the discretionand judgement of the Executive Committee orGeneral assembly to decide when we need toreview the document “The Ethics of Social Work– Principles and Standards”	
  Propose rewrite of this Article for clarity.
Also propose inclusion of role of Regional
President and Regional Deputy in assessing theeligibility for membership and recommendation
for admittance as a member of the Federation.
New members can be admitted ion an interim
basis by the Executive Committee since ratification
can only be done every two years by the General
Meeting.

membership of the Federation upon approval by the Executive
Committee and ratification by a simple majority vote of theGeneral Meeting.
By Law4 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FROM A COUNTRY
ALREADY REPRESENTED BY A MEMBER (Article 5 )Where an application for membership is received from a Social
Work Organisation other than the Member in any country, theSecretary General shall forward the application to the Vice
President of the relevant Region. The Vice President shall in
liaison with the Regional Committee and/or Regional
Secretariat (if applicable) prepare a report for the Executive
Committee setting out the position in the Member country
having consulted with the Member. If the matter requires
further investigation the Executive Committee may, by amajority vote, appoint a Committee of Enquiry to report tothenext General Meeting with a recommendation on
membership. The Committee of Enquiry will consider theapplicant’sConstitution, Code of Ethics, and latest Annual
Report, applicable membership criteria, the number ofmembers of the applicant with professional qualifications,involvement of theapplicant in professional and social justiceand social policy issues, involvement of the applicant in
professional development and other relevant factors affecting
the Member and the applicant organisation. In its report theCommittee ofEnquiry will address the feasibility of a Coordinating Bodyrepresenting the Member and the applicant
organisation being established. Following the receipt of thereport of the Committee of Enquiry, the Executive Committee
shall recommend to the General Meeting the appropriate
membership arrangement for that country and the General
Meeting may endorse, modify or reject the recommendation.
By Law 5 SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROM MEMBERSHIP(Article 9)a) The General Meeting shall satisfy itself that the organisation
whose suspension or expulsion is proposed has been given
reasonable opportunity for explanation or defense. A vote of theGeneral Meeting for suspension or expulsion shall require a twothirds majority of Members voting.
b) Transfer from full membership to provisional membership byreason of non-payment of dues for two consecutive calendar years
shall be initiated automatically by the Secretary General. She or heshall report such action to the President and to the Vice-President

By Law 2 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FROM A COUNTRY
ALREADY REPRESENTED BY A MEMBER (Article 5 )Where an application for membership is received from a Social
Work Association other than the Member in any country, theSecretary General shall forward the application to the
President andtheDeputyof the relevant Region. The Regional
President shall prepare a report for the ExecutiveCommittee
regarding the establishment of a Co-ordinating Body
representing the Member and the applicant organisation.
Following the receipt of the report of the Regional President ,the Executive Committee shall recommend to the General
Meeting the appropriate membership arrangement and theGeneral Meeting may endorse, modify or reject therecommendation with a 75 % majority vote.

	
  

	
  

	
  

By-Law was highly prescriptive in regards toappointing committees of enquiry and such.
Preference is to leave it to the regions to establish
procedures whereby they establish Coordinating
Bodies o allow for more than one professional
association to join the IFSW Federation.
Article 5b)of the Constitution clearly states that
there can only be one member association per
country and that If more than one Social Work
Organisation in a country is interested inmembership of the Federation only a national
Coordinating Body representing every suchorganisation may be admitted as a member of theFederation.
.

	  By Law 3 CENSORSHIP’ SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROMMEMBERSHIP (Article 7)a) The General Meeting shall satisfy itself that the organization
whose Censorship, suspension or expulsion is proposed has been
given reasonable opportunity for explanation or defense. A vote of
the General Meeting for suspension or expulsion shall require a
75% majority of Members voting when said Censorship,suspension or expulsion is for violations of the Constitution or ByLaws or for having in any other form or manner counteracted thebasic interests, aims and policies of the Federation or its Memberstthis by-law refers to article 7 c) in the constitution
which calls for procedures relating to suspension
or expulsion to be included in the By-Laws.
a) important to specify reasons for suspension or
expulsion as there is a different process whensuspension is for non-payment of dues as this ishandled by the Executive Committee.

of the Region concerned.
c) Procedure for suspension or expulsion by the General Meeting
requiring that:I) A proposal in writing stating the grounds of the proposal shallbe conveyed to the Secretary General.
II) The Secretary General shall request a written comment andresponse to the proposal by the organisation involved, not lessthan 90 days before the General Meeting.
III) The foregoing documents shall be submitted to the Executive
Committee by the Secretary General, and the organisation shall be
invited to be represented at the Executive Committee meeting.
IV) The Secretary General shall make available to all organisations
a written report on the proposal for suspension or expulsion notless than 30 days before the General Meeting.

b)The Secretary General shall make available to all member
organizations a written report on the proposal for suspension or
expulsion not less than 30 days before the General Meeting when
said suspension or expulsion is for violations of the Constitution or
By-Laws or for having in any other form or manner counteracted
the basic interests, aims and policies of the Federation or its
Membersc) ) Suspension of membership by reason of non-payment of dues
for two consecutive calendar years shall be initiated by the
Secretary General. She or he shall report such action to theSteering Committee. The decision whether to suspend or expel will
be taken by a majority vote of the Executive Committee following a
recommendation from the Steering Committee.
d) A member can be censored for violations of the Constitution or
By-Laws or for having in any other form or manner counteracted
the basic interests, aims and policies of the Federation or its
Members. The decision whether to censure will be taken by amajority vote of the Executive Committee following a
recommendation from the Steering Committee.

	  b) important to specify reasons for suspension or
expulsion as there is a different process whensuspension is for non-payment of dues as this ishandled by the Executive Committee.
c)By-Law relating to provisional membership for
non-payment of dues in b) is deleted and newclause c) is proposed calling for a decision tosuspend membership or expel be taken by the
Executive Committee rather than a vote by theGeneral Meeting. This is to ensure we are line withwhat is prescribed in Articles 7a) and 7c) of theConstitution.
d) propose an additional process when a member
can be 'censured' rather than suspended or
expelled for not acting consistently with the agreed
international framework of rights. Censorshipbasically means a written communication with amember advising them of any vio9lation n of the
IFSW constitution or the basic interests of theFederation and directing them to take appropriate
corrective measures. This provides opportunity tocontinue dialog when it is deemed by Executive
Committee or General Assembly that expulsion
could result in that member’s further
entrenchment in a position contrary to IFSW
values and principles and close down theopportunity for debate, discussion andreconciliation. It is also important for the
Executive Committee in addition to the General
Assembly to have the authority and discretion tocensure in a timely manner since the general
membership is only convened every two years.

some sections can be deleted as they are tooprescriptive
By Law 6 REINSTATEMENT (Article 9)a) A suspended Member seeking reinstatement must apply in
writing. The Secretary General shall forward to the organisation a
copy of the Federation’s standard admission/reinstatement form,
to be completed on behalf of the organisation. The President of theRegion shall be responsible for confirming that the organization

By Law 4 REINSTATEMENT (Article7)a) A suspended Member seeking reinstatement must apply in
writing. The Secretary General shall forward to the organization a
copy of the Federation’s standard admission/reinstatement form,	
  this by-law relates to article 7 in the constitution
which calls for procedures relating toreinstatement to be included in the By-Laws.

	  complies with the Federation’s requirements and shall submit areport to the Executive Committee.
a)Subject to a) above, the Executive Committee shall have thepower to recommend reinstatement, and shall report any such
recommendation to the General Meeting. Such reinstatement may
be subject to conditions
By Law 7 SPECIFIC OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP (Article 7)a) Members are obliged to submit to the Secretary-General eachyear, in any of the three official languages:I) A copy of each annual report or its equivalent; Numbers andcategories of members in the current year; A list of the names andaddresses for contact purposes of officers of the Member following
their election and when changes occur, not less than annually;II) Upon request by the Secretariat or the President, a means ofcontacting expert members of the national organization, in theevent of such experts being required in connection with specifictasks for the Federation;

to be completed on behalf of the organization.
b) The Executive Committee shall have the power to approvereinstatement when suspension or expulsion was by reason of
non-payment of dues . In other circumstances the Executive
Committee shall make their recommendation to the General
Meeting. Such reinstatement may be subject to conditions and will
be decided by a majority vote of the members in good standing at
the general meeting.
By Law 5 SPECIFIC OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP (Article 6)a) Members shall not discriminate against groups of social workers
or individual social workers on grounds of race, color, ethnic
origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion, age or sexual
orientation.
b) Members shall promote among their membership regularprofessional training, based upon an organized sequence of social
work education, and incorporating ethical standards of practicecompatible with social work principlesc) Members are obliged to submit the following information to theSecretary-General each year:

III) A copy of the organizations journal or other such publication.
IV) Upon request by the Secretariat or the President, information
to comply with any assessment process related to conditions ofmembership of the Federation.
b) Members shall not discriminate against groups of social
workers or individual social workers on grounds of race, colour,
ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion, age orsexual orientation.
c) Members shall promote among their membership regularprofessional training, based upon an organized sequence of social
work education, and incorporating ethical standards of practicecompatible with social work principles.

I) A copy of each annual report or its equivalent; Numbers andcategories of members in the current year; A list of the names andaddresses for contact purposes of officers of the Member following
their election and when changes occur, not less than annually;II) A copy of the organizations journal or other such publication.
d) Upon request by the Secretariat or the President, Members are
obliged to submit the following information to the SecretaryGeneral:I) A means of contacting expert members of the nationalorganization, in the event of such experts being required inconnection with specific tasks for the Federation;II) Information to comply with any assessment process related toconditions of membership of the Federation.

propose removing responsibility of the Presidentof the Region to confirm that the organization
complies with the Federation’s requirements andto submit a report to the Executive Committeedelete	  reference	
  to	
  three	
  official	
  languages	
  	
  formatting	
  change	
  for	  more	  clarity	
  from	  clause	
  a)	
  
to	
  c).	  	
  and	
  specifically	
  the	
  obligations	  of	
  Members	
  in	
  regards	
  to	
  information	
  to	
  be	
  
submitted	
  to	
  the	
  Secretary	  general	
  on	
  a	
  yearly	
  basis	  or	
  upon	
  request	
  only.	
  	  By Law 8 ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (Article 13)a) An Elections Officer, a First and Second Alternate Elections
Officer, shall be elected at the General Meeting and shallconstitute the Elections Committee. The Elections Committee
Members are ineligible for nomination as Members of the
Executive Committee during their respective periods of office.

By Law 6 NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE - Article 9)a) An Elections Officer, and one representative from each of thefive respective regions, shall be elected at the General Meeting andshall constitute the Nominations Committee. The Nomination
Committee Members are ineligible for nomination as Members of
the Executive Committee during their respective periods of office.

b) The period of office for the Elections Officer, and the First andSecond Alternate Elections Committee Members shall be twoyears. Individuals may be re-elected for subsequent periods ofoffice. A casual vacancy shall be filled by decision of the Executive
Committee., following the seeking of nominations fromorganisations. Such a period of office expires at the next General
Meeting.

b) The period of office for the Elections Officer, and the membersof the Nomination Committee shall be two years. Individuals may
be re-elected for subsequent periods of office. A casual vacancy
shall be filled by decision of the Executive Committee., following
the seeking of nominations from organizations. Such a period of
office expires at the next General Meeting.

c) The Elections Officer is responsible for receiving nominations
for all Federation elected positions, for determining the validity of
nominations, for such ballots as may be necessary, and for thedeclaration of ballot and election results.
d) The First and Second Election Committee Members shall havethe role of tellers at the General Meeting if they are present.
e) The First and Second Election Committee Members may be
appointed to act as Election Officer for regional elections.
f) Decisions of the Elections Officer in these matters shall be final,
save only for a vote of three quarters of the organisations
represented in person or by proxy at the General Meeting.
By Law 9 AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING (Article 13)a) The preliminary agenda shall be prepared by the Secretary
General in consultation with the President.
b) The draft agenda shall be prepared by the Secretary General in
consultation with the President. It shall be sent by the Secretary
General, with all accompanying documentation, to all Members
and to the Executive Committee not less than 40 days before thedate set for the commencement of the General Meeting.
c) Members may propose additional subjects for discussion to be
included in the final agenda. The agenda is finalised after the
opening of the General Meeting.

change	  of	
  By-­‐Law	
  number	
  and	
  reference	  to	
  Article	  in	
  the	  constitution.	
  	
  
	
  
reference	
  to	
  Election	
  committee	
  is	
  changed	
  to	
  Nomination	
  committee	
  as	
  it	
  is	
  a	
  term	  that	  better	  	
  represents	  	
  the	
  role	  of	
  this	  committee,	  as	  prescribed	
  in	
  the	  constitution	
  	
  
	
  
The	
  first	
  and	
  second	  alternate	
  Elections	
  officers	
  are	
  replaced	
  by	
  representatives	
  of	
  the	  	
  respective	
  regions	  of	
  IFSW	
  comprising	
  the	
  Nomination	
  Committee.	
  c) The Elections Officer is responsible for receiving nominations
for all Federation elected positions, for determining the validity of
nominations, for such ballots as may be necessary, and for thedeclaration of ballot and election results.

d) Two of the Nomination Committee Members shall have the roleof tellers at the General Meeting if they are present. Alternates canbe elected by the General Meeting .
e) Nomination committee members may be appointed to act as
Election Officer for regional elections.
f) Decisions of the Elections Officer in regards to the election shallbe final, save only for a vote of 75% of the voting members
represented in person or by proxy at the General Meeting.
By Law 7 AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING (Article 10)a) A draft agenda shall be prepared by the Secretary General in
consultation with the President. It shall be sent by the Secretary
General, with all accompanying documentation, to all Members
and to the Executive Committee not less than 40 days before thedate set for the commencement of the General Meeting.
b) Members may propose additional subjects for discussion to be
included in the final agenda. The agenda is finalized after the
opening of the General Meeting.

	
  renumbering	
  of	
  By-­‐Law	
  and	  Article	  reference	  	
  propose	  deletion	
  of	
  a)	
  as	
  it	
  is	
  essentially	
  repetitious	
  and	
  too	  prescriptive.	
  By Law 10 CREDENTIALS OF DELEGATES (Article 14)a) Before the opening of the General Meeting, representatives ofMembers shall make available credentials from their respective
organisations. These shall be letters or other documentary
evidence of individuals being nominated as delegates. Each shallbe examined by two Members of the Executive Committee
assigned to this task by the President. In any case of doubt, thematter shall be referred for decision on acceptance to the
President, who shall consult with the Secretary General.

By Law 8 CREDENTIALS OF DELEGATES (Article 10)a) Before the opening of the General Meeting, representatives ofMembers shall make available credentials from their respective
organizations. These shall be letters or other documentary
evidence of individuals being nominated as delegates. Each shallbe examined by two Members of the Executive Committee assigned
to this task by the President. In any case of doubt, the matter shallbe referred for decision on acceptance to the President, who shallconsult with the Secretary General.

b)Before the opening of the General Meeting, the form to appoint
organisations to act as proxy as prescribed below shall also be
examined by the two Members of the Executive Committee
designated in a) above. In any case of doubt, the matter shall bereferred for decision on acceptance to the President, who shallconsult with the Secretary General.
c) Form to Appoint a Proxy:
A Member may act as proxy for another Member not in
attendance. An appointment of a proxy is valid if both theorganisation giving and organisation exercising the proxy arefinancial at the commencement of the General Meeting. The proxymust be signed by the authorised Office Bearer of the organisation
making the appointment and contain the following information:I) The organisation’s name and addressII) The name and address of the organisation to hold the proxyIII)The meeting or meetings at which the proxy may be used
The proxy must be received by the Secretary General not later thanthe commencement of the General Meeting.
The instrument appointing a proxy may be in the following formor as close to that as circumstances permit:To: The International
Federation of Social WorkersI …………………… (insert position e.g.
President) …………………… being a duly authorised Office Bearer ofthe ……………………. appoint the ……………………… organisation as
proxy to vote on our behalf at the General Meeting of theFederation to be held on the ……….. day of ………………., and at any
adjournment of that meeting.Signed this ……… day of ………………
This proxy is in favour of/against the resolution/following
resolutions. (Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy may vote as
the proxy thinks fit.)b) Appointment of Proxy:
A Member may act as proxy for another Member not in
attendance. An appointment of a proxy is valid if both theorganization giving and organization exercising the proxy are ingood standing ( no dues in arrears , current year paid in full andnot under suspension ) at the commencement of the General
Meeting. The proxy form must be issued by the Secretary-Generaland must be signed by the authorized Office Bearer of theorganization making the appointment and contain the following
information:I) The organization’s name and addressII) The name and address of the organization to hold the proxyIII)The meeting or meetings at which the proxy may be used
The proxy must be received by the Secretary General not later thanthe commencement of the General Meeting

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
b)propose	  to	
  delete	  process	
  for	
  accepting	
  proxy	
  in	
  b)	
  as	
  well	  as	
  specific	
  form	  or	
  instrument	
  which	  is	
  too	  prescriptive	
  .	
  	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
b)	
  important	
  to	
  define	
  financial	
  	
  ie	
  the	
  dues	
  
must	
  be	
  up	
  to	
  date	  with	  no	
  arrears	
  and	  current	
  year	  paid.	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
including	  a	  specific	
  form	  for	  the	
  proxy	
  is	
  deemed	  too	  prescriptive	  for	  an	
  article	
  in	
  a	
  
constitution	  By Law 11 THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS (Article 15)a) At the General Meeting if one or both of the Alternate Elections
Officers are not present the General Meeting shall appoint not
more than two substitute tellers to assist the Elections Officer.
Tellers shall act on the advice of the Elections Officer and under
his or her direction.

By Law 9 THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS -Article 11 e)a) At the General Meeting if the Elections Officer elected as per
article 9c) of the Constitution is not present, the General Meetingshall appoint a replacement from the Nomination committee.
Tellers shall also be appointed to conduct the election acting on theadvice of the Elections Officer and under his or her direction.

b) The Elections Officer shall initiate the following procedures for
the Positions of IFSW President and IFSW Treasurerb) The Elections Officer shall initiate the following procedures for
the Positions of IFSW President and IFSW Treasurer

I. No less than 120 days before the date set for the General
Meeting, the Elections Officer shall invite member organizations
to nominate candidates from among their own members, for theoffices of President and Treasurer.
II. The Elections Committee shall determine eligibility for reelection and shall advise those holding elected office, as President
or Treasurer, of the limitations of service under the Constitution
III. Member organizations shall be advised of the criteria for theelection of IFSW positions.
IV. No less than 50 days before the date set for counting the ballot,
nominations shall be submitted to the IFSW Elections Committee
on the association’s letterhead, signed by two executive members,
the President (unless she/he is the nominee) and one othermember of the association’s executive (unless she/he is anominee).
V. Proof of a motion carried by the Executive meeting of theassociation supporting the nomination is required. The
nomination shall include a Profile of Nominee form completed by
the nominee, and a written consent signed by the nominee.
VI. Nominations shall be received by fax, regular mail or specialdelivery.
VII. The Elections Officer shall confirm receipt of nominations via
letter to the nominating member organization and submit thenominations to the IFSW Secretary General no less than 40 days
before the date set for counting the ballot.
VIII. The Elections Officer, in consultation with the IFSWSecretary General, vets all nominations to establish that they arevalid and meet constitutional requirements.
IX. The Elections Officer shall draw up and disseminate the list of
nominees and attached nominee profiles to all members, no later
than 30 days before the date set for counting the ballot.
X. The Elections Committee conducts all the elections, for suchballots as may be necessary, and for the declaration of ballots andelection results.
XI. Each member in good standing shall have one vote, which may
be exercised in person, or by proxy, or by post, or by fax.

I. No less than 120 days before the date set for the General
Meeting, the Elections Officer shall invite member organizations tonominate candidates from among their own members, for theoffices of President and Treasurer.
II. The Nomination Committee elected as per article 9c) 0f theconstitution, shall determine eligibility for re-election and shalladvise those holding elected office, as President or Treasurer, of
the limitations of service under the Constitution
III. Member organizations shall be advised of the criteria for theelection of IFSW positions.
IV. No less than 50 days before the date set for counting the ballot,
nominations shall be submitted to the IFSW Nomination
Committee on the association’s letterhead, signed by two executive
members, the President (unless she/he is the nominee) and one
other member of the association’s executive (unless she/he is anominee).
V. Proof of a motion carried by the Executive meeting of theassociation supporting the nomination is required. The
nomination shall include a Profile of Nominee form completed by
the nominee, and a written consent signed by the nominee.
VI. Nominations shall be received by fax, regular mail or specialdelivery.
VII. The Elections Officer shall confirm receipt of nominations via
letter to the nominating member organization and submit thenominations to the IFSW Secretary General no less than 40 days
before the date set for counting the ballot.
VIII. The Elections Officer, in consultation with the IFSWSecretary General, vets all nominations to establish that they arevalid and meet constitutional requirements.
IX. The Elections Officer in conjunction with the Nomination
Committee shall draw up and disseminate the list of nominees andattached nominee profiles to all members, no later than 30 days
before the date set for counting the ballot.
X. The Nominations Committee conducts all the elections, for suchballots as may be necessary, and for the declaration of ballots andelection results.

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

Election	  committee	
  is	
  re-­‐named	
  Nomination	  committee	
  as	
  it	
  better	
  reflects	
  role	  of	
  this	  committee	
  

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

XII. Votes shall be a simple majority; in the event of a tied vote, asecond election shall take place between the two tied candidates.
In the event of a second tied vote a further vote will be taken until
the matter is resolved.
XIII. The Elections Committee shall prepare reports on committee
activities for the IFSW Executive and General Meeting.
XIV. The Elections Committee will communicate and work with
the IFSW President and the Secretary General on regular basis.
XV. The Elections Committee shall formally present the results ofthe election to the General Assembly.
c) The Elections Officer shall initiate the following procedures for
the Positions of Regional Vice Presidents and Members at Large

I. No less than 120 days before the date set for the General
Meeting, the Elections Officer shall invite member organizations
to nominate candidates from among their own members, for theoffices of regional Vice President and regional Member at Large.
II. The Elections Committee shall determine eligibility for reelection and shall advise those holding elected office, as executive
Committee Members or as members of the Executive Committee,of the limitations of service under the Constitution
III. Member organizations shall be advised of the criteria for theelection of IFSW positions.
IV. No less than 50 days before the date set for counting the ballot,
nominations shall be submitted to the IFSW Elections Committee
on the association’s letterhead, signed by two executive members,
the President (unless she/he is the nominee) and one othermember of the association’s executive (unless she/he is anominee).
V. Proof of a motion carried by the Executive meeting of theassociation supporting the nomination is required. The
nomination shall include a Profile of Nominee form to becompleted by the nominee, and a written consent signed by thenominee.
VI. Nominations shall be received by fax, regular mail or specialdelivery.
VII. The Elections Officer shall confirm receipt of nominations via
letter to the nominating member organization and submit thenominations to the IFSW Secretary General no less than 40 days
before the date set for counting the ballot.
VIII. The Elections Officer, in consultation with the IFSWSecretary General, vets all nominations to establish that they arevalid and meet constitutional requirements.
IX. The Elections Officer shall draw up and disseminate the list of
nominees and attached nominee profiles to all members of the

XI. Each member in good standing shall have one vote, which may
be exercised in person, or by proxy, or by post, or by fax.
XII. Votes shall be a simple majority; in the event of a tied vote, asecond election shall take place between the two tied candidates. In
the event of a second tied vote a further vote will be taken until thematter is resolved.
XIII. The Nominations Committee shall prepare reports oncommittee activities for the IFSW Executive and General Meeting.
XIV. The Nominations Committee will communicate and workwith the IFSW President and the Secretary General on regularbasis.
XV. The Nominations Committee shall formally present the resultsof the election to the General Assembly.

	
  
	
  

	
  
	
  

reference	
  to	
  vice-­‐president	
  deleted	
  as	
  we	
  should	  refer	  to	
  regional	
  presidents.	
  There	  is	
  only	  one	  vice-­‐president	
  which	  is	
  the	
  global	
  vice-­‐president	
  who	
  sits	
  as	
  a	
  	
  member	
  of	
  the	
  steering	
  .	
  	
  
It	
  is	
  the	
  Executive	  Committee	
  who	
  elects	
  one	
  of	
  
the	
  five	  regional	
  Presidents	
  to	
  the	  position	  of	
  Global	  Vice-­‐President.	
  	  c) The Elections Officer shall initiate the following procedures for
the Positions of Regional President and Regional Deputy.
I. No less than 120 days before the date set for the General
Meeting, the Elections Officer shall invite member organizations tonominate candidates from among their own members, for theoffices of regional President and regional Deputy.
II. The Nominations Committee shall determine eligibility for reelection and shall advise those holding elected office, as executive
Committee Members or as members of the Executive Committee,of the limitations of service under the Constitution
III. Member organizations shall be advised of the criteria for theelection of IFSW positions.
IV. No less than 50 days before the date set for counting the ballot,
nominations shall be submitted to the IFSW Nominations
Committee on the association’s letterhead, signed by two executive
members, the President (unless she/he is the nominee) and one
other member of the association’s executive (unless she/he is anominee).
V. Proof of a motion carried by the Executive meeting of theassociation supporting the nomination is required. The
nomination shall include a Profile of Nominee form to becompleted by the nominee, and a written consent signed by thenominee.
VI. Nominations shall be received by fax, regular mail or specialdelivery.
VII. The Elections Officer shall confirm receipt of nominations via
letter to the nominating member organization and submit thenominations to the IFSW Secretary General no less than 40 days	
  Member-­‐at-­‐large	
  position	
  is	
  renamed	
  Regional	
  Deputy	
  

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

region, no later than 30 days before the date set for counting theballot.
X. The Elections Officer will seek the nomination of two
representatives from each region, who with a member of theElections Committee will constitute a Regional Elections
Committee. Together they shall conduct all the elections, for suchballots as may be necessary, and for the declaration of ballots andelection results.
XI. Each member of the region in good standing shall have one
vote, which may be exercised in person, or by proxy, or by post, or
by fax.
XII. Votes shall be a simple majority; in the event of a tied vote, asecond election shall take place between the two tied candidates.
In the event of a second tied vote a further vote will be taken until
the matter is resolved.
XIII. The Regional Elections Committee shall prepare reports oncommittee activities for the General Meeting.
XIV. The regional Elections Committee will communicate andwork with the IFSW Elections Committee and the Secretary
General on regular basis.
XV. The Regional Elections Committee shall formally present theresults of the regional election to the IFSW Elections Committee.
XVI. The Elections Officer shall formally present the results of theregional elections to the General Assembly.
d) The Elections Committee shall determine eligibility for reelection and shall advise those holding elected office, as Executive
Committee Officers or as additional Member nominated by each
Region, of the limitations of service under the Constitution.
e) Nominations from organisations, only of their own members,
shall be sent to the Elections Committee, accompanied by thewritten consent of the nominees and their curricula vitae in a form
to be determined by the Elections Committee, not less than 50days before the date set for counting the ballot.
In the case of Co-ordinating Bodies only one nominee for theorganisation can be put forward. In the event of disagreement thematter is to be resolved by the Co-ordinating body.
f) The Elections Committee shall prepare the necessary ballots forthe elections, and the curricula vitae of those whose names are in
the ballots. These shall be presented in a standard form as
determined by the Elections Committee. Where necessary becauseof multiple nominations, or at the discretion of the Elections
Officer, the Elections Committee shall prepare separate ballots

before the date set for counting the ballot.
VIII. The Elections Officer, in consultation with the IFSWSecretary General and the Nomination committee , vets all
nominations to establish that they are valid and meet
constitutional requirements.
IX. The Elections Officer shall draw up and disseminate the list of
nominees and attached nominee profiles to all members of theregion, no later than 30 days before the date set for counting theballot.
X. The Elections Officer will seek the nomination of two
representatives from each region, who with a member of theNominations Committee will constitute a Regional Elections
Committee. Together they shall conduct all the elections, for suchballots as may be necessary, and for the declaration of ballots andelection results.
XI. Each member of the region in good standing shall have one
vote, which may be exercised in person, or by proxy, or by post, or
by fax.
XII. Votes shall be a simple majority; in the event of a tied vote, asecond election shall take place between the two tied candidates. In
the event of a second tied vote a further vote will be taken until thematter is resolved.
XIII. The Regional Elections Committee shall prepare reports oncommittee activities for the General Meeting.
XIV. The regional Elections Committee will communicate andwork with the IFSW Elections Committee and the Secretary
General on regular basis.
XV. The Regional Elections Committee shall formally present theresults of the regional election to the IFSW Elections Committee.
XVI. The Elections Officer shall formally present the results of theregional elections to the General Assembly.
d) The Nominations Committee shall determine eligibility for reelection and shall advise those holding elected office, as Executive
Committee Officers or as additional Member nominated by each
Region, of the limitations of service under the Constitution.
e) Nominations from organizations, only of their own members,
shall be sent to the Elections Committee, accompanied by thewritten consent of the nominees and their curricula vitae in a form
to be determined by the Elections Committee, not less than 50days before the date set for counting the ballot.
In the case of Coordinating Bodies only one nominee for theorganization can be put forward. In the event of disagreement the

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

with the object of ensuring that Officer and subsequently
Executive Committee posts are filled.
g) The Elections Officer shall submit the nominations and thecurricula vitae to the Secretary General not less than 40 days
before the date set for counting the ballot. She or he shall also
indicate where any nominations have been received late, andwhere by virtue of only one valid nomination being received that
person may be elected unopposed to a particular office.
h) The Secretary General shall send the list of nominations andcurricula vitae to Members and to Members of the Executive
Committee, not less than 30 days before the date set for counting
the ballot.
i) Nominations received by the Elections Officer less than 50 days
before the date set for counting the ballot shall be accepted only
upon a proposal to the General Meeting by the Elections Officer
which is supported by a three quarters majority of thoseorganisations represented at the meeting.
j) Exceptions from this g) are elections following an unscheduledchange of office, where an executive position becomes vacant lessthan 120 days before the date set for the General Meeting,
eventually during the General Meeting. In this case The Elections
Committee announces a shorter timeframe (subject to b), d), f)
and g)) for any such unscheduled election, eventually within the
General Meeting.
k) The elections shall be divided into three sections: the electionsof the President, the Treasurer, and the elections of the electionscommittee.
l) The result of the elections, save the number of votes cast on eachcandidate shall be announced by the Elections Officer after eachsection of the Elections.
m) The ballots and the results of all the elections shall be recorded
and kept by the Elections Committee until the subsequent General
Meeting.

matter is to be resolved by the Coordinating body.
f) The Nominations Committee shall prepare the necessary ballots
for the elections, and the curricula vitae of those whose names arein the ballots. These shall be presented in a standard form as
determined by the Elections Committee. Where necessary becauseof multiple nominations, or at the discretion of the Elections
Officer, the Elections Committee shall prepare separate ballots
with the object of ensuring that Officer and subsequently Executive
Committee posts are filled.
g) The Elections Officer shall submit the nominations and thecurricula vitae to the Secretary General not less than 40 days
before the date set for counting the ballot. She or he shall also
indicate where any nominations have been received late, andwhere by virtue of only one valid nomination being received that
person may be elected unopposed to a particular office.
h) The Secretary General shall send the list of nominations andcurricula vitae to Members and to Members of the Executive
Committee, not less than 30 days before the date set for counting
the ballot.
i) Nominations received by the Elections Officer less than 50 days
before the date set for counting the ballot shall be accepted only
upon a proposal to the General Meeting by the Elections Officer
which is supported by a three quarters majority of the members ingood standing represented at the meeting.
j) Exceptions from this g) are elections following an unscheduledchange of office, where an executive position becomes vacant lessthan 120 days before the date set for the General Meeting,
eventually during the General Meeting. In this case The
Nominations Committee announces a shorter timeframe (subject
to b), d), f) and g)) for any such unscheduled election, eventually
within the General Meeting.
k) The elections shall be divided into two sections:
1. the election of the President,
2. the regional nominations for ratification by the General
Assembly

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
-­‐Propose	
  that	  only	  the	
  election	
  of	
  the	
  Global	  President	
  would	
  be	
  put	  to	
  a	
  ballot	
  
vote	
  by	
  the	  General	
  Assembly.	
  	
  	
  
	
  
-­‐The	  process	
  for	
  regional	
  nominations	
  would	
  remain	
  the	
  same	  and	
  still	  be	
  subject	  to	
  ratification	
  by	
  the	  General	
  Assembly.	
  l) The result of the elections, save the number of votes cast on eachcandidate shall be announced by the Elections Officer after eachsection of the Elections.
m) The ballots and the results of all the elections shall be recorded
and kept by the Elections Committee until the subsequent General
Meeting.
By Law 12 PROCEDURE IN GENERAL MEETINGS (Article 14)a) At the beginning of a meeting, the President shall indicate
guidance as to the mode of procedure. The President shall direct
the discussion, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote,and announce decisions. The President shall rule on points oforder, and shall have the power to propose adjournment or closureof the debate, or adjournment or suspension of the meeting. The
President will be assisted in this role by the appointed
Parliamentarian.

By Law 10 PROCEDURE IN GENERAL MEETINGS (Article 14)a) At the beginning of a meeting, the President shall indicate
guidance as to the mode of procedure. The President shall direct
the discussion, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote,and announce decisions. The President shall rule on points oforder, and shall have the power to propose adjournment or closureof the debate, or adjournment or suspension of the meeting. The
President will be assisted in this role by the appointed
Parliamentarian.

b) Resolutions shall be moved and seconded, and debate allowed
to the question under consideration. The President may call toorder a speaker whose remarks are not relevant to the subject
under discussion and may call for the withdrawal of such remarks.

b) Resolutions shall be moved and seconded, and debate allowed tothe question under consideration. The President may call to ordera speaker whose remarks are not relevant to the subject underdiscussion and may call for the withdrawal of such remarks.

c) Any person may at any time during the discussion raise a pointof order which shall be decided immediately by the President. Any
dissent from the ruling of the President shall be expressed in theform of a motion. A motion of dissent shall be put to the vote
immediately, and the ruling of the President shall stand unless athree quarters majority of those organisations represented inperson at the meeting and eligible to vote support the motion ofdissent.

c) Any person may at any time during the discussion raise a pointof order which shall be decided immediately by the President. Any
dissent from the ruling of the President shall be expressed in theform of a motion. A motion of dissent shall be put to the vote
immediately, and the ruling of the President shall stand unless athree quarters majority of those organizations represented inperson at the meeting and eligible to vote support the motion ofdissent.

d) A motion for closure of any debate, proposed and seconded,shall be put to the vote without further debate.

d) A motion for closure of any debate, proposed and seconded,shall be put to the vote without further debate.

e) The time allowed to each speaker on any proposal shall belimited to five minutes unless an extension is permitted by themeeting. When a speaker has spoken for the allotted time, thePresident shall call her/him to order without delay. The proposerof a motion shall nevertheless be entitled to exercise a right ofreply to the debate. This time shall not exceed five minutes. The
President may announce the list of speakers and, with the consent
of the meeting, declare the list closed.

e) The time allowed to each speaker on any proposal shall belimited to five minutes unless an extension is permitted by themeeting. When a speaker has spoken for the allotted time, thePresident shall call her/him to order without delay. The proposerof a motion shall nevertheless be entitled to exercise a right ofreply to the debate. This time shall not exceed five minutes. The
President may announce the list of speakers and, with the consent
of the meeting, declare the list closed.

	
  	
  
	
  	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

	
  
change	  of	
  by-­‐law	
  number	
  only	
  
	
  

The	
  role	  of	
  the	  parliamentarian	
  will	  be	
  described	
  in	
  the	
  IFSW	
  policy	
  and	
  procedures	
  manual	
  rather	
  
than	
  in	
  a	
  By-­‐Law	
  or	
  in	
  the	
  Constitution.	
  f) Voting on proposals, seconded and discussed, and on procedural
motions, shall be by a show of hands and counting of those for the
proposal, those against the proposal, and those abstaining. Secretvoting shall be carried out for elections, and for such other issues
as the General Meeting may decide by majority vote of thoseorganisations represented in person. Proxy votes may be exercisedwith the exception of procedural motions.
g) When a Member wishes to vote by post at a General Meeting on
matters already circulated, the postal vote, facsimile vote orelectronic vote shall be conveyed to be received by the Secretary
General not less than ten days before the date set for thecommencement of the General Meeting. The vote (for/against or
abstention) shall not be announced until the vote of those present
shall have been taken.
By Law 13 POSTAL BALLOTS (Article 16)a) Where a decision is to be made by the General Meeting by post,completed postal ballot forms shall be accepted by the Secretary
General from Members not later than 30 days from the date on
which they were posted from the Secretariat.
b)Postal ballot is taken to include transmission bt post, fax andemail
By Law 14 CALCULATION OF ANNUAL DUES (Article 17)

In making its recommendations to the General Meeting, theExecutive Committee shall consider the advice of the Secretary
General, the Treasurer and any committee formed to assist it. It
shall also take into account:I) the proposed budget;II) the minimum subscription set;III) the ability of some Members to pay the minimum dues;IV) previous relevant resolutions of the General Meeting.

f) Voting on proposals, seconded and discussed, and on procedural
motions, shall be by a show of hands and counting of those for the
proposal, those against the proposal, and those abstaining. Secretvoting shall be carried out for elections, and for such other issues
as the General Meeting may decide by majority vote of thosemember organizations in good standing and represented inperson. Proxy votes may be exercised with the exception ofprocedural motions.
g) When a Member wishes to vote by post at a General Meeting on
matters already circulated, the postal vote, facsimile vote orelectronic vote shall be conveyed to be received by the Secretary
General not less than ten days before the date set for thecommencement of the General Meeting. The vote (for/against or
abstention) shall not be announced until the vote of those present
shall have been taken.

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

delete	  entire	
  By-­‐law	
  13	
  since	  it	
  does	  not	
  add	  anything	
  to	
  what	  is	
  already	
  stated	
  in	
  article	
  
12	
  of	
  the	  constitution	
  By Law 11 CALCULATION OF ANNUAL DUES

rewrite	  of	
  this	  By-­‐Law	
  to	
  give	  some	  authority	
  and	  discretion	
  to	
  the	  Steering	
  committee	
  for	
  reduced	
  fees	  all	  the	
  while	  making	  it	
  clear	
  that	  an	
  increase	  in	
  fees	  would	
  need	  to	  be	
  approved	
  by	
  the	  General	  Membership.	
  	
  Guidelines	
  will	  be	
  included	
  in	
  a	
  Policy	
  and	
  procedures	
  manual	
  outlining	
  the	
  fee	
  schedule	
  and	
  situations	
  that	
  warrant	  exceptions.	
  a) The Steering Committee ( President, Vice-President, Treasurerand General Secretary ) is empowered to adjust fees to enable
members to fulfil their other membership rights and obligations.
b) Any proposed general increase in annual dues would have to beapproved by a 75% majority vote of members in good standing at a
General meetingc) For any adjustments in fees, the Steering committee shall take
into account:I) the proposed budget;II) the minimum subscription set;III) the ability of some Members to pay the minimum dues;IV) previous relevant resolutions of the General Meeting.

By Law 15 DURATION OF TERMS OF OFFICE (Article 11)	  a) Executive Committee Members shall take office at the end of
the biennial General Meeting at which they are elected. They cease
to hold office at the end of the General Meeting correlating with
their term in office, a period normally of four years. Where
Executive Committee Members are elected not at a General
Meeting, they shall take office immediately: and they cease to holdoffice at the end of the subsequent General Meeting.

	
  
	
  

delete	  as	
  terms	
  of	
  office	  are	
  already	  prescribed	
  in	
  article	
  13f)	
  of	
  the	
  Constitution	  a)Executive Committee Members whose whereabouts have notbeen made known to the Secretary General, or who have notcommunicated to the Secretary General over a period of not lessthan 120 days shall be considered to have resigned the position towhich they were elected. Executive Committee Members shallmake arrangements to maintain communications with theSecretary General for periods of absence of less than this duration
By Law 16 DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OTHER
REPRESENTATIVES (Article 17)a) The President, Treasurer, Vice Presidents and members at
Large shall fulfil their duties in accordance with the position
description as determined by the Executive Committee from time
to time.
b) All Main Representatives shall fulfil their duties in accordancewith the position description as determined by the Executive
Committee from time to time.

	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

By Law 17 DUTIES OF VICE-PRESIDENT (Article 11)a) The Vice-President of a Region shall maintain close contact
with, and co-operation with all Members of the Region. The VicePresident shall encourage their participation in Federation
matters and in assisting each other. The Vice-President shall offer
support and advice as requested by Members.

	  b)With the agreement of Members, Vice-Presidents may
communicate directly with individuals or groups in countries
within the Region.
By Law 18 TRANSFER BETWEEN REGIONS (Article 22)a) Members wishing to transfer from their assigned Region to analternative Region shall submit their request for transfer to theVice-President of the Region to which they belong and to the VicePresident of the Region to which they wish to be transferred.

By Law 12 TRANSFER BETWEEN REGIONS ( Article 17)a)Members wishing to transfer from their assigned Region to analternative Region shall submit their request for transfer to the
President of the Region to which they belong and to the Presidentof the Region to which they wish to be transferred. Copies of therequest shall be sent to the Regional deputy, Global President anddelete	  	
  by-­‐law	
  16	
  and	  recommend	  description	  of	
  roles	  of	  	
  Executive	
  committee	
  members,	
  Main	  representatives	
  and	
  terms	
  of	
  reference	  of	
  committees	
  created	
  by	
  Executive	  Committee	
  to	
  
be	
  included	
  in	
  IFSW	
  policy	
  and	
  procedures	  manual	  rather	
  than	  in	  a	
  By-­‐Law	
  thus	  they	  can	
  be	
  
more	
  easily	
  reviewed	
  and	  modified	
  as	
  the	
  need	  arises.	
  delete	  this	  by-­‐law	
  as	
  description	
  of	
  roles	  of	
  Regional	
  Presidents	
  could	
  be	
  included	
  in	
  a	
  policy	
  and	
  procedures	
  manual	
  rather	
  than	  in	  a	
  By-­‐Law	
  
thus	
  it	
  can	  be	
  more	  easily	
  reviewed	
  and	  modified	
  as	
  the	
  need	  arises..	
  	
  change	  in	
  By-­‐Law	
  and	  Article	
  number	
  	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  

Copies of the request shall be sent to the President and theSecretary General.
b) Within 30 days of the receipt of the request, the Vice-Presidents
of both Regions concerned shall seek the views in writing of theorganisations in their Region. Members shall be allowed amaximum of 90 days to make their views known to the VicePresidents.
c) The Vice-Presidents’ own views, together with copies of
responses to the Vice-Presidents made by members, shall be sent
to the Secretary General, and made available at the Executive
Committee meeting which considers the transfer request.
d)The transfer request shall be agreed by the Executive Committee
if it is approved by a three quarters majority of the Executive
Committee. It a transfer request fails to gain the support of such amajority, the Executive Committee shall submit the request to thenext General Meeting for discussion and voting.
By Law 19 SECRETARY GENERAL AND OTHER STAFF (Article
12)
The Secretary General is the Chief Executive Officer of theFederation and is responsible for day to day management of theFederation’s affairs. Other staff, if appointed, shall operate subject
to the advice and supervision of the Secretary General. The
Secretary General shall co-operate with the performance appraisal
process conducted by the Personnel Committee as outlined in
Article 17 of the Constitution. Staff are appointed by the Secretary
General, with the prior approval of the Personnel Committee. The
Secretary General may consult the Vice-Presidents regarding
appointments or other staff matters, including the appointment ofRegional Assistant Secretaries General.

the Secretary General.
b) Within 30 days of the receipt of the request, the Presidents and
Deputies of both Regions concerned shall seek the views in writingof the organisations in their Region. Members shall be allowed amaximum of 30 days to make their views known to the Regional
President and the Regional Deputy.

c) The views of the Regional President and Regional Deputy,
together with copies of responses to them by members, shall besent to the Secretary General, and made available at the Executive
Committee meeting which considers the transfer request.

	  d)The transfer request shall be agreed by the Executive Committee
if it is approved by a three quarters majority of the Executive
Committee. If a transfer request fails to gain the support of such amajority, the Executive Committee shall submit the request to thenext General Meeting for discussion and voting.
By Law 13 SECRETARY GENERALThe Secretary General is responsible for day to day management of
the Federation’s affairs as per delegated authority from the
Executive Committee and as outlined in IFSW governance policy.	
  	
  By Law 20 OPERATION OF THE SECRETARIAT: GENERAL(Article 12)a) The Secretariat shall provide regular information on its
activities to Members and to Members of the Executive
Committee. It is responsible for distributing the minutes of
Executive Committee meetings and General Meetings within 90
days of the end of such meetings. It is responsible for the issue ofinvitations for participation at meetings, seminars, and othergatherings organised by the Federation, unless this is undertaken
by other bodies, or individuals. It is responsible for the
preparation of agendas for such meetings, unless this is

	
  
b)	
  period	
  to	
  make	  their	
  views	
  known	
  could	  be	
  reduced	
  to	
  30	
  	
  days	  since	  electronic	  means	  are	  available	
  and	  more	  accessible.	
  	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
Also	
  include	
  both	  the	
  regional	
  presidents	
  and	  the	  regional	
  deputies	
  in	
  the	
  process	
  for	  transfer	
  between	
  regions	
  	
  
	
  

renumber	  by-­‐law	  	
  delete	  reference	
  to	
  other	
  staff	
  as	
  this	
  should	  not	  be	
  in	
  by-­‐law	
  as	
  per	
  governance	
  policy.	
  Also	  delete	  reference	
  to	
  chief	  executive	
  officer	
  as	
  the	
  title	  is	
  Secretary	  General.	
  	
  

	
  
delete	  this	  by-­‐law	
  outlining	
  the	
  duties	
  and	
  responsibilities	
  of	
  the	
  Secretary	  general.	
  This	  description	
  of	
  duties	
  should	
  be	
  part	  of	
  a	
  policy	
  and	
  procedures	
  manual	
  as	
  well	  as	
  in	
  the	  contract	
  of	
  the	
  Secretary	  General	
  rather	
  than	  a	
  By-­‐Law,	
  
thus	
  it	
  can	  be	
  more	  easily	
  reviewed	
  and	  modified	
  as	
  the	
  need	  arises.	
  undertaken by other bodies or individuals, subject to the approvalof the President in the case of General Meetings and Executive
Committee meetings.
b) The Secretariat shall provide consultative help and support
when requested by Members, as well as co-operating on subjectsof international interest involving one or more Members or otherorganisations, and shall report on such help, support and cooperation to the President, or, where the subject is confined to one
Region, the relevant Vice-President.
c) The Secretariat may develop printed communications toMembers in the form of circulars, newsletters, bulletins, andmagazines, or any other means as may be determined by the
Executive Committee or the General Meeting, subject toexpenditure being within the budget.

By Law 21 METHOD OF PAYMENT OF DUES (Article 26)a) Any Members unable to pay its subscription by 31 March in any
year shall be required to make a request, with adequate
documentary support, to the Secretary General for consideration
and approval by the Executive Committee. It may request:I) time to pay;II) a waiver of the full amount;III) a reduction of the full amount.

By Law 14 METHOD OF PAYMENT OF DUESa) Any Members unable to pay its subscription by 31 March in any
year shall be required to make a request, with adequate
documentary support, to the Secretary General for considerationand decision by the Steering Committee. It may request:I) time to pay;II) a waiver of the full amount;III) a reduction of the full amount.

b) Any Members whose past dues are unpaid, and whose dues forthe current year are unpaid at the time of the opening of theGeneral Meeting, shall forfeit the right to vote at that General
Meeting, unless any request under a) above is underconsideration.

b) Any Members whose past dues are unpaid, and whose dues forthe current year are unpaid at the time of the opening of theGeneral Meeting, shall forfeit the right to vote at that General
Meeting, unless there is a decision under a) abovec) Failure to pay full dues for two consecutive calendar years
entails transfer to provisional membership for Members. The only
exception may be if the Secretary General has by 31 December inthe second year received notification of temporary and exceptional
local circumstances which make it impossible for an organisations
to pay in full, supported by a statement by the Vice-President for
the relevant Region.
d) The Secretary-General shall in conjunction with the Treasurer,
be responsible for the accounts for annual dues being sent toMembers for the ensuing year.

c) The Secretary-General shall in conjunction with the Treasurer,
be responsible for the accounts for annual dues being sent toMembers for the ensuing year.

renumber	  by-­‐law	
  
	
  
a)to	
  be	
  consistent	
  with	  by-­‐law	
  11	
  ,	
  should	
  refer	  to	
  steering	  committee	
  rather	
  than	
  entire	
  executive.	
  Also	  change	
  word	  approval	
  to	
  decision	
  since	
  approval	
  suggests	
  outcome	
  is	
  pre-­‐
determined.	
  

	
  

b)	
  the	
  right	
  to	
  vote	  can	  be	
  given	  to	
  members	
  in	
  
good	
  standing	
  only,	  	
  unless	  a	  	
  decision	  has	  previously	
  been	  rendered	
  by	
  the	  Steering	
  Committee	
  in	
  regards	
  to	
  delay	
  in	
  payment	
  ,	
  waiver	  or	
  reduction	
  of	
  full	  amount	
  of	
  dues.	
  Having	
  a	
  request	  	
  under	
  consideration	
  is	
  not	  sufficient	
  to	
  grant	
  right	
  to	
  vote.	
  	  c)there	
  is	
  no	
  such	  category	  as	
  provisional	
  member	  so	
  propose	
  deletion	
  of	
  this	  reference	
  	
  
	
  
d)	
  	
  is	
  re-­‐numbered	
  c)	
  

By Law 22 AUDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Article 27)
The Secretary General as delegated by the Treasurer shall be
responsible for the preparation of all financial documents
necessary for the audit. The audit shall be completed in time forthe circulation of the balance sheet, certified by the Auditor, toMembers, and the Executive Committee. This shall be done notless than 40 days before the General Meeting, and not less than 30days before the Executive Committee meetingBy Law 23 INTERPRETATIONa) These By Laws are to be read and implemented in conjunction
with the Articles of the International Federation of Social workers.

By Law 15 AUDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Article 19)
The Secretary General as delegated by the Treasurer shall be
responsible for the preparation of all financial documents
necessary for the audit. The audit shall be completed in time forthe circulation of the balance sheet, certified by the Auditor, toMembers, and the Executive Committee. This shall be done notless than 40 days before the General Meeting, and not less than 30days before the Executive Committee meeting
By Law 16 INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENTSa) These By Laws are to be read and implemented in conjunction
with the Articles of the International Federation of Social workers.

b) These By Laws may be amended, altered or added to by a threequarter majority at the Executive Committee or by decision of theGeneral Meeting, following consideration of proposals submitted
by the Executive Committee.
These By Laws are adopted to take effect from 29 July 2006.

b) These By Laws may be amended, altered or added to by a 75 %majority at the Executive Committee or by decision of the General
Meeting, following consideration of proposals submitted by the
Executive Committee as per article 14 and article 20c) These By Laws are adopted to take effect from July 2, 2016	
  change	  number	
  of	
  by-­‐law	
  and	  Article	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
change	  number	
  of	
  by-­‐law	
  
	
  
b)	
  add	
  reference	
  to	
  article	
  20	
  a)	
  which	  stipulates	  that	
  amendments	
  to	
  By-­‐Laws	
  can	
  also	  be	
  approved	
  by	
  General	
  meeting	
  with	
  a	
  75	
  %	
  
majority	
  vote.	
  delete	  reference	
  to	
  29	
  July	  2006