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FICE-International Membership 1 FICE is organised mainly through National Sections, which are meant to be umbrella bodies in their respective countries, open to anyone to join who has an interest in the social care and education of children. The National Sections each have two votes at the Federal Council and in General Assemblies. 2 In practice, there have been variations on this theme. Some National Sections are professional bodies, some are service-providers and some are other types of co-ordinatory national organisation. In two countries, representation has been shared by two organisations, who have each had one vote. These arrangements have been pragmatic ways of resolving problems. The normal structure has been the identification of a single National Section per country, and the proposals in this paper are designed to support this system. 3 In FICE's Statutes, there is also mention of supporters and correspondents. They have been provided with papers, but they have never been required to pay for this service, and there has never been any systematic approach to increase their numbers or to involve them more fully in FICE activities. 4 Following discussion at the Executive Committee in November 2001, it is proposed that this section of the Constitution is implemented through the creation of a category of Associate Membership for interested individuals and organisations, as follows : (a) Individuals in countries where there is no National Section wishing to join FICE- International directly would be able to do so at an annual subscription of 40 Swiss Francs. (b) Organisations in countries where there is no National Section wishing to join FICE- International directly would do so at an annual subscription of 200 Swiss Francs (c) The subscriptions paid by National Sections would be unaffected and continue to be calculated at as present. 5 These proposals would permit people and organisations in countries where there is no National Section to be able to be direct members of FICE International : (a) in countries where it has not yet been possible to set up a National Section, and (b) where a National Section has ceased to exist. At present, there are individuals and organisations wishing to maintain contact but without the resources or time to set up National Sections. There are also people who wish to maintain links when there have been difficulties and a National Section has ceased to be active. At present there is a reluctance to break links and cancel the membership of FICE Sections which have failed to pay their subscriptions. Under these proposals, where a National Section can no longer be sustained, individuals and organisations could still maintain links with FICE-International through Associate Membership. 6 The payment of a fee will : (a) cover the costs of the circulation of FICE material and other benefits, and (b) will ensure that only those wishing to maintain an active interest are seen as Associate Members, since at present those individuals and organisations receiving free material have no incentive to set up National Sections. 7 The benefits of individual and organisational Associate Membership of FICE-International will be : - a hard copy of all material
circulated to National Sections by FICE-International Associate members would not have the right to vote, either at the Federal Council or at the General Assembly. 8 The benefits of National Section membership of FICE will be : - all the benefits open to
individual and organisational members 9 It will therefore be in the interests of Associate Members to set up a National Section when membership reaches a certain level. At that point, Associate Members would become members of the National Section and pay their subscriptions to the National Section instead of FICE-International. It is intended that these proposals will encourage the creation of National Sections, both by establishing membership in countries where there is no representation at present, and by encouraging those members to set up National Sections. Associate Membership would not be permitted in countries where there is an existing National Section at this point, (although there are arguments for considering this possibility in the future). The process of attracting Associate Members and urging them to set up National Sections will need to be supported actively by the members of the Executive Committee and by one or more Vice Presidents appointed specifically to encourage the expansion of membership and the formation of new National Sections. 10 If the proposal is adopted, there will be a number of practical consequences. The Treasurer will need to establish the appropriate system for invoicing Associate Members, the Secretariat will need to arrange for papers and other materials to be made available, and special arrangements will need to be made for discounts on publications and congresses. People who are not members will not receive the benefits of membership, and information about FICE's activities will only be circulated free of charge to those outside FICE when it is felt to be in FICE-International's best interests. 11 Summary of Recommendations : (a) Individuals in countries where there is no National Section wishing to join FICE- International directly should be able to do so as Associate Members at an annual subscription of 40 Swiss Francs with the benefits listed in paragraph 7. (b) Organisations in countries where there is no National Section wishing to join FICE- International directly should be able to do so as Associate Members at an annual subscription of 200 Swiss Francs with the benefits listed in paragraph 7. (c) One or more Vice Presidents should be appointed specifically to encourage the expansion of membership and the formation of new National Sections.
15th November 2001 |
