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Slow Food International Statute
Text approved by the Fourth International Congress on November 8, 2003 – Naples, Italy
NAMES, OFFICES AND DURATION
Art. 1
An international non-profit Association for cultural and educational purposes named “Slow Food” is hereby formed.
Art. 2
The Association has its offices in Bra (CN), Italy, at Piazza XX Settembre, 5.
Secondary offices, branches and representative offices may be set up according to the procedures envisaged herein.
The Association has an unlimited duration.
DEFINITION AND AIMS
Art. 3
Slow Food is a democratic and cultural international Movement, of social utility and with educational aims, based on the voluntary membership of people who intend to cultivate common cultural interests in the field of food.
Art. 4
Slow Food operates to protect the right to pleasure, respect for the rhythms of life and a harmonious relationship with nature.
Slow Food seeks to:
a) endow issues connected to food and eating with cultural dignity;
b) identify food products and methods of production linked to a geographic area, from a protection of biodiversity perspective, and promote them as part of our cultural heritage;
c) improve public knowledge of food, particularly that of artisan producers, with the aim of securing awareness of our right to pleasure and taste, and to focus this effort on young people;
d) promote the practice of a different quality of life involving a respect for natural rhythms, the environment and the health of consumers, thereby fostering the use and enjoyment of food having the highest possible quality;
e) encourage public debate and discussion in order to raise awareness of the obstacles that exist in the defence and protection of biodiversity and the preservation of culinary heritage.
To achieve these aims, Slow Food may:
a) promote, organise, manage and participate in educational activities, including within schools and universities, through research projects, coordination, training and refresher courses, which focus on full implementation of the rights herein, health education, sensory and taste education and the development of a proper food culture;
b) coordinate and implement projects of research, cataloguing and promotion directed at the defence and protection of food biodiversity, countering the increasing standardisation of food, and promoting, organising and/or participating in projects for the development of ecological forms of agriculture;
c) promote knowledge and use of local products, including through the organisation of food and beverage tourism initiatives;
d) promote or maintain initiatives to support and alleviate situations facing particular adversity that provide food benefit, with the aim of preserving and giving recognition to traditional cultural identity in a specific geographic area connected with particular production. Such initiatives should be considered true Presidia for the defence of biodiversity;
e) create interest in and respect for the work of those who – independently of the Slow Food association – have contributed to the fulfillment of its goals. This recognition can come in the form of awards, financial contributions, and the promotion through publication of the results of said work;
f) promote and organise programmes of food culture and sensory awareness, to be offered to all members of Slow Food, members of the public and operators in the food and beverage sector, to make more widely known the historical roots and production processes involved in the food and beverage sector.
To achieve the aims it has set, Slow Food may participate at international or national level in public or private bodies, promote groups and meetings, have joint ventures with producers and those working in the sector, directly manage initiatives, including business ventures which it feels useful for its objectives; it may promote foundations, study centres, publishing and promotional initiatives, undertake any activity that does not conflict with its mission.
MEMBERS
Art. 5
Members of Slow Food are all those people who accept this statute and apply for a membership card, accepting the rules of this Statute and all Appendices and, where applicable, the National Statute.
Applications for membership may be refused by the governing bodies by reason of behaviour clearly in conflict with the statutory aims.
Members have the right to:
a) elect the bodies of the Association and to be eligible to stand for election to said bodies;
b) approve the balance sheet on the basis of the mechanisms envisaged herein;
c) take part in meetings and all association activities.
Membership in the Association is of unlimited duration, save in the event of the causes for exclusion envisaged by the law and by this Statute.
The National Executive Committees may, in agreement with the International President's Committee, provide for special forms of membership (family, student or other).
The membership fee is neither transferable nor revaluable.
Art. 6
Membership and affiliate status is lost by:
a) non-renewal of membership or discontinuation;
b) non-payment of the membership fee;
c) a motivated refusal of renewal or affiliation by the ruling bodies;
d) expulsion, on the decision of the International President's Committee or other appropriate national bodies if applicable, should the behaviour or activities of the member, of the club or of affiliated structures be in clear conflict with the principles or aims of this statute, the said member being granted right to appeal to the competent bodies.
The closure of a Convivium or the dissolution of a National Executive Committee does not make the members of said entity lose their Slow Food membership.
THE INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM ORGANISATIONAL LEVELS
Art. 7
The organisational and management levels of the Movement are:
a) the Convivia;
b) the International Executive Committee;
c) the International Congress.
Should the development of the Association require it, another organisational level may be introduced:
d) the National Executive Committee.
THE CONVIVIUM
Art. 8
The Convivium is the Movement's basic organisational structure within which members carry out their activity.
The Convivium must always be entitled to receive a portion of the annual membership fee, for every registered member and in every country where the Movement is active.
Art. 9
To establish a Convivium, the founding committee shall make a formal request to the National Executive Committee, if any, or else directly to the International Executive Committee. The same bodies may, for just cause, dissolve a Convivium with immediate cessation of the use of the trademark and the use of the instruments of identification of the Movement.
Art. 10
A Convivium is usually considered active when it has at least twenty members and organises at least three events per year, including the general meeting of members.
Art. 11
The Convivium's tasks are:
a) to promote the philosophy of the Movement;
b) to develop the organisational presence of the Movement by enrolling members;
c) to establish relations and cooperative ventures with public bodies, gastronomic associations, protection consortia, producer associations and organs of communication, to help contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and the knowledge of food production;
d) to collaborate with other associations or bodies for the protection of the environment and respect for nature;
e) to maintain convivial and collaborative relations with other Convivia;
f) to set up promotional activities in support of the Movement’s international and national projects.
The Convivium organises activities and initiatives that may include: the organisation of Convivial meetings for members, talks, theme events, tasting sessions, cooking and tasting courses, trips and visits of food and wine interest, exhibitions, fairs and other events; social, educational or cultural events and visits according to the philosophy of the Movement.
Art. 12
The general meeting of members comprises all paid-up members of the Convivium. It is convened at least once a year by the Convivium Leader who shall send written notice and an agenda for the meeting to each member at least seven days in advance.
An extraordinary meeting may be convened if a justified reason is supported by at least a third of the members or by higher level bodies.
The meeting has the duty to approve the financial report and the Convivium’s programme of activities.
The meeting resolves on the basis of a majority of those present. Members may appoint proxies.
THE CONVIVIUM LEADER
Art. 13
The Convivium is headed by a Convivium Leader, who is assisted by a Convivium committee.
The Convivium Leader is the legal representative of the Convivium and is responsible for its activities. Within one month of being elected or nominated, the Convivium Leader shall sign a document governing the relations of the Convivium with the international Association.
The document is drawn up by the International Executive Committee and takes account of the specific rules and regulations of each country and the geographic situation of the Convivium.
Art. 14
The Convivium Leader of a new Convivium will be recommended by the founding committee and subsequently confirmed or replaced by the Convivium Congress.
The Congress shall be convened at least once every four years according to the same procedures that are adopted for the general meeting, or with other methods that ensure the participation of the maximum number of members.
The term of office of the Convivium Leader lasts from one Congress of the Convivium to the next one. The Convivium Leader generally remains in office for three successive terms, after which the Congress of the Convivium shall take steps to appoint a new Convivium Leader.
The National Committee or, if non-existent, the International Executive Committee, may decide specific exceptions to the conditions indicated in the present article.
Art. 15
The Convivium Leader represents the Association in the area under his/her authority and is thus responsible for the use of the Association trademark according to the principles and procedures established in the Code of Use of the Trademark and Logo.
The tasks and duties of the Convivium Leader and the Convivium committee may be better specified by the National Statutes, in countries where they exist. However, the Convivium Leader is responsible for:
a) organising association activities in the area (at least 3 initiatives per year) and promoting association membership;
b) representing the Association in its relations with public bodies, institutions, organs of information and production settings within the area for which he/she is responsible;
c) convening the general meeting and congress of members;
d) preparing the annual report to be presented to members at the general meeting;
e) promoting and implementing all the strategic initiatives representing the Movement which are adopted by international and national executive bodies, which may, in some cases, be binding and mandatory.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Art. 16
The National Executive Committee is the representative and coordinating body for all the structures in a single country.
The National Executive Committee is made up of representatives of the regional bodies of the Association on the basis of the statutory rules for each single country.
The creation of a new National Executive Committee, based on a request by active Convivia shall be decided by the International Executive Committee. The International Executive Committee generally authorises the creation of a National Executive Committee when there are at least one thousand members and five active Convivia.
National Executive Committees which, on approval of this present Statute, do not comply with the above requirements, are hereby declared to be expelled.
Art. 17
The relationship between the National Executive Committee and the International Association must be regulated according to a national protocol. This protocol must point out the terms and conditions for dissolving the National Executive Committee by the International Ruling Committee.
The national protocol authorizes a National Executive Committee to use the national Slow Food trademark according the terms defined by the Code of Use for Slow Food logos.
Art. 18
The tasks of the National Executive Committee are:
a) to apply the resolutions of International Congresses and the decisions of International Executive bodies to ensure the harmonious development of the Movement in the country represented;
b) to coordinate and organise national activities in agreement with individual national statutes, and to define the membership fee in agreement with the International Executive Committee;
c) to establish relationships and collaborative ventures with public bodies, gastronomic and/or environmental associations, non government organizations, protection consortia, producer associations and organs of communication, in order to contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and the knowledge of food production;
d) to keep the Convivia informed of the Movement’s strategic aims, main initiatives and campaigns;
e) to authorize the institution of new Convivia and determine the closure of non-active Convivia;
f) to set up a National Ark Committee and, if necessary, other advisory committees, made up of experts whose duty will be to propose policies, programmes and initiatives for projects consistent with the international Movement;
g) to define the internal standards and regulations for the running and administration of the national Association in compliance with the laws in force in the country;
h) to send the financial statement presented each financial year and the budget for the next financial year to the International Executive Committee each year;
i) to send each month to the International Executive Committee the membership data of all new members and data on each new Convivium;
j) to provide financial resources for the attendance of national representatives at the activities of Slow Food International and for the attendance of international executives at activities or meetings in their own country;
k) to monitor the use of the Slow Food logo in its own country and to single out to the President’s Committee every inappropriate utilizatio.
Each National Executive Committee has the right to a part of the membership fee to finance its activities, to be defined in agreement with the International Executive Committee.
THE NATIONAL STATUTE
Art. 19
In every country in which the institution of a National Executive Committee has been authorized, a National Statute must be written and be eventually approved by a majority vote by Convivium delegates at the National Founding Congress.
The National Statute shall provide for:
a) the inclusion of all national members in the International Slow Food Movement;
b) the agreement with the international statute, the attached Slow Food manifesto, and the Code of Use for Slow Food Logos;
c) the definition of the relationship between the National Executive Committee and the Convivia;
d) a national Congress to be held at least every four years in order to determine the executive bodies;
e) the procedures for national representation within the International Executive Committee;
f) the presence of the International President or his representative within the national governing body.
THE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Art. 20
The International Executive Committee is the interim deliberative and consensus building entity overseeing the international Movement between Congresses.
The International Executive Committee is made up of:
a) the International Council;
b) the President’s Committee;
c) the International President.
The International Executive Committee generally has a term of four years.
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL
Art. 21
The International Council is the main forum for dialog among the Slow Food representatives from different nations between Congresses on the main issues pertaining to the Movement. It is chaired by the International President or his/her representative.
I candidati vengono proposti al Congresso Internazionale dalle singole delegazioni nazionali sulla base di un regolamento definito dal Comitato di Presidenza almeno 3 mesi prima della data del Congresso.
The International Council is nominated on the basis of the numeric representation of the various nations or of groups of nations sharing borders, or those historically linked, and with consideration for the strategic and development needs of the Movement. Every country is entitled to a maximum of 15 International Councillors.
The International Council is elected by an outright majority of delegates during the International Congress. It holds office for the period between one International Congress and another.
Art. 22
The International Council shall:
a) define the policies and major issues facing the Association;
b) create international advisory bodies and approve their rules and regulations;
c) authorize, at the recommendation of the President’s Committee, the setting up of new National Executive Committees or cease to recognize those already existing;
d) approve the annual final balance sheet and budget prepared by the President’s Committee;
e) monitor the current membership numbers and ensure that the composition of the Council accurately reflects the Association, based on the guidelines stipulated in the following article.
The International Council shall generally be convened once a year by the President’s Committee and resolves on the basis of the majority of those presents; if necessary can resolve via e-mail.
International Councillors represent their national Movements on the International Council reporting upon their relevant requests and projects. They will also report to their national Movements the resolution and policies formulated by the International Council.
Art. 23
The National Executive Committee or, if absent, a group of active Convivium Leaders, may propose to the International Executive Committee that a Councillor be replaced or removed from office should it be felt the Councillor no longer represents them.
The President’s Committee proposes termination of a Councillor’s term of office should the requirements supporting his or her appointment not be met.
The International Council may replace any member who has resigned, or who has been called for resignation by the Convivium leaders he/she represents, with a member of the same country. It may also nominate, at the recommendation of the President’s Committee, a maximum of 30% of new Councillors to ensure that new groups within the association and growth trends in the association are represented.
THE PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE
Art. 24
The President’s Committee is the highest governing body of the international Movement.
It is composed of 6 members, elected by the International Congress from among the members of the International Council and by two Vice-Presidents directly nominated by the International President; the President’s Committee remains in office for the period between two International Congresses.
Candidates for the Committee are proposed to the Congress by the International President, chosen among the members of the International Council just elected.
If for whatever reason a member of the Presdient’s Committee leaves his/her post, the International President shall propose possible replacements chosen from elected Councillors to the International Council.
The International President chairs the President’s Committee. The Committee resolves on the basis of the majority of those presents and, if necessary, can resolve via e-mail.
Art. 25
The President’s Committee shall:
a) control the economic and financial position of the association and draw up the Slow Food International balance sheet, submitting it annually to the International Council for approval;
b) establish procedures for membership that take account of particular socioeconomic and linguistic differences;
c) review the activities and decisions taken by the various National Executive Committees to ensure compliance with the Movement’s policies;
d) propose to the Council the creation of new National Executive Committees;
e) propose to the Council the dissolution of National Executive Committees should this be warranted on the grounds of their lack of activity and membership;
f) authorize, in countries where no National Executive Committee exists, the implementation of forms of organization among Convivia capable of rendering their activities more effective;
g) keep the Convivia of those countries without a National Executive Committee informed of the Movement’s strategic aims, main initiatives and campaigns;
h) convene the International Council;
i) identify and propose to the Council the nomination of members;
j) convene the International Congress and establish the rules and regulations thereof;
k) appoint representatives of the Movement to public and private bodies and institutions;
l) remove from office of any local, national or international manager, in the event that they do not perform their duties, they organise or manage activities considered damaging, incompatible or in opposition to Slow Food or if they, or the body they represent, are not in a proper position with regard to payment of their membership fees;
m) determine the closure of non-active Convivia, in countries without National Executive Committees;
n) invite representatives from the Movement to the International Council to debate issues relative to their specific interests and specializations. These invited representatives will be granted the right to vote upon said arguments.
The President’s Committee shall meet periodically whenever convened by the President.
The members of the President’s Committee take part in the Congresses of the national Associations at the recommendation of the President.
THE INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
Art. 26
The International President is elected by the International Congress and remains in office until the subsequent International Congress. The International President represents the Movement legally and in its relations with third parties.
The International President shall:
a) be a member of the President’s Committee and chair it;
b) propose to the Congress the candidates for the President’s Committee, chosen from the members of the International Council;
c) propose to the International Council the possible replacements for members of the President’s Committee that for whatever reason leave their posts;
d) convene and ensure the proper functioning of international executive bodies;
e) perform tasks of representation and external relations inherent to his/her functions;
f) participate with voting rights at the meetings of every National Executive Committee, either directly or through a representative, although membership in said committee is not specified by law.
The International President or his/her representative is entitled to take part in all National Congresses.
The International President shall appoint two Vice Presidents, specifying which is his/her designated Executive Vice President, who shall assume his/her power in the event of his/her being unable to officiate for whatever reason. Vice Presidents are automatically members of President’s Committee and of the International Council.
Art. 27
The International President of the Movement may incur obligations in the name and on behalf of the bodies he/she represents within the limit of assumed ordinary and extraordinary requirements, also in the form of bank and post office current accounts and credit lines. These powers may be wholly or partly delegated to another person, selected from among the International Councillors, for the designated purpose.
THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS
Art. 28
The International Congress is the highest deliberative body of Slow Food and is normally held every four years according to the procedures established by the International Executive Committee.
Delegates attending the Congress are appointed according to the Congress regulations, which allow for national representation based on membership numbers on a fixed date.
The International Congress shall:
a) discuss, define and approve the Association’s policies and programmes;
b) approve any modifications to the statute;
c) elect the Board of Auditors and the Board of Guarantors;
d) elect the International Executive Committee;
e) approve the Association’s pluriennal financial statements.
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BODIES
Art. 29
International advisory bodies are created by decision of the International Council.
They have the task of studying in depth, developing and proposing policies and strategies involving specific issues of interest to the Movement, in order to ensure they are managed in full conformity with the individual circumstances of each country.
The composition, operating procedures and tasks are defined in regulations approved by the International Council.
Art. 30
The International Ark Commission and the Executive Presidia Committee are both functioning International advisory bodies.
National Ark Commissions and Presidia Committees, where existing, conform to the proposals and instructions of their respective International bodies according to the regulations approved by the International Council.
THE BOARD OF AUDITORS AND THE BOARD OF GUARANTORS
Art. 31
The guarantee and control bodies are: the Board of Auditors and the Board of Guarantors.
Both Boards are nominated by the International Congress. Membership in both Boards lasts from one Congress to the next. Both Boards resolves on the bases of the majority, if necessary also via email.
Art. 32
The Board of Auditors is made up of three permanent members, one of which is the Board President. Two substitute members must be nominated.
Slow Food members that are neither members of the International and/or National Executive Committees are eligible candidates for the Board.
The Board has the task of supervising the observance of the law and of the International Statute and the compliance to the principles of fair accounting.
The Board of Auditors has the task of monitoring financial accountability of the International Association through:
a) regular verification of the management accounts, at least two times per year;
b) regular verification of the correspondence between the balance sheet and accounting records and the adherence of the balance sheet to correct accounting principles;
c) preparation of an annual financial report on the balance sheet and possibly on the budget.
Art. 33
The College of Guarantors is the body of statutory guarantee and internal jurisdiction and its functions cover the entire international field.
It is elected by the Congress from among members who are not also members of international executive bodies. It examines any disciplinary matters referred by the executive bodies of the Movement, groups and single members and, following due investigation, decides on them and issues a written ruling containing reasons within 60 days.
It is made up of a maximum of 5 members and elects a President from within its number.
INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE
Art. 34
The international magazine is the instrument of identity, internal communication and dissemination of the Movement’s activities.
It shall be published in several languages.
The International President’s Committee may adopt any measures to produce a publication in a local language for members where there is no local language edition or may introduce a reduced membership fee.
All members shall receive the magazine except for family members. The membership fee shall therefore include the cost of producing and mailing said magazine. The President’s Committee may identify exceptions to this rule in particular geographic circumstances and for particular membership categories.
All members and executive bodies undertake to promote, distribute and support the magazine.
THE FOUNDATION FOR BIODIVERSITY
Art. 35
Slow Food supports the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity - ONLUS (socially useful non-profit organisation), of which it is a founding member, and undertakes to raise the financial resources necessary to ensure its activity.
The International President’s Committee provides coordination of any National Foundations with the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity - ONLUS.
The Foundation has among its main responsibilities the funding of International Presidia and the Slow Food Award for Biodiversity.
UNIVERSITY OF GASTRONOMIC SCIENCES
Art. 36
Slow Food is the founding member of the University of Gastronomic Sciences and undertakes to ensure its optimal development.
The University aims to educate and train students to be able to spread the philosophy of Slow Food and foster the development of sustainable agriculture, using well-known teaching staff from around the world.
ASSETS AND RESOURCES
Art. 37
The assets of Slow Food are made up of:
a) movable and immovable goods which shall become the property of the Association;
b) any reserve funds resulting from balance sheet surpluses.
Association income may be a result of:
a) revenue from membership fees;
b) contributions from private individuals;
c) contributions from States, public bodies and associations to support specific and documented activities and projects;
d) contributions from international bodies;
e) donations and bequests;
f) repayments from conventions;
g) revenue from commercial and incidental production activities.
Any profits and operating surpluses shall be assigned in full to the institutional aims of the Association.
It is forbidden to distribute or allocate, directly or indirectly, profits, operating surpluses, funds, reserves and capital in any other way than those envisaged by law.
THE TRADEMARK
Art. 38
The name and logo of the Movement may be used exclusively according to the procedures laid down in the attached Code of Use for Slow Food Logos. The Code of Use for Slow Food Logos is an integral part of the present statute; Slow Food members, Convivia, and National Executive Committees must observe it in full.
THE BALANCE SHEET
Art. 39
The accounting period lasts one year, beginning on January 1 and closing on December 31.
An accounting system for all the activities of the Association must be set up and managed by the President’s Committee or by persons delegated to do so.
The President’s Committee draws up at the end of each year the annual balance sheet, showing the Association’s assets and liabilities and financial performance, and the budget. The balance sheet and the budget are subject to the approval of the International Council.
CLOSURE AND LIQUIDATION
Art. 40
The closure of the Association is resolved upon by an International Congress, which shall appoint one or two liquidators and define the procedures for devolving any assets to organizations, which pursue aims similar to those of the Association.
FINAL RULES
Art. 41
The International executive bodies of the Association are not responsible for liabilities incurred by members or national, regional or local structures, which are solely answerable through their own funds and executive bodies.
Minutes duly signed by the elected President and Secretary must be written up for every meeting of the executive bodies.
Art. 42
The reference language for this statute is Italian.
Naples, november 8, 2003 |
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