STATUTES OF UMEC-WUCT
Article 1: Statutes of UMEC-WUCT
1.1. The World Union of Catholic Teachers, abbreviated UMEC-WUCT, is an international confederation of Catholic associations, with private legal personality, in accordance with canons 298-311 and 321-329 of the Code of Canon Law.
UMEC-WUCT has its headquarters in Clivo Monte del Gallo, 48 – 00165, ROME.
1.2. UMEC-WUCT will maintain relations with the Holy See, mainly with the Dicastery for Catholic Education and Culture, and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
1.3. UMEC-WUCT will also cooperate with other organisations that focus on education and teaching.
Article 2: Mission Statement, Goals and Strategic Objectives
Recognizing our specific role as teachers in the mission of the Church, the World Union of Catholic Teachers is committed to advancing education in Catholic and Community schools. It provides leadership, support and a range of professional services, in partnership with its member organisations.
The World Union of Catholic Teachers seeks to promote Gospel values in education, in accordance with the teaching and tradition of the Church, by the following means:
2.1. Promote and support Catholic teachers, wherever they operate, and member organisations:
2.1.2. By exchanging information on the social and economic situation of Catholic teachers and on the possibilities of improving their situation.
2.1.3 By supporting the training of Catholic teachers to face the challenges of education
2.2. Defend the rights and freedoms, as well as the interests of Catholic teachers, within the framework of the social doctrine of the Church and respecting the fundamental principles of social justice:
2.2.1. By exchanging information on Catholic education;
2.2.2. By supporting the formation of member organisations of Catholic teachers education;
2.2.3. By exchanging experiences in the field of education;
2.2.4. By organizing general assemblies, seminars and other forms of meetings for educators;
2.2.5. By working with other organisations that share common goals.
2.3. Establish a privileged channel of relations between Catholic teachers, the Holy See and the National Conferences of Bishops:
2.3.1. By developing relationships with the Holy See and the episcopal conferences;
2.3.2. By responding to documents from the Holy See and episcopal conferences regarding education;
2.3.3. By acting as an intermediary between member organisations and the Holy See, and episcopal conferences;
2.3.4. By informing member organisations of ongoing church initiatives.
2.4. Promote the interests of Catholic teachers and member organisations with other international organisations:
2.4.1. By working with international organisations in the field of education, teaching and culture;
2.4.2. By disseminating relevant information from these bodies to our member organisations.
Article 3: MEMBERSHIP
3.1. The World Union of Catholic Teachers includes:
3.1.1. National organisations of Catholic teachers recognized by ecclesiastical authority;
3.1.2. Other Catholic teachers’ associations;
3.1.3. Honorary Members – those who have been recognized by the Council as having distinguished themselves in the service of UMEC-WUCT.
3.1.4. Catholic members who do not belong to an organisation, but who share the objectives of the Union and are concerned about its spreading.
Article 4: Structure
4.1. The organisations of the World Union of Catholic Teachers are:
4.1.1. The General Assembly;
4.1.2. The Council;
4.1.3. The Executive Committee.
4.2. The General Assembly
4.2.1. The General Assembly is the decision-making body of the Union. It will evaluate the work and efficiency of UMEC-WUCT since the last General Assembly and decide on the general direction until the next General Assembly
4.2.2. The General Assembly will normally last two days;
4.2.3. The General Assembly is convened at least six months in advance. It takes place every four years;
4.2.4. The General Assembly will be open to the UMEC-WUCT Council and its members, in accordance with Article 3 of the Statutes;
4.2.5. Representatives of non-member organisations of UMEC-WUCT and individuals may be invited on the proposal of the Council (or the Executive Committee) to participate in the General Assembly as observers;
4.2.6. The planning and organisation of the General Assembly will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee;
4.2.7. The decisions of the General Assembly are taken by a simple majority of the valid votes of the members present, abstentions being considered invalid
4.2.8. Each member organisation has the right to vote in proportion to the number of its members and subject to the payment of the appropriate subscriptions.
4.2.9. The Secretary General and the Treasurer verify the right to vote and the number of votes of each member organisation and publish this report two months before the Council or the General Assembly. The possible call can be made at least one month before the meeting. The result will be communicated by the president at the beginning of the meeting.
4.2.10. The General Assembly will be open by invitation only to all those interested in education issues.
4.2.11. The planning and organisation of the General Assembly will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee;
4.2.12. The General Assembly can make recommendations to the Council or to the Executive Committee.
4.2.13. The General Assembly may decide to elect one or more vice-presidents and/or regional representatives. They can participate in meetings of the Executive Committee at the invitation of the President.
4.2.14. The General Assembly takes place in the presence; the other bodies of the Union may take place in the presence and/or via the Internet. The Executive Committee decides, if applicable and if necessary.
4.3. The Council
4.3.1. The UMEC Council is composed of:
4.3.1.1. The Executive Committee (composed of the President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Ecclesiastical Assistant), and any vice-presidents or regional representatives.
4.3.1.2. The current presidents (or their deputies) of all affiliated member organisations, who have paid their subscriptions, in accordance with the financial regulations of UMEC or in agreement with the Council or the Executive Committee. Travel costs are normally borne by each affiliated organisation;
4.3.1.3. Expert members or delegates of UMEC-WUCT in one or more international organisations;
4.3.2. The Council meet at least once a year.
4.3.3. The Council is convened by the President. At the request of at least the majority of its members, the president must convene an extraordinary meeting;
4.3.4. All decisions are made by simple majority vote. In the event of a tie vote, the President’s vote is decisive.
4.3.5. Expert/co-opted members can be appointed at any time by the Council, but they do not have the right to vote;
4.3.6. Applications for admission to UMEC -WUCT will be reviewed and approved by the Council or the Executive Committee;
4.3.7. The specific tasks that will be entrusted to the members of the Council will include:
4.3.7.1. Evaluate the work of UMEC-WUCT ;
4.3.7.2. Relationships with the various dicasteries of the Holy See;
4.3.7.3. Relationships with international organisations in the field of education;
4.3.7.4. Participation in study groups;
4.3.7.5. Coordinate regional activities resulting from study groups and Council activities;
4.3.7.6. Develop communications – in cooperation with the General Secretary;
4.3.7.7. Develop aspects of the UMEC-WUCT activity plan;
4.3.7.8. Bring together specialists to study specific problems;
4.3.7.9. Prepare reports for the UMEC-WUCT General Assembly;
4.3.7.10. Other appropriate tasks determined by the General Assembly or the Council.
4.3.8. Each elected member of the Executive Committee and those responsible for the activity plan will present a written report to the General Assembly, detailing the activities undertaken on behalf of UMEC-WUCT.
4.3.9. The Executive Committee is responsible for the execution of the activity plan and will present a written report to the General Assembly with the activities undertaken since the last General Assembly.
4.3.10. The Executive Committee may establish working groups responsible for achieving the goals and strategic objectives of UMEC-WUCT.
4.3.11. The working groups remain active as long as they are deemed useful by the Council or the Executive Committee.
4.3.12. The working groups collaborate in the tasks assigned to them by the Council or the Executive Committee.
4.4. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is composed of the President of UMEC, the Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Ecclesiastical Assistant. The limit is two successive mandates for these holders. The President may assume another role in the Executive Committee only after a vacancy of two mandates.
4.4.1. The President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer are elected at the General Assembly and remain in office for four years until the next General Assembly. The Ecclesiastical Assistant/Spiritual Advisor is chosen by the Council, after having received the consent of his Ordinary (CIC c. 324§2), and confirmed by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
4.4.2. It will be the responsibility of the Council to replace any vacancies in the Executive Committee between meetings of the General Assembly.
4.4.3. The Executive Committee sees to the execution of the decisions of the General Assembly and the Council. It also maintains links among organisations, solicits new affiliations, serves as an information and documentation centre and is in charge with the UMEC-WUCT publications.
4.4.4. The President represents and presides over UMEC-WUCT. If the President is unavailable for any reason, the Executive Committee will ask the Secretary General or one of its members to preside.
4.4.5. The Treasurer administers the funds of UMEC-WUCT, in cooperation with the Executive Committee, collecting annual contributions.
4.4.6. The Secretary General is responsible for the administration of the Secretariate and overall responsibility for communications of UMEC-WUCT.
4.4.7. The Ecclesiastical Assistant participates in the life of UMEC-WUCT and is a non-voting member of the Council, in order to collaborate in the cultural, spiritual and religious animation of UMEC-WUCT.
4.4.8. The Executive Committee meet at least twice a year.
Article 5: Activity Plan
5.1. The Executive Committee is responsible for preparing a draft activity plan, in pursuit of the objectives of UMEC-WUCT. It will prioritize the work of UMEC-WUCT for the period between General Assemblies.
5.2. After approving the activities of the previous period, the General Assembly discusses and decides on the plan of activities proposed by the Executive Committee for the period between General Assemblies.
5.3. The Council report on progress in achieving the activity plan after each Council meeting, through its online communication.
5.4. The Executive Committee will report to the Council and the General Assembly on the completion of the activity plan.
Article 6: FINANCES
6.1. Each organisation joining UMEC-WUCT must pay a basic membership subscription, as determined by the General Assembly.
6.2. Subscriptions must be paid annually to the UMEC-WUCT Treasurer.
6.3. The treasurer will prepare, with the Executive Committee, an annual budget for the Council. The treasurer will submit an annual financial report to the Council and a balance sheet to the General Assembly for the period between General Assemblies.
6.4. The annual membership fee is set by the UMEC-WUCT Council.
6.5. In the case of organisations experiencing financial difficulties, the UMEC-WUCT Council or Executive Committee has the discretionary power to make arrangements.
6.6. The UMEC-WUCT Council will take the initiative to fundraise from other sources for specific projects and activities.
6.7. UMEC-WUCT will maintain a reserve fund managed by the Executive Committee so as to:
6.7.1. Assist with travel expenses of the UMEC-WUCT Council;
6.7.2. Assist developing and emerging organisations in the development of Catholic teachers;
6.7.3. Provide any other assistance determined by the Executive Committee.
6.8. UMEC-WUCT also provides for its financial needs by accepting donations, subsidies and legacies from friends of The Union.
Article 7: CHANGES TO THE STATUTES
7.1. Proposals for possible amendments to the Statutes must be submitted by the member organisations, by the Council or by the Executive Committee at least four months before the meeting of the General Assembly.
7.2. The Secretary General will inform all member organisations of the proposals at least two months before the General Assembly.
7.3. Changes must be approved by the General Assembly with a two-thirds majority and must be approved by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
Article 8: UMEC-WUCT Standing Orders
8.1. The dispositions contained in the current Statutes are supplemented by the regulations, proposed by the Council and/or the Executive Committee, and approved by the General Assembly
8.1.1. Any changes to the regulations may come into effect immediately upon approval.
Article 9: Dissolution of UMEC-WUCT
9.1. Only the General Assembly, convened for this purpose, can decide on the dissolution of UMEC-WUCT by a majority of two thirds of the votes. Before submitting resolutions to dissolve UMEC-WUCT to a vote, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life must give its assent.
9.2. In the event of dissolution, the assets of UMEC-WUCT must be directed to an organisation with the aim and interest of Catholic teaching and education.
Article 10: Languages of UMEC-WUCT
10.1. The official languages of UMEC-WUCT communication are English, French and Spanish.
10.2. The Statutes can be translated, but the current French version is the reference for questions of interpretation.
10.3. The Council, or the Executive Committee, may decide to use other languages to meet particular needs.
Standing orders UMEC-WUCT
Preamble
The current Regulations are the application of the art. 8 of the UMEC-WUCT statutes, according to which “… these Statutes are supplemented by the Standing Orders proposed by the Council and approved by the General Assembly” (Art. 8).
General Assembly: Composition and Procedure
Composition
1.1.1
“The General Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Union of Catholic Teachers” (Statute, art. 4) and therefore the supreme forum of the Union for discussion, deliberation, and decision. It is composed of delegates with voting rights and non-voting participants from UMEC-WUCT member organizations. In addition, representatives of other organizations and persons invited to the appointment of the Council may participate in the Assembly” (Statutes, art. 4). Thèse persons are considered observers with a consultative voice.
Validity of resolutions and recommendations
1.1.2
All resolutions must be submitted to the Executive committee four months before the General Assembly and must be included in the working documents that will be sent to member organizations two months before the General Assembly. Amendments to the proposed resolutions must be submitted to the Secretary General, in the languages chosen by the General Assembly, one month prior to the opening of the General Assembly for distribution to member organizations.
In case there are resolutions that have not been presented four months before the opening of the General Assembly they can only be voted on if they win two thirds of the votes of the General Assembly.
1.1.3
In emergency cases, the Executive committee may present resolutions or recommendations twenty-four hours before the vote.
1.1.4
Recommendations submitted for consideration by the General Assembly may be submitted in advance no later than the date set for Resolutions of member organizations or of the Council.
1.1.5
Resolutions: these are proposals relating to the ‘internal life’ and operation of UMEC-WUCT, for example concerning the modification of the statutes, the the modification of membership fees, the modification of the composition of the Council, etc.
1.1.6
Recommendations: These relate to the ‘external life’ of UMEC-WUCT and may include examples such as statements of principle or press releases on matters relating to education, morals, and society, such as the role of the Catholic educator, child poverty, literacy, the role of women etc.
Delegates:
1.1.7
In order to have the right to vote and be elected, authorized delegates to the General Assembly must produce a written declaration signed by the president or secretary of the organization they represent and on behalf of which they are voting.
Languages:
1.1.8
The Council will decide which languages will be used during the General Assembly.
The President of The General Assembly:
1.1.9
The president of UMEC-WUCT is also president of the General Assembly. He may be replaced by the Secretary-General, or another member elected by the Assembly may be deputised in the President’s absence.
Secretary to the General Assembly:
1.1.10
The Secretary general is responsible for the functioning of the secretariat of the General Assembly. The Secretary General can be supported by another member or a technician who is not a candidate.
The Electoral Board:
1.1.11
It will be composed of a president and two members elected by the General Assembly. These three individuals cannot be candidates for office.
The Board for Resolutions
1.1.12
It will be composed of a president and two members elected by the General Assembly
2.Voting
2.1.1
Each organization which has paid for at least 3 consecutive years the full subscription to UMEC-WUCT, and which is duly represented at the General Assembly has the right to vote according to the number of its members with a maximum of 5 votes:
Two votes till 1,000 members.
Three votes from 1,001 to 5,000 members
Four votes from 5,001 members
Five votes for more than 10,000 members
However, new members and organizations that do not (yet) meet the voting rights requirements, will be entitled to 1 vote.
2.1.2
The Secretary-General, assisted by the Treasurer, will publish a list of organizations having the right to vote, also indicating the number of votes to which they are entitled.
2.1.3
At their arrival at the General Assembly, the delegates will receive a written credential signed by the UMEC-WUCT the Secretary General, which will qualify them as delegates, and which must be held in the hands raised during the vote when it is not a secret ballot.
At the time of voting, delegates must be able to present their written credentials issued by UMEC-WUCT.
2.1.4
Delegates absent for justified reasons may be replaced by a certificate from the head of their association.
2.1.5
The quorum for the General Assembly is at least 51% of the total number of eligible votes present at the opening of the General Assembly
2.1.6
Voting for resolutions and recommendations to the General Assembly will be done by raising hands, with a voting card. However, at the request of representatives of at least three organizations, a secret ballot will be organised.
2.1.7
In addition to his/her mandate, each delegate can use the written mandate of only one delegate. In the event of there being an extraordinary General Assembly, each delegate may use the written mandate of up to three other delegates.
2.1.8
Voting must take place in the Assembly Hall. Postal voting is not permissible.
In the event of there being a (secret) videoconference vote, all measures must be taken by the Executive Committee to ensure a secret ballot.
Election of the Executive Committee
3.1.1
The elected members of the Executive Committee are the President, the Secretary-General, and the Treasurer.
Three months before the General Assembly, each member organization, up to date with its subscription, has the right to present a list of candidates they wish to propose for the positions of President, Secretary-General, and Treasurer.
The request by the Executive Committee for candidates will be made 6 months before the General Assembly.
Applications should be sent to the Secretary-General who confirms receipt of the application by mail to the organization in question.
3.1.2
Proposed candidates must belong to a member organization that is a paid-up member of UMEC-WUCT.
3.1.3
Proposed candidates must provide the Secretary General with:
1) Notice of written consent to the appointment and approval of their organization, member of UMEC-WUCT
2) A personal profile (500 words maximum)
3) A statement of commitment and support for the mission and values of UMEC-WUCT (500 words maximum)
3.1.4
After the expiry of the term fixed for the nomination of candidates, and in preparation for the elections, the President, assisted by the Secretary General, will publish the list of candidates appointed at least one month before the elections.
3.1.5
The right of electing the President, Secretary General and Treasurer is reserved for eligible member organizations that have paid their contributions
3.1.6
The vote for the election of the President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer will be by secret ballot during the General Assembly. The order of voting is:
President
General-secretary
Treasurer
3.1.7
Each ballot, for each office, must be completed in accordance with the instructions on the ballot, otherwise the ballot will be declared void.
3.1.8
The candidate with more votes is elected. In case of equal number of votes, the vote is repeated.
3.1.9
If there are any unforeseen cases in the standing orders, the Executive Committee will take a decision.