EFPA Statutes as revised in Istanbul 2011

The Federation was founded in 1981, the Statutes were changed at the Extraordinary General Assembly in Budapest July 13, 1991, and came into effect on March 1st, 1992.

At the General Assembly in Tampere July 10, 1993, one paragraph was added, and a minor change was made.

At the General Assembly in Athens July 1st, 1995, one paragraph was added, and some linguistic changes were agreed upon.

At the General Assembly in Dublin, July 12, 1997, paragraph 16 (Presidents' Council) was added, some minor changes were made concerning the voting procedures and financial regulations.

At the General Assembly in Rome, July 11, 1999 minor changes were made concerning the voting procedure, establishing of working groups and duties of organs of EFPA.

At the General Assembly in London, July 7, 2001 it was decided to change the name of EFPPA into EFPA – European Federation of Psychologists Associations. Changes were made concerning the Membership admission and financial regulations.

At the General Assemby in Vienna, July 12, 2003, four paragraphes and changes were added to article 3, concerning the aims of the federation and a minor change to article 10.6.

At the General Assembly in Granada, July 9, 2005, spelling errors and changes were added in every article and in the financial regulations. Internal regulations have been confirmed. 

At the General Assembly in Istanbul, July 10, 2011, article 9 about Associate Members was added, one paragraph about the legal representation of the federation has been adapted. Paragraphs about Boards, Standing committees and Task forces and the EAC have been added. A paragraph on the membership fee for associates has been added to the Financial Regulations.

Article 1 - Name, Registered Address

1.1. The Federation shall be referred to in any of the three following ways:

European Federation of Psychologists' Associations
Europäische Föderation der Psychologenverbände
Fédération Européenne des Associations de Psychologues

abbreviated EFPA

1.2. The Federation is registered in Belgium; Galerie Agora, Rue Marché aux Herbes, 105/18 in Brussels

1.3. The Federation is regulated according to the arrangements of Title III of the Law from June 27, 1921, concerning non-profit associations, foundations and international non-profit associations.

Article 2 - Definitions

2.1. In the context of EFPA, an association is a national organisation of psychologists or a national federation of associations of psychologists, from Europe, which exists to promote psychology and the professional status of psychologists.

2.2. A psychologist is a person who has graduated in psychology from a university or equivalent institute of higher education, having undertaken a course in psychology recognized by his/her association (see 2.1.), and who has fulfilled the criteria for professional status prescribed by that association.

2.3. In countries where there is legal recognition of psychologists, psychologists are those who are entitled, by law or through registration, to call themselves psychologists and to practise professionally as such.

Article 3 - Aims of the Federation

The Federation strives for the following aims:

• To promote psychology as a science and profession and to further the active exchange between them.
• To promote the development of psychology in research, applications and practice and to further adequate dissemination of psychological knowledge.
• To promote communication and co-operation between Member Associations in Europe, and to contribute to their development.
• To further the establishment of ethical codes for psychologists, and to promote the application of psychology as a means of improving the well-being of those to whom psychologists offer services.
• To further the development of psychology as a science and as a profession with particular reference to training, qualification and status.
• To support Member Associations in promoting the interests of psychology within their own countries.
• To facilitate contacts with international bodies of psychology and related disciplines and to be an important source of advice to European institutions, government departments and to political, social and consumer organisations.
• To promote the reputation of psychology and psychologists as well as the protection of their interests.
• To promote for the benefit of the general public, improvements in quality of life and well-being by promoting inclusion in society and the prevention of mental illness and disorder.
• To disseminate psychological knowledge and professional skills in the interest of the citizens of Europe, provide documentation and make available information and expertise of scientific and professional psychology to the public.

   

Article 4 - Promotion of the aims of the Federation

The aims of the Federation shall be promoted especially by:

4.1. Arranging contacts between the Member Associations with various media.

4.2. Establishing relations with relevant national and international organisations and administrative bodies in Europe

4.3. Collating and disseminating information concerning professional matters for psychologists in Europe (training, research programs, ethics, professional organization)

4.4. Arranging regular conferences, seminars and meetings for psychologists in Europe

4.5. Developing future structures of sections or divisions of scientific and professional subject matter.

Article 5 - Admission of members (Rules and Conditions)

5.1. An association (as defined in article 2) is eligible for membership of the Federation, if it meets each of the following criteria:

5.1.1. The statutes and rules of the association are in accord with the aims of the Federation.
5.1.2. Only one association within any one country is eligible.
5.1.3. In countries where there is more than one association of psychologists, the Federation will support the formation of a national federation or network which links the different organisations and which enables maximum representation of the community of psychologists in that country.
5.1.4. A Member Association may be replaced by another Member Association of the same country, provided that both are in agreement. In this case, a proposal is brought for decision by the General Assembly, according to Statutes 5.2 and 5.3

5.2. Application for membership has to be made in writing to the Federation. The application must be accompanied by the articles of the association (statutes, rules of procedure, ethical code and the latest annual report) and details of numbers and categories of members. The Federation will determine the result of the application. A written decision will be given to the applicant. The Federation does not have to justify its decision.

5.3. The membership starts when the Federation has received the first annual membership fee from the applicant.

Article 6 - Termination of membership

6.1. Membership of the Federation shall be terminated in the following conditions:

a. dissolution of a Member Association,
b. withdrawal of a Member Association from the Federation,
c. expulsion from the Federation.

6.2. Dissolution
When a Member Association is in the process of dissolving itself, it should notify the Federation in writing as early as possible. In the absence of such notification the association will be liable for the annual fee for the current and the following year, when due.

6.3. Withdrawal
Withdrawal from the Federation shall be notified in writing to the Federation, not later than October 1, otherwise the association will be liable for the fees for the following year, when they become due.

6.4. Expulsion or cancellation of an affiliation

6.4.1. A Member Association can be expelled from the Federation in the following cases:
a.) Actions taken that are deemed to be in disagreement with, or in contravention of, the statutes or aims of the Federation.
b.) Default in payments of the due annual fee, despite the dispatch of three separate reminders by the Federation.
6.4.2. Termination of the membership of an association by way of expulsion, or cancellation of an affiliation, has to proceed along the following lines:
a. A written notification of the substantiated proposal of expulsion or cancellation from the Federation to the association concerned, asking at the same time for a report on the relevant circumstances, to be received within 6 weeks.
b. A written notification from the Executive Council to the General Assembly, submitting the relevant documents. This notification has to be made at least six weeks before the meeting of the General Assembly, which will take the decision
on expulsion or cancellation c. The report from the association concerned with the relevant circumstances must be presented at the meeting of the General Assembly
d. The decision by the meeting of the General Assembly has to be passed by a 2/3 majority of the delegates present including entrusted votes.
e. A decision to expel a member or to cancel an affiliation will take effect as soon as the association concerned has been informed in writing by the Federation.
f. The association concerned remains liable for payments on which it has defaulted.

Article 7 - Obligations of the members

7.1. The Member Associations shall observe the statutes and rules of the Federation, and shall promote its aims.

7.2. Member Associations shall inform the Federation about any substantial changes to their statutes or Ethical Code.

7.3. The Member Associations shall pay the membership fees as prescribed in the Financial Regulations. The annual membership covers one financial year.

7.4. Member Associations, which have failed to pay all outstanding annual subscriptions by the date of the General Assembly, may attend the General Assembly and participate in discussions, but they shall lose the right to vote until all outstanding debts have been paid. The General Assembly shall have the discretion to set aside this Statute if an association, which is behind with its payments, can demonstrate to the General Assembly that there is a good reason for the debts.

Article 8 - Affiliates

8.1. National associations and associations drawing their members from more than one nation which are active in the field of professional psychology (scientific, applied, practitioner) can be appointed affiliates by the General Assembly as a result of a motion raised in accordance with 10.5.

8.1.1. However, no national association may become an affiliate member if an association from the same nation is a member under section 2.1.
8.1.2. No association may be appointed an affiliate whose aims are not in accord with the aims of the Federation.
8.1.3. Those affiliates, which are European associations, may be appointed as European Affiliates by the General Assembly as a result of a motion raised in accordance with 10.5.

8.2. Affiliates have the status of observers in the General Assembly, and are to be invited accordingly. Consequently, they do not have any voting rights.

8.3. The General Assembly can decide that affiliation is dependent upon payment of an admission fee and annual fees determined by the Federation.

8.4. The General Assembly can cancel an affiliation using the procedure set out in 6.4.2.

Article 9 - Associate members

9.1 Associations that represent a particular domain of psychology and draw their members from ten or more European countries can become Associate Member of EFPA.

9.2 Associate Members are appointed by the General Assembly upon proposal of the Executive Council.

9.3 An association can only become an Associate Member if their statutory aims are in accord with the aims of the EFPA and if at least two-third of their members is psychologists.

9.4 Associate Members have the status of observers in the General Assembly, and are to be invited accordingly. Consequently, they do not have any voting rights.

9.5 Associate Members agree to share information with EFPA, to provide expertise on issues within their domain, and to engage in joint lobby activities – on a voluntary basis. They are entitled to support by EFPA and the use of some EFPA services as office facilities or European Psychologist subscription at reduced rates.

9.6 Associate Members pay an annual fee set by the General Assembly.  

9.7 Associate membership terminates upon request of the association or a decision by the General Assembly.

Article 10 - Constituent parts of the Federation

The federation has the following organs:

10.1.1. The General Assembly has the final authority within the Federation.

10.1.1. The General Assembly resolves all concerns of the Federation.

10.2. The Presidents' Council consists of the Presidents or their deputies of all the Member Associations of the Federation. It shall meet at least once a year.

10.2.1. The Presidents' Council advises and collaborates with the Executive Council in implementing the decisions of the General Assembly.

10.3. The Executive Board consists of the President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer; the last two serve as Vice‑Presidents.  

10.3.1. The Executive Board has the responsibility for carrying out the day-to-day business of the Federation in accordance with the decisions made by the General Assembly and the Executive Council.  

10.4. The Executive Council consists of the members of the Executive Board and four other members, who must all be psychologists.

10.4.1. The Executive Council carries out the decisions of the General Assembly, and operates the Federation between the meetings (plenary sessions) of the General Assembly.

10.4.2. The Federation can in all civil and legal matters be represented by the President and one member of the Executive Council, either of which can be replaced by a mandated representative.

10.5. The Boards consist of at least eight members appointed by the Member Associations, who must all be psychologists and come from different countries.

10.5.1. The Boards provide the Federation with advice on general aspects of the psychological profession as well as education and research in psychology. 

10.5.2. The tasks of the Boards and the Terms of References for their operation are defined by the General Assembly.

10.6. The Standing Committees consist of at least eight members appointed by the Member Associations, who must all be psychologists and come from different countries.

10.6.1. The Standing Committees provide the Federation with advice on aspects of the psychological profession in particular areas of practice, and on aspects of education and research relevant for those areas. 

10.6.2. The tasks of the Standing Committees and the Terms of References for their operation are defined by the General Assembly.

10.7. The Task Forces consist of at least eight members appointed by the Member Associations, who must all be psychologists and come from different countries.

10.7.1. The Task Forces provide the Federation with advice on issues relating to professional development or expertise development not covered by Boards or Standings Committees.

10.7.2. The tasks of the Tasks Forces and the Terms of References for their operation are defined by the General Assembly.

10.8. The European Awarding Committee (EAC) consists of a Chairperson and up to twelve other Members, nominated by the Member Associations and appointed by the Executive Council, who must all be psychologists and come from different countries.

10.8.1. The EAC is responsible for oversight of the EuroPsy and the EuroPsy Regulations, as established by the General Assembly, and for ensuring that the registration and award of the EuroPsy occurs in accordance with these Regulations.

10.8.2. The tasks of the EAC and the Terms of References for their operation are defined by the EuroPsy Regulations.

Article 11 - The General Assembly

11.1. The following persons may attend the General Assembly of the Federation: delegates of Member Associations, members of the Executive Council and representatives of affiliates (including European Affiliates), members of Standing Committees and  Task Forces, the EFPA Office Manager, and any other persons invited as guests by the Executive Council.

11.1.1. The General Assembly meets in biennial plenary sessions, unless an additional meeting is approved by the Executive Council or by the previous General Assembly (by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Council or by a majority of the delegates). Date and time of the General Assembly are decided by the Executive Council. The General Assembly is held at the place indicated in the invitation or at the seat of the Federation.

11.2. Only delegates of Member Associations have voting rights in the General Assembly. They can, in addition, represent entrusted votes from their own Member Association. Member Associations which have up to 2500 members have 2 delegates. In cases where there are more than 2500 psychologists belonging to a Member Association, the number of delegates increases with one delegate for every 1000 members, up to a maximum of five delegates for any Member Association. Each Delegate of a Member Association has one vote in the General Assembly.

11.3. Member Associations have to nominate in writing to the Federation the names of their delegates and delegates with entrusted votes (or potential substitutes) at least four weeks before a General Assembly.

11.3.1. Members of the Executive Council may serve as delegates and may vote in the General Assembly if they serve as delegates of their member associations.

11.3.2. Member Associations who are applying for membership of the Federation should act in accordance with 10.3. and 5.3., so that, if the association is accepted as a member, the delegates have voting rights immediately.

11.4. A Member Association may decide to send a smaller number of delegates than its entitlement to the General Assembly and to entrust the votes of the remaining members to the delegates attending. In this case, the Member Association must notify the Federation of the distribution of entrusted votes among its attending delegates at least four weeks before the date of the General Assembly. Each delegate attending can only possess one entrusted vote from his/her own association.

11.5. Announcement of a General Assembly has to be made at least four months before the General Assembly, and should contain preliminary information concerning the agenda and place and dates of the meeting. Each Member Association may place motions and items on the agenda, provided that these items are made known in writing to the Federation not later than two months in advance of the General Assembly. Every motion has to be stated explicitly in writing with regard to any change of the statutes or budget, including fees. The final agenda of the General Assembly must be delivered to the Member Associations not later than six weeks before the opening date of the General Assembly.

11.6. Amendments to motions or items not included in the pre-circulated agenda of a regular General Assembly may only be discussed with the consent of more than one third of the delegates from the Member Associations present at that time. Decisions on such matters can only be made by way of resolutions.

11.7. The president shall announce an Extra-ordinary General Assembly, if desired by at least one third of the Member Associations, with at least two months' notice.

Article 12 - Tasks of the General Assembly

12.1. The General Assembly decides on the statutes and any revision.

12.2. The General Assembly considers the biennial report of the Executive Council for approval.

12.3. The General Assembly concludes the nomination of applications for membership, expulsion from membership, as well as nomination and recall of affiliates.

12.4. The General Assembly considers the accounts of the Federation and approves them. The accounts of the Federation should be circulated in full to Member Associations with the final agenda, not later than six weeks before the opening date of the General Assembly (10.5).

12.5. The General Assembly fixes the fees in accordance with the financial regulations.

12.6. The General Assembly decides upon the activity plan and the budget for the next period.

12.7. The General Assembly elects a President, a Secretary General and a Treasurer and the other members of the Executive Council. The General Assembly can discharge any of them.

12.8. The General Assembly confirms the appointment of the auditors, upon the recommendation of the Executive Council.

12.9 The General Assembly can include any other item on the agenda.

12.10. The General Assembly can dissolve the Federation.

12.11. The General Assembly may establish Boards, Standing Committees, Task Forces, Working Groups and other Committees, including the European Awarding Committee for EuroPsy.

12.12. The General Assembly decides on financial arrangements for Standing Committees, Task Forces, Working Groups and other Committees, and receives financial reports.

 

Article 13 - Elections and procedures

13.1. The General Assembly appoints its Chair at the beginning of the session.

13.2. The quorum for the General Assembly is half + 1 of the Member Associations. Decisions of the General Assembly shall be made by simple majority vote. However, a 2/3 majority is required for votes according to articles on expulsion (6.4.2.d.) and dissolution (12.10.), as well as for votes to change any articles of the Statutes or Internal/Financial Regulations of the Federation. Only delegates present in the meeting room, including the entrusted votes, can cast their votes.

13.3. Voting at the General Assembly (except for elections) shall be by show of voting cards unless a secret ballot is requested by a delegate. No postal ballots are allowed at the General Assembly.

13.3.1. In elections to the Executive Council, the system which will be used will be absolute majority, followed by a simple majority if needed. In an election for a single post, if one person gains more than 50% of the votes cast, she or he is elected. If no-one gains an absolute majority, the two names with most votes remain and the person who gains a simple majority on the second round is elected. In an election for more than one position, all delegates cast as many votes as there are positions. If one or more persons gain more than 50% of the votes they are elected. If all vacancies are not filled in the first round of voting, the person(s) with the largest number of votes on the second round will be elected. Abstentions, blank papers and spoiled votes are excluded and not counted. Votes on motions are by simple majority.

13.4. Elections are conducted by secret ballot.

13.5. The quorum for voting and elections at the General Assembly shall be the presence in the meeting room of delegates including their entrusted votes and representing 1/2 of the votes of delegates to the General Assembly.

13.6. Minutes of the sessions of the General Assembly should be prepared, approved by the Chair and sent to Member Associations and to delegates not later than eight weeks after the General Assembly. Delegates and/or Member Associations should submit any comments on the Draft Minutes, within six weeks of receipt of them, in writing to the Federation through its Secretary General. The Minutes should be submitted for confirmation at the next General Assembly.

Article 14 - The Executive Board and the Executive Council

14.1 The Executive Board meets whenever the interest of the Federation requires it or when 1 member asks for a meeting. The quorum is 2 of its members. Votes are by simple majority.

14.2. The members of the Executive Board and the Executive Council are elected for four years by the General Assembly following nomination by their association. The candidates should be nominated by their association in writing to the Federation not later than eight weeks before a plenary session. Each nomination should be accompanied by the curriculum vitae of the nominee. 

 14.3. The Executive Council meets whenever the interest of the Federation requires it or when 2 of its members ask for a meeting. The quorum is five of its members. Decisions are by simple majority. Each member has one vote. Where votes on a proposal are equally divided, the President, or if s/he is not present, the senior Vice President in office has the casting vote.  

 14.4. The Executive Council may invite any convenor of a Task Force or Standing Committee to attend any meeting of the Council as an observer. 

14.5. Member Associations may nominate one representative to attend a meeting of the Executive Council as an observer.  

14.6. The Executive Council shall meet at least once per year.  

14.7. The elections of 3 members of the Executive Council shall preferably take place in a mid-cycle of two years as compared to the elections of the other members.  

14.8. No member can serve on the Executive Council for more than eight years (irrespective of office).  

14.9. Only one member of any member association may be elected to the Executive Council.  

14.10. If one of its members resigns or retires mid‑term, the Executive Council may appoint a temporary member to fulfil that function until the next General Assembly.

 

Article 15 - Tasks and meetings of the Executive Council and the Executive Board

15.1. The Executive Council has the following duties and powers:

a. To authorise expenditure according to the budget adopted by the General Assembly.

b. To present a report to each meeting of the General Assembly.

c. To present financial reports from the Standing Committees and Task Forces to the General Assembly.

d. In general, subject to the superior authority of the General Assembly, to make all decisions necessary for the operation of the Federation and the realization of its aims, in the intervals between meetings of the General Assembly.

Article 16 - Annual Accounts

The annual accounts of the International Non-Profit Association established according to article 53 of the law have to be presented annually to the Ministry of Justice.

Article 17 - Language – Internal Regulations – Financial Regulations

17.1. The working language of the Federation is English.

17.2. The Federation has established Internal Regulations and Financial Regulations which deal with the issues not covered by the present Statutes. These documents are produced by the Executive Council and approved by the General Assembly according to article 13.2. Every proposal to change the Internal Regulations or the Financial Regulations has to be sent to the registered address of the Federation and submitted for the approval of the GA.

Article 18 - Change of the Statutes, Dissolution.

18.1. Change of the statutes is subject to a majority vote according to article 13.2.

18.2. The General Assembly decides when a change in the Statutes comes into effect.

18.3. Proposals for a change of the statutes shall be announced in accordance with article 11.5. The Federation ceases to exist if the membership goes below ten associations.

18.4. On the dissolution of the Federation, any residual assets shall, at the discretion of the General Assembly be allocated to purposes consonant with the aims of the Federation.