CONSTITUTION
Active – Sobriety, Friendship and Peace (Active)
ARTICLE ONE - AIMS AND PURPOSES
Section 1
The aim and purpose of the Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, hereinafter called "Active", is to promote among young people the ideals and objectives of the IOGT International of which Active forms an inde¬pendent part, and in its activities to further the Platform of the IOGT International.
Section 2
Active is formed to rally together all young men and women leading a life free from use of alcohol and other intoxicating drugs and who are prepared to accept and work for the ideals and objectives of the IOGT International; to instil in them a keener appreciation of the need for international co-operation and understanding and, through personal contact and edu¬cation activi¬ties, to provide an opportunity for the mutual exchange of cultural and social ideas and, in general, to extend the sphere of activity which will most effectively implement the Platform of the IOGT International and in doing this to earnestly promote an alcohol and drug¬-free lifestyle as a pre¬ferable way of living; work for mutual under¬standing and equality and support the right of self-expression and liberty for peoples and individuals.
Section 3
Active shall recognise the Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations as one of the bases for all its activities.
Section 4
Active is pledged to work for the Platform of the IOGT International, but it shall be independent in every way in matters of admini¬stration and organisation, except for such conditions, rules and regulations as appear in this Constitution which specifically refer to the Constitution of the IOGT International.
Section 5
All Active events are free from tobacco
ARTICLE TWO - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 National Associations
Active shall exist as a federation of national Sober Youth associ¬ations or groups in Europe and of other national youth associ¬ations or groups in Europe accepting the aim and purpose of Active as outlined under Article One, Section 2.
Local and district branches can affiliate to Active only through their recognised state or national organisations, if existing. Where no such organisation exists, local and regional branches may be directly affiliated to Active.
Section 2 Types of Membership
There are two types of Active membership: member organisations and associate member organisations.
Section 3 Member Organisations
Full membership of Active may be granted to national youth organi¬sations or groups in Europe who accept the IOGT International Platform and commit themselves to make it a condition for membership.
Section 4 Associate Member Organisations
National youth organisations or groups which are in general agree¬ment with the main principles of the IOGT International, but do not fill all requirements for full membership, can be granted associate membership. An associate member organi¬sation pays a fee to Active for the whole organisation. It has restricted rights, and only members who individually commit them¬selves to the IOGT International Obligation are eligible to offices within Active.
Section 5 Admission of New Member Organisations
Full or associate membership to Active is to be granted by the Active Congress, and confirmed by the next IOGT International Congress, by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, after receiving a written application from the organisation in question. Such application to be made to the President of Active at least three months before the start of the Congress.
If there exists a member organisation in the country of the candidate, this organisation should be asked for an expression of opinion on the matter.
Section 6 Pro Tempore Membership
When the Active Congress is not in session, full or associate member¬ship in Active can also be granted pro tempore by the Active Board and by the unani¬mous vote of all its members. Such membership is to be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the elected represen¬tatives at the next Active Congress and recommen¬ded as above.
Section 7 Termination of Membership
Termination of Active membership should be reported in writing from the Executive Board of the organisation to the Active Board.
The Active Board can pro tempore, with the votes of all its members, exclude organisations which do not work in accordance with the principles and the Consti¬tution of Active, or which do not fulfil its duties as outlined in this Constitution. Such a decision by the Board is subject to approval by two-thirds majority of the delegates at the following Active Congress.
The Active Congress may terminate an organisation’s membership by a two-third majority if the organisation has not paid its membership fee for one Congress period.
Section 8 Dissolution
If an organisation ceases to exist, and the laws of the organisation do not contain rules for the disposal of its property, all the assets and property shall be placed under the authority of the Active Board. The Active Board shall take care of the property and prefer¬ably use it for reconstructing the organi¬sation or to promote sober activities in the country concerned. If the organisation starts working again within ten years, the rest of the property shall be handed back to this organi¬sation. After ten years the Active Board can decide freely about the property, provided that the organisation still is not working.
ARTICLE THREE - THE ACTIVE CONGRESS
Section 1 The Congress
The Active Congress is the highest authority of the Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, and possesses jurisdiction over the entire organisation. The Congress shall meet every second year, at an agreed time and place, preferably immediately prior to the IOGT International World Congress, in case this takes place in Europe.
Section 2 Quorum of the Congress
There must be half of the nominated votes present to form a quorum of the Con¬gress.
Section 3 Convening the Congress
The Active Congress shall be convened by notice given to each of the member organisations by the Active Board; any such notice shall be in writing and include the time and place for the
Congress, a draft agenda and a list of how many delegates each member organi¬sation is entitled to send.
Such notice shall be given not later than six months prior to the date when the Active Congress is to be convened.
The agenda and the documents for the Active Congress shall be distri¬buted to the organisations two months prior to the opening of the Congress.
Section 4 Special Congress Sessions
The Active Congress may meet in Special Sessions when five of the Active Board members or one third of the full member organisations has requested this in writing.
One month's notice shall be given to the delegates, along with the agenda for the meeting, and no other business shall be transacted at that time.
Section 5 Representation
The Active Congress shall be a representative body consisting of delegates elected by the Active member organisations at such time and in such manner as may be laid down in their laws.
Each member organisation shall be entitled to elect congress repre¬sentatives according to the following rules:
Up to 500 members 2 delegates
501-1000 members 3 delegates
More than 1000 members 4 delegates
The basis for the representation should be the membership as at the 31st December of the year before the Congress year, according to the annual report from the organisation. Member Organisations who have not paid their membership fee until to Active until 31st of December the previous year and in a congress year until the formal opening of the Congress lose their voting rights in the Congress but are entitled to speak.
Associate member organisations have one delegate each in the Con¬gress. Delegates from the associated member organisations can participate in discus¬sions, make propo¬sals and present candidates for the election.
Members of the Active Board of Officers have the right to meet as delegates at the Active Congress and at Special Sessions in the Congress period.
Delegates have one vote each. The Congress may entitle an organi¬sation, if a proposal is put forward, to cumulate its voting power on one or more of its delegates.
Notice of election of Congress delegates in order of preference should be submitted to Active not later than one month prior to the opening of the Congress. If the reasons given for not submitting the names of delegates are not acceptable by the Congress, the organi¬sation concerned may lose its voting power.
Active shall not be responsible for any costs connected with repre¬sentation from the member organisations.
All members of the member and associate member organisations are permitted to attend the proceedings of the Congress, to speak, and to be elected for office or commissions of the Congress.
The Board members are not entitled to vote in matters dealing with their own reports and accounts or in elections.
Section 6 Congress Agenda
The Active Congress shall handle the following items:
a. Opening
b. Attendance
c. Approval of the Convening of the Congress
d. Approval of the Congress Procedure
e. Election of Sessional Officers
f. Approval of the Agenda
g. Admission of New Member Organisations
h. Election of Congressional Committees
i. Reports from the Board of Directors
j. Financial Reports and Auditors Report
k. Reports from Regional Officers
l. Proposals, Motions etc.
m. Plan of Action
n. Membership Fees
o. Budgets
p. Statements from the Congress
q. Miscellaneous
r. Election of Officers and Auditors
s. Election of Nomination Committee
t. Authority to operate Active Accounts
u. Legal Domicile for Active
v. Time and Venue for the Next Congress
w. Closing
The Congress should delegate the items on the agenda to congres¬sional commis¬sions on proposal from the Active Board.
Motions, proposals or other items for consideration by the Active Congress, shall be submitted to the Active President, or as directed by her/him, not later than three months prior to the opening of the Congress.
After each session of the Congress, ordinary as well as Special Sessions, the Board shall publish the journal of proceedings to member organisations and officers.
The Congress shall elect three member organisations to appoint three members of the Nomination Committee not later than one year before the Congress. These names should be sent out to the Active member organisations immedi¬ately after the appointment.
ARTICLE FOUR - ADMINISTRATION
Section 1 Active Board
The Active Congress shall elect the Active Board consisting of the following ten members:
a) President
b) Vice President
c) Treasurer
d) Secretary
f) Five Consultative Members
Vacancies in the Board shall be filled pro tempore until the next Active Congress, by the Board with at least five of its votes in favour.
Section 2 Duties of the Board
The Board is the supreme authority of Active when the Congress is not in session, and the Board has the power to act on all matters not assigned to other bodies by this Constitution. The Board shall trace out the work of Active in the Congress period and control the acts of the Executive Committee. Five members should be present to form a quorum at Board meetings.
The Board shall meet when convened by the President or when three Board members in writing have asked for a meeting. There shall be at least one Board meeting every year.
Section 3 Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is responsible for the daily work of Active, but its acts shall be subject to approval by the Board.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the following Board mem¬bers:
a) President
b) Vice President
c) Treasurer
d) Secretary
Section 4 The Work of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall have its meetings when convened by the President or when two of the other members of the Committee in writing have asked for it.
If possible the agenda for EC meetings shall be sent to all Board members prior to the meeting. Minutes from the meetings of the Executive Committee shall be distributed to all members of the Board for approval. Objections shall be submitted to the President not later than one month after the reception of the minutes.
Section 5 Sub-Councils
Co-ordination of the Active work in limited areas may be delegated to Sub-Councils, where such exists. Definition of the regions should be the authority of the Active Board. All member organisations of Active are automatically con¬sidered members of their respective Sub-Council. The Sub-Councils may delegate their authority to an Executive Commit¬tee between the sessions.
The Sub-Councils shall conduct their business according to bylaws decided by the councils themselves.
Section 6 Other Officers
The Congress, the Board of Officers or the Executive Committee may decide that for a period of time, officers or ad hoc committees shall be elected, other than those outlined in this Constitution.
Section 7 Auditors
The Congress shall appoint two auditors. The auditors shall, in writing, report to the Congress from each of the fiscal years of the Congress period.
ARTICLE FIVE - FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Section 1 Membership Fees
The membership fees for member and associate member organisations shall be collected by IOGT International and shared between Active and IOGT International after negoti¬ations. The Board may negotiate with organisations for additional contribu¬tions to Active activities.
Section 2 Budget
The Active Board shall submit to the Active Congress a budget based on anti¬cipated fees, contributions and expenditures. The Congress shall decide upon the budget for the Congress period. This budget should be revised by the board during the Congress period, adapted to circumstances that might occur.
Section 3 Fiscal Year
Active's fiscal year shall commence on January 1st and shall end on Decem¬ber 31st each year.
Section 4 Audit
Active's accounts shall be audited by auditors appointed by the Active Congress. This audit should be completed not later than 4 months after the year subject to audit.
ARTICLE SIX - GENERAL REGULATIONS
Section 1 Congress Period
The Congress period of Active shall commence on January 1st in the year of the Congress and shall end on December 31st of the year before the year of the next Congress.
Section 2 Working Year
The Working Year of Active shall commence on January 1st and shall end on December 31st each year.
Section 3 Voting Procedures
If there is no specification in this Constitution, a majority of votes are consi¬dered to be more than half of the votes cast. Neutral or invalid votes are not coun¬ted. In case of a tied vote, the President has an extra vote to ensure a majority vote. In case the President will not make use of the extra vote nor has not voting power, the matter is decided by drawing lots. Elections should be conducted as secret ballots if one or more of the delegates demand it. If there is a tied vote in an election there should be a new election. If there is still a tied vote, the election shall be conducted by lot drawing
Section 4 Official Language
The official language of Active shall be English. If any question or disagree¬ment should arise in connection with this constitution or interpretation of it, such questions or disagreements shall be settled by reference to the original English text.
Section 5 Legal Domicile of Active
The legal domicile of Active shall be the place of the Active Office, unless otherwise decided by the Congress.
Section 6 Appeals
All questions or disagreements concerning the transgression or the interpre¬tation of this Constitution shall be handled by the Board, and the decision of the Board shall be in force until the next session of the Active Congress. In regard to all such disagreements under this Constitution, the Constitution of the IOGT International shall be applicable.
Section 7 Dissolution of Active
Active shall not cease to exist as long as five member organisations in five different countries are willing to continue as members. The decision to dissolve Active must be taken at an ordinary Congress or at a Special Session with a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast.
If Active ceases to exist the Active Congress shall decide on the disposal of Active assets and property, to support sober work among youth.
This decision can be made by an ordinary Active Congress or by a Special Session if a proposal put forward as mentioned above, has been noticed and communicated to all member organisations at least three months before the session.
ARTICLE SEVEN - ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS
This Constitution was adopted by the Active Congress on 14th July 1990 in Copenhagen, Denmark and put into force the 15th July 1990.
This Constitution shall not be altered except on a proposition made in writing, specifying the Article and the Section to be amended. Such propositions shall be sent to the Active Board not later than 3 months before the next regular Congress session. The Executive Committee shall communicate to all member organisations all such notices during the following month.
Proposals to amend this Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of votes for its adoption, cast by elected delegates at an Active Congress.
Alterations of the Constitution may be adopted at a Special Session of the Congress, if a proposal put forward as mentioned above, has been noticed and communicated to all member organisations at least three months before the session. The alteration shall be handled at the next regular session of the Congress as prescribed above.
Article 2, Section 5 amended at the Congress in Turku 1992.
Article 2, Section 7 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 3, Section 5 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 3, Section 6 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 4, Section 2 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 4, Section 4 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 5, Section 2 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 7 amended at the Congress in Torshavn 1996.
Article 4, Section 1 amended at the Congress in Östersund 1998.
Article 3, section 5 amended at the Congress in Fiesch 2000.
Article 6, Section 7 amended at the Congress in Botnhamn 2002.
Article 4, Section 1 amended at the Congress in Bystra 2004.
Article 6, Section 3 amended at the Congress in Basel-Münchenstein 2006.
Article 1, Section 5 added at the Congress in Basel-Münchenstein 2006.
The whole constitution is changed due to the name change from EGTYF into Active, at the Congress in Basel-Münchenstein 2006.
Article 3, Section 5 amended at the Congress in Ransberg 2008.
