Talk:SI Statutes (historical 1972 version)

From SI Exco News

An earlier version? from SI News 1985

SIN number 25, October 1985, about the Statutes of Servas International:

"At a conference in Wetzlar, Germany, on July 8th 1972 delegates of SERVAS from the following countries: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and The United States of America requested Mrs. Denise Vollenweider of Switzerlend to incorporate in Switzerland, with the assistance of two more members of SERVAS, a new international non-governamental organization to be known as SERVAS INTERNATIONAL, the statutes of which shall be as follows

§ 1 Incorporation in Switzerland and name

A non-profit association under the name of SERVAS - INTERNATIONAL is herewith constitued according to articles 60 ff of the Swiss Civil Code.

§ 2 Seat

The seat of the association shall be: c/o Mr. and Mrs. Ruedi Vollenweider, Ifangweg 1, 8610 Uster, Switzerland.

§ 3 Aim

SERVAS - INTERNATIONAL is an international non-governamental federation of NATIONAL SERVAS GROUPS establishing a system of hosts and travellers to help build world peace good will and understanding by providing opportunities for deeper, more personal contacts with people of other cultures and backgrounds. Upon application the association will admit by majority vote one member from each country. The groups of the countries mentioned above are the founding members of the association. They will be represented at the first general assembly accepting the statutes by three persons domiciled in Switzerland, Mrs Denise Vollenweider and two other persons domiciled in Switzerland.

§ 4 Assemblies of members

The members shall meet in general assembly every two years to draw up the programme of activities, to adopt the report of its officers and to elect the Executive Committee.

§ 5 The Executive-Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 members each elected at a General Assembly of Members. The Officers shall be: the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Assistant - Treasurer, one or more regional Coordinators, the Peace-Secretary and ordinary members of the executive committee. The Exco shall meet as often as necessary. It can also take decisions by correspondance. Funds shall be administered by the teasurer. The treasurer and the Assistant- Treasurer are authorised to withdraw funds from the association for its activities upon individual signature. The President and if he is prevented the Vice-President represents the Association in all other matters. A person appionted by the general assembly of members shall verify once a year the accounts of the association and submit his report to the general assembly for adoption.

§ 6 Voting

All decisions of the Assemblies of Members and the Executive Committee shall be taken by majority vote of the persons voting. In case of a tie the vote of the president shaal be decisive. One exception to this rule shall be the decision on the dissolution of the association as hereafter provided for.

§ 7 Dissolution

Upon the request and consent of 2/3 the membership of the Association it can be dissolved and after paying the debts a possible suplus shall be transferred to another non-profit association interested in building world-peace.

Wetzlar, July 9th 1972 followed by the signatures for the founding members.

The statutes were drafted by our Sponsor Hon. Max Habicht and contain the absolute minimum requested by Swiss Law. The foundation of an international association enabled Servas to apply for a NGO status with UN.

The following National Groups were voted into membership: 1974 - Australia, Canada, India, Israel, Korea, New Zealand, Nigeria, Yemen; 1976 - Colombia, Ghana, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Sweden; 1978 - Egypt, Mauritius, Norway, Poland; 1980 - Hungary, Yugoslavia, Zambia; 1983 - Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay.

Later removed from member group status: Yemen, Egypt, Poland, Hungary and Sri Lanka.

Amendments:

§ 2: Seat: c/o Mrs. Denise Waech, Cerestrasse 23, CH - 8008 Zurich.

§ 4: General Assembly every three years.

§ 5: SIN - Editor is also a member of Exco"

B) About Max Habicht:

SIN number 34:

"Memorials

Max Habicht - Though too few of you may have known Max Habicht (Switzerland), he left an indelible mark on SERVAS. I shall always remember my first meeting with him in person when we took him to lunch in Zurich. We had scarcely said "hello" when we asked what he could do to help Servas. By correspondance, he had already kindly agreed to be our Keynote Speaker for our 1972 International Conference in Wetzlar, Germany, and I had certainly not thought of a greater imposition. But in response to his offer of more generosity in remembering he was a renowned lawer, I asked if he thought Servas -International should be registered and how? He quickly explained how he could take care of details. Before the 1972 Conference ended, he presented us with the recommended Statutes, for signature.

I lack a copy of his Keynote speech, but will always remember his hope that through Servas, people could know each other all over the world, and be prepared to vote in electing a People's Body for the United Nations. In 1973, the following year, Servas - International's application to be an NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council was accepted by the United Nations. We have maintained this status and are well recognized by the United Nations (ECOSOC) and the many NGO's with whom we work.

Dr. Habicht was a monument in International Law. He had helped develop the League of Nations etc. He always gave us any requested advice. Evolution of War was only one of his unique contributions to society. (We have most regretfully lost our only copy, which he loaned to a U.N. intern Servas member, who needed it).

We will be most grateful if you can help us find another copy to enable our circulating it to all interested Servas members and further perpetuate the inspiration of Max Habicht. (Dr. Habicht died en 1986. I regret this delay in telling you. In remembering our outstanding pionneers, we must obviously, though with profound sadness, include Max)...

(written by Reva King - 22 Feb, 1992)"