International Fellowship of Reconciliation

1. Statement of Purpose
2. International Structure
3. International Council
4. Representative Committee
5. International Committee
6. Executive Committee
7. International Secretariat and Staff
8. Legal Recognition
9. International Cooperation
10. Amendments
11. Procedural Guidelines and Practices
12. Dissolution

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) is an international, spiritually-based movement of people who, from the basis of a belief in the power of love and truth to create justice and restore community, commit themselves to active nonviolence as a way of life and as a means of transformation -personal, social, economic and political.

2. INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURE

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation is composed of branches and groups of the organization, together with affiliates.

2.1 Branches: An IFOR branch is an organization of people committed to acting on the principles contained in the IFOR statement of purpose and to supporting the work of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, and which has been formally accepted as a branch by the IFOR International Council. The work and purpose of an IFOR branch normally are national or regional, rather than purely local, in scope.

2.2 IFOR Groups: An IFOR Group is a group with which IFOR has developed a working relationship and which may eventually seek branch status. Status as an IFOR Group is decided by either the IFOR International Committee or IFOR Representative Consultative Committee.

2.3 Affiliates: An IFOR Affiliate is an organization of people who wish to collaborate with IFOR and who find the IFOR statement of purpose and program compatible with their own spirit and program. An IFOR Affiliate will have been formally granted such status by the IFOR Council or IFOR Representative Consultative Committee.

2.4 Individual Members. Exceptionally, individuals may be granted individual membership of IFOR. Such status is granted by decision of the IFOR International Committee.

3. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL

3.1 The IFOR International Council is the main governing body of IFOR. It takes place as necessary but at least once every four years and is made up of representatives of IFOR Branches, IFOR Groups (by invitation) and IFOR Affiliates. In the event of a conflict about representation of a group, affiliate or branch, the International Committee is empowered to determine which if any will be recognized and invited to the Council. The Council has the authority to review all determinations of representation by the International Committee.

3.2 The Principal Tasks of the IFOR Council are:
• to review the work done since the previous Council meeting by the Fellowship as a whole through its regions, branches, committees, any working groups and the international secretariat;
• to set priorities and directions for work to be undertaken in the next four year period;
• to choose the IFOR President and the members of the IFOR International Committee
• to ratify the appointment of the Treasurer and the IFOR Stichting members;
• to take major constitutional decisions;
• to recognize the admission of the Fellowship of new branches and affiliates or, if need arises, to decide on any exclusion or disaffiliation.

3.3 Basic decisions related to the organization of Council are made between Councils by the International Committee and the Representative Consultative Committee.

4. REPRESENTATIVE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

4.1 The Representative Consultative Committee is composed of two representatives from each region and the members of the International Committee. The regional representatives are nominated and elected by the Branches, Groups and Affiliates of their respective region.

4.2 Its tasks are mainly consultative, which includes evaluation and advising:
• to give feedback and guidance to the International Committee on current aspects of its work;
• to hear and respond to the reports of working groups and regions;
• to look at the progress of IFOR work in relation to the decisions taken at Council;
• to review the current work of the Secretariat.

4.3 The Representative Consultative Committee also has the task of deciding the venue of the next Council, setting general directions for the preparation of that Council, and determining the processes to be used during that Council.

4.4 The Representative Consultative Committee may also make decisions regarding the granting of IFOR affiliate or IFOR group status to new groups or organizations.

4.5 The Representative Consultative Committee may also be requested by Council or the International Committee to undertake additional tasks.

5. INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

5.1 The International Committee serves as the principal decision-making body for the International Fellowship between International Councils. Its members are responsible for translating the directions and recommendations decided upon by the International Council into a program of work for the International Secretariat, monitoring the undertaking of this program of work, monitoring the work of regions and working groups and the coordination of that work, and determining and approving the budget each year for the work of the Secretariat. It decides on the size and shape of the IFOR staff and the setting of guidelines concerning staff conditions of employment, although legal responsibility for the employment of staff rests with the Stichting IFOR' (see below).

5.2 The members of the International Committee are chosen by the International Council. The International Committee remains in office until such time as a new International Committee is chosen by the next International Council. It is composed of seven members, including the President, Vice-President and Treasurer. At least one member of the International Committee will be from each region. No more than three will be from any one region. The International Committee is authorized to fill any vacancy which may occur. The International Committee usually meets once a year.

6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

6.1 The principal officers of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation are the President, the Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These three officers form the IFOR Executive Committee and are also members of the International Committee.

6.2 The President coordinates the work of the International Committee and is the chief representative of the International Fellowship in its external relations.

6.3 The Treasurer exercises the responsibility for the administration of IFOR funds. He/she therefore works in close cooperation with both the IFOR staff and the International Committee on all matters involving finance. The treasurer is responsible to the International Committee and is an ex officio member of International Committee and Representative Consultative Committee and the Stichting.6.3 The International Council selects the Vice-President. The Vice-President assists the President in her/his tasks.

6.4 The Executive Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the International Committee between International Committee meetings. It is responsible to the International Committee . It should keep the International Committee fully informed of all business in progress and takes account of any views expressed by International Committee members.

7. THE INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT AND STAFF

7.1 The International Secretariat coordinates and facilitates the international work of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, including the specific programs decided upon by the IFOR Council.

7.2 The IFOR staff work principally from the International Secretariat offices. In addition, field workers may be appointed. IFOR staff does their work under the guidance of and are responsible to the International Committee.

7.3 International Committee may appoint a Personnel Committee to help it in its tasks of guidance for the International Secretariat. Any decisions made by the Personnel Committee must be brought to the attention of and ratified by the International Committee

7.4 Field workers may refer to local reference groups for help and guidance, but are ultimately answerable to the IFOR International Committee and Representative Consultative Committee.

8. LEGAL RECOGNITION

The Stichting IFOR (or IFOR Foundation) is the Dutch legal body allowing the organization to be recognized in and act from the Netherlands. It is also the body legally responsible for the staffing and financing of the International Secretariat. Where decisions by the Stichting IFOR are necessary, it acts under the guidance of the IFOR International Committee and IFOR Executive Committee. Recommendations as to the individuals on its board are made by the International Committee and ratified at the meetings of the International Council. The IFOR Council will appoint three members to the Stichting IFOR Board. This will include the IFOR Treasurer, at least one member of the International Committee (usually the IFOR President), and at least one Dutch person. The Stichting IFOR is registered at the Chamber of Commerce in Alkmaar, the Netherlands.

9. COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS

In undertaking its international work, IFOR seeks to cooperate with and work through international organizations and institutions working on similar issues and concerns.

10. AMENDMENTS

The IFOR Constitution carries the authority of the IFOR Council, and a decision by Council is necessary for any change to it. Changes made in the constitution must be made by consensus or, if by vote, by a majority of 75%.

11. PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES AND PRACTICES

Procedural guidelines and practices for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation are attached to this document. They are decided upon by the IFOR International Committee , acting in consultation with the branches of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Representative Consultative Committee.

12. DISSOLUTION

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation can be dissolved by decision of the IFOR International Council after a thorough consultation with the member branches and affiliates of the organization.