PREAMBLE

As members of the World Federalists of Canada, we affirm our determination to exercise our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the whole world in order to achieve the high purposes of the United Nations.

Ours is a planet in crisis, suffering grave problems unable to be managed by nations acting separately in an ungoverned world. It has become urgent for the world's people and governments to join in achieving a new level of global cooperation such as can only be sustained by a universal commitment to the planet as a genuine community. We make that commitment, and call on our fellow citizens and our government to do the same.

As world federalists, we view the world as one society embracing all of humanity in all its diversity. We affirm that the ideals and principles of community life that are basic to civilized existence can and must be applied to international relations. To this end, we call for urgent progress in developing the democratic world institutions of law by which the world's people and nations can govern their relationships to assure a peaceful, just and ecologically sustainable world community.

These institutions must have actual and sufficient authority to make and enforce law in their given jurisdictions in accordance with the basic federalist principle of subsidiarity, which is the division of political authority and jurisdiction between different levels of government and the solving of problems at the level at which they occur (in general at the most local level possible). For this is the essence of world federalism: to seek to invest legal and political authority in world institutions to deal with problems that can only be treated adequately at the global level, while affirming the sovereignty of the nation-state in matters that are essentially internal. Our objective is a world order in which the legitimate rights of states are balanced by, and consistent with, the collective rights of the global community to protect and advance the common good of humanity.

Our objective is to have not only governments but individuals recognize a societal obligation to uphold and affirm world law through allegiance to these institutions. It is the citizen who is finally the rightful source and subject of the authority of world law. Individuals, whether heads of government or ordinary citizens, must be accountable under due process of world law.

In our work for world federation, we are dedicated in particular to working in support of:

• understanding and amity between the world's cultures and political ideologies;
• an end to the arms race, and the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction;
• an end to the use and threat of use of military force;
• respect for universal human rights and freedoms, including the right of all to the requisites of a dignified life, and the freedom of all to responsibly express their beliefs;
• equitable participation of all in the global economy and in global decisions that affect their lives;
• the protection of our common environment and the preservation of the ecosystem for succeeding generations; and
• the emergence of a global ethos, a consciousness of humanity as one community, and of every person as a citizen of one world.

In the service of our goals, we support transnational tendencies which lead toward a more mature world legal order and world community. We especially support:

• the important functions and work of the United Nations System, while working at the same time to make it more democratic, reliable and effective;
• respect for international law, as well as its further development through such existing mechanisms as state ratification of treaties and conventions; and
• the development of associations and/or federations of states for regional or functional purposes.

We recognize the building of a world community – one based on fundamental justice and an appreciation of differences – is the greatest intellectual, moral and political challenge of our time. It calls on each of us to examine our beliefs and priorities, and to express in our personal way our commitment to global change.

Change requires the organized will and intelligence of many individuals; each person has something positive to contribute. Believing that by working together we can achieve more than working separately, we unite our efforts through the World Federalists of Canada and adopt, for this purpose, the following document as our constitution.

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NATIONAL CONSTITUTION

I. NAME
The name of this Association shall be, in English, World Federalists of Canada, or in French, Mouvement canadien pour une fédération mondiale, and this Association hereinafter shall be referred to as "The Association."

II. LANGUAGE
The English and French texts of this Constitution shall have equal force.

III. OBJECTIVES
1. The objective of this Association is to achieve a lasting peace through a world federation of states/nations/peoples, after the manner of regional and national federations. World federation is necessary to end the present anarchy of warring states. It is also seen as an instrument of achieving justice, equality, and prosperity for all people by permitting release for urgent social problems of the enormous resources devoted to armaments.

2. The immediate objective of The Association is to convince the people and government of Canada to work towards the attainment of such a world federation.

3. As one of the paths leading to a federal world government, The Association will give continuing support to the United Nations in its efforts to bring about a world community of justice and peace, while seeking every opportunity to 'universalize' its membership and strengthen its Charter.

IV. AFFILIATION
The Association shall be affiliated with the World Federalist Movement (WFM), and the members of The Association shall also be members of WFM.

V. ORGANIZATION
1. The Association consists of Members, Branches, the Council, the Executive Committee and the National Office.

2. The Government of the National Office is vested in the Executive Committee.

VI MEMBERSHIP
1. Individual membership is open to any person who subscribes to the objectives of The Association.

2. Members who do not belong to a Branch shall be considered as Members-at-Large.

3. Corporate membership may be granted to any organization, association or corporation which is established or incorporated in Canada, if approved by the Council, and payment of the corporate dues as hereafter provided in the By-Laws.

4. Honorary members shall be those members of The Association who have performed outstanding services for it, and upon whom The Association may desire to confer special distinction. The nomination of members to this classification shall be subject to the approval of the Council.

5. Forfeiture of Membership

(1) A member who, after formal notice from The Association, fails to pay his/her membership fee within one hundred and eighty (180) days of when it falls due shall automatically cease to be a member of The Association.

(2) Formal notice regarding payment of fees shall be issued by the National Office at the beginning of each calendar year.

VII FUNDS
1. The funds, by means of which The Association carries on its operation, shall be raised by membership fees as provided in the By-Laws. Branch Offices and the National Office shall be free (and are encouraged) to raise additional funds for local and/or national use.

2. Funds shall be placed in a bank or trust company.

3. An annual financial report covering the fiscal year terminating on the previous March 31st shall be prepared by the Treasurer and shall be forwarded to all Branches prior to May 1st, and shall be presented with the Auditor's Report to the General Members Meeting (GMM) for approval.

Vlll BRANCHES
1. Any group of ten (10) members in a well-defined geographic region are encouraged to organize as a Branch and may do so with the approval of The Council.

2. Each Branch shall provide for the approval of the Council its own Constitution, which must be consistent with this Constitution. The Constitution of the Branch shall provide that its officers shall be elected at an General Members Meeting publicized to all Branch members at which a quorum of not less than six (6) members or ten (10) per cent of the branch members are present, whichever is greater.

3. If, in the opinion of the Council, the actions of any Branch contravene the objectives of The Association, the Council, after the alleged offending Branch has been given full opportunity to make full representation to the Council, may, by a two-thirds vote, withdraw recognition of the said Branch, which Branch shall then cease to be a Branch of The Association and its assets shall revert to the National Office.

lX THE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. The Council of The Association shall consist of:
a) Officers
(i) A President
(ii) Chair of Council
(iii) Chair of the Executive Committee
(iv) A Treasurer
(v) A Secretary

b) The immediate Past President
c) Councillors as designated by Branches (see SEC. XI.3)
d) Up to twenty-four Councillors-at-Large
e) An Executive Director

2. All members of the Council, except the Executive Director, shall serve without remuneration, though the Council may authorize travelling expenses within an approved budgeted amount.

3. Each person on the Council shall have one vote.

4. All members of the Council shall take office immediately upon election or appointment, as provided in Article XI.

5. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
a). The Executive Committee of The Association shall consist of:
(i) Officers
(i) The President
(ii) The Chairperson of Council
(iii) The Chairperson of the Executive Committee
(iv) The Treasurer
(v) The Secretary
(vi) The Executive Director

(ii) Non-officers
(i) Two Council Members elected by Council
(ii) A Council Member co-opted by the Executive Committee

X QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
1. No person shall hold office on the Council unless he/she is an active member in good standing.

2. No person shall hold the office of President or the office of Chair of Council for more than two consecutive terms.

XI ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL
l. (a) The following positions shall be filled by election at a General Members Meeting:
(i) The President
(ii) The Chairperson of Council
(iii) Twelve Councillors
(iv) The Treasurer
(v) The Secretary

(b) The following positions shall be filled by election within Council:
(i) The Chairperson of the Executive Committee
(ii) Up to twelve Councillors-at-Large
(iii) Two members of the Executive Committee

(c) The Executive Director shall be chosen by the Executive Committee, subject to ratification by Council. He/She shall hold office until he/she resigns or his/her appointment is rescinded by a decision of the Executive Committee.

(d) The term of office of all Council officers shall be two years.

2. If the President is re-elected for a second term, his/her predecessor may serve a second term as immediate Past President.

3. The Councillors designated by Branches specified in Article IX, Para. l(c) shall be the Presidents of the Branches, except that a Branch President may appoint another member of the Branch to be a Councillor in place of the Branch President.

4. Up to twelve Councillors-at-Large may be appointed by the foregoing members of the Council. After appointment, Councillors-at-Large shall be full members of the Council. The appointment shall lapse at the next General Members Meeting following their appointment.

XII POWER AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND THE COUNCIL
1. The President shall:

(a) preside at General Members Meetings.

(b) be the principal representative and spokesperson for the organization in its external affairs and community relations.

2. The Chair of Council shall:

(a) convene meetings of the Council as required in Art. XIII.1; oversee the preparation of the Agenda; and preside at meetings of Council.

(b) occupy the position and perform the duties of the President should the President be unable, for any reason, to perform his/her duties

3. The Chair of the Executive Committee shall:

(a) convene meetings of the Executive Committee; oversee the preparation of its Agenda; and preside at its meetings.

(b) be the first signing officer of the organization.

(c) occupy the position and perform the duties of the Council Chair should the Council Chair be unable, for any reason, to perform his/her duties.

(d) convene and chair a Personnel Committee, and shall oversee the operation of the National Office.

4.The Secretary shall:

(a) exercise supervision over the Minutes, Agendas and correspondence of the Council.

(b) alert and advise the Board as to the faithful implementation of the Constitution.

5. The Treasurer shall: supervise the accounts of the National Office, the preparation of the annual financial report and other interim financial reports as requested by the Council.

6. The Executive Director shall be under the supervision and direction of the Executive Committee and shall report to the Chair of the Executive Committee, or another officer designated by the Executive Committee.

7. The Council

(a) The Council shall be responsible for the following functions and have powers to act accordingly. It:

(i) Shall elect officers in accordance with Article XI 1(b).

(ii) Shall be responsible for authorizing and executing policy for The Association, subject to the limitations of XII 7(b).

(iii) Shall represent The Association in all official negotiations, representations and contacts with government and other organizations.

(iv) May invite, in exceptional circumstances, a distinguished Canadian who subscribes to the objects of The Association to become, or remain, Honorary President for a term of two years.

(v) Shall invite distinguished Canadians or persons resident in Canada who subscribe to the objects of The Association to serve on the Advisory Board.

(vi) Shall encourage and recommend the establishment of new Branches.

(vii) Shall encourage, coordinate and assist the work of the Branches.

(vii) Shall provide adequate information to the membership about the activities and status of The Association.

(viii) Shall maintain a liaison with the World Federalist Movement and other related organizations.

(ix) Shall convene meetings as hereinafter provided.

(x) Shall provide for standing committees as specified in the By-Laws.

(xi) In the event that any of the Officers' positions become vacant between elections, the Council shall appoint persons to fill the vacant offices for the remainder of the term.

(xii) Shall elect the Chair of the Executive Committee, who may be any member of Council except the Executive Director.

(b) Decisions of Council must be consistent with decisions of the GMM. In the event of a decision of the GMM that Council deems to have been rendered obsolete by subsequent events or new information, a decision of Council may over-ride a decision of the GMM, if adopted by a vote of 75 per cent. No decision of Council may over-ride this constitution.

(c) Decisions of the Council relating to the adoption of policy, and decisions which reverse decisions of the GMM, must be reported to the GMM at its next meeting for ratification.

(d) Council may remove from office any Officer elected by the GMM or itself upon obtaining the concurrence of 2/3 of the members of Council at or following a meeting at which such removal appears as an item on the Agenda.

8. The Executive Committee

(a) The Executive Committee shall act for the Council between Council Meetings with all of the powers of Council, except the power to dismiss officers or adopt or amend By-Laws, subject to such additional limitations as Council may place upon it.

(b) Decisions of the Executive Committee must be consistent with decisions of the GMM and Council. In the event of a decision of the Council that the Executive Committee deems to have been rendered obsolete by subsequent events or new information, a decision of the Executive may over-ride a decision of the Council, if adopted with no more than one member opposed.

(c) Decisions of the Executive Committee relating to the adoption of policy or major expenditures, and decisions which reverse decisions of Council, must be reported to Council at its next meeting for ratification.

XIII MEETINGS
l. Council Meetings

(a) The Chair of Council shall convene a meeting of the Council whenever he/she thinks fit or is directed by a Minute of a previous meeting, but at least two times in each calendar year at a suitable place.

(b) Chair of Council shall convene a Council meeting at the National Office upon the requisition in writing of not less than five members of the Council, stating the objects of the meeting and, if the Chair of Council does not within l4 days convene such a meeting, then the requisitionists themselves may convene the next Council meeting at the National Office.

(c) Ten members of the Council, including three of the Officers of the Executive Committee, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Council.

(d) An Agenda shall be circulated to all Council members one week prior to meeting. Decisions may be taken on matters specified on this Agenda. Decision may be taken on matters not specified on the Agenda, provided that these latter decisions will not take effect if three or more Council members object in writing to the Executive Director. Ten days shall be allowed after circulation of the Minutes of the Meeting for receipt of any objections.

(e) The Executive Director shall present, at the meeting, all comments on the matters specified on the Agenda that he/she may have received from Council members not in attendance.

(f) An absent member may register with the Executive Director, in writing, a vote for or against any item on the Agenda, and this vote will be counted.

2. The Executive Committee

(a) The Chair of the Executive Committee may convene a meeting of the Executive Committee, with the concurrence of two other members, whenever he/she thinks fit.

(b) Four members of the Executive Committee, including one of either the President, the Chair of Council or the Chair of the Executive Committee, shall constitute a quorum.

3. General Members Meeting

(a) The Council shall convene once every two calendar years, at an appropriate location, a General Members Meeting, which all members may attend.

(b) Quorum

The presence in person of 25 or more members of The Association shall constitute a quorum.

(c) Voting:

Where possible, decisions shall be made by consensus. Where consensus is not possible, decisions shall be taken by majority vote, except as provided in SEC. XVI.

(d) Auditor

An Auditor shall be appointed at each National Conference to audit the accounts of The Association.

(e) Agenda

(i) An Agenda for a National Conference shall be circulated to all Branches and to all members of the Council and all members of standing committees of the Council 21 days before the date of the meeting.

(ii) Matters offered for the Agenda by a Branch or member must be received at the National Office 60 days before the meeting, accompanied by written supporting documentation. If the matter falls within the terms of reference of one of the standing committees of the Council, the matter shall be considered by that committee, and its decision included in the committee's report.

(iii) Decision may be taken at the National Conference on matters referred to specifically on the Agenda, on the basis of a majority vote of those voting.

(iv) On matters not specifically referred to on the Agenda, decisions shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those voting.

(f) To facilitate the transaction of all business at the National Conference, official delegates or their proxies shall be seated in a special separate section near the front of the meeting place to avoid confusion in counting votes.

4. In the absence of rules in this Constitution, or in the by-laws of this Association, the proceedings of the Council meetings and the proceedings of the National Conference shall follow Bourinot's Rules of Order.

XIV. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
l. At least three months prior to the General Members Meeting, the Council shall appoint a nominating committee of members, who have consented to serve, to nominate a slate of officers as prescribed in Article XI.l. The Chairperson of the nominating committee shall be the immediate Past President or, if he/she is unable or unwilling to act, his/her immediate predecessor, or, failing this, a member selected by the Council.

2. The nominating committee shall submit its report to the Executive Director one month prior to the General Members Meeting, and the Executive Director shall promptly advise all Branches of the proposed slate of officers.

3. Any Branch may submit additional nominations, provided all such nominations are forwarded to the Executive Director to arrive at his/her office at least one week prior to the General Members Meeting, and provided all such nominations are accompanied by the written consent to act by the proposed nominees.

XV SEAL
The Council shall provide a seal in such form as is approved by them, which shall be the seal of The Association, and the Executive Director shall be responsible for its safe-keeping.

Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts and any other instruments shall be signed by the President, the Chair of Council or the Chair of the Executive Committee and the Executive Director, and the Corporate Seal shall be affixed to such instruments as require the same. The Council may at any time direct the manner in which, and person or persons by whom, any particular instrument shall be signed.

XVI AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any General Members Meeting at which there is a quorum by the three-quarters vote of the delegates present. Amendments may be initiated by a Branch or by the Council.

No amendment shall be put to vote unless written notes shall have been mailed to each Branch at least four weeks previous to the GMM at which the amendment is to be voted, said notice to state the proposed amendment.

XVII COMING INTO EFFECT
This Consitution shall be effective as an amendment to the Constitution of The Association as previously in effect upon its adoption by The Association, in accordance with the terms of the previous Constitution of The Association.

XVIII BY-LAWS
By-Laws to govern procedures of this Association may be attached to this Constitution.

A By-Law may be established, altered, or deleted after the nature of the proposed change has appeared as a specific item on an Agenda of the Council.

XIX. DUES
l. Membership dues shall be according to the following classifications:

Limited Income $15.00
Individual $40.00
Household $60.00
Contributor $150.00
Life Membership $750.00 (one time payment)
Corporate $100.00

2. Dues may be paid directly to the National Office or to a member's Branch.

3. a) A Branch shall be entitled to receive twenty (20) per cent of all membership fees paid by its members. This rebate shall be calculated on the basis of the calendar year.

b) To claim a rebate for a particular calendar year, branches must request the rebate in writing before the end of February of the following calendar year. National Office shall send written notice to the branches by the end of January to remind branches of their entitlement to a rebate, and of the February deadline.

c) The rebate shall be paid to branches which have claimed it as soon as reasonably possible, following the adoption of the budget for the following year.

4. Both National Office and Branch shall report and account to each other all membership dues received from Branch members during the preceding quarter.

XX. BRANCHES
1. Each Branch shall provide the National Office with a description and map of its geographical boundaries.

2. A member shall have the option of joining any Branch, but not more than one Branch simultaneously.

3. Each Branch shall provide the National Office with a list of its Officers, and notify the National Office whenever there is a change of Officers, amendments to the Constitution or geographical boundaries of the Branch.

4. Each Branch shall have its own constitution that provides for its geographical boundaries, minimum number of members, quorum, and for the democratic election of its Officers.

XXI. STANDING COMMITTEES
1. The Council may establish National Standing Committees. The Council will provide terms of reference for each committee, appoint the chairperson, and select membership or propose ways of selecting members.

2. Members of a committee shall hold office until the ensuing General Members Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment.

3. The Committee Chairperson (or an alternate designated by the Chairperson with the concurrence of the Council) shall report on the subject of his/her committee at the General Members Meeting and at such other times as requested by the Council.

XXII. COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
This Committee shall advise the Council, on request, on the following matters:

(a) Constitution

(b) Standing committees and their terms of reference

(c) Related matters as requested by the Council.

XXIII. GENERAL MEMBERS MEETING
1. Ninety (90) days prior to the General Members Meeting, National Office shall send notice to the branches reminding them of constitutional matters, by-laws and deadlines relating to the General Members Meeting.

XXIV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
1. He/She shall be paid a salary to be determined by the Council. Subject to the directions of the Council, the Executive Director shall also carry out these duties:

(a) He/She shall employ sufficient staff to carry out the functions of the National Office, whose members will receive such remuneration as the Council may from time to time prescribe, and this employment shall be at the discretion of the Council.

(b) He/She shall submit regular reports as may be required, showing:

(1) Names and classifications of members,
(2) Names of members resigned or dropped,
(3) Dates of all General Members Meetings and meetings of the Council and special Committees.
(4) Copies of all resolutions adopted,
(5) Reports of The Association's financial condition,
(6) Lists of officers and committee chairpersons, and
(7) Such other information and data as the Council may require from time to time.

(c) He/She shall prepare the Agenda for the General Members Meeting, and for meetings of the Council.