Our Statute

1. Name of the Federation

The name of the Federation is:

Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability

2. The Mission of the Federation

The Federation aims to create a movement in favour of rights for persons with disability and the development and strengthening of measures and services which improve the life of persons with disability and that of their family.

3. The Aims of the Federation

The aims of the Federation are:

3.1 to be the focal point of the Organisations for persons with disability, for those who work with and provide services for persons with disability, as well as for individuals who share the same objectives and aspirations of the Federation.

3.2 to create an appropriate environment for discussion among its members with the intention of taking action in favour of the rights of persons with disability and of improving their quality of life and that of their family.

3.3 to work for the Federation’s member Organisations to continue to strenghten regional and national structures and their services by giving its support to intitiatives for persons with disability, by increasing cooperation among Organisations and spurring new initiatives where these may be lacking.

3.4 to represent this movement in favour of persons with disability wherever and with whosoever has the authority to improve the situation of persons with disability and their family.

4. Definition

The word disability includes any person with physical, mental, intellectual or sensory long-term impairement and persons for whom encounter with various barriers may prove a hindrance from participating fully and effectively in society on an equal basis with others. The definition is to be that given by the World Health Organisation within the United Nations.

5. Address

The address of the Federation is that in Malta as decided upon by the Federation from time to time.

6. Membership

The Federation is open to Organisations representing persons with disability, their family, service providers in this sphere, and individuals who may wish to commit themselves in favour of the mission of the Federation.

6.1 Membership Categories:

6.1.1 Category A

Any Organisation which represents persons with disability, parents, carers and/or guardians of persons with disability, who cannot represent themselves and whose aims are the interests of disabled persons.

6.1.2 Category B

Any Organisation whose principle purpose is the provision of some form of service to persons with disabiltiy and/or their family, as long as it functions on a voluntary basis and its profits are re-invested exclusively and specifically for the benefit of persons with disability and for the aims and purposes as specific to the said Organisation.

6.1.3 Category C

Any adult, whether with disability or otherwise, whose interest lies in the sphere of disability, may become a member of the Federation.

7. Conditions of Membership

7.1 Category A

7.1.1 Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Federation. It is the sole prerogative of the Committee to approve or otherwise any application submitted at its first executive meeting. In order for a submitted application to be approved, it requires 2 out of 3 votes of the members present for the Executive Committee meeting.

7.1.2 The Executive Committee may refuse to approve any application if it deems that such membership may in any way jeopardise the on-going benefits of the Federation. A rejected applicant has the right to request a written justification for the Executive Committee’s disapproval.

7.2 Category B

7.2.1 Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Federation. It is the sole prerogative of the Committee to approve or otherwise any application submitted at its first executive meeting. In order for a submitted application to be approved, it requires 2 out of 3 votes of the members present for the Executive Committee meeting.

7.2.3 The Executive Committee may refuse to approve any application if it deems that such membership may in any way jeopardise the on-going benefits of the Federation. A rejected applicant has the right to request a written justification for the Executive Committee’s disapproval.

7.3 Category C

7.3.1 Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Federation. It is the sole prerogative of the Committee to approve or otherwise any application submitted at its first executive meeting. In order for a submitted application to be approved, it requires 2 out of 3 votes of the members present for the Executive Committee meeting.

7.3.3 The Executive Committee may refuse to approve any application if it deems that such membership may in any way jeopardise the on-going benefits of the Federation. A rejected applicant has the right to request a written justification for the Executive Committee’s disapproval.

7.4 Membership fee

Membership is on a lifelong basis with a one-time fee of €25 for Organisations as per categories A and B, and €10 for individuals as per Category C.

7.5 Other Conditions

7.5.1 Each member, whether an Organisation or an individual, is expected to be an active member. It is expected that the conduct of all members, be they on an individual or Organisational level, is such that will further the aims and purposes of the Federation.

7.5.2 Each member shall ensure the best ethical practice and therefore must state in advance if there may be, or may eventually arise, any conflict of interest of

whatever form.

8. General Meetings or Extraordinary Meetings

8.1 A General Meeting shall be convened at least once a year during which an

administrative report and a financial report are to be read and approved by the members attending. The financial year is to be considered as starting in January and ending in December.

8.1.1 The election of members of the Executive Committee is to take place every two years.

8.2 An Extraordinary General Meeting is to be convened if fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Federation submit a written request to the President requesting such a meeting indicating the aġenda they wish to put forward. The President shall be obliged to convene such extraordinary meeting, with the agenda as presented in the written request, not later than six (6) weeks from the official submission of the written request.

8.2.1 In such case the Secretary of the Executive Coomittee is to notify all

members of the forthcoming Extraordinary Meeting, which notification is to include the agenda indicating date, time and place of meeting, not later than four (4) weeks prior to the actual Extraordinary General Meeting.

8.3 General Meeting Notification

8.3.1 Notification of the forthcoming General Meeting shall be sent to members not later than eight (8) weeks prior to the date set by the Executive Committee. Motions and amendements to the Statute are to be sent by members not later than one (1) month prior to the General Meeting. In case of proposed motions or amendments, the Secretary of the Executive Committee is bound to forward notice thereof to all members not later than one (1) week from the date of the General Meeting.

8.3.2 The notification of the General Meeting shall indicate the venue and time of

Meeting and be accompanied by the agenda of the meeting.

8.3.2 The agenda of every General Meeting is to include:

(i) the reading and approval of the Administrative and Financial Reports

(ii) the appointment of two members as auditors for the Financial Report for the following year.

8.3.3 Every two years, the Federation is to elect the five (5) members of the

Executive Committee. Nominations of persons to stand for the election, duly seconded by one other member, must be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Federation by not later than one week from the date of the General Meeting. As efficient

8.3.3.1 The Executive Committee has the right to co-opt a maximum of two (2) other members in case of arising exegencies to its adequate operational performance. Such members would either be from among members nominated for the Executive Committee elections or members designated as efficient executors of the tasks deemed indispensable by the Executive Committee. The co-opted members will have the right to vote.

8.3.4 Voting for members of the Executive Committee is a right of all members, individual or Organisation, present for the General Meeting. Each Organisation will have only one (1) vote.

8.4 Weight of Votes

The Federation bestows a distinctive power of voting in decision making on a Committee level. For the purpose of voting for motions or amendments to the Statute or during Extraordinary General Meetings, Category A members carry a weight of three (3) votes, Category B members carry a weight of one (1) vote, and individual members carry a weight of one (1) vote.

9. The Executive Committee

9.1 The Executive Committee is appointed every two years at the General Meeting. The duties of the Executive Committee are to:

to work on the decisions brought forward at General Meetings
to comply with and administer the assets of the Federation
to strengthen the unity among the members and their influence on Society
to take initiatives to realize the objectives of the Federation
to meet at least six times a year

9.2 On the first meeting of the newly appointed Executive Committee, the five elected members must appoint the officers: President, Secretary and the Treasurer. The election shall be by a simple majority of votes. The President must either be a person with disability or a parent/carer/guardian of a person with disability who cannot represent him/herself and whose aim is the interest of persons with disability.

9.3 At Executive level, the decisions are taken by a simple majority of votes. The President has the casting vote.

9.4 Member Organisations are invited to attend the Executive Committee Meetings as observers.

9.4.1 Any Member Organisation/s present who may wish to react to points of discussion as carried on by the Executive Committee will be asked to send an email to the Secretary expressing their arguments and views. The Executive Committee will be bound to discuss all such emails during the following Executive Meeting.

9.4.2 The Executive Committee has the final word which carries the obligation to act towards the greatest benefit of the Federation and its members.

10. Quorum

10. Executive Committee meetings require a quorum of 60% of members.

11. Responsibilities of the Officials

11.1 The responsibilities of the President are:

11.1.1 to represent the aspirations of the members and take such action as necessary and appropriate to realize these aspirations, duly expressed in General Meetings, in the Executive Committee meetings and any other meetings

11.1.2 to comply with the provisions of the Statute and the rights of the members

11.1.3 to induce unity among the members by keeping constant contact with and among Organisations and individual members, and by involving members in what is taking place, by heeding to all submissions thereof and consulting with relevant members on a regular basis

11.1.4 to represent the Federation in meetings with third parties at national and international level

11.1.5 to conduct the meetings in a fair and transparent manner, and ensure accountability by every officer of the Executive Committee

11.2 The responsibilities of the Secretary are:

11.2.1 to properly manage the affairs of the Federation and to take all actions that would have been decided upon at all levels

11.2.2 to assist the President in the work of the Executive Committee especially by notifying members thereof about meetings and other matters and to regularly update members of the Federation of the outcomes of meetings and other activities of the Federation

11.2.3 to ensure that proper records of the Federation’s activities are kept

11.2.4 to prepare the Administrative Report for the General Meeting/s and any other matters pertaining to the appropriate administration of the Federation

11.3 The responsibilities of the Treasurer are:

11.3.1 to keep constant updating of the Federation’s accounts and present the Financial Report at the General Meeting and to ensure that the accounting records are audited in accordance with the statute.

11.3.2 to keep the President informed of the financial situation and not approve any expenditure of more than €100.00 if this is not approved by the President.

11.3.2.1 The Executive Committee’s approval is required for a cost of over €500.00.

11.4 The responsibilities of the Executive Committee members are:

11.4.1 to attend meetings regularly and contribute to the decisions which the Executive Committee would need to take and to attend and/or accompany the President at any activities of the Federation.

11.4.2 The President, the Secretary and the Treasurer are to be the official signatories for cheques and bank transactions, and for opening and closing of accounts. The signature of two (2) of the signatories will suffice for the payments or bank transactions while either the President or the Treasurer can order cheque books.

12. Change in Executive Committee Members

12.1 A post at Executive Committe level could become vacant because a member passes away, resigns or fails to attend three consecutive Executive Committee meetings without a valid reason or failing to inform the Secretary to be excused.

12.2 In such case, the member who would have been next in line with the highest number of votes in the previous General Meeting but had not been elected, will be appointed to fill the vacant post.

12.3 If the vacant post is that of an officer, then an election from among the members of the Executive Committee is to take place in order to fill the vacant position of that official. The Executive Committee may appoint an officer ad interim until the new one is officially appointed.

Dissolution

In the event that the Federation holds no meeting for a period of three full years, this will mean that the Federation would have become inactive and consequently would be dissolved. In these circumstances the records and assets of the Federation will be handed over to the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations who would decide the fate of such assets and records.