English

STATUTES OF THE FEDERATION OF ASOCCIATIONS OF FORMER INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVANTS

 

Preamble

 

Associations of former international civil servants who have served in the organizations of the United Nations system, aware of the interests of the former staff of those organizations, have agreed to coordinate their efforts through a Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS), hereinafter referred to as “the Federation”, whose Statutes are set forth below:

 

Article 1 – Headquarters

 

The Federation is a non- profit association with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Article 2 – Purposes and functions

 

The aims and objectives of the Federation shall be to bring together Member Associations of former international civil servants and provide a framework for their activities.

 

In so doing, the Federation will:

 

a. support and promote the purposes, principles, programmes and achievements of the United Nations system;

 

b. promote and defend the interests of the community of former international civil servants;

 

c. maintain and develop solidarity and close contact between and among Member Associations;

 

d. represent the community of former international civil servants on appropriate organs of the United Nations system and in particular retirees and beneficiaries of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund;

 

e. promote exchanges and coordination with federations of staff members in service and cooperate with other associations and organizations as appropriate;

 

f. support and coordinate the activities of Member Associations, particularly in matters of pensions and health protection.

 

Article 3 – Membership

 

Membership shall be open to associations of former international civil servants of the organizations of the United Nations system which meet the criteria spelled out by the Council and included in the Rules of Procedure.

 

Article 4 – Council

 

There shall be a Council which shall meet at least once a year and be responsible for all the activities of the Federation. The Council shall consist of representatives of each Member Association. The Council shall establish its Rules of Procedure.

 

Article 5 – Officers

 

The Officers of the Federation shall be a President, Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Officers of the Federation shall be elected by the Council, as specified in the Rules of Procedure.

 

Article 6 – Decisions and voting rights

 

The Council shall take its decisions by consensus. If consensus cannot be attained and a vote is necessary, each Member Association present or represented in the Council shall have one vote. Decisions shall be by a double majority, which is a majority of the member associations present or represented in the Council and a majority of the total membership of those associations.

 

Decisions may also be taken by correspondence.

 

Article 7 – Finances

 

The Federation shall be financed by annual contributions from each Member Association in an amount to be determined by the Council. The Federation may accept other contributions as appropriate. The Federation shall have an annual budget approved by the Council, which shall receive an annual audited Statement of Accounts.

 

Article 8 – Amendments

 

A proposal to amend these Statutes shall originate from the Council or from a Member Association and shall be communicated to Member Associations at least three months before a Council session. Such a proposal shall be considered by the Council in the first instance. If it is supported by a simple majority, it shall be circulated for approval to all Member Associations. For adoption it shall require a double majority, which is a majority of all Member Associations and a majority of the membership of all Member Associations.

 

These Statutes were adopted by the 36th Session of the Council of the Federation on 5 July 2007, on the understanding that they would take effect on 7 July 2007. They replace the Statutes adopted by the Council of the Federation on 26 October 1979 and amended on 29 May 1980 and 1 July 1983. These Statutes are published in English, French and Spanish, the version in English being the authoritative text.