Articles of Association

As amended by the Executive Committee on Friday, June 18, 1994, in Cascaïs, Portugal.

Article 1 - Creation - Designation

A foundation named “Union des Dirigeants Territoriaux de l’Europe - UDiTE” is created under the French Law of July 1st, 1901, and Decree of August 16th, 1901, among the organisations adhering hereto.

Article 2 - Object - Duration

The object of this Union is to promote relations among the various professional associations representing the European local authorities, to develop exchange flows, to share professional experiences, to contribute to the valorisation of roles and functions of local authorities, to contribute to the European Union.

Article 3 - Headquarters

The Union is headquartered at the City Hall of Nancy (France). It may be transferred elsewhere upon a simple decision of the Executive Committee, which must be ratified by the General Assembly.

Article 4 - Composition

The Union is composed of European professional organisations representing local authorities. The associations having signed the present Articles of Association are named “Founder Members”. Associations willing to adhere to the Union shall be approved per the provision of article 5 hereof.

Article 4bis - Membership

The “Founder Members” are those members having signed the Articles of Association. The “Associated Members” may participate in the sessions of the Union without being allowed to sit at the Bureau not at the Executive Committee. The Statutory Rules may govern the above possibilities.

Article 5 - Admission

Any request for admission shall be approved by the Bureau, which shall make decisions during its sessions. The requesting organisation must be allowed to do so by its own Article of Association.

Article 6 – Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated upon:

the voluntary withdrawal of the association in accordance with its own Articles of Association;
deprivation sentenced by the Executive Committee on serious grounds or for refusal of contribution to the functioning of the Union, unless the General Assembly is appealed to. Beforehand, the Chairperson of the Association is convoked for explanations.

Article 7 - Resources

The resources of the Union are derived from:

subsidies from the various European Countries and European Communities;
dues paid by the member associations, the rates of which are set every year during the session of the Executive Committee;
gifts;
proceeds from liberality, the use of which is authorised during the financial year;
exceptionally created resources;
revenues for rendered services;
and any other resources allowed by law.

Article 8 – Executive Committee

An Executive Committee made of four representatives of each country forming part of the Union administers the Union. These four members are:

the representative sitting at Bureau;
three representatives of the country.

The various associations representing a same country shall have to agree and choose three common representatives. In case of vacancy, the Committee shall provide as soon as possible for the replacement of its member, upon proposal of the relevant country.

The functions of such an elected member expire at the same time when the mandate of the replaced member should have normally expired. The Committee is renewed every two years. Outgoing members are eligible for re-election.

Article 9 – Meeting of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee meets not less than once a year and whenever it is summoned by its President, President of UDiTE, or upon request of not less than a quarter of its members.

A quorum consisting of not less than a third of the members of the Executive Committee representing not less than half of the member countries is necessary for the validity of the votes.

Decisions are made by a majority of the votes; in case of equality of votes, the President has the casting one.

Article 10 – Ordinary General Assembly

The General Assembly of the Union consists of all the members of the various associations having adhered to the Union and meets during the Congress of the Union. Members are convoked not less than one month in advance.

The President of the UDiTE, assisted by the members of the Bureau, chairs the General Assembly and reports on the global condition of the Union. The Treasurer reports on the financial management and submits the balance sheet to the approval of the Assembly.

Article 11 – Extraordinary General Assembly

If need be, or upon request of half plus one of the members of the Union, the President of the UDiTE convenes an Extraordinary General Assembly.

Article 12 - Bureau

The Bureau of the Union is composed of one representative of each member-country and his substitute. The representative is either:

the President of each member-country association;
the European affairs delegate of this association;
a representative commonly designated by the different associations of a single country.

The different associations define the procedure for the designation of their representative and his substitute. The latter is allowed to attend the meetings without the right of vote.

The Treasurer, appointed by the Bureau, is a rightful member without entitlement to speak or vote. The Bureau shall elect from within a President, a Vice-President and a Secretary.

The Bureau will ensure that the election of the President and the Vice-President allow for representation of the various constituent parts and points of view of the member countries.

The President and the Vice-President of the UDiTE cannot belong to the same association. The renewal of the Bureau will take place every two years. The outgoing members can be re-elected as long as the outgoing President and Vice-President cannot be re-elected to the previously held position.

The Vice-President will become the rightful President of the UDiTE during the next mandate. In case of unavailability of the President of the UDiTE, his functions will be carried out by the Vice-President, and in absence of the latter, by the oldest member of the Bureau.

The outgoing President is the rightful Honorary President. He fulfils the role of advisor to the President of the Union for two years. The first President of the Union holds the title of Founder President for life. The Founder President and the Honorary President, when participating in certain meetings of the Bureau, will have an advisory role.

Article 13 – President

The President of the UDiTE represents the Union in the daily running of the organisation. He will determine its expenditures. He can delegate following the statutory rules. In the case of representation in law, the President of the UDiTE can only be replaced by a mandatory acting by power of attorney.

Article 14 – Accountancy and Secretariat

Day to day money accounts of receipts and expenditure are to be kept as long as required and if necessary stock records. The administrative secretariat of UDiTE is ensured by the National Association of the current President.

Article 15 – Changes, Amendments and Dissolution

The President of the UDiTE Must notify the Prefecture of the Department (territorial entity) where the Union is headquartered in, within three months, of any changes having occurred in the administration or management of the Union, as well as of any amendments to its Articles of Association.

The Articles of Association may be amended only by the General Assembly, upon proposal of the Executive Committee or upon proposal of not less than half of the members forming part of the General Assembly, representing not less than half of the votes. In either case, the proposals for amendments are put on the agenda of the General Assembly, which must be forwarded to the member associations not less than a month in advance.

Article 16 – Statutory Rules

A set of statutory rules shall be designed by the Executive Committee, which then shall have it approved by the General Assembly. These statutory rules are aimed at governing various matters not provided by the Articles of Association, notably those related to the internal administration of the Union.

Last Updated: 02/02/2009 8.34.21 By Charlotte Jacques