Statute

PREAMBLE

  1. The principles of the anthroposophic psychotherapy are rooted in both modern academic and professional knowledge and the philosophy developed by Rudolf Steiner, which views the human being in its reciprocal relationships as physical, psychological, spiritual and social individual.
  2. The methods for taking the medical history, diagnosis, treatment and cure reflect these dimensions in a differentiated manner.
  3. These objectives consider the knowledge acquired through this philosophy and through the academic research, whereby both philosophical and academic foundations are utilized in the professional education and continuing education of the psychotherapist.
  4. In addition, the following is considered:
    a. the physical, physiological, psychological and the emotional-spiritual development of the child is seen as being part of both worlds — the spiritual and the earth — in connection with its social roots;
    b. the development of the human being as individual during his or her lifetime;
    c. the development of humanity as a whole;
    d. the historical connection of world events in the perspective of the Zeitgeist.

5. As such, anthroposophic psychotherapy is professionally part of the «Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft der Medizinischen Sektion – School of Spiritual Science of the Medical Section».

Art. 1 Name and Place of the Federation

1 The name of the organization is «‘Internationaler Verband der Gesellschaften für Anthroposophische Psychotherapie” or «International Federation of Anthroposophic Psychotherapy Associations, IFAPA» in accordance with Article 60 ff ZGB (Swiss Civil Code) based in Dornach, CH.

Art. 2 Purpose

  1. The purpose of the Federation is
    – the representation of national societies of anthroposophic psychotherapy and the coordination of their activities of international significance;
    – Support in the promotion of professional continuing education and to safeguard professional standards at the legal level, intergovernmental recognitions as well as the development of research goals;
    – assistance and support in the advancement of professional code of ethics as well as the respect for fellow humans and the freedom of the individual.
  2. These objectives can be more detailed in the regulations.
  3. The Federation is politically independent and independent of any confession.

Art. 3 Membership

  1. The Federation offers the following membership categories:
    – Full members of the International Federation (IFAPA) are the national anthroposophic societies or associations, the objective of which is to support and practice psychotherapy expanded by the principles of anthroposophy. Full members are represented by two delegates.
    – Provisional members: Whenever a non-member country is expected to establish a national society or national association, individual persons, who practice the profession and satisfy the criteria in accordance with the regulations, can apply for provisional membership at the International Federation (IFAPA).
  2. Extraordinary members:
    A. National societies or associations can allow representatives of ‘Anthroposophischen Gesellschaften für Biografische Therapie – Anthroposophic Associations for Biographical Therapy’ to become extraordinary members. Provisional and extraordinary members as well as each individual member of a national society or national associations can attend the membership meeting and voice his or her opinion; however, only delegates have the right to vote.
    B. Honorary members.
  3. The membership meeting decides on the admission of a new member. The resolution to exclude a national member can only be adopted during the membership meeting if two thirds of all delegates with the right to vote attend the membership meeting.
  4. The membership is terminated when one member leaves or if a national society or national association is excluded or dissolved.
  5. Additional provisions with regard to memberships are specified in the regulations.

Art. 4 Members’ Meeting

  1. The members’ meeting is the highest body of the Federation. It is responsible for all duties, which are not assigned to any other body by the Articles of Association. The members’ meeting place at least once every year. The members are invited by the president in writing. This invitation specifies the agenda. Members receive a written invitation at least two months prior to the members’ meeting.
  2. The members’ meeting is responsible for the following tasks:
    – It decides on modifications to the Articles of Associations.
    – It acknowledges the annual financial statement of management, the report of the auditing firm and it discharges the bodies of the Federation from liability.
    – It passes the resolution with regard to the annual budget and annual program.
    – It elects annually the board of directors, its president and auditing firm, which audits the bookkeeping and annual financial statement.
    – It approves the regulations the board of director’s issues.
    – It determines the annual dues the member societies or associations have to pay.
    – It adopts a resolution to discharge the board of directors or individual board members from liability.
    – It phrases tasks and goals, which are binding for the board of directors.
    – Resolution to dissolve the International Federation (IFAPA)
  3. An extraordinary members’ meeting is called in upon the resolution of a general members’ meeting or by request of one third of the Federation’s members or of at least three members of the board of directors. Such request must be submitted to the president in writing and must include the agenda.
  4. A delegate has one vote during the members’ meeting. As long as other provisions in the Articles of Association do not oppose it, the members’ meeting adopts resolution and carries out its elections based on the absolute majority of votes that are present and cast.
  5. Provided not one or several members request the vote by secret ballot or secret vote, they will be done by the show of hands. Provided laws or the current Articles of Association do not expressly state something different, the votes are cast by simple majority.

Art. 5 Board of Directors

  1. The board of directors consists of at least three persons. For members of one single country to form the majority is impermissible.
  2. The delegates elect the members of the board of directors for a period of three years. The delegates elect one chair of the board of directors as president for a period of three years. Re-election is permissible.
  3. The board of directors constitutes itself. It convenes as needed. The board members are invited by the president or the vice-president. The invitation includes the agenda. At least two board members can request an invitation to a meeting from the president or vice-president. This request must include the agenda. In this case, the board meeting must take place within 10 days of receipt of this request.
  4. The board of directors is quorate if at least half of its members and one additional member attend. Resolution and notifications become legally binding upon the president or another board member duly signing them, unless these were not adopted by the majority of the board members.
  5. The board of directors has the following authorizations:
    – All managerial responsibilities of the Federations with the exception of those that are within the scope of responsibility of the members’ meeting
    – appointment of all persons who authorized persons and determination of the type of signatory power
    – to adopt resolutions with regard to public events
    – regulation of cooperation with organizations working in similar areas
    – enactment of regulations subject to approval by the members’ meeting
    – approval of new member societies or associations
    – exclusion of a member society or association
    – All decisions and opinions of the board of directors are submitted to all national member societies or associations in a publication that is issued at least once each year.
  6. The work for the Federation is voluntary.
  7. The board of directors may delegate the responsibilities to fulfil its duties under the Articles of Associations to responsible parties or committees, it has to elect or commission.

Art. 6 Auditing Firm

  1. The auditing firm consists of an auditor or trust company, which is elected by the members’ meeting for a period of one year. It is responsible to submit to the members’ meeting a report of the annual financial statement.

Art. 7 Articles of Association

  1. For the members’ meeting to change the Articles of Association, a 2/3 majority of votes is required.

Art. 8 Finances

  1. The finances of the Federation consist of:
    – membership dues
    – members’ contributions
    – donations and contributions
    – proceeds from events
    – other contributions and proceeds
  2. The annual membership dues are at least CHF 100.00. The members’ meeting determines the amount of the dues. The distribution of financial burden among national member societies or associations must take sufficiently into account the financial status and the number of members.
  3. All funds are exclusively used for the achievement of the Federation’s purpose.

Art. 9 Liability

  1. Only the assets of the Federation are used for liabilities of the Federation. Any personal liability is excluded or restricted to one annual dues. Recourse to the assets of the members is excluded. Members are not obliged to make additional contributions.

Art. 10 Dissolution

  1. The Federation can be dissolved by a resolution adopted by the members’ meeting. It requires 2/3 of the votes.
  2. Any excess assets remaining after liquidation goes to an organization that works for a similar cause. Any disbursement to members is excluded.

 

The current Articles of Associations were approved during the members’ meeting on 15 September 2012.
Dornach, CH., this 15th day of September 2012 On behalf of the Federation

Chair Ad W.M. Dekkers

Minute-taker Joachim Beike