CONSTITUTION

of the

Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries

1 NAME

This council shall be called Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries.

2 DEFINITIONS

In this Constitution:

“the Council” means the Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries;

“the European Countries” means those countries which are members of the Council of Europe.

3 AIM

The aim of the Council is to enable National Associations of Occupational Therapists of the European Countries to develop, harmonise and promote standards of professional practice and education of Occupational Therapists and to advance the science of occupational therapy throughout Europe.

4 PURPOSE

The objectives of this Council shall be:

4.1 To keep contact with developments within the European Countries and promulgate information concerning relevant topics to the Member Associations.

4.2 To collate opinions of the Member Associations on topics relating to

occupational therapy and communicate them to the European Commission and to any other institution of the European Countries.

4.3 To review standards of occupational therapy within the European Countries and advise on the implications of regulations relating to standards and to the Council Directive of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years duration (89/48/EEC) and all subsequent additions and amendments to this regulation.

4.4 To assist the development of occupational therapy in European countries where the profession does not exist and to give support and advice on the founding of National Occupational therapy Associations.

4.5 To encourage National Associations to communicate with the relevant government and other bodies in their countries to negotiate changes in legislation.

4.6 To support the development of courses and systems for occupational therapists to improve standards and methods of practice and education.

4.7 To co-ordinate and support the organisation of European Congresses for the advancement of occupational therapy.

4.8 To collect, develop and disseminate information and material on occupational therapy.

4.9 To liaise with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and the Educational Network of Occupational therapy for Higher Education (ENOTHE) and exchange information.

4.10 To liaise and maintain links with other European groups of other professional bodies and stakeholders (e.g. employers, trade unions, government users, etc.).

4.11 To promote internationalisation in education in order to advance quality.

4.12 To promote the free movement of professionals within Europe.

5 MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Membership of the Council shall consist of National Associations of the countries referred to in point 2 above.

5.2 One year’s prior written notice to the Council may terminate membership.

Notice to terminate membership should be given to the Council in writing and will be operative the following calendar year.

6 REPRESENTATION

6.1 Each National Association shall nominate one Delegate and one Alternative Delegate who shall each be entitled to attend meetings of the Council. Each representative will normally be appointed for at least four years.

6.2 The President will represent the Council as link person to WFOT.

6.3 The Council will elect a link person to ENOTHE

6.4 The representatives of WFOT and ENOTHE may attend the Council meetings as observers. 

6.5 The Council shall have the power to engage the services of experts who may, at the invitation of the Council, attend meetings.

6.6 Other representatives from national associations shall attend meetings as required and agreed by the Executive.

7 QUORUM

The quorum for the Council shall be when Delegates from at least fifty per cent of the Members are present.

8 VOTING

8.1 Each Member shall be entitled to one vote.

8.2 Motions and elections will be passed by a simple majority - see Section 11.5. below for changes to the constitution.

8.3 In the event of a tied vote the President will clarify the point and call for a second vote. In the event of the second vote being tied the President shall have the casting vote.

8.4 In the event of a National Association not being represented at a meeting of the Council, the said Association may be represented by another Member who may vote on its behalf.

9 THE EXECUTIVE

9.1 The Executive shall plan the business of the meetings, based on the needs of the National Associations and the views of the Council.

9.2 The Executive of the Council shall consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary, who shall be officers of the Council and who shall each hold office for a term of four years. They may be re-elected for one further term of four years.

9.3 The President shall be elected by the Council from the Delegates of the Members.

9.4 On election the President shall cease to represent their Association and that Association will be asked to elect a new Delegate.

9.5 For the purposes of attending Council meetings the expenses of the President will be carried by the Council.

9.6 The other officers shall be elected from the Member Delegates and shall continue to represent their National Associations during their terms of office.

9.7 Nominations for officers must be requested by the Honorary Secretary two months before the first meeting of the year.

9.8 Candidates shall be nominated by and seconded by the Member Delegates.

9.9 Candidates must confirm their agreement to the nomination in writing.

9.10 The method of election shall be by secret ballot.

10 FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

10.1 Members shall pay an annual membership fee.

10.2 The fee shall be based on the membership of each National Association.

10.3 The financial year of the Council shall commence on the 1st January in each year.

10.4 Members who fail to pay their fees after two years will cease to be Members.

11 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

11.1 The Council shall make amendments to update the Constitution as made necessary by Council decisions.

11.2 The Constitution should be reviewed every four years.

11.3 Members may, through their Delegates, make proposals for the amendment of the Constitution.

11.4 Any such proposals shall be notified in writing by the Delegate not less than three months before the meeting of the Council at which the proposals are to be considered. 

11.5 In order to be adopted, any such amendments shall require the support of two thirds of the Members.

11.6 The Delegates shall sign the Constitution, as thereby amended, on behalf of their National Associations at the meeting following the adoption of the amendments concerned.

12 WORKING GROUPS

12.1 The Council may from time to time establish Working Groups, as it deems fit and define the powers and duties of such Working Groups.

12.2 Working Groups may be dissolved by resolution of the Council at any time.

12.3 Working Groups shall report to the Council in the manner laid down by the

Council.

13 STANDING ORDERS

The Council may from time to time adopt Standing Orders for the effective

management of the business of the Council. 

14 DISSOLUTION

14.1 A decision concerning the dissolution of the Council may be made in accordance with the procedures laid down for the amendment of this Constitution.

14.2Should such a decision be taken, the Council shall, prior to such dissolution, decide on how to distribute the assets.


Signed on behalf of the Members by 19 Delegates in Vienna 1st April 2005