The Constitusion

Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA)
To the Commissioner of the Republic:

Pursuant of 5 of the Act of July 1, 1901 and article 1 of the implementing Decree of August 16, 1901, we report the organisation of the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary

Associations, a Federation of Associations having its registered office at:

AFVAC

40, rue de Berri. F- 75008 PARIS

Tel:(33)1 53 83 91 60

Fax:(33) 1 53 83 91 69

The objects of the Federation are to harmonise the activities of the Companion Animal Veterinary Associations in Europe, to publish a journal consisting principally of reprinted articles in English gathered from those published in European veterinary journals, complying with the guidelines approved by the Council of FECAVA Directors, to represent and promote the interests of the Companion Animal Veterinary Profession of Europe and to promote the highest standards of welfare for companion animals.

The Board of the Federation (at the time of this application) comprises the following Officers:

PRESIDENT: Johan Van Tilburg

VICE-PRESIDENT: Simon Orr

HONORARY SECRETARY: Monique Megens

TREASURER: Jerzy Gawor

Two copies of the Federation's articles, duly approved by the Council of FECAVA Directors, are enclosed. These are the basis of the revised Constitution replacing that previously submitted on 17^th June 1995.

Please acknowledge receipt of this report

Respectfully submitted in Paris on 12th of May 1999, and confirmed by the signatures of the Directors of the full member associations:

THE FULL MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARY ASSOCIATIONS .

(This represents the list of full members at the time of this application. A current list, The Establishment list of the Federation, is held by the Federation's Secretary).

A.I.V.P.A.

Associazione Italiana Veterinari Piccoli Animali
Italy

A.P.M.V.E.A.C.

Associaco Portuguesa de M?dicos V?t?rinarios Especialistas em Animais de Companhia
Portugal

A.V.E.P.A.

Associacion Veterinaria Espanola de Especialistas en Pequenos Animales
Spain

B.S.A.V.A.

British Small Animal Veterinary Association
United Kingdom

C.N.V.S.P.A.

Conf?rence Nationale des V?t?rinaires Sp?cialis?s en Petits Animaux
France

C.S.A.V.A.

Czech Small Animal Veterinary Association
Czech Republic

D.S.A.V.A.

Danish Small Animal Veterinary Association
Denmark

E.S.A.V.A.

Estonian Small Animal Veterinary Association
Estonia

F.A.V.P.

Finnish Association of Veterinary Practitioners
Finland

F.K.D.V.G.

Fachgruppe Kleintierkrankheiten der Deutschen Veterin?rmedizinischen Gesellschaft
Germany

H.S.A.V.A.

Hungarian Small Animal Veterinary Association
Hungary

H.V.M.S.

Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society
Greece

I.C.A.V.A.

Irish Companion Animal Veterinary Association
Republic of Ireland

L.A.K.

Letzebuerger Association vun de Klengdeiere-Praktiker
Luxembourg

L.S.A.P.S.

Latvian Small Animal Practitioners Section
Latvia

L.S.A.V.A.

Lithuanian Small Animal Veterinary Association
Lithuania

M.S.A.V.A.

Macedonian Small Animal Veterinary Association
FYROM

M.V.A.

Malta Veterinary Association
Malta

N.A.C.A.M.

Netherlands Association for Companion Animal Medicine
The Netherlands

N.S.A.V.A.

Norwegian Small Animal Veterinary Association
Norway

R.S.A.V.A.

Russian Small Animal Veterinary Association
Russia

S.A.V.A.B.

Small Animal Veterinary Association of Belgium
Belgium

S.C.I.V.A.C.

Societa Culturale Italiana Veterinari per Animali da Compagnia
Italy

Sk.S.A.V.A.

Slovakia Small Animal Veterinary Association
Slovakia

S.S.A.V.A.

Swedish Small Animal Veterinary Association
Sweden

S.V.K. / A.S.M.P.A.

Schweizer. Vereinigung f?r Kleintiermedizin
Association Suisse pour la M?decine des Petits Animaux
Switzerland

S.Z.V.M.Z.

Slovensko Zdruzenje Veterinariev Za Male Zivali
Slovenia

V.?.K.

Vereinigung ?sterreichischer Kleintiermediziner
Austria

Y.A.S.A.P.

Yugoslav Association of Small Animal Practitioners
Yugoslavia

ARTICLES of the FEDERATION

Article 1: Name and Foundation

1.1 A non-profit association styled Federation, governed by the French Act of July 1,1901 and the French Decree of August 16,1901 named:

"The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations" (FECAVA)

"Federation des Associations Europeennes de Veterinaires Specialises en Animaux de Compagnie".

1.2 The FECAVA was founded on 12th of May 1990 in Biel, Switzerland by the following twelve "Founding Associations":

AIVPA NACAM VOK

AVEPA

BSAVA SAVAB

CNVSPA SCIVAC

FKDVG SDF (since re-named DSAVA)

HVMS SVK / ASMPA

Article 2: Objects

The objects of the FECAVA are:

2.1 to harmonise the activities of the Companion Animal Veterinary Associations in Europe.

2.2 to publish a journal in English of articles complying with the guidelines approved by the Council of FECAVA Directors (herein after referred to as "the Council").

2.3 to represent and promote the interests of the Companion Animal Veterinary Profession of Europe.

2.4 to promote the highest standards of welfare for companion animals.

Article 3: Registered office

The registered office is at: AFVAC

40 Rue de Berri

F-75008 PARIS

Tel.: (33) 1 53 83 91 60

Fax.: (33) 1 53 83 91 69

The registered office may be re-located if agreed by the Council, requiring two-thirds of the votes cast to be in favour.

Article 4: Structure

The Federation consists of:

4.1 Full Members (unlimited) - Founding Member Associations and other National Associations which have become members after the creation of the Federation.

4.2 Associate Members (unlimited) - European Associations (or Colleges) of Veterinary Specialists.

4.3 Observer Status Members (unlimited) - The Council may award a National Association "Observer Status", to be reviewed on an annual basis. Observer Status gives the National Association the normal benefits of full membership apart from the ability to vote at the Council.

4.4 Honorary Members (unlimited) - Honorary Members are those individuals who have rendered signal services to the Federation; they are approved by the Council, do not have a vote and cannot hold office.

4.5 A current list of Full Members, Associate Members, Honorary Members and Members with Observer Status ("The Establishment List") is held by the Secretary.

Article 5: Membership:

5.1 Full Membership is only open to National Veterinary Associations principally concerned with the medicine and surgery of companion animals who are considered to comply with the selection criteria set out in the guidelines agreed by the Council.

5.2 Applications for membership must be submitted to the Secretary in writing, and these should arrive at least sixty days prior to the meeting of the Council.

5.3 Approval of applications is made by the Council, requiring two-thirds of the votes cast to be in favour (including postal votes submitted to the Secretary).

5.4 The membership fees payable are determined by the Council on an annual basis.

Article 6: Loss of Membership

Membership may be lost by:

6.1 Withdrawal of membership - decided on by the individual Association in accordance with its Articles of Association.

6.2 Expulsion - The Council may agree to expel a member for non-payment of fees or if the activities or actions of the particular member are deemed to be contrary to the aims and objectives of the Federation. The Association's President or Chairman must be afforded the opportunity for a hearing at the Council prior to expulsion. Expulsion of a member by the Council would require two-thirds of the votes cast to be in favour (including postal votes submitted to the Secretary).

6.3 The Association ceasing to exist.

Article 7: Administration and Operation

7.1 The Council of FECAVA Directors

7.1.1 The Federation is administered by a Council, called the Council of FECAVA Directors. The Directors are the representatives of the Full Member Associations. They are elected or appointed according to the rules of each Association.

7.1.2 Each Association is represented by one Director.

7.1.3 Each Association can nominate in writing to the Secretary an alternate who can attend the Council and vote.

7.1.4 The Board of FECAVA Officers may agree that an association can have additional representatives (nominated in advance) attend the Council in a non-voting capacity.

7.1.5 The Directors serve without payment from FECAVA .

7.2 The Board of FECAVA Officers

7.2.1 The Board of FECAVA Officers consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

7.2.2 Officers are elected by the Council, requiring an absolute majority of the votes cast by secret ballot.

7.2.3 An Officer is elected for a period of two years.

7.2.4 The President and Vice-President may be elected for a second term of two years (a maximum of four years in either of these posts). The time of this service does not need to be concurrent.

7.2.5 The Secretary and the Treasurer can serve in their posts for a maximum of eight years, though they must be re-elected every two years during this period. The time of this service does not need to be concurrent.

7.2.6 Candidates seeking election to an officer post for the first time should submit an application in writing to the Secretary, to arrive at least sixty days prior to the date of the Council meeting at which the elections will take place. The application should include the support (confirmed by an authorised signature) of the candidate's National Association, in addition to that of two other member Associations.

7.2.7 Candidates seeking re-election to the same officer post, or a serving Vice-President seeking election as President, should notify the Secretary in writing at least sixty days prior to the date of the Council meeting at which the elections will take place.

7.2.8 The Secretary will circulate all nominations to the Directors at least thirty days prior to the Council meeting at which the elections will take place.

7.2.9 The President

i. is not a National Director, his /her National Association appointing a separate Director to represent it.

ii. is non-voting, except in the case of deadlock, when he/she will have the casting vote.

iii. is reimbursed by FECAVA for expenses as approved by the Council.

7.2.10 The Vice-President and Secretary may or may not be a serving Director of their National Association.

7.2.11 The Treasurer is a serving Director of his/her National Association, though the Council may decide that this requirement is not necessary.

7.2.12 Whenever an officer is not also a serving Director of his/her National Association, he/she will lose the right to vote (with the exception of the casting vote of the President).

7.2.13 Expenses related specifically to the duties of an officer, as approved by the Council, are reimbursed by FECAVA. Expenses related to duties as a Director of a National Association are to be reimbursed from that Association.

7.3 The Editor of the European Journal of Companion Animal Practice (EJCAP)

7.3.1. An Editor is to be appointed by the Council for a four year term, after which re-election is possible. There is no limit to the number of terms served by an individual, and the time of service does not need to be concurrent.

7.3.2. The Editor will be the Chairman of the EJCAP Management Sub-Committee, and will be responsible for the day to day liaison with the printer, publisher and distributor of the Journal.

7.3.3. An honorarium is payable, the level of which is approved by the Council and reassessed annually.

7.3.4. Expenses as approved by the Council are to be paid by FECAVA.

7.4 Sub Committees

7.4.1 The Council can appoint Sub-committees for the study of special subjects and projects.

7.4.2 Expenses as approved by the Council are to be paid by FECAVA.

Article 8: Meetings of the Council

8.1 The Council meets at least annually, at a frequency that has been agreed by the Council. An extra-ordinary meeting of the Council can be requested by the Board or by one quarter of the Directors. In such a case, the meeting will be held within three months of the written request, and the Secretary should notify all Directors at least sixty days prior to the meeting.

8.2 The presiding officer at the Council will be the President. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President will preside over the meeting. In the absence of both the President and Vice-President, the Council will nominate and vote for a member of the Council to preside over that meeting.

8.3 Each Association has one to three votes depending on the number of its National members (1-200=1 vote; 201-2000=2 votes; over 2000=3 votes). The representatives of the Associate Members, the Honorary Members and Members with Observer Status are entitled to attend the meetings, but they do not have voting rights.

8.4 Decisions require a simple majority unless specified in the Constitution.

8.5 At least half the members representing at least half the total possible votes must be represented at a Council meeting for business to be approved. Postal votes submitted to the Secretary in writing fourteen days before the meeting are acceptable, unless otherwise specified in the Constitution. In the absence of a quorum, the meeting is called anew at an interval of at least thirty days, and at this time there is no quorum requirement.

8.6 Members of the Council should notify the Secretary of any agenda items they wish to be discussed . The Secretary will collate these and circulate the finalised agenda at least twenty one days prior to the meeting of the Council.

8.7 At the Council meetings, the reports on the manage?? ment of the Federation by the Board of FECAVA Officers are presented. The annual financial statements and budgets, including administrative expenses, are approved. The annual report, the financial statements and budgets are to be sent to each Full Member Association and those Members with Observer Status at least twenty one days before the appropriate meeting of the Council.

8.8 Minutes of the meetings are to be drawn up on numbered sheets without blank spaces and sent to all member Associations. Once approved by the Council, they are signed by the Chairman and Secretary and kept at the Federation's registered office.

Article 9: Finances

9.1 The fiscal year is from January 1^st to December 31^st.

9.2 Full audited accounts are to be sent to the members of the Council at the earliest opportunity after completion (within a period of six months of the end of the Federation's financial year).

9.3 The Council will appoint the auditors annually.

9.4 An itemised budget for the forthcoming year is to be presented for approval by the Council.

Article 10:

10.1 The President represents the Federation in all civil affairs and supervises the expenditure. He may delegate his authority as provided in the bylaws.

10.2 The Federation may be represented in court only by the President or an agent acting by virtue of a special power of attorney.

10.3 The Federation's Officers must be in full possession of their civil rights.

Article 11:

The resolutions of the Council relative to amendments of the Federation's Constitution, acquisitions, exchanges and alienations of real estate necessary for the Federation's purpose, mortgages of such real estate, leases longer than nine years, alienations of assets forming part of the endowment and borrowings must be approved by at least two thirds of the Directors present at the meeting of the Council and by two thirds majority vote.

Article 12:

12.1 The resolutions of the Council relative to acceptance of gifts and bequests are valid only after administrative approval pursuant of article 910 of the French Civil Code, article 7 of the Act of February 4,1901 and amended Decree 66-388 of June 13,1966.

12.2 The Council resolutions relative to alienations of personality and realty forming part of endowment, mortgages and borrowings are valid only after administrative approval.

Article 13:

The Federation's language is English.

Article 14: Endowment of Federation

The endowment consists of:

a. 100 Euros per full member consisting of registered securities as provided in the following article

b. the real estate necessary for the Federation's purpose

c. gifts and bequests, unless immediate use of them is authorised

d. at least 10%, compounded annually, of the income from the Federation's assets

e. the portion of the surplus resources not required for the Federation's operation in the following fiscal year.

Article 15:

The liquid assets included in the endowment are invested in bonds or in an interest bearing bank account.

Article 16: Revenues of Federation

The Federation's revenues consist of:

a. The income from its assets, except the portion mentioned in Article 14

b. Its members dues and fees

c. Grants by the French central government, districts, communities and public agencies

d. The income from the gifts and bequests investment of which is authorised for the Federation's benefit

e. Funds generated extraordinarily by the organisation of conventions, conferences, lectures, publications., subscriptions and other activities authorised for the Federation's benefit

f. The income from the consideration received for service rendered.

Article 17:

17.1 Accounting records annually generating and reflecting an operating statement, the year's result and a balance sheet are kept.

17.2 Evidence of the use of the funds deriving from the grant(s) made in the past year is submitted every year to the District Commissioner of the Republic, the French Ministry of the Interior and the French Ministry of Agriculture.

Article 18: Amendment of the Constitution

18.1 Proposed amendments to the Constitution can only be considered on the recommendation of the Board or of one quarter of the Directors representing at least one quarter of the votes.

18.2 The recommended amendments are placed on the agenda of a Council meeting and must be sent to the member Associations at least six months in advance.

18.3 Amendments to the Constitution require two-thirds of the votes cast to be in favour.

Article 19: Dissolution of FECAVA

19.1 At least half of the incumbent Directors representing at least one half plus one the total possible votes must be represented at a Council meeting called specially as provided in the preceding article to take action on dissolution of the Federation, otherwise the meeting is called anew at an interval of at least thirty days, and at this time there is no quorum requirement.

19.2 Dissolution of FECAVA would require at least two-thirds of the votes cast to be in favour. Postal votes are not acceptable on this matter.

19.3 If the Federation is dissolved, the Directors elect one or more commissioners to liquidate the Federation's assets. They make over the net assets to one or more similar French public establishments or recognised public utility or to establishments listed in 35 of the French Act of July, 1933.

Article 20:

The Council resolution provided for in articles 18 and 19 are sent forthwith to the French Minister of the Interior and the French Minister of Agriculture. They are valid only after approval by the French Government.

Article 21:

21.1 The President or the Secretary shall advise the Prefecture of the District of the sub-prefecture of the ward in which the Federation's registered office is located, within 3 months, of all changes in the Federation's Council or Board of Officers.

21.2 The French Minister of the Interior, the Commissioner of the Republic, their authorised representatives and all civil servants accredited by them may have access in the Federation's offices to its records and accounting documents.

21.3 The annual report and the financial statements, including those of the local committees are sent to the District Commissioner of the Republic, the French Minister of the Interior and the French Minister of Agriculture.

Article 22:

The French Minister of the Interior and the French Minister of Agriculture may have their authorised representatives inspect the establishments founded by the Federation and require them to report on their operations.

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