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Eurotas Constitution

EUROTAS CONSTITUTION

• Article 1. Name, Address, and Field of Activity

1. The name of the Association is “European Transpersonal Association” (EUROTAS).
2. Its headquarters are in Vienna, Austria, at the address: A-1090, Vienna, Porzellangasse 56/2/10 and its field of activity includes engagement around the world.
3. The establishment of regional branches is not intended.

• Article 2. Definition and Purpose

EUROTAS is a non-political, non-religious, non-profit, multi-disciplinary organization. The Association takes action in Europe and worldwide to pursue the following primary purposes:
• EUROTAS provides a platform for reconciling the viewpoints of various disciplines, including science, psychology, spirituality, philosophy and art. Furthermore, EUROTAS promotes an integral transformation of humankind on the levels of body, mind, soul and spirit.
• Development of theoretical and applied research in the different areas of interest of the transpersonal perspective: transpersonal psychology, psychotherapy and arts therapy, creativity and ability to learn, meditation and spiritual traditions, consciousness and its non-ordinary states, particularly the ones leading to the experience of non-dual, unified consciousness as described by mystics and traditional traditions of wisdom.
• Establishment of a network of organisations in the transpersonal field throughout Europe
• Facilitation and promotion of communication among researchers, members of EUROTAS, and other interested groups and individuals.
• Support of relations and cooperation with other groups and organizations, representatives of the transpersonal movement throughout the world.
• Encouragement to apply the transpersonal idea and conceptual framework to psychotherapy, to education, the economy, ecology, politics, art and other aspects of human life and society.
• EUROTAS aims to stimulate the development of the "science of consciousness" based on inner and participative experiences and transformations as its core objective. Furthermore, EUROTAS wants to help develop the ability of integrating different psychological and spiritual traditions and to realize the interconnectedness of all life. “The science of consciousness” is based on: a respect for the individuality of each person and the inviolability of their creativity; the perception of an ecology of the living. An all-encompassing interconnectivity; and the respect for the limits of human knowledge. The goal of this science of consciousness is a socially engaged spirituality, developing a participative experience within the individual self and the cosmos, serving the purpose of global well-being. This also implies the search for ways to transcend national boundaries.

• Article 3. Strategies to achieve the Association’s Aims

1 The Association tries to achieve its aims through ideational and material means as stated in Sections 2 and 3.
2 Ideational means include
a Hosting conferences, workshops, discussions, scientific symposia, and workgroups
b Publishing of newsletters and other publications
c Setting up teams and committees
d Collaborating with other transpersonal associations and institutions.
3 The necessary material means should be attained through
a Joining fees and membership fees
b Proceeds from events
c Financial contributions from supporting members, grants, donations
d Legacies and other financial contributions.

• Article 4. Types of Membership

1 The types of memberships of the Association include full individual membership, full organizational (institutional) membership, associate membership and honorary membership.
2 Individuals, national associations or institutions that are actively involved in the Association's work and development may gain full membership.
There are therefore three possibilities of reaching full membership:
a) individual membership (persons who are active in the transpersonal field in a way that is relevant to the aims of EUROTAS)
b) the membership of national transpersonal organizations (with a minimum of 25 members, with practices in line with that of EUROTAS aims)
c) the membership of a transpersonal institute that has been accredited by EUROTAS

Full members are entitled to vote at a general assembly.

Vote allocation: individual member—one vote; national transpersonal organization—two votes; transpersonal institute—two votes.

3. Associate members are individuals who support the Association's work through a membership fee. This can also include other organizations and institutes that are interested in the transpersonal idea. They are not entitled to vote in general assemblies.

4. Honorary members are persons who get appointed by the Association based on their extraordinary contributions to its goals.

• Article 5. Acquisition of Membership

1. All adult natural persons, legal entities, legal partnerships and international transpersonal associations and institutes may gain membership.
2. The admission of full members and associate members is based on a simple majority vote by the Association’s Board of Directors. A denial of membership is possible without a disclosure of reasons.
3. Until the Association has fully formed, the preliminary admission of full and associate members will be decided by the Association's founder(s), or the Board of Directors, should it already exist. However, these preliminary memberships will not come into effect until the Association is formed. Should the Board of Directors be formed only after the Association comes into existence, then the founder(s) shall also decide the definitive admission of all full and associate members.
4. In the course of an application for membership, there must be a presentation of their own activities and their motivations for applying for membership in a yearly members meeting.
5. The appointment of honorary members has to be initiated by the Board of Directors and decided by the General Assembly.

• Article 6. Cancellation of Membership

1. The membership can end through death, loss of legal responsibility for legal entities or legal partnerships, voluntary cancellation, or exclusion.
2. The membership can be cancelled only with the effective date of December 31st of each year. Written notice must be given to the Board of Directors at least one month in advance. Late notice will result in a cancellation in the following year. The date of notification will be determined by the date of postmarking.
3. The Board may exclude a member who has fallen behind in his membership fees more than six months, only after two written reminders and an adequate extension for payment. The obligation for payment of membership fees remains unaffected by the exclusion. Re-admission is possible after payment of an admission fee set by the Board. The Board is at liberty to uphold membership in special cases, despite a non-payment of the membership fee.
4. The exclusion of a member from the Association by the Board due to coarse neglect of other membership duties or dishonorable behavior can be decided by a two-thirds majority vote.
5. The termination of honorary membership can be initiated by the Board and decided by the General Assembly for reasons stated in Section 4.

• Article 7. Rights and Duties of Members

1. The members are allowed to participate in all activities of the Association and utilize its facilities. The right to vote at the General Assembly, as well as well as the right to participate in the elections for the Administrative Bodies (actively and passively) is reserved for full members and honorary members.
2. Each member has the right to request the delivery (publication) of the Association's Statutes from the Board.
3. A minimum of one tenth of all members can call in an Extraordinary General Assembly.
4. The Board has to inform the members about the activities and the financial situation of the Association at each General Assembly. If a minimum of one tenth of all members ask for the same information (while giving good reasons) aside from an Assembly, the Board has to provide it within four weeks.
5. The Board has to inform the members about the Association's verified fiscal report. If the information is given in a general meeting, the auditors are required to be present.
6. The members have the obligation to support the interests of the Association and to refrain from anything that could damage the reputation and achievements of the Association. They have to obey the Association’s statutes and decisions. Full members and associate members are responsible for punctually paying their admission and membership fees as determined by the General Assembly.
7. Applications for a reduction of the annual membership dues in particular cases can be submitted to the Association and decided upon by the General Assembly.


• Article 8. Administrative Bodies

The Association's Administrative Bodies are the General Assembly (Article 9 & 10), the Board of Directors (Article 11 – 13; sometimes referred to as "the Board"), auditors (Article 14), and the Court of Arbitration (Article 15).

• Article 9. The General Assembly

(1) The General Assembly is the meeting of members according to Austria's Act regarding Associations ("Vereinsgesetz") from 2002. A regular General Assembly takes place every three years.

(2) An emergency General Assembly can be convened within four weeks through
a Decision by the Board or the regular General Assembly
b Written request of a minimum of one tenth of all members
c Call for an audit (Article 21, Section 5.1, Act regarding Associations from 2002)
d Decision of an auditor (Article 21, Section 5.2, Act regarding Associations from 2002, and Article 11, Section 2 of these statutes)
e Decision of a nominated judicial curator (Article 11, Section 2 of these statutes, last sentence).

(3) All members are to be invited two months in advance either in written form, via telefax or email (to the telefax number or email address that the member gave to the association) to all ordinary and emergency General Assemblies. The Assembly's agenda must be included in the invitation. It has to be announced by the Board (Sections 1 and 2a-c), by an auditor/by the auditors (Section 2d) or by a nominated judicial curator (Section 2e).

(4) All requests to add items to the General Assembly's agenda must be submitted to the Board at least three weeks in advance of the General Assembly’s date either in written form, per telefax or per email.

(5) Binding decisions can only be made concerning items on the Assembly's agenda, with the exception of requests for an emergency General Assembly.

(6) All members are permitted to attend the General Assemblies. However, only full members and honorary members are eligible to vote. Each of those members may cast one vote (see Section 4, Article 2). It is however permitted to transfer one's vote to another member through a written power of attorney.

(7) The General Assembly can make binding decisions regardless of the number of present members.

(8) All elections and votes during the General Assembly will be decided by a simple majority of all cast and valid ballots. However, decisions regarding the modification of these statutes, or the dissolution of the Association, need a majority of two-thirds of all cast and valid ballots.

(9) The General Assembly will be presided over by the current President (Chairperson), or, if absent, the Vice-President. Should the Vice-President be absent as well, then the oldest present member of the Board of Directors shall preside over the Assembly.


• Article 10: Obligations of the The General Assembly

The obligations of the General Assembly are as follows:

a) Approval of the budget planning.
b) To hear and approve the Board's report as well as the Treasurer's financial report in presence of the auditors;
c) Election and dismissal of members of the Board of Directors and the auditors;
d) Approval of all legal transactions between the auditors and the Association;
e) Vote of confidence for the Board of Directors;
f) Regulation of the admission and membership fees for full and associate members;
g) Awarding and termination of honorary memberships;
h) Decisions about modifications to this statutes and a voluntary dissolution of the Association.
i) Discussion of and decision about all other items on the agenda.

• Article 11: Board of Directors

1. The Board of Directors consists of at least six full members, namely: the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer and their substitutes. The Chairperson may co-opt more full members into the Board.

2. The Board of Directors is to be elected by the General Assembly. Should one of its members withdraw from the Board, the Board has the right to co-opt another member in his/her place, but will have to get approval for it in the next General Assembly. Should the Board of Directors not replace withdrawing members to a degree that it becomes either permanently, or for an unforeseeable long period non-functional, then it will be the duty of any auditor to hold an emergency General Assembly in order to elect a new Board of Directors. Should all auditors be unable to do so, any full member, who realizes the urgency of the situation, shall demand the nomination of a curator at the appropriate district court, who in turn must hold an emergency General Assembly.

The Board of Directors shall be elected for a period of three years. Reelection is possible for further periods. The maximum duration of duty for any member of the Board cannot exceed six years. Every position on the Board has to be fulfilled in person.

3. Board has to be fulfilled in person.

4. The Board of Directors shall convene upon the President's request. In case of his or her absence, the Vice-President shall make the request. Is the Vice-President unavailable for an unforeseeable long period of time, any member of the Board may call for a Board meeting.

5. The Board of Directors is empowered to make binding decisions if all members had been invited to its meeting, and at least half the members are present.

6. All of the Board's decisions will be made with a simple majority; if there is no majority, the President's vote shall decide.

7. The Board's meetings shall be presided over by the President, or - in case of his or her absence - the Vice-President. Is the Vice-President absent as well, then the oldest member of the Board shall take his/her place, or any member who has the support of a majority of the present Board members.

8. Other than by death or expiration of their term in office (see Section 3), a Board member's mandate can end through dismissal (Sec. 9) or resignation (Sec. 10).

9. The General Assembly has the power to dismiss the entire Board of Directors or any of its members at any time. Those dismissals become effective once a new Board or Board member becomes elected.

10. The members of the Board of Directors may submit their resignation in writing at any time. That statement has to be directed to the Board, except for a resignation of the entire Board, in which it is to be directed to the General Assembly. Any resignation will only become effective once the proper successor(s) have been elected or co-opted (Sec. 2).

• Article 12: Duties of the Board of Directors

It is the Board of Directors' duty to govern the Association. It embodies the governing power as described in Austria's Act regarding Associations ("Vereinsgesetz") from 2002. It shall execute all powers and duties which are not designated to another Administrative Body by the Association's statutes. Its domain includes especially the following:

1. Creation of a qualified Information Technology system to track all of the Association's income and expenses and to keep a permanent record of the Association's assets as a minimum requirement;

2. Presenting a budget for each fiscal year, a financial report and a final financial statement;

3. Planning and holding of General Assemblies as described in Article 9, Section 1 and Section 2 (a-c) of these statutes;

4. Informing all members about the Association's activities, its financial statements and the verified financial report.

5. Managing the Association's assets;

6. Admission and exclusion of full and associate members;

7. Hiring and dismissing of the Association's employees.


• Article 13: Special obligations of individual members of the Board of Directors

1. The President shall oversee all of the Association's business transactions, in which he/she shall be assisted by the Secretary.

2. The President represents the Association to all external parties. All of the Association's written documents require the President's signature to gain validity, while all of its financial documents require both the President's and the Treasurer's signatures. All legal transactions between members of the Board of Directors and the Association require the approval of an additional member of the Board.

3. All authorizations to act or to sign legal documents on the Association's behalf can only be granted by the members of the Board of Directors as described in Article 2.

4. In case of an imminent danger or threat the President may make governing decisions that would otherwise fall in the General Assembly's or the Board of Director's domain. However, concerning all internal matters, the President has to get the subsequent approval of the relevant Administrative Body.

5. The President chairs the General Assemblies as well as the Board of Director's sessions.

6. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all General Assemblies and Board meetings.

7. The Treasurer is responsible for the proper handling of all of the Association's financial matters.

8. In case of any of the Board members' absence, their respective substitutes take their place.

• Article 14: Auditors

1. Two auditors shall be elected by the General Assembly for the duration of three years. They may be re-elected. The auditors must not be members of any of the Administrative Bodies (with the exception of the General Assembly) that are subject of their audit.

2. It is the auditor’s responsibility to monitor all business transactions and to verify the financial reports as to whether the fiscal statements are correct and all funds have been used according to the Association's statutes. The Board has to provide all necessary records and information, and the auditors have to inform the Board about the audit's outcome.

3. All legal transactions between the auditors and the Association have to be approved by the General Assembly. Additionally, the auditors are subject to all rules stated in Art. 11, Sec. 8-10 (analogously).


• Article 15: Court of Arbitration

1. To settle any disputes originating within the Association's relations, the internal Court of Arbitration shall convene. It is an insitution of reconciliation ("Schlichtungseinrichtung") as described in Austria's Act regarding Associations ("Vereinsgesetz") from 2002, and not a literal "Court of Arbitration", according to Austria's Act regarding civil ligitations ("Zivilprozessordnung, ZPO"), Art. 577 ++.

2. The Court of Arbitration consists of three full members of the Association. Those members will be determined as follows: one of the disputing parties will name the first arbitrator in writing to the Board. Within seven days, the Board will ask the other disputing party to name the second arbitrator within 14 days. After another notification by the Board within seven days, both arbitrators will decide on the third arbitrator within another 14 days. If they cannot reach an agreement on the third arbitrator, they must cast lots. None of the three members of the Court of Arbitration may be part of any Administrative Body (with the exception of the General Assembly) whose activities are subject of the dispute.

3. The Court of Arbitration will come to a decision after listening to both parties in presence of all of its members by a simple majority. It shall decide to the best of their knowledge. Its findings are considered permanent within the Association and cannot be contested.


• Article 16: Voluntary Dissolution of the Association

1. The voluntary dissolution of the Association can only be decided by the General Assembly and with a two-third majority of all cast and valid ballots.

2. The same General Assembly will also decide about the proceedings regarding the Association's assets. It has to appoint a liquidator and decide who should receive the remaining funds (if any). Those funds shall, if possible and permitted, benefit an organization with aims similar to the Association's, or otherwise any organization caring for the poor.

Points to discuss during the next Delegates Meeting in Riga 2012:
• Article2: “Support of relations and cooperation with other groups and organizations such as the International Transpersonal Association (ITA) and the Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP) in the U.S., and many other”
• Article 2: Furthermore, EUROTAS wants to help develop the ability of integrating different psychological and spiritual traditions and to realize the interconnectedness of all life.
• Number of board members
• Duration of eligibility of board and president


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