EFJ AGM 2000: 2. Resolution on Change of the EFJ rules

European Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Resolutions
Adopted by the EFJ AGM held in Nuremberg, Germany, May 26-28, 2000



2. Resolution on Change of the EFJ rules
From the EFJ Steering Committee
Including adopted proposals from the Swiss Federation of Journalists

In order to implement the recommendations adopted at the EFJ ‚Future Conference’ on February 13-14, 2000, the EFJ Steering Committee proposes to change the EFJ Rules in the following paragraphs:

TASKS
3.1 The European Federation of Journalists under its own responsibility shall elaborate a working programme in line with IFJ policies and principles. According to the working programme adopted by the AGM (new: General Meeting (GM)), the Steering Committee shall determine priorities of work in representing and working for journalists' and journalists unions' interests in Europe.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (New: GENERAL MEETING)
4.1 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) (new: General Meeting (GM)) shall (new: normally meet every third year in advance of the IFJ Congress. It shall be composed of one delegate from each member union and the members of the Steering Committee. The IFJ President and the General Secretary have the right to participate without the right to vote. Each member union has the right to send observers. Observers from ETUC and other organisations may be invited.
The voting system at the AGM (new: GM) shall be the same as the voting system at the IFJ Congress. A transfer of votes after registration to the AGM (new: GM) is not possible. Member unions who have not paid their membership fee according to provisions shall not have the right to vote or to submit candidates for the Steering Committee.
4.2 The working languages of the AGM (new: GM) shall be English, French and German.
4.3 The Steering Committee will prepare the agenda of the AGM (new: GM) and decide on voting rights. The invitation and draft agenda has to be sent to member unions at least two months before the AGM (new: GM).
4.4 The AGM (new: GM) is presided by the chair of the Steering Committee assisted by the other members of the Steering Committee. It has its own working rules. A report on decisions of the AGM (new: GM) will be prepared immediately and sent to member unions. The European Secretary will take minutes of the meeting. The minutes will be confirmed by the Steering Committee. They shall be kept on record in the secretariat.
4.5 The AGM (new: GM) shall:
a) confirm the agenda, changes of the working rules proposed by the Steering Committee and the voting rights of the unions;
b) approve the minutes of the last AGM (new: GM resp. of the last AM)
c) decide on membership of unions failing to meet the EFJ financial obligations;
d) consider the report of the Steering Committee, which will be presented by the chair;
e) approve a report of audited accounts and finances presented by the honorary treasurer;
f) adopt a budget plan for the following year (new: years);
g) decide on motions for activities of the European Federation of Journalists. Member unions with voting rights and the Steering Committee have the right to submit motions. Motions from member unions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least one month before the AGM and shall be sent to member unions at least two weeks before the AGM (new: GM).
h) decide on motions for changes of the rules of the European Federation of Journalists. These motions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least two months before the AGM (new: GM) and shall be sent to member unions at least one month before the AGM (new: GM). New rules shall be in effect at the next AGM (new: GM).
i) decide on the admission of urgent motions;
j) adopt the working programme of the EFJ and decide on the establishment of expert groups;
k) decide on membership fees for the EFJ;
l) elect the electoral commission;
m) elect the members of the Steering Committee;
n) elect three reserves for the Steering Committee.

(new: 5. ANNUAL MEETING

Between the General Meetings, there shall be an Annual Meeting (AM) which shall focus on a subject in line with the priorities of work of the EFJ.
The AM is prepared by the Steering Committee in cooperation with the European Secretary. The invitation and draft agenda has to be sent to member unions at least two months before the AM.
The AM can decide on motions on actual matters and developments which concern journalists' and journalists unions' interests in Europe. Member unions with voting rights and the Steering Committee have the right to submit motions. Motions from member unions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least one month before the AM and shall be sent to member unions at least two weeks before the AM. The voting system shall be the same as the voting system at the EFJ General Meeting.)

5.THE STEERING COMMITTEE (now: 6.)
5.1 (now: 6.1)_The Steering Committee is the working body which shall be responsible for the co-ordination and supervision of the European Federation’s activities. It shall propose a working programme to the AGM (new: GM) and shall be responsible for the execution of the AGM (new: GM and AM) decisions.
5.2 (now: 6.2)_The Steering Committee has seven members (new: nine) and a mandate of three years. Six of the members of the Steering Committee (new: They) shall be elected by the AGM (new: GM), the seventh member is the European Regional Adviser of the IFJ Executive Committee elected by IFJ Congress (delete second half of this sentence). Casual vacancies in membership of the Steering Committee will be filled by the reserves.
5.3 (now: 6.3)_The member unions have the right to propose delegates for the list of candidates. The list of candidates will be closed one month before the AGM (new: GM) and circulated among member unions three weeks before the AGM (new: GM). It can be reopened again at the opening of the AGM (new: GM) by majority vote on request of member unions.
5.4 (now: 6.4)_The members of the Steering Committee and the reserves shall be elected by secret ballot. These elections will be chaired by an electoral commission set up at the AGM (new: GM); It will consist of three voting delegates, who are not members of the steering committee or candidates for election.

6. SECRETARIAT (now: 7)_
6.1 (now: 7.1)_
6.2 (now: 7.2)_ He/She shall participate in the meetings of the Steering Committee and the AGM (new: GM) without voting rights.

7. EXPERT GROUPS (now: 8)_

8. FINANCES (now: 9)_
8.1 (now: 9.1)_
8.2 (now: 9.2)_Member unions shall pay fees according to the decision of the AGM (new: GM).
8.3 (now: 9.3)_Unions failing to pay their fees or failing to seek special arrangements with the Steering Committee, have their membership terminated by the AGM (new: GM). They will be accepted back into the European Federation of Journalists on payment of fees owed.

9. (now: 10)_DISSOLUTION
The European Federation of Journalists may be dissolved upon the vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at an AGM (new: GM) being in favour of dissolution. The AGM (new: GM) which voted for dissolution shall also determine the allocation of funds still available.

(new: 11. Transitionary Rules

a) These EFJ rules will come into force immediately after this meeting has been closed
b) The first General meeting will take place in 2001.)

The Annual General Meeting of the EFJ recommends to change the IFJ Constitution in the following points: That

1) Regional groups can elect their regional representatives in the IFJ-Executive Committee).

2) Motions can also be proposed by regional groups.

The EFJ Future Committee to be appointed by the EFJ Steering Committee will discuss the issue of an internal audit commission and the question, whether to appoint an external independent auditing committee

APPENDIX

The election period of the six members of the Steering Committee, elected at the AGM 2000 in accordance with the old statutes, is one year - until the GM of the EFJ in 2001. The AGM advises the Steering Committee to involve the three reserves in the work and the meetings of the Steering Committee. Only, the reserves have no voting rights.

The election of the six members and three reserves are carried in one ballot. The six candidates gaining the most votes are elected members whereas the other three - in priority - serv as 1., 2. and 3. reserve.