Constution and By-Laws Of the World Organization Of Scout Movement

Constution

and By-Laws Of the World Organization

Of Scout Movement

I. CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

Accredited representatives of National Scout Associations, which had adopted and practised the Scout Movement founded by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907, assembled in Paris, France, in July 1922 and established the International Scout Conference for the coordination of the Scout Movement throughout the world, together with an Executive Committee and a Secretariat.

The present Constitution governs the operation of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in a spirit of world cooperation, friendship and brotherhood.

CHAPTER I

THE SCOUT MOVEMENT

ARTICLE I

Definition 1.The Scout Movement is a voluntary non- political educational movement for young people open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the Founder and stated below. Purpose 2.The purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. ARTICLE II

Principles 1.The Scout Movement is based on the following principles: • Duty to God Adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expresses them and acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom. • Duty to others —Loyalty to one’s country in harmony with the promotion of local, national and international peace, understanding and cooperation. —Participation in the development of society with recognition and respect for the dignity of one’s fellow-man and for the integrity of the natural world. • Duty to self Responsibility for the development of oneself.

2.All members of the Scout Movement are required to adhere to a Scout Promise and Law reflecting, in language appropriate to the culture and civilization of each National Scout Organization and approved by the World Organization, the principles of Duty to God, Duty to others and Duty to self, and inspired by the Promise and Law conceived by the Founder of the Scout Movement in the following terms:

The Scout Promise On my honour I promise that I will do my best — To do my duty to God and the King (or to God and my Country); To help other people at all times; To obey the Scout Law. The Scout Law  1.A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.  2.A Scout is loyal.  3.A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help       others.  4.A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to       every other Scout.  5.A Scout is courteous.  6.A Scout is a friend to animals.  7.A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol  Leader or Scoutmaster without question.  8.A Scout smiles and whistles under all       difficulties.  9.A Scout is thrifty. 10.A Scout is clean in thought, word and       deed.

ARTICLE III

Method The Scout Method is a system of progressive self-education through: •A promise and law. •Learning by doing. •Membership of small groups (for example the patrol), involving, under adult guidance, progressive discovery and acceptance of responsibility and training towards self-government directed towards the development of character, and the acquisition of competence, self-reliance, dependability and capacities both to cooperate and to lead.

Adherence to a Promise and Law

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•Progressive and stimulating programmes of varied activities based on the interests of the participants, including games, useful skills, and services to the community, taking place largely in an outdoor setting in contact with nature.

CHAPTER II

TITLE, PURPOSE AND ORGANS OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE IV

1.The organization of the Scout Movement at world level is governed by this Constitution under the title of “The World Organization of the Scout Movement”, hereinafter called the World Organization, as an independent, non- political, non-governmental organization. 2.The purpose of the World Organization is to foster the Scout Movement throughout the world by: (a)promoting unity and understanding of its purpose and principles, (b)facilitating its expansion and development, (c)maintaining its specific character. 3.The organs of the World Organization are: (a)The World Scout Conference, hereinafter called the World Conference. (b)The World Scout Committee, hereinafter called the World Committee. (c)The World Scout Bureau, hereinafter called the World Bureau.

CHAPTER III

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE V

Requirements 1.Membership in the World Organization is open to all National Scout Organizations which fulfil the requirements for membership. Authority to confer such membership is vested in the World Conference.

Purpose of World Organization

Organs of World Organization

2.Only one National Scout Organization from any one country can be recognized for membership in the World Organization. A National Scout Organization may consist of more than one Scout Association participating in a Federation based on the common Scout purpose. It is the responsibility of each Federation to ensure that all its constituent Associations meet the requirements of this Constitution. 3.Membership of a National Scout Organization in the World Organization requires: (a)Establishment of its legal entity and evidence of its national operation. (b)Adoption of and sustained adherence to the purpose, principles and method as laid down by Chapter I of this Constitution. (c)Enrolment to be open to all who agree to conform with the purpose, principles and method of the Movement. (d) Maintenance of the Organization as an independent, non-political, voluntary movement of probity and effectiveness. (e)Registration with the World Bureau. (f)Regular payment of its registration fees. (g)Notification to the World Bureau of any intended changes to its National Scout Constitution relating to matters covered by Chapters I, II and III of this Constitution, before these are finally ratified. (h)Submission of an annual report to the World Bureau.

ARTICLE VI

Procedure 1.The World Committee shall investigate an application for membership by a National Scout Organization. If it considers that the requirements laid down by Article V are fulfilled, it shall make the necessary recommendations to the World Conference by post.

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Title of World Organization

2.If within three months the recommendation is unopposed or opposed by less than five per cent of the Member Organizations, the World Committee shall declare the National Scout Organization a Member of the World Organization. If five per cent or more of the Members oppose admission, the application shall be referred to the next meeting of the World Conference, which shall decide the question by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

ARTICLE VII

1.The World Committee may provisionally suspend the membership of any National Scout Organization which, in its opinion, no longer fulfils the requirements for membership. If the World Committee maintains its suspension, the World Conference at its next meeting shall hear the report of the World Committee and invite the suspended Organization to make its written or oral comments. The World Conference has the broadest power to then decide on an appropriate course of action; if its decision is to expel the Organization, such decision requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. Withdrawal 2.Any Member Organization may withdraw from the World Organization by written notice addressed to the Secretary-General. Withdrawal shall take effect on September 30 of the second year following that during which the notice was given, subject to the Member Organization having at that date fulfilled all obligations arising out of its membership, including financial obligations. 3.A National Scout Organization which, for any reason, ceases to be a Member, shall no longer be entitled to the privileges and services of the World Organization, to recognition by its Members, and to the use of the emblems and other material associated with World Scouting.

CHAPTER IV

THE WORLD CONFERENCE

ARTICLE VIII

Composition 1.The World Conference is the governing organ of the World Organization and is composed of all the Members of that Organization. 2.Member Organizations are represented at any meeting of the World Conference by a delegate or delegates not exceeding six from any one Member Organization.

ARTICLE IX

Functions The functions of the World Conference are: 1.To consider the policy and standards of the Scout Movement throughout the world and to take such action as shall further the purpose of the World Organization. 2.To formulate the general policy of the World Organization. 3.To consider applications for membership and decide as to the expulsion of Members. 4.To hold elections as provided in the By-Laws. 5.To consider reports and recommendations presented by the World Committee. 6.To consider recommendations brought forward by Member Organizations. 7.To consider proposed amendments to this Constitution and its By-Laws. 8.To exercise other functions resulting from this Constitution and its By-Laws.

ARTICLE X

Voting 1.Each Member Organization shall have six votes and, except as provided for under paragraph 2 of this Article, resolutions shall be taken by a simple majority of the Members present or represented and voting. In the event of a tie, the motion is defeated.

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Suspension and Expulsion

Effect of Termination of Membership

2.Decisions concerning the admission of new Members (Article VI, paragraph 2), the expulsion of Members (Article VII, paragraph 1), the determination of the annual registration fee (Article XXII, paragraph 1) and the amendment of this Constitution (Article XXIII), shall be taken by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. 3.A Member Organization which is unable to be present at a meeting of the World Conference may vote by proxy given to another Member Organization, but no Member Organization may accept more than one proxy. 4.In appropriate circumstances determined by the World Committee there may be a postal referendum to Member Organizations between meetings of the World Conference when the same rules as to voting, majority and in the event of a tie shall apply. 5.Any Member Organization which shall have failed to pay its annual registration fee up to and including the end of the fiscal year preceding the Conference shall forfeit its right to vote at that meeting of the Conference, unless remission or postponement of dues has received prior authorization from the World Committee.

ARTICLE XI

Meetings 1.There shall be a triennial meeting of the World Conference at such time and place as the Conference may decide. 2.An extraordinary meeting may be called on the decision of the World Committee, or at the request of not less than one third of the Member Organizations. 3.The presence of one half of the Member Organizations shall constitute a quorum. 4.The World Conference shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

CHAPTER V

THE WORLD COMMITTEE

ARTICLE XII

Composition 1.The World Committee is the executive organ of the World Organization. Its members shall consider the interests of the Movement as a whole and shall neither consider themselves, nor be considered, as representing any particular Member Organization or Region. 2.The World Committee shall be composed of the following members: (a)Twelve elected members, who shall be members of recognized National Scout Organizations. They shall be elected by the World Conference, by secret ballot, from a list of nominees submitted by Member Organizations. In no case shall more than one elected member from any one National Scout Organization serve on the Committee in any one period. (b)The Secretary-General of the World Organization, or his appointed representative, as an ex officio member of the World Committee and of all its subsidiary committees. (c)A Treasurer, appointed by the World Committee. (d)Honorary members first appointed by the World Committee prior to July 1, 1971. 3.May also attend the meetings of the World Committee, in a consultative capacity: (a)The Chairmen of all duly elected Regional Scout Committees. (b)Such honorary members as the World Committee may first appoint after July 1, 1971. 4.No elected member shall hold office for more than six years, one half retiring at each triennial Conference and six new members being elected by vote in their places. A retiring member shall only be eligible for re-

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Term of Service of Elected Members

election after a lapse of three years. This restriction shall not apply to a member who has been appointed or elected to fill a vacancy and he may be eligible for immediate re- election. Vacancies 5.In the interval between the meetings of the World Conference, the World Committee may accept resignations and fill vacancies in its elected members until the next meeting of the World Conference

ARTICLE XIII

Functions The functions of the World Committee are: 1.To act on behalf of the World Conference between its meetings; to give effect to its decisions, recommendations and policies; and to represent it at international and national events. 2.To promote the Scout Movement throughout the world by means of visits, correspondence, training courses and other appropriate action. 3.To advise and assist Member Organizations in carrying out the purpose, principles and method of Scouting. 4.To recommend the admission of National Scout Organizations applying for membership, and to suspend provisionally the membership of a National Scout Organization. 5.To prepare the agenda and procedure of the meetings of the World Conference, giving consideration to suggestions from Member Organizations, and appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the World Conference. 6.To appoint the Secretary-General of the World Organization, and to appoint his Deputy or Deputies upon a recommendation of the Secretary-General; to supervise the management of the World Bureau; and to approve its budget.

7.To accept the responsibility for the raising of additional funds. 8.To approve the constitutions or other laws governing Regional Scout Organizations. 9.To grant consultative status to such organizations as may be of assistance to the Scout Movement. 10.To decide upon granting of awards for services to the World Scout Movement. 11.To exercise other functions resulting from this Constitution and its By-Laws.

ARTICLE XIV

Voting 1.Each member of the World Committee shall have one vote. 2.Resolutions shall be taken by a simple majority of the members present and voting. In the event of a tie, the motion is defeated.

ARTICLE XV

1.The World Committee shall meet at least once a year at such time and place as the Committee may decide. 2.The presence of eight members having right to vote shall constitute a quorum. 3.The World Committee shall elect its Chairman and Vice-Chairmen as provided for in the By- Laws. 4.The World Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. 5.The World Committee may establish, on a permanent or ad hoc basis, such subsidiary committees or other organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.

Meetings and Committees

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CHAPTER VI

THE WORLD BUREAU

ARTICLE XVI

Composition 1.The World Bureau shall serve as the Secretariat of the World Organization. It shall comprise the Secretary-General of the World Organization and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary- General shall be appointed by the World Committee and shall be the chief administrative officer of the World Organization. 2.The World Bureau shall consist of its international headquarters and such Regional Offices as are established under Article XIX of this Constitution. ARTICLE XVII

The functions of the Secretary-General are: 1.To direct the work of the World Bureau. 2.To appoint, supervise and remove the staff of the World Bureau, as provided for within the framework of the budget approved by the World Committee. Insofar as is possible, such staff shall be recruited on an international basis. 3.To make contacts as necessary, by correspondence and visits in order to promote and to safeguard the interests of the Movement. 4.To exercise other functions resulting from this Constitution and its By-Laws, and such other functions as the World Committee may delegate to him.

ARTICLE XVIII

The functions of the World Bureau are: 1.To assist the World Conference, the World Committee and its subsidiary organs in the fulfilment of their functions; to make preparations for all their meetings; and to provide the necessary services for the implementation of decisions.

2.To provide the services necessary for the promotion of the Scout Movement throughout the world, such as research and documentation, training, programme, public relations and publications. 3.To maintain relations with Member Organizations and to assist them in the development of Scouting. 4.To promote the development of Scouting in countries where it does not exist, and to assist non-member National Organizations to attain the standards necessary for membership in the World Organization. 5.To enquire into applications for membership, requests for aid and other similar matters. 6.To supervise the organization of international and regional Scout events. 7.To maintain relations with international organizations whose activities are concerned, inter alia, with youth.

CHAPTER VII

REGIONS

ARTICLE XIX

Composition1. Regional Scout Organizations may be established in conformity with the requirements of this Constitution, comprising Members of the World Organization so desiring within a geographical area to be defined from time to time by the World Committee. There shall be not more than one Regional Organization in each area. 2.Each Regional Scout Organization shall be composed of the following organs: (a)A Regional Scout Conference, comprising all Members of the Regional Organization. (b)A Regional Scout Committee, duly elected by the Regional Conference. The duly elected Chairmen of the Regional Committees may attend the meetings of the World Committee in a consultative capacity.

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Functions of Secretary- General

Functions of World Bureau

ARTICLE XXI

1.The constitutions or other laws governing Regional Organizations, and any amendments thereto, must be approved by the World Committee before entering into force. 2.In the event of a conflict between the obligations resulting from the present Constitution and the obligations resulting from a constitution or other laws governing a Regional Organization, the obligations resulting from the present Constitution shall prevail.

CHAPTER VIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

ARTICLE XXII

Finances 1.Each Member Organization shall pay an annual registration fee at an agreed per capita rate to be determined from time to time by the World Conference, by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. 2.All funds shall be deposited to the credit of the World Bureau and shall be disbursed by the Treasurer in accordance with a budget approved and certified by the World Committee. 3.An audited financial statement shall be submitted annually by the Treasurer to the World Committee and shall be sent to all Member Organizations. 4.The World Committee shall appoint auditors to the World Bureau. ARTICLE XXIII

This Constitution may be amended by the World Conference at any of its meetings by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. Texts of proposed amendments shall be communicated by the World Bureau to all Member Organizations at least four months in advance of the time of the meeting.

Relationship between Regional Organizations and World Organization

(c)A Regional Scout Office, directed by a Regional Executive. The Regional Office is also a branch of the World Bureau, in conformity with Article XVI, paragraph 2, of this Constitution. The Regional Executive is appointed by the World Bureau in agreement with the Regional Committee, is paid by the World Bureau and reports to the Secretary-General to whom he is responsible, and to the Regional Committee.

ARTICLE XX

Functions 1.The functions of the Regional Conferences are: (a)To further the Scout Movement within the Region, by promoting the spirit of world brotherhood, cooperation and mutual assistance amongst Scout Organizations within the Region. (b)To exercise such functions as are provided for in the constitutions or other laws governing the Regional Organization. (c)To ensure the proper implementation of the decisions and policies laid down by the World Organization which affect the Region. 2.The functions of the Regional Committees are: (a)To exercise such functions as are provided for in the constitutions or other laws governing the Regional Organization. (b)To act as an advisory body to the World Committee. (c)To act as an advisory body for Member Organizations requiring advice and assistance. 3.The functions of the Regional Offices are: (a)To serve as a Secretariat of the Regional Organization. (b)To serve as a Secretariat of the World Organization in matters relating to the Region.

II.  BY-LAWS

BY-LAW I

THE WORLD CONFERENCE

Section 1:Notice of Meetings The notice of an ordinary meeting of the World Conference shall be mailed by the World Bureau to all Member Organizations at least six months in advance of the time of the meeting and, in the case of an extraordinary meeting, at least three months in advance. The notice, to such extent as may be possible, shall include the agenda of the meeting. Section 2:Agenda of Meetings The World Committee shall invite Member Organizations to suggest or propose subjects for inclusion in the agenda of an ordinary meeting of the World Conference at least nine months in advance of the meeting. Any subject proposed by five or more Member Organizations should be included in the agenda in the form proposed. Section 3:Credentials Two members of the World Conference, appointed by the World Committee, shall be in charge of verifying the credentials of delegates to the World Conference. They shall be assisted by the Secretary-General. Section 4:Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen The World Committee shall appoint a Chairman and one or more Vice-Chairmen of the World Conference from amongst the delegates or its own members present at the Conference. The appointment shall be for the period of each meeting of the Conference. Section 5:Secretary of World Conference The Secretary-General shall serve as Secretary of the World Conference.

BY-LAW II

THE WORLD COMMITTEE

Section 1:Notice of Meetings Notice of meetings shall be mailed by the World Bureau so as to be received by members of the Committee at least thirty days in advance of the time set for the meeting. The notice, to such extent as may be possible, shall include the agenda of the meeting.

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Section 2:Election of members Six months in advance of the next meeting of the World Conference, the World Bureau shall notify all Member Organizations that certain vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by elections thereat, and shall request Member Organizations to send in names of candidates at least eight weeks in advance of the meeting of the Conference. The nomination of a candidate shall be made or endorsed by his own National Scout Organization. This list of all nominees shall be sent out to all Member Organizations in advance of the Conference and no additions thereto may be subsequently accepted. Section 3:Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen The World Committee shall elect by ballot a Chairman and one or more Vice-Chairmen from among its elected members. Their term of office shall be from Conference to Conference and shall cease at the end of each meeting of the Conference. Section 4:Consultants The World Committee may invite any competent person, whose presence it deems useful, to participate in one or more of its meetings as a consultant and without vote. Section 5:Conduct of Affairs (a)The Secretary-General shall serve as Secretary of the World Committee. (b)Between meetings of the Committee, matters shall be submitted by the Secretary-General to members by correspondence. Section 6:Voting by Proxy Members of the Committee may vote by proxy given to some other member of the Committee, but no member may accept more than one proxy.

BY-LAW III

THE WORLD BUREAU

The World Bureau shall be incorporated in accordance with the law of the country in which its international headquarters are located in order to enjoy the status of a juristic person.

BY-LAW IV

LANGUAGES

The official languages of the World Organization are English and French.

In the event of a conflict arising out of the interpretation of this Constitution, its By-Laws or any other official document of the World Organization, the English text shall prevail.

BY-LAW V

AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These By-Laws may be amended by the World Conference at any of its meetings by a simple majority of the Members present and voting. Texts of the proposed amendments shall be communicated by the World Bureau to all Member Organizations at least four months in advance of the time of the meeting.