"The European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW) is a European association of institutions of social work education, organizations supporting social work education and social work educators. Its mission is to promote social development and develop high quality education, training and knowledge for social work practice, social services, and social welfare policies in Europe. In fulfilling its mission the EASSW adheres to all United Nations' Declarations and Conventions on human rights, recognizing that respect for the inalienable rights of the individual is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace. Members of EASSW are united in their obligation to the continued pursuit of social justice and social development. In carrying out its mission EASSW fosters cooperation, collegiality, and interdependence among its members and with others."
European Association of Schools of Social Work Education (EASSW)
The EASSW has as its purpose the promotion and development of the discipline of social work, education and training for social work and related-matters in Europe in line with the purpose of and in cooperation with IASSW. This purpose is to be achieved through such means as the following:
2. Regional Associations may include national associations with common language of heritage, whose membership crosses continental boundaries.
3. Regional associations may include national associations from another continent, with notification to that continent's regional association. Factors of historically identified differences should be considered in approval and admission of such national associations as members. * The General Assembly decides in situations as mentioned in number one and two.
4. Membership is possible only for the above mentioned categories, which provide post-secondary educational programmes that prepare for professional social work and which have met the standards authorized by each country.
5. Any exception to the standards, mentioned under 2, must be agreed by the Executive Committee and reported to the next General Assembly.
6.In respect of activities set up by EASSW or for which EASSW is invited to, all members are entitled to participate.
In order to involve as many social work educators in relevant activities as possible, the Executive Committee can open the possibility for participation to other non-member schools, organisations and individuals.7. A member may be suspended for a period or expelled for cause such as violation of any of the Constitution or rules of the Association or for conduct projuridical to the best interests of the Association. Suspension or expulsion shall be by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the Executive Committee.
The member will be given notice of the time and place where an opportunity will be provided to present a defense.8. Membership ceases with the cessation of the Association as a legal entity.
9. Membership of EASSW does not automatically or necessarily imply membership of the IASSW- lt is possible to be a member of EASSW OR IASSW its also possible to be a member of EASSVV AND IASSW.
NEW: Voting procedure will be through one vote per memberschool and (1/10) one- tenth vote per individual member
1. Administrative Bodies
The functions of the EASSW shall be carried out through the following bodies:
A. General Assembly
B. Executive Committee
ad A. General Assembly
The General Assembly of the EASSW is open for participation to all members listed in III. This body receives the chairperson's reports and if necessary reports of other representatives of the Executives Committee. It will review and approve past and present activities and recommend priorities. It will conduct such business as may be recommended by the Executive Committee.
By law the General Assembly is empowered to:1. appoint, suspend and discharge the members of the Executive Committee
2. approve the balance sheet
3. amend the articles of association
4. dissolve the association
5. overrule the Executive Committee’s decision not to admit a would-be member
6. take a decision in an appeal against expulsion from membership.
It will elect the President, Treasurer and the Secretary and the members of the Executive Committee for a period of four years in accordance with Article IV, either at the General Assembly or by postal ballot. Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected for a term of four years, with one half to be elected every two years. Members of the Executive Committee may serve no more then two consecutive terms.
NEW: Exceptionally, the Executive Committee may give reasons to the General Assembly why a committee member might be able to stand for re-election for an additional period. Not more than one member shall be elected from any country to serve during the same period. Efforts should be made to ensure that different geographical regions be represented.
ad B. Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee shall serve as the governing body for EASSW and shall be responsible for the development and implementation of the policy of the EASSW and the management of its affairs.
B. The Executive Committee shall consist of a President, one Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and no more than NEW: eleven additional Members The President, Treasurer and The Secretary shall be determined by election of those eligible to vote at the General Assembly.
C. The immediate past-president may serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Executive Committee for a period of four years.
D. Officers of IASSW have the right to participate as non-voting members. Members of the IFSW European Group, ICSW, FESET and UN Europe will be invited to participate as non-voting members.
E. An interest group may be recognized by the Executive Committee when it has the equivalent of 25 members drawn from at least 5 schools which are full members and from at least three countries. A representative can as a non-voting member participate in the EC meetings. This member has the right to advise the EC.
F. The EASSW participates in the Board of directors of the IASSW, in conformity with the rules that apply to IASSW.
G. NEW: National Associations of Schools of Social Work and (Sub)regional Associations of Schools of Social Work are honorary members and can act as a advisory board to the Executive Committee as to the General Assembly.
A. Members
Members of all categories must, to the best of their ability, safeguard the interests of the Association, pay the stipulated dues, and act in accordance with the Constitution and the resolutions of the organization.
B. President
The President is the official representative of the Association, and according to the constitution of IASSW, a member of the Board of Directors of IASSW. He/she shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee; shall act as head of the Association in the direction of its business and in the enforcement of the Constitution; shall sign and execute in the name of the Association necessary contracts and other instruments and shall be responsible for their implementation.
C. Vice-President
In the absence or incapacity of the President, the vice-president or the Secretary shall perform the presidential functions. The Executive Committee will appoint an officer to complete the Presidents' term of office.
D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have such duties relating to the funds of the Association as may be specified by the Executive Committee and shall render an annual report to the Committee and to the General Assembly. He/She represents the Association in financial arrangements and shall serve as adviser to the Executive Committee in banking, funding and other fiscal requirements. He/She is responsible for the external Audit of the accounts of the Association each year.
E. Secretary
The Secretary shall have duties related to the official record of the Association's Executive Committee, General Assembly, Constitution, Letters of incorporation. The Secretary shall have official co-signing authority with the President and the Treasurer for all official documents. The Secretary shall be responsible for the conduct of elections. The Secretary shall be the Registrar, responsible for certifying membership in all of the categories. The secretary shall be responsible for sending out the agenda for the General Assembly no later than 40 days before that meeting.
F. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be empowered to act on behalf of the members:
A. to fill in any vacancies in its membership which may occur in the interval between meetings by cooption is subject to ratification at the next General Assembly.
B. to make provision for an annual audit of the books of the Association.
C. to settle disputes among members of the Association.
D. to undertake such other action as shall promote the purposes of the Association.
E. the EC is accountable to the General Assembly.
G. Principal offices
A. The principal offices of the Association shall be in the same locations of the President, Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.
B. The EASSW will have its own juridical status, according to the articles of association, lodged at the Dutch Court in Maastricht. The Dutch law will thereby be enforced on all the international affairs of the Association. The registered office will be Maastricht.
C. All EASSW participants will be member of this juridical association and the members will receive a copy of the articles of this juridical association.
A. Biennial The General Assembly takes place biennially in the odd years.
B. Annual Meetings The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. Notice of the meeting, signed by the Secretary shall be mailed at least forty days before the time appointed for the meeting.
C. Special Meetings Special General Assemblies may be called at any time at the request of the President and the majority of the Executive Committee, or 1/3 of the membership. Notice of any special meeting is to be given in the same manner as for the Annual Meeting of the Executive Committee. No business other than that specified in the notice of the meeting shall be transacted at any special meeting of the members.
D. Quorum Quorum shall be as follows:
a) A quorum for the transaction of business by the Executive Committee shall be four of its members, including at least the President or the Vice President or the Secretary.
b) A quorum for the transaction of business at a General Assembly or Special Meeting shall consist of twenty percent of the Members.
c) Unless otherwise specified in the Constitution, a simple majority is sufficient
The activities of the EASSW are financed through:
A. Membership dues
a. membership is maintained by payment of dues in such amounts as may be determined by the Executive Committee.
b. all dues must be paid annually. Membership is automatically terminated upon non-payment of dues over a period of two years. Members of any category thus terminated may re-apply for membership in the manner prescribed for new members of such category.
c. subsidies d. projects and consultations e. inheritances and gifts f. sale of publications g. registration fees at seminars, workshops, congresses
B. When a EASSVV member wants to become a member of IASSW too, he/she has to pay extra membership dues to IASSW, according to the rules of IASSW.
C. Expenditures necessary to conduct the affairs of the Association may be made by the President, Treasurer, Secretary, as approved in the budget.
D. The fiscal year of the Association shall be January 1 through to December 31.
E. There shall be an external Audit of the accounts of the Association each year, by an Auditor duly appointed by the Executive Committee.
F. The Executive Committee shall approve a budget at least every two years, consistent with the policies approved by the General Assembly.
G. A Reserve Fund shall be established and protected. The Fund shall accumulate until it equals the amount needed to cover the costs, if the General Assembly votes to discontinue the EASSW office secretariat.
A. These Constitution can be amended by a resolution of a majority of 2/3 of the voting members present at the General Assembly or at a special meeting, providing that the item appears on the agenda, or by postal ballot.
B. Amendments to the Constitution shall be circulated to the membership and reported and decided by the General Assembly.
The dissolution of the EASSW can take place only in a General Assembly convened especially for this purpose and shall require a two-thirds majority of the voting members present.
The By-laws were adopted by the Regional meeting in Brighton in 1982.
The By-laws were amended by the General Meeting in Montreal in 1984.
The By-laws were amended by the General Meeting in Tokyo in 1986.
The Constitution was adopted by the General Assembly in Lisbon 1995.
The Constitution was amended by the General Assembly in Dublin in 1997.
NEW: The Constitution was amended by the General Assembly in Helsinki in 1999
NEW: The Constitution was amended by postal ballot in July 2002