WILPF Constitution and By Laws
As revised and adopted 25 July 2007

CONSTITUTION

1. The name of this organization shall be the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, hereinafter referred to as WILPF.

B. Aims and Principles

1. The aims and principles of WILPF are:

1. To bring together women of different political beliefs and philosophies who are united in their determination to study, make known and help abolish the causes and legitimization of war. 

1. To work toward world peace
2. Total and universal disarmament
3. The abolition of violence and coercion in the settlement of conflict and their substitution in every case of negotiation and conciliation
4. The strengthening of the United Nations system
5. The continuous development and implementation of international law
6. Women’s political, social and economic empowerment to achieve gender equality and justice for all.
7. Cooperation among all people
8. Environmentally sustainable development

2. Believing that under systems of exploitation these aims cannot be attained and a real and lasting peace and true freedom cannot exist, WILPF makes it its duty to further by non-violent means the social transformation that enables the inauguration of systems under which social and political equality and economic justice for all can be attained, without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or any other grounds whatsoever.

3. WILPF sees as its ultimate goal the establishment of an international economic order founded on the principles of meeting the needs of all people and not those of profit and privilege.

C.  Membership

1. Individuals who accept the aims and principles of WILPF may become members as set out in the By-Laws.

2. Associate membership is open to national organizations or groups that accept WILPF’s aims and principles and agree to comply with the conditions and criteria set out in Section B, paragraph 3, of the By-Laws.

D. Organization

The organs of WILPF shall be the International Congress, the International Board (IB), the National Sections, the Executive Committee (EC), and the International Secretariat.

1. The International Congress

a) The International Congress shall be the highest decision making body of WILPF and the final authority in all matters concerning the organization.

b) The International Congressshall be composed of all members of the International Board, and delegates and alternates elected by the National Sections in the following manner:

1. A National Section shall be entitled to representation to the International Congress when its dues are paid to the end of the previous calendar year;
2. Each National Section shall be entitled to elect five delegates and up to five alternates;
3. Each National Section with a paid up membership of five thousand or more shall be entitled to three additional delegates and up to three additional alternates;

c) Voting rights at Congress

1. Each member of the International Board and each delegation elected by a National Section shall be entitled to one vote;
2. A National Section represented by a single delegate shall have two votes;
3. A National Section alternate may vote in the place of the delegate.
4. Any other paid up member of WILPF may attend and participate in the International Congress but shall be non-voting.

2.  The International Board

1. The International Board shall carry out the policies and programme adopted by the International Congress.
2. The International Board shall be composed of the International President, the four Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, the Secretary General, one member and alternate elected by each National Section, and the Convenors of Standing committees in an advisory, non-voting capacity.
3. The International Board shall be responsible for ensuring the means of financing the administration, programmes and all other activities of WILPF in accordance with the By-Laws.
4. The International Board shall have overall responsibility for establishing the necessary standing and ad hoc committees, and for determining the rules governing their constitution, mandates, operating modes, and dissolution.
5. Each member of the International Board shall be entitled to one vote.
6. A National Section alternate may vote in the place of the delegate.
7. Any other paid-up WILPF member may attend and participate in the International Board’s meetings but shall be non-voting.

3. The National Sections

A National Section may be established by the International Congress upon the application of ten paid up members of WILPF. They shall adopt this Constitution and By-Laws and complement them as necessary with their own regulations.

1. New National Sections shall be admitted to WILPF with full voting rights upon ratification by a simple majority of the International Congress.
2. A National Section shall be dissolved by the International Board if a simple majority of those attending a duly constituted meeting concludes that the National Section has less than ten members, or has violated this constitution or is in arrears for more than two years, or has acted in a manner prejudicial to the realization of the aims and principles of WILPF.

4.The Executive Committee (EC)

1. The President, Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, and the Secretary General form the Executive Committee (EC).
2. Two Candidates for President may stand for the position as a job share but they must declare their intention to do so and inform the Nominations Committee and/ or Elections Committee of their intention before the list of candidates’ names is distributed.
3. As far as possible the EC should reflect regional balance.
4. The Executive Committee (EC), in consultation with the National Sections shall set the agenda for the International Board meetings and oversee the implementation of WILPF’s programmes between meetings of the International Board.

5. The International Secretariat

1. The International Secretariat shall be composed of the Secretary General and permanent staff members.
2. It shall undertake and carry out such activities and directives as may be assigned to it by the International Congress, the International Board or the Elected Executive Committee (EC) under the direction of the Secretary General.

Adoption of this Constitution

1. This Constitution shall take effect upon approval by two-thirds a majority of the voting participants at an International Congress.
2. The By-Laws shall take effect upon approval by simple majority of the voting participants at an International Congress.

F. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws

1. Amendments to this Constitution and/or its By-Laws may be proposed by a National Section or by the International Board.  At a duly constituted meeting, the IB may also delegate authority to propose amendments to the Constitutions Committee.
2. The adoption of any proposed amendment to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of the voting participants of the International Congress.
3. The adoption of any proposed amendment to the By-Laws shall require a simple majority to the voting participants of the International Congress.
   

BY-LAWS

A. Programmes

1. To promote its aims and principles, WILPF shall organize and carry out programmes on local, regional, and international levels. As occasion may demand, it shall unite its efforts with those of other organizations in pursuit of common aims and principles.

B. Membership

1. In countries where a National Section exists, individual membership shall normally be through the National Section by payment of annual fee set by the National Section.
2. In countries where no National Section exists, membership shall be through the International Secretariat by payment of an annual fee set by the International Board. These memberships shall be called direct international memberships.
3. In countries where no National Section exists, a national organization or group may apply for associate membership, subject to the following conditions and criteria:
   1. Only one organization or group per country shall be admitted as an associate member.
   2. The organization or group shall accept the aims and principles of WILPF, and shall work on at least one of WILPF’s internationally adopted programmes.
   3. The organization or group shall not be affiliated with another international organization, or with a regional organization that is affiliated with an international organization.
   4. Associate members shall enjoy the same rights as full members, except the right to vote at either International Congress or International Board meetings, to nominate candidates, or to have its members nominated for election to an international office.
   5. The associate member organizations shall not speak or write in the name of WILPF or represent WILPF unless required to do so by the International Board or the Executive Committee.
   6. Associate members shall be subject to review by the International Board at least every three years.
   7. Associate member organizations shall pay an annual fee to the International Secretariat as determined by the International Board.

C. Finance

1. WILPF shall be financed by fees from National Sections, direct international members, and associate members assessed annually by the International Board; by subscriptions to publications, grants, and donations.
2. The fiscal year of WILPF shall commence on the first of January.

D. International Congress

1. The responsibilities of the International Congress shall include, but not be limited to:
   1. reviewing the activities since the last Congress, setting the policies, and direction of WILPF, and adopting the programme and related budget until the next Congress;
   2. electing the President, Vice-Presidents, and treasurer of WILPF to serve until the next session of the International Congress; no individual may be elected to the same EC more than two consecutive terms.
   3. Appointing convenors of Standing Committees and Working Groups;
   4. receiving reports from Convenors of Committees, Executive Committee, National Sections, Secretary General, Project Coordinators, and others;
   5. admitting new National Sections and associate members;
   6. deciding on amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws.
   7. A scheduled session of the International Congress may be cancelled or postponed by the EC subject to the agreement of a 2/3 majority of the IB at a duly constituted meeting or by voting via post and/or electronic mail.
2. Travel expenses of the delegates and alternates to the International Congress shall be borne by the National Section they represent. The Executive Committee and the Secretary General shall have their expenses paid out of the international budget to the extent that the funds are available. In the event of a job share for President, only one of the two co-Presidents shall have expenses paid from the international budget  to any particular meeting, with the exception of the IB and Congress. National Sections shall also be responsible for the travel expenses to the International Congress of members of the International Board elected by them.
3. WILPF shall maintain a Travel Fund to assist members in special circumstances to attend the International Congress. The Fund shall be administered by the Executive Committee, in accordance with guidelines established by the International Board.
4. The International Congress shall be convened every three years but no longer than 48 months since the last one to allow for North/South differences and other considerations.  In the case of an ‘Extraordinary Session’ being convened, the next regularly scheduled Congress shall be in the third year after the ‘Extraordinary Session.’ Congress shall meet at a date and place determined by the International Board.
5. Extraordinary sessions of the International Congress may be called on request of a National Section, subject to the agreement of a two-thirds majority of the International Board voting at a duly constituted meeting.
6. The International Board shall decide whether an extraordinary International Board meeting should be called to execute all or some of the Congress responsibilities, or whether these responsibilities should be completed via other procedures (e.g. video conferences, e-mail voting), or whether the fulfilment of such responsibilities should be postponed until a session of  the International Congress can be scheduled.
7. Quorum for Congress shall consist of 40% of the sections being represented and at least three of the elected members of the Executive Committee

E. International Board

1. The International Board shall have the authority to make all necessary decisions between sessions of the International Congress and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the International Board shall:

1. on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, appoint the Secretary General and approve the Convenors of the Standing Committees and Working Groups, Project Coordinators, and Ad Hoc Committees, and appoint the Representatives of the International Secretariat;
2. act on reports received from the Executive Committee, National Sections, the Secretary General, Convenors of Standing Committees, Project Coordinators, and the Financial Auditor;
3. adopt the yearly WILPF programme and budget within the framework established by the International Congress;
4. ensure that funds are available to finance the activities of WILPF, set fees, and arrange for the conduct of an independent, annual audit of WILPF’s financial statements;
5. designate the location of the International Secretariat from which the Secretary General shall operate;
6. set out additional duties of the Secretary General;
7. in the event that the President is unable to act, replace her from among the Vice-Presidents. In the event that any other member of the Executive Committee is unable to act, appoint a replacement for her;
8. appoint new Standing and Ad Hoc Committees;
9. Committee Conveners who are not otherwise IB members will be IB members, entitled to participate in the meetings without a vote.  If a Convener is unable to attend an IB or Congress another member of the committee may be delegated to speak for the Committee.
10. define the roles and assignments of the Executive  Committee;
11. set the agenda for the International Congress;
12. The International Board shall meet at least once every 18 months. 
13. Meetings using alternate means such as video link, ‘Skype’ or other new technology can be considered as they develop if necessary for reasons of budget, environment or other reasons as long as all sections have access to the relevant technology.

2. Thirty percent of the members of the International Board, including two members of the elected Executive Committee, shall constitute a quorum.

F. Executive Committee

1. The President shall
   1. with the other Executive Committee members oversee the  implementation of the policies, programme and budget passed by the  International Congress and/or the International Board, and  monitor the work of all committees and of the International Secretariat;
   2. encourage a spirit of co-operation and good will within  WILPF and provide leadership to WILPF;
   3. act as spokesperson for WILPF and be its representative  on official occasions;
   4. monitor and report on the ethical and fiscal probity of  WILPF to the International Congress and International Board;
   5. with the Secretary General co-ordinate the activities of  the International Board, the other Executive Committee members, working  committees, and assist National Sections in their common endeavours and mutual  interests;
   6. act as chair of the International Congress, the  International Board, and the Executive Committee;
   7. with the Treasurer, co-sign or delegate the co-signing  of contracts and any other official document on behalf of WILPF;
   8. in co-operation with the Executive Committee, evaluate the  job performance of the Secretary General and report on it to the International  Executive Committee;
   9. delegate responsibility to the vice-presidents for any  of the above duties and involve them fully in all of her activities;
2. The Vice-Presidents shall:
   1. undertake such duties of the President as she and/or the  International Board may delegate;
   2. stand in for the President at official functions when  required;
   3. keep themselves apprised of the activities of the  President and be prepared to relieve her of any or all of her duties should the  need arise;
   4. undertake such special projects and assignments as  determined by the International Board;
   5. act as liaison between the National Sections in their  regions and the Executive Committee.
3. The Treasurer shall:
   1. oversee the maintenance of WILPF's financial records,  ensure that they are kept according to standard accounting practices, and have  them prepared for audit;
   2. oversee the preparation of financial statements and  report annually to the International Board, triennially to the  International Congress, and consult with the Executive Committee as often as  necessary;
   3. oversee the financial planning and the formulation of  financial guidelines for WILPF;
   4. generally provide financial leadership and ensure that  WILPF is fiscally responsible;
   5. with the president co-sign contracts on behalf of WILPF;
   6. with the Executive Committee establish the financial  guidelines by which the Secretary General shall operate.
4. The term of office of the Executive Committee shall be from one Congress to the next regular Congress. No individual may be elected to the same position more than two consecutive terms.

G. Permanent Staff

1. The Secretary General shall:
   1. direct and administer the work of the International  Secretariat and its staff;
   2. ensure the practical implementation of the decisions of  the International Congress and the International Board and  coordinate and administer the programmes and policies of WILPF;
   3. disseminate information of interest to WILPF to the  International Board and the National Sections, and generally act  as the main liaison between the International Secretariat and National  Sections;
   4. work in close collaboration with the Executive Committee  and undertake such other tasks as they and/or the International Board may delegate;
   5. maintain relations with other international bodies in  the furtherance of WILPFs aims and principles;
   6. arrange for a recording secretary to keep minutes of all  the proceedings of the International Congress, the International Board meetings, and be the custodian of such minutes and of all other  records and accounts of WILPF;
   7. circulate a draft agenda, prepared in conformity with  these By-Laws, two (2) months before the sitting of the International Congress  and of the International Board.
2. All staff shall be remunerated in accordance with the terms of their contract of employment.

H. Standing  Committees

1. The International Board shall have overall responsibility for establishing the necessary standing and ad hoc committees, and for determining the rules governing their constitution, mandates, operating modes, and dissolution.

I. Nomination Committee

1. A Nomination Committee shall be established by the International Board at its meeting in the year preceding the International Congress.
2. Reflecting the geographical and other diversities of WILPF,  it shall be composed of seven (7) members, three (3) of which shall be members  of the International Board. The International Board shall name the convener of the Nomination Committee from among the seven members. The convener shall act as the committee's chair.
3. The Nomination Committee shall:
   1. Solicit by letter from each National Section six months before any sitting of the International Congress nominations for the positions of President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer. Such nominations shall be made in writing and be received by the Nomination Committee no later than four months before the sitting of the International Congress;
   2. After receiving nominations from the Sections the Nomination Committee may submit additional names as it feels appropriate, e.g. for regional balance or to provide relevant skills;
   3. Obtain from each nominee a written declaration stating her willingness to stand for the position;
   4. At least two months before the sitting of the Congress, the convener shall circulate a list of nominations to all National Sections, members of the International Board, and to all the nominees;
   5. Prepare the ballots containing the names of all eligible nominees for elections by the International Congress;
   6. Report in writing to the International Congress.

J. Election Committee

1. An Election Committee shall be constituted at the beginning of the International Congress to facilitate and oversee the election process.
2. It shall be composed of members of the Nomination Committee and of members elected by Congress to a total of five members. Members nominated for an office shall not be eligible to serve on the Election Committee. The members of the duly constituted Election Committee shall designate a convener from their midst.
3. It shall:
   1. Arrange a meeting during the International Congress in which the candidates introduce themselves to the International Congress participants;
   2. Select a slate from the list of nominees, one for each of the international positions, after discussion with each;
   3. Report to the International Congress on its work and on the slate, giving the reasons for the choices recommended;
   4. In the case that voting became necessary, ensure proper control of the electoral process by distributing ballots only to the voting members of the International Congress in exchange for their voting cards, and by tallying the votes and reporting the results to the Congress.

4. Election Procedure
1. Upon unanimous adoption of the Election Committee’s report by the International Congress, the candidates recommended for the position shall be considered elected.

2. For those offices for which the Election Committee has not made a selection, or in the event that the report is not adopted unanimously, elections by secret ballot shall be held for each position for which more than one candidate is nominated.

K. Working Languages
1. The working language for WILPF shall be English with translation and interpretation in as many languages as feasible.

L. Rules of Procedure
1. In the conduct of all meetings of WILPF, every effort shall be made to reach decisions by consensus when to do so is not in conflict with other provisions of this Constitution and its By-Laws.

M. The Operating Manual
1. The International Secretariat shall maintain an operating manual to which Elected Executive Committee, the International Board, National Sections, and staff shall refer for guidance and clarification on matters arising in WILPF’s ongoing functioning.

O. Amendments
1. Proposed amendments must be in writing and sent to the International Secretariat at least one hundred and twenty days before the opening date of the International Congress.

2. The Secretary General shall circulate such proposals received to all National Sections within the next sixty days.