Statutes

ARTICLE I – TITLE

 

A world organization of non-remunerated blood donors is hereby set up under the title of:

 

 

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION

OF BLOOD DONOR ORGANIZATIONS

(I.F.B.D.O)

 

The Federation shall have no governmental character, and excludes all ethnic, political or religious discrimination.

 

The headquarters of the Federation shallbe at MONACO. The General Assembly may decide to transfer it to any other place.

 

The federation can institute an administrative seat in another member state. ARTICLE II – DURATION – FIELD OF ACTIVITY – OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

The Federation is established for an unlimited period of time; its field of activity is worldwide.

The official languages used by the Federation are stipulated in the Rules of Procedure. ARTICLE III – AIMS

The aims of the Federation are:

 

1.To promote the regu1ar, anonymous, voluntary, non-remunerated gift of blood in all countries of the world.

2.To work towards meeting the needs for high quality human blood and blood products in every country, in co-operation with the competent bodies.

3.To ensure that ways and means are applied guaranteeing the safety of both the donor and the receiver.

4.To combat all forms of marketing and gain with respect to blood and blood derivatives, under the principle that the human body is inalienable.

5.To participate in all studies, activities or events related either to the organization of blood transfusion and blood donor association or to knowledge and research in transfusion techniques.

6.To approach, together with the representative group in a country and whenever circumstances require, the national  and international governmental bodies and public opinion with a view to promoting the voluntary, non-remunerated gift of blood, respect for the ethics of donation and respect for the altruism of the b1ood donor.

 

 

 

To this effect:

• it shall bring together representative groups of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors in each country, without any political, ethnic or religious bars.
• it shall encourageand support the creation of organizations of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors in countries where they do not already exist.
• it shall ensure the promotion of the altruism of the voluntary, non-remunerated blood donor.
• it shall promote friendly relations and co-operation through twinning and the establishment of regular ties among the member organizations.
• it shall take part in international blood transfusion bodies and shall help them and co-operate with them.
• it shall organize world congresses at which, apart from its specific work, scientific and technical subjects related to the gift of blood and blood transfusion are introduced and discussed with the medical community.
• Its Executive Council shall represent blood donors on a permanent basis everywhere and ensure that their interests are defended.

 ARTICLE IV

The Federation members are:

A.  active members

B.  associate members

C.  observers

D.  honorary members

The Executive Council decides on the admission of active members and associate members, subject to ratification by the General Assembly.

 

 

A – ACTIVE MEMBERS

The status as an active member is in principle granted to the national organization representing blood donors in a country.

 

The status of active member is acquired after payment of the annual fee fixed by the General Assembly.

 

Should no national organization exist and under certain conditions, active membership may be granted to a regional organization.

 

 

 

 

Al – National Active Member:

National federation, association or group of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors, legally recognized as such under the laws or customs in the country, with competence all over the national territory.

 

A2 – Regional Active Member:

Federation, association or group of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors working ina part of their respective countries corresponding to a political, administrative or territorial sub-division. In order to be admitted, such an organization must have its activity within a country which is not represented within the IFBDO.

 

 

 

 

A3 – Other cases:

When the blood donors do not have a special association in their country but are members of a national organization whose aim is to promote voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation without ethnic, religious or political discrimination, such an organization may be granted membership of the IFBDO.

 

 

 

B – ASSOCIATE MEMBERS:

Organizations which do not yet fulfil the conditions for admission as active members may be provisionally admitted as associate members if they belong to a country which does not have an active member and provided that:

–        they conform with the statutory aims and provisions of the IFBDO;

–        they strive to meet the conditions for admission of active members;

–        the pay the annual fee.

 

B1 –

The Executive Council and the General Assembly decide on their admission for a period of three years. At the end of that period, the situation is examined again to determine whether the organization is to be recognized as an active member, granted a three-year renewal or removed as an associate member.

 

B2 –

Associate members are informed of the federation’s activities. They may be invited to its events. They are not entitled to vote.

 

C – OBSERVERS:

Observers are individuals and legal entities not members of the Federation who provide financial, material or moral support,

 

 

The Rules of Procedure define their conditions for admission.

 

 

 

 

D – HONORARY MEMBERS:

The status of  ”Honorary member” can be granted to persons who support the Federation.

Honorary Members are bound by no specific obligations.

The conditions for admission as honorary member and for remaining or losing this status are defined in the Rules of Procedure.

  ARTICLE V – IFBDO STATUTORY BODIES

 

The IFBDO statutory bodies are:

1.The decision-making and governing bodies:

• the General Assembly
• the Executive Council
• the President

2.The Auditing Commission

3.The consultative bodies:

• The Continental Committees

• The International Youth Committee

 

 

The role of each authority is supplemented by the Rules of

  ARTICLE VI – GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

The General Assembly is the supreme decision-making body.

It comprises the delegates appointed by each of the active member organizations.

 

 

Each active member has one vote at the Assembly.

 

 

Only members who have paid the annul fee can be admitted to the votes.

 

The General Assembly is convened by the Secretary General as required, but at least once a year. It must meet on the occasion of each Congress.

 

 

Its aims are:

–        to set the Federation’s general policy, to define its objectives and its activities.

 

–        to ensure respect for the present statutes and for the non-remunerated blood donor code.

 

–        to approve the budgets and balance sheets as well as the activity report of the President and the Executive Committee.

 

Furthermore

– It shall elect the members of the Executive Council and possibly replace one of its members during his term of office.

– It shall decide in the last instanceon requests for admission of members.

– It shall determine each year the amount of the subscriptionof each active member, on proposal of the Executive Council.

– It shall decide, at an extraordinary General Assembly, on proposals to amend the Statutes and Rules of Procedure presented by the Executive Council.

 

With the exception of the special provisions stipulated in Article XVIII, the General Assembly shall takeits decision by an absolute majority, provided that one third of the members are present or represented.

 

The minutes of each meeting, drafted by the Secretary General, shall be sent to each member of the General Assembly.

 

  ARTICLE VII – THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

 

The Executive Council ensures the regular management and activities of the Federation, in liaison with the Continental Committees, as defined in Article XI.

 

It is empowered to take a stand at all times on behalf of the Federation and to watch over its reputation and the respect of its principles.

 

It studies current problems, takes the necessary decisions, prepares the meetings of the General Assembly and submits its proposals to it.

 

The General Assembly elects the President and the members of the Executive Council from among its members, for a period of four years, the mandate of the President cannot go beyond 2 consecutive terms or not.

 

The Executive Council shall comprise:

The elected members:

• the President
• Two vice-presidents, one of which is vicarious
• the General Secretary
• the General Treasurer
• 1 to 7 advisors to whom special assignments are entrusted by the President, by the General Treasurer, and by the General Secretary.

The members by right :

• the Continental Delegates appointed by each established Continental Committee
• a youth representative appointed by the International Youth Committee.

 

 

The candidatures for the Executive Council must be proposed by the organization to which the candidate belongs and sent to the Secretary General before the General Assembly.

 

Further candidatures can be proposed directly in the General Assembly by the active members of the IFBDO. They may be , chosen also among personalities of recognized international experience in the volunteering or blood transfusion field,  provided that they are supported by at least 10% of the active members present or represented.

 

If required, within the limits of the seven above-mentioned members, the Executive Council may co-opt one or several members for the duration of the remaining term of office. Their appointment must be confirmed by the next General Assembly.

 

The positions of: President, Vice-president, Secretary General, Treasurer General must be attributed to representatives from different countries.

 

In addition, the Executive Council shall appoint medical advisers and the President technical advisers up to seven members called “Consultants to the President.” All of these advisors is selected from non-members of the Executive Board, they assist the Executive Committee in an advisory capacity.

 

 

The Executive Council members are elected by secret ballot, with an absolute majority in the first round and a relative majorityin the second round.

 

In the event of a tie in the vote, the younger candidate shall be chosen.

 

The President of the IFBDO cannot be elected for more than two terms of office.

 

In the event of a vacancy in the presidency during the term of office, the replacement period shall not be considered as a term of office for the new president.

  

ARTICLE VIII – POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

 

The President shall represent the Federation.

–        He shall chair the proceedings of the Executive Council, the General Assembly and the Congress.

–        He shall ensure the continuity of the Federation’s functioning and respect for discipline and for the statutory provisions.

–        He shall ensure relations with international bodies involved in blood transfusion. 

–        He shall take all steps considered necessary by the Executive Council and the General Assembly.

–        He shall authorize expenditure and sign all papers issued in the name of the Federation.

–        He shall institute and give his backing tolegal proceedings on behalf of the Federation.

He maydelegate all orpart of his powers to any member of the Executive Council. Such delegation mustbe effected in writing and specify the nature and duration of the mission.

In the event of legal representation, the President can be replaced only by the vicarious vice-president with a special proxy.

 ARTICLE IX – CONTINENTAL COMMITTEES

 

 

In order to take account of the special nature of each country in the world, to improve its effectiveness and to facilitate relations with the official bodies and transfusion bodies, the IFBDO shall set up a decentralized structure on each continent called ”Continental Committee”.

 

The Continental Committee shall have no legal or financial autonomy. It shall function in the framework of the general statutory provisions, as delegated by the General Assembly.

Its establishment, functioning and scope of activities shall be defined in the Rules of Procedure.

 

ARTICLE X  : INTERNATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE (IYC)

 

In consideration of the special nature of volunteerism of young people, to improve its effectiveness and to facilitate relations with the next generation of volunteers, the IFBDO shall set up an “International Youth Committee”.

The International Youth Committee is an advisory and coordination body of the IFBDO. It shall have no legal or financial autonomy and it acts in the context of the general framework of the IFBDO statutes, as delegated by the General Assembly.

Its establishment, functioning and scope of activities shall be defined in the IFBDO Rules of Procedures.  ARTICLE XI :  CONGRESS

The Federation shall organize a world congress at least every 4 years. The date and place shall be fixed by the General Assembly.

 

Its principal aims shall be:

–        to discuss all topics of interest to the non-remunerated giftof blood and the organization of blood transfusion.

–        to send petitions, recommendations or proposals to the national and international administrative and political authorities.

 

The invitations shall be sent at the Secretary General’s request at least a month prior to the opening of the congress. They shall contain the programme established by the Executive Council ARTICLE XII – FINANCING

 

The Federation’s resources shall be constituted by:

1.   Members subscriptions and donations

2. Subsidies and donations from states, national and     international organizations, and public and private companies.

3 Return on investments.

4.Resources obtained exceptionally

5.Proceeds from services rendered.

Each active or associate member undertakes to pay its subscription.

 

Each year the General Assembly shall fix the amount of each member’s subscription, on the proposal of the Executive Council and calculated as set out in the Rules of Procedure. ARTICLE XIII – ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES

 

The Executive Council is responsible for the use of the Federation’s financial resources. Expenditure is authorized by the President within the limits of the budget adopted by the General Assembly.

 

Any major exceptional investment must be approved by the General Assembly.

 

Financial resources are allocated:

–        to the management and general operation of the Federation.

–        to setting up a solidarity fund.

 

Surplus amounts are invested in any State-guaranteed securities. ARTICLE XIV – FIODS SOLIDARITY FOUNDATION

 

In order to support Federation members in the planning and management of international co-operation programs, human resource management, fund raising activities, training programs, information network, a data bank implementation and other organizational activities, the IFBDO can institute a solidarity Foundation.

 

The FIODS  Solidarity Foundation:

• Will operate under the direct control of the IFBDO, considering that Federation members shall have, by statute, the majority in the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
• Will have its legal seat and headquarters in one of the E.U. Countries.
• Will especially operate in favour of the IFBDO members from developing countries.

 

The statutes and activity plan of the Foundation shall be approved by the IFBDOGeneral Assembly. ARTICLE XV – AUDITING COMMISSION

 

The General Assembly shall elect the three members of the Auditing Commission every four years. They shall belong to active member organizations, which shall put their names forward.

Members of the Auditing Commission are not entitled to vote or t hold anelected office within the Executive Council.

 

The Auditing Commission shall meet at least once a year in order:

–        to check whether the books are keep regularly.

–        to audit the accounts.

 

A written report on their findings shall be prepared at the end of each financial year. This report shall be given to the President who shall forward it to the members of the Executive Council before the General Assembly meeting. ARTICLE XVI – RECOGNITION

1. International Merit for Blood:

The IFBDO awards the ”Order of the International Merit for

Blood” distinctions to persons who made a special contribution

to the success of its objectives by their dedication and their skills.

A Council of the Order shall be set up for this purpose. Its

membership and how it functions shall be laid down in special

 

By way of derogation the President has a personnal contingent of two awards of  medals per year.

 

 

2.  Honorary membership:

When persons who have held an important high-level post in the governing organs of the IFBDO, the General Assembly may bestow ”Honorary” status in these posts in tribute to services rendered. ARTICLE XVII – DISCIPLINE – EXPULSION – RESlGNATION

 

Discipline

Discussion of political, religious or other matters unrelated to the aims of the Federation shall not be tolerated during any Federation meetings and events. Any offender in this regard shall be compelled to leave.

 

Expulsion – Resignation

The status of member (member country)  of the Federation is lost through resignation or expulsion.

The status of the representative of an active member (member country) is lost through resignation or expulsion.

 

1 – Expulsion:

Expulsion can be decided for one of the following motives:

–           non respect of statutory provisions of the IFBDO and the Code of Ethics for Blood Donation.

–           non payment of the Federation’s subscriptions.

–           Words and / or harmful acts to the Federation and its members (members countries) and / or representatives of members (members countries)

 

The decision shall be taken provisionally by the Executive Council and submitted to the General Assembly which shall make the final decision.

 

At the request of the organization concerned the General Assembly may appoint an inquiry and arbitration commission from among its members.

 

2 – Resignation:

Any member (member country) or representative of member  (country member) may withdraw from the Federation by submitting its resignation to the President of the Federation.

 

Resigning or expelled members (countries members) or the representatives of members (countries members) shall not be entitled to any assets. They may not in any way and for any reason whatsoever claim reimbursement of subscriptions or gifts remitted by them

 

 

 

  ARTICLE XVIII – AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTES

 

Any proposed amendment to the Statutes must be submitted at least two months prior to the Extraordinary General Assembly called on to examine it.

The Extraordinary General Assembly must have a quorum consisting of the delegates of at least half of the members.

 

 

If this proportion is not attained, the Extraordinary General Assembly may again be convoked at least after 15 days of interval and this time is competent to decide regardless of the number of active members present or represented. Notwithstanding, to amend the Statutes a two-third majority of the votes of the mandates present and represented is required.

  ARTICLE XIX – DISSOLUTION

 

For dissolution of the Federation, an Extraordinary General Assembly made up of representatives of at least half  of its active members is required. If this proportion is not attained, the Extraordinary General Assembly shall be convoked at least two weeks later and this time is competent to decide regardless of the number of active members present or represented.

Notwithstanding to decide on dissolution a two-third majority of the votes present and represented is required 

ARTICLE XX – DEVOLUTION OF ASSETS

 

In the event of dissolution of the Federation, the General Assembly shall appoint one or more persons to draw up an inventory of the Federation’s property and assets. The net assets shall be transferred by the General Assembly to other organizations pursuing humanitarian goals similar to those of the Federation.

 

 ARTICLE XXI – REGISTRATION

 

 

The Federation has been registered at MONACO. The bearer of thepresent Statutes is empowered to effect all the formalities for deposit required by law.

 

  ARTICLE XXII – ENTRY INTO FORCE

 

The present Statutes and any amendments thereto adopted by the General Assembly shall enter into force on the day of their approval.

 

Statutes approved in Extraordinary General Assembly may 2  2015 at Amsterdam (Nederland).