Statutes English

STATUTES CHAPTER I GENERAL

Article 1 Definition

• 1.1 The “Fédération Internationale de Philatélie” (hereafter referred to as “FIP”) is a non-profit organisation founded in Paris on 18th June 1926, registered in Zurich, Switzerland.
• 1.2 The members of FIP retain their national autonomy. Membership is regulated under Chapter III of these Statutes.
• 1.3 FIP is formed in perpetuity.

Article 2 Non Discrimination

FIP and its members do not discriminate for reasons of sex, age, ethnic identity, religion, or politics.

Article 3 Offices

• 3.1 The registered office of FIP is located at Zurich, Switzerland.
• 3.2 The administrative headquarters of FIP (hereafter referred to as "FIP Secretariat") shall be located in Switzerland.

Article 4 Business year

The business year of FIP starts on 1st January and ends on 31st December.

CHAPTER II AIMS OF FIP

Article 5 The aims of the FIP

• 5.1 To promote philately and stamp collecting, in all its aspects, on the international level.
• 5.2 To create friendly relations and to maintain close co-operation among philatelists and stamp collectors throughout the world, with the aim of promoting peace and friendship among all people.
• 5.3 To promulgate regulations governing its various activities.
• 5.4 To establish and maintain close contacts with partners in the philatelic field and with national and international organisations.
• 5.5 To define at the highest level the characteristics of consistency and quality for international philatelic exhibitions and competitions.
• 5.6 To support international philatelic events of all kinds organised by its Members.

Article 6 FIP is empowered:

• 6.1 To organise on its own initiative World or International Stamp Exhibitions and shows, with the agreement of the National Federation where the event is to be held.
• 6.2 To organise, on its own initiative, World or International Stamp Exhibitions and Shows, in concordance with the Individual Regulations of the Exhibition (IREX) approved by the FIP Board. These Regulations shall be promulgated in the official information magazine FLASH, on the FIP website or otherwise published as approved by the FIP Board.
• 6.3 To issue publications of philatelic interest.
• 6.4 To make awards to individuals or philatelic partners as provided in CHAPTER VIII of the Statutes.

CHAPTER III MEMBERSHIP

Article 7 Composition of FIP

• 7.1 Regular Members including Temporary and Provisional Members
• 7.2 Promotional Members
• 7.3 Associate Members

Article 8 Regular Membership

8.1 Regular Members National Federations to which the majority of philatelic societies of the country belong may be admitted as Regular Members (hereafter referred to as “Members”). Only one Member can be accepted from each country. The expression “Country” wherever used in these articles shall mean any country or state as defined by FIP which in its absolute discretion is accepted by FIP Congress as constituting the area of jurisdiction of a recognised Member. Once a Member has been elected it shall represent the Country until it resigns as provided under Article 14, is expelled under Article 27, is dropped from membership under Article 13.4, withdraws in favour of another National Federation which must satisfy all the requirements of Article 11, or no longer meets the conditions of the first paragraph of this Article, and is replaced by the FIP Congress. This must be approved by the FIP Congress. The Regular Members have the right to vote in the Congress.

8.2 Temporary Members Where no National Federation exists, temporary membership may be granted to the most representative philatelic organisation in that country. Such membership shall be on a temporary basis. As soon as a National Federation representing directly or indirectly the majority of philatelists in the country has been formed it will replace the temporary member.

8.3 Provisional Members

Where a National Federation submits an application for Membership more than six months prior to Congress, the FIP Board on satisfying themselves of all requirements having been fulfilled under Article 11, may grant provisional membership to a National Federation, subject to membership being ratified by the following Congress. Should the Congress not confirm the membership, the National Federation ceases to be a Member of FIP forthwith.

Article 9 Promotional Membership

9.1 The Postal Organisations of countries, where there are no national federations or philatelic organisations, may be admitted as a Promotional Member for a period up to 6 years. Only the Postal Organisation may apply for promotional membership, it may not delegate its responsibility to an Agent. 9.2 As soon as a National Federation is formed they shall apply for full membership at the next appropriate Congress and the Promotional Member shall step down after Congress elects to Membership the National Federation. 9.3 The Promotional Member has no right to vote in the Congress. 9.4 The Promotional Member has the right to appoint two delegates to Congress who may speak on matters of concern to it.

Article 10 Associate Members

• 10.1 National Federations from each Continental Region may constitute a Continental Federation which may include philatelic organisations of countries that are not Members of the FIP. Only one Continental Federation may be admitted as Associate Member provided they operate in accordance with the Statutes and regulations of FIP.
• 10.2 Continental Federations may only represent National Federations in their own Continent subject to the provision of Article 10.3 below.
• 10.3 FIP Members of countries where no Continental Federation has been established may join an adjoining Continental Federation until a Continental Federation is established in their own Continent.
• 10.4 If there is an established FIP Member in a country no other Federation from that country may be recognised by the Continental Federation.
• 10.5 The views of the Continental Federations will be taken into consideration by the FIP Board on matters of interest concerning the Continent.
• 10.6 Associate Members may appoint a Delegate to represent them at Congress. Such Delegate has no voting rights but may speak on matters concerning the Continental Federation with approval of the President of FIP.

Article 11 Admission of new Members

• 11.1 Applications for Regular, Promotional or Associate Membership must be submitted by registered mail to the FIP Secretariat at least five months before the Congress, applications for Temporary Membership may be submitted at any time to the FIP Secretariat.
• 11.2 Applications for Regular Membership including Temporary Membership must include:
  • a) their Constitution
  • b) a list of the number of affiliated societies and their total membership
  • c) a written declaration to accept and implement without qualification all FIP Statutes and regulations
• 11.3 Applications for Promotional Membership are to be submitted to the FIP Board for approval by Congress. They must include:
  • a) Details of the Philatelic services provided in their country
  • b) Plan for promotion of philately and stamp collecting in their country
  • c) An undertaking that on formation of a National Philatelic Body the Promotional Member will sponsor that body’s application to become a Member.
  • d) A written declaration to accept and implement without qualification all FIP Statutes and regulations.
  • e) once admitted, a Promotional Member shall report annually in writing to the FIP Secretariat on the development of philately in their country.
• 11.4 Any National Federation applying for Membership of the FIP must be represented by their delegation at the Congress at which their application is to be considered. Such applications must be sponsored by the Associate Member, if they are members thereof, or by two regular Members.
• 11.5 Applications for Associate or Promotional Membership must include:
  • a) their registered address
  • b) details of their proposed philatelic activities
  • c) a written declaration to accept and implement without qualification all FIP Statutes and

regulations

Article 12 Provisional membership

• 12.1 Should Congress grant only provisional membership to a Federation, such Federation shall have the same rights and obligations as other members until the FIP Board has received all the required documentation and has assured themselves of the status of the applicant provided the necessary documentation is received before the next Congress.
• 12.2 The Federation shall be responsible for any mutually agreed costs involved with Board members visiting the Country to meet with the Federation members.

Article 13 Subscription and Dues

• 13.1 All Members and Promotional Members shall pay an annual subscription, the amount of which shall be determined by the Congress for the coming two years.
• 13.2 Such subscription should be paid by 30th June of each official year. When the Congress is held before 30th June, the same shall be paid before the opening of the Congress.
• 13.3 Members who have not paid all their subscriptions and any other dues are denied the right to vote.
• 13.4 Should a Member or a Promotional Member fail to pay their subscription or other outstanding dues for a period of eighteen months, without justification acceptable to the FIP Board, their membership may be terminated. Such termination will be reported to the following Congress.
• 13.5 A Federation whose membership has been terminated under Article 13.4 above and who reapplies for membership shall be responsible for all outstanding dues and other debts before being reinstalled.

Article 14 Resignations

• 14.1 The resignation of a FIP Member or Promotional Member shall be accepted only if all outstanding dues have been paid to FIP.
• 14.2 The resignation must be addressed to the FIP Secretariat and sent by registered mail before 1st October and shall apply to the following year.

Article 15 Disciplinary Action

• 15.1 Any Member that acts in breach of the Statutes or regulations of FIP or takes any action which injures the material or moral well-being of another Member, may be called upon for an explanation of its action at the request of either the FIP Board or the aggrieved Member.
• 15.2 Any disagreement will be examined by the FIP Board and a recommendation for action may be submitted to the Congress for a decision.