Federal Statutes

Title I. PURPOSE

1.1. NAME

The INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GUIDES AND SCOUTS OF EUROPE – FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN SCOUTISM is a private international association of the faithful of Pontifical Right, with legal personality. In addition to the norms of these Statutes, the Union is governed by the canon law in force.

In these Statutes, it is generally referred to as the Union or as U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E.

Any modification to the present Statutes shall be made according to the norms of the Statutes and shall be approved by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
I.G.S.E.-F. S.E. shall be open to national associations which adhere to the present Constitution.

1.2. SUBJECT

The Union aims to bring together in a single community of faith, prayer and action, the various national associations of the Guides and Scouts of Europe, whose essential aim is to train young people through the practice of traditional Baden-Powell Scouting, on the Christian foundations which are the basis of our common European civilisation.
Beyond national borders, the Union wants to create a genuine community of Christian life among young people in the various countries of Europe. In so doing, it intends to contribute to an awareness of the community of the peoples of Europe, while developing a healthy culture of all the national values that represent the many forms of expression of our common heritage.
The Union proclaims its absolute independence from political parties and organisations, which enables it to assert all the more forcefully the general need for civic education of young people, which Scouting must practise in accordance with the principles defined by Baden-Powell, and more specifically, as far as it is concerned, for European education, which it intends to promote in accordance with its particular aims.
I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. wants to offer young people :
the meaning of God and Christian formation ;
a sense of love and service to others;
character and personality formation ;
manual skills and a sense of practicality;
physical development.
I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. believes in the supernatural, personal and unique destiny of each man, and consequently refuses any social conception leading to any phenomenon of massification or collectivisation which sacrifices man to society.
I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. wants to form the man of faith, son of the Church.
I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. gives primacy to the vocation of every Christian to holiness. A Scout or Guide must live his or her Promise, Principles and Law according to the requirements of the Sermon on the Mount, the true charter of all Christian life.

In this sense, U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. is called to be, more and more, a means of sanctification in the Church, a means that favours and encourages a more intimate union between the concrete life of its members and their faith.

I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. considers that the differentiated education of girls and boys in separate living units is an essential part of its pedagogy.

The parallelism and mutual enrichment of the two sections, male and female, allow the full development of the aptitudes and inclinations imparted in the providential plan to each of the two sexes.

As the Law states, the Scout or Guide is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout. As such, U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. is part of the great family of Scouts and Guides and works with them, in the spirit of Baden-Powell and within the framework of his original educational project, to build a more just and fraternal society.

U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. is also committed to protecting minors and vulnerable persons from any form of abuse.

The Union brings together scout associations of the Catholic faith. It makes all its actions and decisions according to the rules of this faith.
It is desirable that Catholic associations which are part of the Union are recognised by the Bishops of their country, or by their national Bishops’ Conference.
In a spirit of ecumenical openness, the Union also welcomes, as associated associations, associations belonging either to one of the Orthodox Churches or to one of the Ecclesial Communities of the Reformation which confess the divinity of Christ and recognise the Apostles’ Creed as a definition of the faith, and which adhere in full knowledge of the fact that the Union is canonically recognised by the Catholic Church.
In a country where several Christian denominations coexist, Scout or Guide Units belonging to the various Churches or Ecclesial Communities may coexist in the same association, each Group welcoming young people from the same Church or Ecclesial Community, according to the norms of the Rules.
The full religious development of young people requires that their leaders belong to the same Church or Ecclesial Community as they do, profess the same doctrine, participate in the same liturgical and sacramental life.
Some young non-Christians may be admitted to the Units on an exceptional basis, provided that their parents first agree to recognise the denominational character of the Group.

No one may make the Scout or Guide Promise who is not baptised. However, a Scout or Guide engaged in catechumenal formation may be admitted to the Promise.

1.3. PROMISE, LAW, PRINCIPLES

The Promise, the Law and the Principles are the basis of Scouting. All U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. Associations adopt, each in the language (or languages) of its own country, the following texts, the French text being authoritative.
Promise Scout Promise

On my honour, with the grace of God, I pledge :

to serve God, the Church, my country and Europe as best I can;
to help my neighbour in all circumstances;
to observe the Scout Law.

Promise Guide

On my honour, with the grace of God, I pledge :

to serve God, the Church, my country and Europe as best I can;
to help my neighbour in all circumstances;
to observe the Guide Law.

1.3.3. Law

Scout law

The Scout puts his honour on earning trust.
The Scout is loyal to his country, his parents, his leaders and his subordinates,
The Scout is meant to serve and save his fellow man,
The Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout,
The Scout is courteous and chivalrous.
The Scout sees nature as the work of God: he loves plants and animals.
The Scout obeys without reply and does nothing by halves.
The Scout is self-controlled: he smiles and sings in his difficulties.
The Scout is thrifty and takes care of the property of others.
The Scout is pure in thought, word and deed.

Guide law

The Guide takes pride in earning trust.
The Guide is loyal to her country, her parents, her leaders and her subordinates,
The Guide is meant to serve and save one’s neighbour,
The Guide is good for all and sister to every other Guide,
The Guide is courteous and generous.
The Guide sees nature as the work of God: she loves plants and animals.
The Guide obeys without reply and does nothing by halves.
The Guide is self-controlled: she smiles and sings in her difficulties.
The Guide is thrifty and takes care of other people’s property.
The Guide is pure in thought, word and deed.

Principles

Scouting Principles

The Scout’s duty begins at home.
Faithful to his homeland, the Scout is for a united and fraternal Europe.
As a son of Christianity, the Scout is proud of his faith: he works to establish the reign of Christ in all his life and in the world around him.

The Guiding Principles

The Guide’s duty begins at home.
Faithful to her homeland, the Guide is for a united and fraternal Europe.
As a daughter of Christianity, the Guide is proud of her faith: she works to establish the reign of Christ in all her life and in the world around her.

1.4. COMMON BRANCHES

As far as the Scout Units are concerned, the Branches common to all associations are made up of :
Cub Scout packs, from 8 to 12 years old,
Scout troops, 11 to 17 years old,
Clans or Teams of Drivers and Rovers, from 17 years old.
As far as the Guide Units are concerned, the Branches common to all Associations are made up of :
Cub Scouts or Ladybirds, from 8 to 12 years old,
Girl Scout companies, aged 12 to 17,
Fires or Senior Guide Teams, from 16-17 years old.

1.5. HEAD OFFICE

U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. is located at Route de Montargis, 77570 Château-Landon, France.

Title II. ASSOCIATIONS

2.1. Types of associations

The Union includes recognised and candidate associations.

The application for admission to U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. of a national association is subject to the approval of the Federal Council.

If the application is accepted, the National Association becomes an candidate association. The candidate association shall participate in the life and activities of the Union but, in accordance with the Rules, shall not enjoy all the prerogatives and rights of recognised associations.

When the Federal Council considers that the candidate association can be recognised, the association shall become a full member of U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. with all the prerogatives and rights that result from it.

2.2. Exclusion of an association

In the event of a serious breach of the present Statutes or of the Regulations by a recognised or candidate national association, the Federal Council may decide to exclude the national association from U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. by a two-thirds majority of the members with deliberative vote present or represented at the Federal Council.

2.3. Common standards

Common standards for all associations are contained in the Regulations.

Title III. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION

3.1. STRUCTURES OF THE U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E.

The structures of the International Union of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts of Europe are as follows:

the Federal Council with its commissions,
the Federal Bureau,
the Federal Commissariat.

3.2. THE FEDERAL COUNCIL (COMPOSITION)

The Federal Council shall consist of deliberative, consultative and guest members.

Deliberative members

Members with voting rights are :

– the Federal Commissioner, the Federal President, the Federal Vice-President, the Federal Secretary and the Federal Treasurer;
Scout Commissioner General Guide of recognised European associations ;
the President and the National Secretary of recognised European associations with more than 1,000 members;
recognised European associations have one additional vote at the Federal Council for every 7,000 members, exclusively for questions concerning amendments to the Federal Statutes, the Regulations, the Basic Texts, the election of members of the Federal Bureau, and the admission and exclusion of associations. These additional votes are cast by the President of the association. The President may delegate these votes to one or more members of his association;
Finally, associations recognised outside the European continent are represented by two delegates with a deliberative vote. These delegates are appointed by the Board of Directors (or National Council) from among the members of the association’s National Office or National Team.

Members with an consultative vote

The following also have a consultative vote on the Council:

– the presidents of recognised associations with fewer than 1000 members;

– Aspiring associations are represented, in an advisory capacity, on the Federal Council by their Commissioners General, or failing that by their National Delegate;

– the two Scout and Guide Commissioners General of recognised Orthodox or Protestant associations or guilds;

– the Federal Religious Advisor, as well as the Federal Commissioner’s Deputies and Assistants;

– the National Religious Advisors of each member association.

Guest members

The guest members are the presidents of the candidate associations. They attend the Federal Council without voting rights.

3.3. THE FEDERAL COUNCIL (POWERS)

Assignments :

The Federal Council is the sovereign power of the International Union of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts of Europe-USG.

If required by civil law, the Federal Council may be the General Assembly of U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. and the Federal Bureau may be its Board of Directors.

The following in particular are reserved to the Federal Council:

– The promulgation and amendment of the Federal Statutes, the Basic Texts, the Rules, the Ceremonial and any other regulatory text of the International Union;

– Fixing and approving the broad outlines of the U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. action programme, with the majority provided for in article 3.3.3.1 of the Statutes;

– The examination of the resources of the International Union, in particular the fixing of the membership fee, the approval of the annual balance sheet, the budget and the accounts of the International Union, with the majority provided for in article 3.3.3.1 of the Statutes;

– the election of the Federal President, the Federal Commissioner, the Federal Vice-President, the Federal Secretary and the Federal Treasurer, by the majority provided for in article 3.4.1 of the Articles of Association;

– The admission of associations and their exclusion decided by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present or represented;

– The granting and revocation of licences to use the badge, decided by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present or represented;

– The creation of special committees with the majority provided for in article 3.3.3.1 of the Articles of Association;

– The appointment of an Auditor by the majority provided for in article 3.3.3.1 of the Articles of Association.

Meetings

3.3.2.1 Summons

The Federal Council is convened in ordinary session by the Federal President once a year and in extraordinary session as often as the life of the Union requires or at the request of at least one third of its members.

Notices of meetings of the Federal Council are sent by the Federal President at least one month before the date of the meeting, together with the agenda and the documents relevant to the deliberations.

If the Federal President is unable to attend, or at his request, invitations to meetings are sent by the Federal Vice-President or the Federal Commissioner.

3.3.2.2. The Federal Council agenda

The agenda for the meeting of the Federal Council as well as the place and date are set by the Federal President in agreement with the Federal Bureau.

However, the meeting of the Federal Council may amend the agenda by a two-thirds majority, with the exception of amendments to Title I of the Federal Statutes. The Federal Council may only validly take decisions on questions concerning Title I of the Federal Statutes if these questions appear on the agenda duly brought to the attention of the members, by letter, at least two months before the date of the meeting of the Federal Council.

3.3.3. Votes in the Federal Council

3.3.3.1. Conduct of the Federal Council and votes

The Federal Council may validly sit if it has been duly convened in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Statutes and Regulations and if at least half of the recognised associations are present.

The Federal President chairs the Federal Council and ensures that discussions run smoothly. The Vice-President replaces the President if he is unable to do so or by delegation of the latter.

Voting is by show of hands or, if requested by five members, by secret ballot. All votes concerning individuals shall be by secret ballot. Consultative votes are usually cast before deliberative votes, so as to give their opinion to those who must cast a deliberative vote.

Decisions are taken by a simple majority of the voting members present or represented, except in the cases provided for in these Articles of Association.

In the event of a tied vote, the proposal shall not be approved.

The Federal Secretary is responsible for organising the meeting of the Federal Council. After the meeting, he prepares the minutes, which are submitted to the Federal President for approval, and a summary is sent to the members of the Federal Council in the months following the meeting.

3.3.3.2. Postal votes

Normally the decisions of the Federal Council are taken in plenary session, but for special reasons, in particular for urgent matters, the Federal President may submit decisions by correspondence to the Federal Council for approval.

In this case, the documents sent for approval must be sent at least two months before the deadline set for the vote.

In certain cases, when the vote is taken by internet, the deadline may be reduced to two weeks.

The vote is valid if 50% plus one of the members of the Federal Council with a deliberative vote send in their vote.

If a vote is not valid because the quorum has not been reached, the Federal President may repeat the vote by setting a new deadline. If the quorum is still not reached the second time, the matter shall be deferred to the agenda of the next Federal Council meeting.

Voting by post may be discontinued if requested by two-thirds of the voting members of the Federal Council. In this case, the matter is deferred to the agenda of the next Federal Council meeting.

Amendments to Title I of the Federal Statutes and amendments to other Basic Texts are excluded from postal or Internet voting, as well as the election of Federal bodies, which are the responsibility of the Council.

3.4. THE FEDERAL BUREAU

The Federal Bureau is composed of the Federal President, the Federal Commissioner, the Federal Vice-President, the Federal Secretary and the Federal Treasurer.

The members of the Federal Bureau shall be elected by the Federal Council for a term of three years. They may be re-elected up to two times to the same or another office. After nine years of elective office, a period of three years must be observed before being eligible for elective office. Any person who has held the office of President for three terms may no longer hold that office. However, he may hold other positions within the Federal Bureau after a vacancy of two terms.

The members of the Federal Bureau must be chosen from among the members who fully adhere to the religious identity and aims of U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E., in accordance with art. 1.1.1 of the present Constitution.

Candidates for posts on the Federal Bureau must submit their applications (Curriculum Vitae and letter of motivation) to the Federal President of the UIGSE-FSE at least one month before the Federal Council meeting, informing their National Bureau, so that they can be studied by the members of the Federal Council.

Elections to the Federal Council shall be by secret ballot.

In the first ballot, two-thirds of the votes cast shall constitute a quorum for the election of a candidate.

On the second ballot, an absolute majority (50% plus one vote) of the votes cast shall constitute a quorum.

On the third ballot, a simple majority of the deliberative votes shall constitute a quorum.

The outgoing Federal Executive Committee resigns in its entirety before its election, and the Council is then chaired by the oldest of its members, who has the sole right to vote in the election of the President. Candidates leave the Council room for the duration of the election.

The order of voting shall be as follows: 1. President; 2. Federal Commissioner; 3. Vice-President; 4. Federal Secretary; 5. Federal Treasurer. As each member of the Bureau is elected, each newly elected member is called into the Council Chamber and takes part in the vote to elect the next members of the Bureau.

The Federal Religious Adviser and any Deputy(s) of the Federal Commissioner shall participate in the meetings of the Council with a consultative vote.

The Federal Bureau is the executive committee of the Federal Council. The Federal Bureau is the guarantor of the implementation of the decisions of the Federal Council and supervises the general activity and economic management of the International Union.
The Federal President :
is the guarantor of the application of the Federal Statutes and the Regulations of U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E;
convenes and chairs the Federal Council and the Federal Bureau;
represents the International Union before the Holy See and, in particular, before the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
The Federal Vice-President :
is responsible for the tasks entrusted to him by the Federal President or the Federal Bureau;
replaces the Federal President in case of impediment.
The Federal Secretary is responsible, in agreement with the Federal Bureau, for :
the organisation of the Federal Bureau and the Federal Council;
the administration of activities organised by the Union.

3.4.6 The Federal Treasurer is responsible for :

the economic and financial management of the Union;
– drawing up a proposal for the Union’s financial balance sheet and the annual budget
– the international big events budget forecast

3.4.7. The Federal Bureau meets at least once a year and more frequently if required by the work of the Federal Council or international affairs. It shall be convened in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Internal Rules.

3.5. THE FEDERAL COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE

The Federal Commission consists of the Federal Commissioner, the Federal Religious Advisor, one or more Deputies and Assistants for specific tasks.

3.5.2 The Federal Commissioner:

guides and directs the activity of the Union;
establishes friendly contacts with the various Commissaires General and national teams;
ensures the execution of the decisions of the Federal Council.
In its external relations, except as provided for in Art. 3.4.3, the Union is validly represented by its Federal Commissioner.
The Federal Commissioner is accountable to the Federal Council.

3.6. THE FEDERAL RELIGIOUS ADVISOR

The Federal Religious Advisor is a priest appointed by the Federal Bureau, which asks the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life to confirm this choice.

That priest’s own Ordinary must have given the prior “nihil obstat” for him to assume the role of Federal Religious Councillor.

The Federal Religious Advisor :
is appointed for three years and may be reappointed once or more;
is the Religious Advisor of the Federal Bureau and the Federal Commissariat, he assists them spiritually;
participates in the doctrinal and educational reflection of the Movement and recalls the Church’s teaching on the Christian education of children and young people;
informs U.I.G.S.E.-F.S.E. of the initiatives of the Holy See, especially in the field of education;
is careful to inform the Holy See about the life and activities of the Union.

At the request of the federal leaders, the Federal Religious Advisor leads, with the possible assistance of the National Religious Advisors, meetings for reflection and prayer and training sessions.

3.7. OPERATION

The resources of the Union shall consist of membership fees paid by the associations, any sales of publications or other material, any donations or grants, and any assets and property of the Union.
The assets of the Union, constituted by the above resources, shall be solely responsible for the commitments entered into by the Union, to the exclusion of any liability of the member associations.
The budget is managed by the Federal Treasurer, in agreement with the Federal Bureau.
The auditing of the accounts is entrusted to an Auditor elected by the Federal Council.
All administrative acts concerning the property of the Union shall be performed in such a way that they may have civil validity in the country in which they are performed.
With regard to the possible sale of patrimonial goods whose value exceeds the sum of 1.000.000,00 Euro, the Federal President requests the consensus of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.

Title IV. MISCELLANEOUS

4.1. AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL STATUTES, REGULATIONS AND BASIC TEXTS

Amendments to Title I of the Federal Statutes, as well as amendments to any of the Basic Texts, must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the recognised associations represented on the Federal Council, each recognised association having one vote, cast by its President or his representative, except as provided for in Article 3.2.1. The members of the Federal Bureau shall not vote.

Amendments to the other Titles of the Federal Statutes, as well as amendments to chapter 1 of these Regulations, must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present or represented at the Federal Council.

In accordance with article 1.1.2. of the Federal Statutes, any modification to the Federal Statutes is submitted to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life for approval.

4.2. DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION

The dissolution and liquidation of the Union may only take place if two thirds of the recognised associations are present at the Federal Council and by a two thirds majority of the members with deliberative vote present or represented at the Federal Council.

In the event of dissolution, the last Federal Council will decide on the allocation of the joint assets.

4.3. RULES

For the application of the present Federal Statutes, the Federal Council shall approve a Regulation with the particularities of the organisation and functioning of U.I.G.S.E.-FSE.