Constitution of the European DeafBlind Union (EDBU)

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Article I: Name, status and definition.

1.1 Name.

The name of the organisation shall be the European DeafBlind Union (EDBU).

1.2 Status.

The EDBU is a non-governmental and non-profit-making organisation. It operates under international law and shall be legally registered in one of the member countries.

1.3 Definition.

Deafblindness is a unique disability caused by various combinations of auditory and visual impairments. It causes obstacles in communication and social and practical interaction and prevents full and inclusive participation in society.

Article II: Aims and functions.

The basic aim and function of the EDBU is to work for equality and full participation in society by deafblind people in all European countries. In order that this may be achieved, the highest priority must be given to assisting and supervising the establishment of independent national organisations of deafblind people in all European countries where such organisations do not exist. It is recognised that although some countries have formed such organisations, most countries have not and some may not be in a position to do so in the foreseeable future. In the meantime, associations of deafblind people, affiliated to organisations of the blind or the deaf, should be accepted as fully fledged members of the EDBU, always provided that such associations have a leadership with a majority of deafblind people, elected at regular intervals by the deafblind people of the country concerned. See also Article III, section 1.

The EDBU is a European forum to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of deafblindness and to work to increase European solidarity among deafblind people’s organisations.

Further aims of the EDBU are:

• To be the European representative of deafblind people in Europe,
• To organise conferences, seminars, holidays and workshops where deafblind people can exchange experiences and views for the benefit of the deafblind person as well as for the EDBU,
• To work for the social inclusion of deafblind persons,

In pursuance of these objectives and principles, to co-operate with international organisations which are active in the fields of deafblindness, deafness, blindness and cross disability,

• To promote activities and act to benefit deafblind persons without discrimination for reasons of politics, religion, economy, sex or race,
• To seek full recognition of deafblind people in all aspects of society in accordance with the UN Standard Rules for Persons with Disabilities,
• To raise awareness of deafblindness as a unique disability.
• To combat problems concerning communication, information, interaction with the environment, orientation and mobility of the deafblind.
• To undertake any task necessary to achieve or further any of these objectives.

Article III: Membership.

3.1 National organisations of the Deafblind, see also Article II, section 1.

In the context of this Constitution, a national organisation of deafblind people is an organisation that has a governing body (Executive Committee) with a majority of deafblind people, elected by the deafblind membership at regular intervals.

3.2 National members.

National members represent the deafblind population of their country. Each national member elects one National representative, who must be deafblind.

National representatives have the right to participate in all EDBU activities.

National representatives have the right to speak, to make proposals and to vote in the general assembly.

3.3 Associate members.

Groups or institutions of deafblind persons may apply for associate membership in the EDBU. Associate members will receive all information material from EDBU. Representatives from Associate members, participating in EDBU activities, shall be deafblind persons. Associate members have the right to participate as observers in EDBU general assemblies, but may not nominate candidates for any elected position within the EDBU.

Article IV: Rights and obligations of members.

4.1

National members of the EDBU shall, subject to this Constitution and By-laws, have the right to be represented in all activities established by EDBU, to vote at political sessions and at General Assemblies where they are present, and to nominate persons for committees of the EDBU.

4.2

Associate members have the right to participate as observers in all activities of the EDBU apart from board meetings.

4.3

All members of the EDBU shall pay the annual membership fee to the EDBU during the first 90 days of the current fiscal year and any levies within 90 days of their imposition.

4.4

The rights of a member shall only be valid if the annual membership fee and any outstanding levies have been paid and received in accordance with article 4.3.

4.5

Any person or organisation, having obtained membership of EDBU, operating under the authority of the EDBU or under a contract with the EDBU, is bound by the provisions of the EDBU Constitution and By-laws and shall abide by the decisions of the EDBU organs.

Article V: Admission, suspension and expulsion of members.

5.1

Any admission or expulsion shall be decided by the General Assembly on the basis of recommendations by the Executive Committee.

5.2

A suspension may be decided by the Executive Committee, which may lift the suspension when reasons for the suspension no longer exist.

5.3

A member may be suspended or expelled if it has violated the Constitution or By-laws of the EDBU.

5.4

A member under suspension loses all rights and privileges of membership.

5.5

A member under suspension may appeal to the General Assembly, which will decide whether the suspension shall be upheld.

Article VI: Structure.

The EDBU shall consist of:

6.1 The General Assembly.

6.1.1

The General Assembly shall meet at least once every four years. An extraordinary General Assembly may be convened either by the Executive Committee or if requested by at least ten of the national members.

6.1.2

Each member has one vote.

6.1.3

The General Assembly shall:

1. Act as the supreme governing body of the EDBU and decide on any matter relevant to the EDBU.
2. Determine the policy and the fundamental guidelines for the development of the rights and obligations of deafblind persons in the societies of Europe.
3. Elect the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer, and two further persons to the Executive Committee.
4. Consider and approve amendments of the constitution.
5. Consider and approve By-laws for the EDBU.
6. Consider and approve the rules and procedure for the election of the Office Bearers.
7. Consider motions from members and standing committees. The following rules shall apply to such motions:
   • they shall be submitted in writing no less than three months before the General Assembly.
   • all motions for the General Assembly shall first be considered by the Executive Committee, which may give the General Assembly the opportunity of considering motions not meeting the three months requirement.
   • motions, together with any amendments, recommendations or observations shall be dispatched by the Executive Committee to the members together with the agenda of the General Assembly no less than six weeks before the Assembly is due to meet.
   • motions shall be decided by a simple majority of voting representatives present at the Assembly.
   • a motion, not fulfilling the requirements mentioned above, may, by the President or the person chairing the meeting at the time, be ruled to be an emergency resolution to be discussed and voted on by the General Assembly. If this ruling is challenged, the matter shall be put to a vote. At the discretion of the President or the person chairing the meeting at the time, one representative shall be allowed to speak for and one against the ruling being upheld.
8. Adopt a four-year action plan.
9. Consider, approve and admit national members in EDBU.
10. Consider and approve the annual membership fee of the national members and associate members.
11. Decide any change in the country of location of the EDBU secretariat.
12. Elect auditors.

6.2 The Executive Committee.

6.2.1

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer, and two further persons elected by the General Assembly, and the editor of the EDBU newsletter. The six office-bearers elected by the General Assembly shall appoint the editor of the EDBU newsletter who will have the right to speak and make proposals, but not the right to vote in the Executive Committee.

6.2.2

Members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for a period of four years and may be re-elected.

6.2.3

The Executive Committee shall hold at least one meeting per year.

6.2.4

The Executive Committee shall:

1. Initiate activities and implement policies as fixed by the General Assembly.
2. Establish its own rules of procedure and propose by-laws to be considered by the General Assembly, ref. 6.1.3.d.
3. Consider and approve the budget of the EDBU.
4. Determine and dispatch to the members the agenda and other documents relevant for the General Assembly no later than six weeks prior to the meeting.
5. Submit four-year reports to the General Assembly, taking into account the resolutions and decisions of the Assembly.
6. Conduct the affairs of the EDBU between meetings of the General Assembly, including filling vacancies in the Executive Committee.
7. Be responsible for the relations with relevant international organisations.
8. Decide the number and conditions of employment of the staff of the Secretariat.

6.2.5

The Executive Committee shall establish such ad hoc committees as it may deem necessary for the carrying out of its duties.

6.3 The secretariat.

6.3.1

The EDBU shall have a Secretariat. The General Assembly may decide which country/organisation shall host the Secretariat.

6.3.2

If the General Assembly has not made a decision regarding 6.3.1, the secretariat shall be hosted in accordance with a decision taken by the President under his/her supervision.

Article VII: Elections and voting at General Assemblies.

7.1

A General Assembly shall have a quorum when at least one third, 1/3, of the members entitled to vote are present.

7.2

All decisions, including the admission of members, shall be determined by a simple majority of votes of delegates present and voting, except in the case of expulsions and constitutional amendments where a two- thirds, 2/3, majority of votes shall be required.

7.3

Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. All other voting shall be by show of hands unless a secret ballot is demanded by a simple majority.

7.4

Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

Article VIII: Finances.

8.1

The funds of the EDBU shall consist of:

8.1.1

Annual membership fees from members and any levies on members.

8.1.2

Contributions, grants or other income that may be received for the use of the EDBU.

8.2

The fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

8.3

The Executive Committee shall conduct annual audits of the accounts of the EDBU.

Article IX: Language.

The English language shall be the official language of the EDBU.

Article X: Dissolution

10.1

Dissolution of EDBU happens if no meetings of the General Assembly have taken place during a period of nine (9) consecutive years or after no meetings of the Executive Committee have taken place during a period of five (5) consecutive years.

10.2

A resolution containing the dissolution of EDBU must be circulated to all members at least twelve (12) months before the General Assembly at which it is to be discussed. For such a resolution to be carried out a two-thirds majority of all votes cast is required.

Article XI: Approval of this constitution

11.1

Approval of this constitution requires two-thirds (2/3) of all votes cast from all deafblind participants meeting in the founding general assembly of the EDBU.

11.2

The constitution shall come into power immediately after approval by the founding general assembly.