October 1, 2009

Bylaws

As amended by a Mail Meeting in December - January 2007-08 and further amended at the Biennial Members’ meeting, Panama City, Panama, April 3 2008.

Download a doc version of the Bylaws

Article I.  Name and Office

  • Section A.  Name.  The name of this organization shall be IAVE, the International Association for Volunteer Effort.
  • Section B.  Offices.  The principal office of IAVE shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Article II.  Purpose and Policies

  • Section A.   Purpose.  The purposes for which IAVE is formed are:
  1. To promote, strengthen and celebrate volunteer effort worldwide.
  2. To encourage voluntary participation in improving the quality of life in communities and neighbourhoods throughout the world.
  3. To provide opportunities for exchange and interaction at the world  conference, regional meetings and national gatherings.
  • Section B.   Policy.  The policy of IAVE is:
  1. Universality. IAVE is a worldwide organization in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other.
  2. Impartiality. IAVE makes no distinction as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class, political opinions, or other individual differences.
  3. Neutrality. IAVE may not take sides as an organisation in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, religious or ideological nature.
  4. Integrity. IAVE requires the highest standard of ethical behaviour from its members in all matters relating to IAVE and the conduct of its business.

Article III.   Membership

  • Section A.   Classifications.  The Board of Directors may establish such classifications of membership as it may see fit, including but not limited to individual and organizational memberships.
  • Section B.   Individual.  Any individual who shares a commitment to the purposes and policies of IAVE may become a member of IAVE.
  • Section C.  Organization.  Any organization or agency that shares a commitment to the purposes and policies of IAVE may become a member of IAVE. Each organization or agency shall specify the person who shall be its designated representative at the time of payment of membership dues.
  • Section D.  Associate.  Members of IAVE National Associations who are not also members of IAVE are associate members of IAVE; they are non-voting and do not hold office at the international level.
  • Section E.  Honorary.  The IAVE Board of Directors may confer honorary membership upon internationally prominent individuals who are not members of IAVE.  Honorary members are non-voting and do not hold office.
  • Section F.  Good Standing.  In order to be in good standing, a member shall pay current dues and fulfil all requirements of membership as approved by the IAVE Board of Directors.

Article IV.  Revenue and the Fiscal Year

  • Section A.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of IAVE shall be from July 1 through June 30.
  • Section B.  Dues.  Dues are set by the Board of Directors.  Members will be notified when payments fall due.
  • Section C.  Budget.  The budget shall be prepared annually by the Finance Committee, in cooperation with the Treasurer and presented to the Executive Committee.
  • Section D.  Conference Registration Fee.  Biennial international conference registration fees and regional conference fees shall be reported to the Board of Directors by the Conference Chairs.
  • Section E.  Audit.  The financial records shall be audited externally every two (2) years and presented to the Board.

Article V.  Officers

  • Section A.  Officers.  The officers of IAVE shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The President will be elected by the Board; the Vice-President shall be elected by the members. The Secretary and Treasurer will be elected by the Board.
  • Section B.  Requirements for Office.  President and Vice-President must have been members in good standing of IAVE for a minimum of one year prior to election, and have participated in at least one world conference or regional conference. They must have served on the Board for at least two (2) years within the past five (5) years.
  • Section C.  Terms.
  1. The President and Vice President shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, by mail ballot and shall take office at the first board meeting after the election.
  2. Officers shall serve for one term and may be re-elected for one additional term.  No officer may serve in any one capacity for more than two consecutive terms.
  3. The Immediate Past President shall serve one year immediately following his/her term as President.
  • Section D.  Duties of Officers.
  1. World President:

a) Shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, Members’ Meetings, and of the Association.
b) May be the Chief Executive Officer and an ex-officio member of all committees except Nominating.
c) Shall have the power to call special meetings of the Board of Directors and Members’ Meetings.
d) Shall notify newly elected board members of their elected position immediately after the election.

2.   Vice President:

a) Shall perform the duties of President in the absence or inability of the President.
b) Shall perform any duties related to the office and assigned by the President.

3. Secretary:

a)  Shall keep the records and minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association.
b) Shall perform all duties related to the office and other duties assigned by the President.

4. Treasurer:

a) Shall have oversight of the collection and disbursement of the funds of IAVE and of all records thereof.
b) Shall submit an annual financial report to the Board of Directors.
c)  Shall perform all duties related to the office and other  duties assigned by the President.

Article VI.  Board of Directors

  • Section A.  Composition.  The Board of Directors, entitled to vote, shall be: the President, Vice President, eight (8) Regional Representatives, the Immediate Past President, the Founder and Life Member, and up to six (6) board members, either appointed by the Board of Directors or elected by an appropriate constituency within the membership, in line with current strategic priorities. The Board may, at its discretion, appoint honorary non-voting Board members.
  • Section B.  Authority.  The IAVE Board of Directors shall conduct the affairs of the Association in accordance with the articles of incorporation,    by-laws, standing rules, and directives adopted by the Members voting in a Members’ Meeting.  The IAVE Board of Directors shall be responsible for:

              a)  the operating policies and practices of the Association;
              b)  the fiscal management of the Association and approval of accounts;
              c)  the management of contracts or agreements executed by IAVE.

      The action of the IAVE Board shall be conclusive and final and shall bind the Association for any and all purposes.

  • Section C.  Terms
  1. The regionally elected Board Members shall be elected for a term of three (3) years by mail ballot and may be re-elected for a further term of three years.
  2. The Board of Directors shall take office at the first board meeting following their election.
  3. Appointed Board Members shall be appointed for a term of no more than three (3) years and may be re-appointed for an additional three (3) year term.
  4. No Board Member may serve for more than two consecutive terms in any one capacity, and in any case no Board Member shall serve for more than fourteen (14) consecutive years, with the exception of the Founding President.
  5. Board members elected by a membership constituency at the World Conference will serve a two (2) year term, between conferences.
  • Section D.  Board Meetings

Dates and Site:  Shall be at the time and place voted by the Board of Directors.

  • Section E.  Quorum.  Fifty percent plus one of the members shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors for the transaction of business.  The vote of a majority of the board members present at a meeting shall be the act of the Board of Directors.  A meeting, at which a quorum is initially present, may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Board Members if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting.  In the absence of a quorum, the majority of the Board of Directors present may adjourn to another day certain or sine die, until the next meeting of the world conference, or may set the time for conducting business by mail, e-mail or conference call.