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World Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists (WAVFH)

STATUTES

Article 1.

Aims of the Association

The World Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists (WAVFH) is an association which aims to exchange on the international level the results of scientific research pertaining to the safety and quality of food products of animal origin. In addition it aims to act as a forum for the exchange of information on teaching and on the provision of services relating to the safety and quality of foods from animals.

To accomplish this, international scientific meetings (symposia, round table conferences, etc.) are organised. It may also co-operate with world associations e.g. World Health Organisation and the World Veterinary Association, in the organisation of scientific meetings.

In adition, the association may become active in other directions such as in the publication of periodicals, proceedings of workshops and symposia, books and the provisions of expert independent advisors.


Article 2.

Address of the Association

The address of the Association will be that of the secretary of the Association.


Article 3.

Membership

National-basded veterinary organisations in a country are eligible for collective membership. Associate membership is also open to individuals as well as to other organisations involved in the safety and quality of foods of animal origin.


Article 4.

Authorities of the Association

The authority of the association is vested in the following:

a) A general assembly of members (G.A.M.)

b) Board of Directors

c) Special commissions appointed by the Board of Directors for consideration of specific issues.

The highest authority of the Association is vested in the General Assembly of Members. As a rule a General Assembly of Members is called every four years. The Assembly elects the Board of Directors and decides on statutes and proposals to be submitted to the members. The G.A.M. also may replace the Board of Directors. An extraordinary general meeting may be called at the request of the President, Board of Directors or by one third of the paid up membership of the association. Voting by proxy may be allowed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is comprised as follows:

1. Honorary President(s)

2. Immediate Past President

3. The President

4. Seven Vice-Presidents

5. Secretary

6. Treasurer

The election of the Board of Directors takes place every four years at a meeting of the General Assembly of Members and is decided by a simple majority vote; in the event of a tie that has not been broken in three successive votes, election to a post is decided by lot. The members of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the President, Secretary and Treasurer, should preferable be from different regions of the world. Every four years at least three Directors retire from the Board. Such retirement will be in accordance with the time of being a member of the Board of Directors. The Secretary and the Treasurer are excluded from this rule. Vacancies on the Board may be filled by a meeting of the General Assembly of Members. The members of the Board will nominate candidates for the Board of Directors to be elected by the General Assembly of Members. The members of the Board will elect the President. The President and the Secretary will represent the association in relations with the public.

The Board of Directors may propose, and submit to a vote of the General Assembly of Members, the nominations for the post of (i) Honorary President or (ii) Honorary Member of the Association.


Article 5.

Membership dues

Membership dues will be proposed by the Board of Directors and be validated by a meeting of a General Assembly of members. The current accounts and balances of the association will be made available to the General Assembly of Members every four years and three auditors will report their finding to this Assembly. Sponsorship may be sought to assist with the working expenses of the Association.


Article 6.

Relationship to the World Veterinary Association (WVA)

For as long as the World Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists is a constituent member of the Worls Veterinary Association, it will appoint a representative who will function as a member of the permanent committee of the WVA.


Article 7.

Order of Business

The order of business is determined by the Board of Directors.


Article 8.

Change of Statutes

The Statutes of the WAVFH and any changes thereto must be approved at a meeting of the General Assembly of Members by at least two thirds of the votes cast. Voting by proxy may be allowed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The procedures to be followed when voting by proxy will be decided by the Board of Directors. A single proxy vote may be recorded by a member who is unable to attend a General Assembly of Members. Such votes must be recorded on official forms obtained from the Secretary and be completed, signed and returned to the Secretary no later than two days before the meeting.)

Proposals to change the statutes must be submitted in writing by a member to the Board of Directors at least six months before a meeting of a General Assembly of Members.


Article 9.

Organisation of Symposia

As a rule a major symposium is held at least once every four years. As long as the WAVFH is a constituent member of the WVA it will continue to organise the special section on food hygiene and veterinary public health during the WVA congress. As the need arises the Board will organise round table conferences, lectures etc. on topics of contemporary importance. The scientific programme, venue and timing for all these events will be agreed by the Board of Directors.

Members of the WAVFH in the country in which a symposium is to be held, nominate a national organising committee. The committee collaborates with the Board of Directors of the WAVFH. In the preparation of the scientific programme, the national organising committee willbe consulted, but the final decision is taken by the Board of Directors of the WAVFH. The national organising committee determines the budget and means of raising the funds necessary to cover the expenses. The national organising committee meets the production costs of the proceedings, extra copies of which are sold by the WAVFH secretariat to assist in covering operating expenses of the WAVFH.



Membership fee

National veterinary associations: € 128,- per year
Single person:  € 31,- per 4 years
Institutions/industries: € 256,- per year


Banking instructions:
The fee is payable to: WAVFH, account no. 656 281 400 at Dresdner Bank, sort code: 100 800 00.
Use of payment: Membership for .... (respective year)

Banking charges have to be added: (€ 8,- for international money orders).


 

Copyright © WAVFH 2006