WORLD FEDERATION OF PSYCHIATRIC USERS

DRAFT BY-LAWS

1. NAME

The name of the organisation shall be WORLD FEDERATION OF PSYCHIATRIC USERS ( hereinafter referred to as ‘the organisation’)

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the organisation is to support the development of the mental health user / survivor / consumer movement and advocate for user / survivor / consumer rights and self-determination throughout the world by:

providing information for users / survivors / consumers on mental distress, treatments and rights
providing information exchange for user / survivor / consumer groups
exposing violations of user / survivor / consumer rights
promoting self-help alternatives and services that enhance the lives of users / survivors / consumers
educating professionals, politicians and the media on user / survivor / consumer issues
building alliances with like-minded organisations.

3. POWERS

The organisation shall have the power to:

borrow or raise money
invest money
employ staff
pay expenses and outgoings
own land or property
do any other lawful business necessary to fulfil the objectives of the organisation.

4. VOTING MEMBERS

4.1 Eligibility:

Anyone in the world is entitled to become a voting member if they are:

a current or former user / survivor / consumer of mental health services
an incorporated user / survivor / consumer run group.

4.2 Definition:

A voting member is defined as any user / survivor / consumer individual or group that has submitted a current membership form to the organisation.

4.3 Regions:

Every voting member shall be identified as coming from one of the following world regions:

Africa
Eastern Mediterranean
Europe
Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
North America
Oceania
South America
South East Asia
Western Pacific

5. HONORARY MEMBERS

5.1 Eligibility:

The organisation may give honorary membership to like-minded non-user / survivor / consumer groups and individuals.

5.2 Restrictions:

Honorary members shall not vote or be elected to the committee.

6. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Membership may be terminated if:

a member does not renew their membership
the committee decides that a member’s behaviour is contrary to the aims and objectives of the organisation.

6.2 The member subject to termination shall be advised of the reason and shall be given the opportunity to put their case to the committee before the decision about terminating membership is made.

7. SUBSCRIPTIONS

7.1 Charges:

The subscription charges and waivers shall be decided by the general meeting of the organisation.

7.2 Membership list:

An up-to-date membership list shall be kept.

8. GENERAL MEETINGS

8.1 Functions:

Members shall meet every two years to:

report on the organisation’s activities and finances over the last two years
plan the organisation’s activities for the next two years
elect the committee
appoint the auditor
consider any other business

Special general meetings: The committee or at least ten members may call a special general meeting to consider business that needs attention before the next two yearly general meeting.

8.2 Quorum:

The quorum for all general meetings shall be one user / survivor / consumer individual or group member from six countries from four of the nine regions.

8.3 Voting:

Each country shall have one vote on motions forwarded at all general meetings. In cases where more than one individual or group member is voting from one country voting will be done as follows. Individual and group members shall be entitled to one vote each.The votes from each country will be counted and and the majority from that country shall count as that country’s vote. If there is an equality of votes the motion shall be lost. Voting may be done by proxy.

8.4 Notice:

One month’s notice of all general meetings, including the time, place and agenda shall be given to all members.

8.5 Minutes:

Minutes of all general meetings shall be taken.

9. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

9.1 Powers:

The committee will manage all the activities and affairs of the organisation.

9.2 Number of members:

The committee shall consist of between 6 and 12 members from at least five of the nine regions. No more than two committee members shall come from any one region.

9.3 Election of committee members:

Each committee member shall be elected at the general meeting by the voting method prescribed in 8.3.

9.4 Election of officers:

The chairperson/s, vice chairperson/s, secretary and treasurer shall be elected at the general meeting by the voting method prescribed in 8.3.

9.5 Resignation:

committee members who wish to resign shall do so in writing to the chairperson.

9.6 Suspension:

Committee members may be suspended if:

their membership to the organisation is lapsed or terminated
they have not attended, or sent their apologies in to two consecutive meetings.

9.7 Replacements:

The committee may co-opt a new member to replace a committee member who has resigned or been suspended.

9.8 Additions:

The committee may co-opt additional committee members from any country or region. Additional committee members shall not be entitled to vote at committee meetings.

9.9 Sub-committees:

The committee may appoint sub-committees which shall be accountable to the committee.

10. COMMITTEE MEETINGS

10.1 Frequency:

The committee may meet as necessary, in person or by teleconference.

10.2 Requests:

The secretary shall call a committee meeting at the request of the chairperson/s or three committee members.

10.3 Quorum:

The quorum for committee meetings shall be four elected committee members.

10.4 Observers:

Any member may attend a committee meeting as an observer.

10.5 Voting:

If there is an equality of votes on a motion the motion shall be lost.

10.6 Notice:

Notice of the committee meeting, including the time, place and agenda, shall be given to all committee members within one month of the meeting.

10.7 Minutes:

Minutes of the committee meetings shall be taken.

11. OFFICERS

11.1 Chairperson/s:

The organisation shall have one or more chairpersons who shall either do or delegate the following:

chair General and committee meetings
spokesperson for the organisation.

11.2 Vice-chairperson/s:

The organisation may have one or more vice-chairpersons who shall deputize for the chairperson/s.

11.3 Secretary:

The secretary shall do or delegate the following:

keep an up-to date membership list
send notice of meetings to members
take minutes of general and committee meetings.

11.4 Treasurer:

The treasurer will be responsible for keeping the accounts of the organisation in order.

12. ACCOUNTS

12.1 Use of funds:

Any funds raised shall only be used to further the aims and objectives of the organisation.

12.2 Bookkeeping:

The books shall be kept to an auditable standard.

12.3 Audit:

The accounts shall be audited by a qualified auditor every two years in time for the General meeting.

12.4 Signatories:

Financial transactions will require the signatures of two committee members. Up to three committee members may be signatories at one time.

13. ALTERATION OF RULES

Any proposal to alter these rules must be submitted to the secretary at least two months before the General meeting. The proposed rule changes must be distributed to members at least one month before the general meeting. Any alteration shall require the approval of at least two-thirds of voting members present.

14. DISSOLUTION

Any proposal to dissolve the organisation must be submitted to the secretary at least two months before the General meeting. The proposed dissolution must be distributed to members at least one month before the general meeting. Dissolution shall require the approval of at least two-thirds of voting members present. Any assets remaining after debts have been paid shall be given at to another international user / survivor / consumer organisation with similar objects.