2017 Constitutional Revision

A proposal to amend the Constitution will be presented to members in the coming weeks. It is the first step in a long process that will include discussion and a vote at the next General Assembly in Cape Town, followed, if the General Assembly adopts the revision, by a final vote by IUSSP members before the end of the year.

This revision does not seek to fundamentally alter the way the IUSSP functions. Its principal aim is to clarify, simplify, adapt the Constitution to new technologies and, last but not least, allow the IUSSP to adapt more easily if needed. Indeed, in the current Constitution, most changes require a General Assembly (which occurs only every 4 years).  

The main changes would be:

1. The creation of a by-laws section, which can be changed by Council rather than through a Constitutional revision. The aim is to increase flexibility but also to include some additional written rules to guide the Council. These by-laws would include: a) articles dealing with the specific procedures pertaining to membership management, - these describe the way IUSSP functions since having switched to using online membership software; b) articles dealing with the details of the electoral procedures. 

2. The possibility to organize an Online General Assembly of members, if the membership needs to be formally consulted without having to wait several years.

3. The possibility for the IUSSP to affiliate with other organizations without calling a General Assembly and the possibility for organizations to affiliate with the IUSSP (but without granting them voting rights).

4. A simplification of the Constitutional revision process.

5. The clarification of  roles of the Council members, Officers and Executive Director.