Amarc Statutes
Chapter I – Nature
1.1 The purpose of these Articles of Association is to constitute the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), whose nature, objectives and operation are described herein.
1.2 AMARC seeks to contribute to the development of the community radio broadcasting movement around the world.
AMARC is an association favouring consultation, coordination, cooperation, exchange and promotion of community radio broadcasters. It is an international non-governmental, non-profit, non-denominational organization.
1.3 In these Articles of Association, the term “community radio broadcaster” means a non-profit radio broadcaster who, in accordance with the fundamental principles of AMARC, offers a service to the community in which it is located or which it serves, while promoting community expression and participation.
1.4 In these Articles of Association, the terms “associations” and “federations” mean groupings of community radio broadcasters legally incorporated and controlled by their members. These may be national, regional or international in scale.
1.5 In these Articles of Association, the term “production group” means an independent, non-profit group with a structure for democratic participation, or an association of such groups, operating on a territory where there is no community radio station and/or producing community radio shows for broadcast by stations other than community radio broadcasters or by more than one community radio broadcaster.
Chapter II – Objectives
2.1 In the spirit of the general principles underlying its creation, AMARC pursues the following objectives:
2.1.1 Developing and furthering a general understanding of the concept and role of community radio.
2.1.2 Promoting the use of community radio as a viable alternative model for communication.
2.1.3 Promoting the use of community radio as a tool for development, peace, justice and solidarity.
2.1.4 Promoting and facilitating cooperation and information exchange between community radio broadcasters.
2.1.5 Defending community radio broadcasters who respect the principles of AMARC and are threatened by political developments.
2.1.6 Contributing to the democratization of communication that meets the needs and demands of communities, in the pursuit of a new world information balance.
2.1.7 Facilitating the representation of its members on the international scene, or representing them if they so request.
2.1.8 Undertaking all additional activities determined by the General Assembly with a view to improving the objectives defined above.
Chapter III – Members
3.1 The members of AMARC are the physical or legal persons who have agreed to abide by the Articles of Association and the By-laws and whose membership application is accepted by the designated bodies.
3.2 AMARC has two categories of members: regular, in these statutes also referred to as voting members and associate.
3.3 A membership application to AMARC shall be made in writing to the Board of Directors, which may take a reasonable time to review the application and render its decision. This decision is subject to ratification at the following meeting of the General Assembly.
3.4 Members may resign from AMARC provided that they have fulfilled all their obligations (dues, etc.). They shall give written notice of their resignation to the Board of Directors.
3.5 A member who ceases to abide by the Articles of Association and By-laws of AMARC may be expelled from the Association by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members in good standing who are present or represented by proxy at the General Assembly, provided that all the members, including the member in question, have been notified at least six months in advance of the motion to expel.
Chapter IV – Structure
4.1 AMARC operates with the assistance of the following bodies:
4.1.1 the General Assembly;
4.1.2 the Board of Directors;
4.1.3 the Executive Committee;
4.1.4 the General Secretariat;
4.1.5 the Women’s International Network;
4.1.6 the Regional Sections;
4.1.7 the Action Committees.
General Assembly
5.1 The General Assembly is the supreme authority of AMARC. It is composed of the regular and associate members.
5.2 The responsibilities of the General Assembly are as follows:
5.2.1 define and establish the general policies of AMARC;
5.2.2 develop common positions and strategies for the representation of community radio broadcasters before international organizations;
5.2.3 elect the members of the Executive Committee, these being the President, Deputy-President and Treasurer.
5.2.4 Ratify the election of the vice-presidents members of the Board of Directors elected by another AMARC body. Elect those vice-presidents members of the Board of Directors not elected by another AMARC body according to article 6.1.
5.2.5 review reports submitted to the General Assembly by the Board of Directors and make decisions accordingly;
5.2.6 ratify or rectify the decisions of the Board of Directors concerning membership applications;
5.2.7 make any other decision pertinent to achieving the objectives of AMARC.
5.3 The General Assembly shall hold a regular meeting at least once every four years. The notice of this meeting shall be sent to all members at least 6 months prior to the date of the meeting; it shall indicate the time and place of the meeting as well as the items on the agenda. It shall specifically mention the list of recommendations for admission of new members, all motions to expel members and all motions to amend the Articles of Association, including proposals for dissolution if any.
5.4 The General Assembly may also hold special meetings:
- after having so decided at a regular meeting; or
- following a notice sent by the Board of Directors at least two months in advance; or
- at the request of a majority of the voting members.
At each of its meetings, the General Assembly shall recommend a location for the next meeting to the Board of Directors.
5.5 Quorum is set at 25 % of the regular members.
5.6 The General Assembly makes its decisions by a simple majority of the votes cast by the voting members in good standing who are either present or represented by proxy. Each voting member is entitled to one vote.
5.7 The signatures of 80% of the voting members at the foot of a motion sent by mail confer upon such motion the same value as a motion passed at a meeting of the General Assembly.
5.8 Members may designate a proxy by a letter to that effect. Where the proxy designation is not unlimited, it shall specify the limits it imposes in terms of the agenda items it covers and/or the required vote, whether affirmative or negative.
5.9 A member may not serve as a proxy for more than 10 votes.
For the purposes of quorum, a proxy has the same value as the physical presence of the voting member.
Board of Directors
6.1 The Board of Directors is the body responsible for implementing the policies established and the decisions made by the General Assembly.
The Board of Directors is composed of the following: President, Deputy-President, Treasurer and at most nine vice-presidents. The vice-presidents shall include a vice-president selected by the Women’s International Network and at least one vice-president appointed by each duly constituted regional section of AMARC. The remaining vice-presidents are elected by the General Assembly.
6.2 The president, deputy-president and treasurer are elected by the regular members of the General Assembly to a term that runs through the next regular meeting of the General Assembly.
6.2.1 Where the president is unable to complete the term the deputy-president shall serve as interim president until the next regular meeting of the General Assembly.
6.2.2 Executive Committee members shall not hold any executive Committee position for more than two consecutive term.
6.2.3 The outgoing president remains an ex-officio member for the Board of Directors, without voting rights for one year.
6.3 The vice-president representing the Women’s International Network is elected by a vote of the women who represent the regular members of AMARC. Her election is subject to ratification by the General Assembly.
The vice-president representing an organized regional section shall be elected in accordance with the rules governing that regional section. The election is subject to ratification by the General Assembly.
The remaining vice-presidents are elected by the General Assembly, with due consideration to the regional apportionment of members and the association’s priorities.
The term of the vice-presidents runs until the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, except where:
- they resign by written notice to the General Secretary;
- they are absent from two consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors without justification;
- they are incapable of carrying out their duties.
In the event of a vacancy among any of the vice-presidencies, the Board of Directors has the power to coopt an alternate to hold the position until the next meeting of the General Assembly.
A vice-president may be reelected only once.
6.4 The responsibilities of the Board of Directors are as follows:
6.4.1 determine the actions to be taken and the procedures to be followed in order to implement the policies defined and the decisions made by the General Assembly;
6.4.2 adopt internal by-laws;
6.4.3 establish the head office of the Association;
6.4.4 hire the General Secretary;
6.4.5 direct and supervise the activities of the General Secretariat;
6.4.6 review membership applications, taking account of the recommendations made by the regional sections;
6.4.7 coordinate the work of the Action Committees;
6.4.8 prepare the agendas of General Assembly meetings and circulate them among the members of AMARC;
6.4.9 adopt the budget of AMARC, prepare the financial reports and submit the audited financial statements to the General Assembly for adoption;
6.4.10 prepare and distribute one report per term on the activities of AMARC;
6.4.11 take all other actions necessary to the smooth running of the Association.
6.5 The Board of Directors meets once annually (regular session).
It may hold special meetings:
- after so deciding at a regular meeting, or
- at the request of two-thirds of its members.
In all cases, the Board of Directors chooses the location where its meetings will be held.
The quorum for the Board of Directors is one-half plus one of its members.
6.6 The Board of Directors makes its decisions by consensus or, where that is impossible, by a two-thirds majority of the members present.
6.7 Executive Committee
6.7.1 The Executive Committee is composed of the President, Deputy-President and the Treasurer. The General Secretary is a member of the Executive Committee with a voice but no vote.
6.7.2 The Executive Committee is responsible for the supervision of the General Secretariat between meetings of the Board of Directors. It shall keep the members of the Board of Directors informed of its activities, and shall produce one report for each meeting of the Board of Directors.
6.7.3 The responsibilities of the Executive Committee are as follows:
6.7.3.1 approve the financial reports and review the budgets;
6.7.3.2 approve the hiring and personnel evaluation policies;
6.7.3.3 determine the general policies of AMARC within the framework of the by-laws and decisions approved by the Board of Directors and the General Assembly.
6.8 Women’s International Network
6.8.1 The Women’s International Network is composed of women representing the regular and associate members of AMARC. Only women representing the regular members of AMARC have voting rights.
6.8.2 The Women’s International Network shall meet at the General Assembly at least once every four years to determine its policies and action plans and to elect its officers.
6.8.3 The rules and regulations governing the activities of the Women’s International Network shall be approved by the Board of Directors of AMARC.
6.8.4 The General Secretariat is responsible for the implementation of the activities of the International Women’s Network.
6.9 Regional Sections
6.9.1 A regional section is a body responsible for the activities and members of AMARC in a defined geographical region. The establishment of a regional section is subject to approval by the Board of Directors and ratification by the General Assembly.
6.9.2 The approval of a regional section by the Board of Directors shall include approval of the boundaries of its geographical territory as well as approval of the laws governing its legal existence, activities and responsibilities. Any proposed change to the geographical territory or rules and regulations of a regional section is subject to approval by the Board of Directors of AMARC.
6.9.3 The Board of Directors of AMARC may request the regional sections to adhere to the general rules of the Association governing fundraising, salary policies, use of the AMARC logo and name, delivery of services to members, and any other subject that may form the object of an agreement.
6.9.4 In the event of a dispute within or between regional sections, the Board of Directors of AMARC has the power of mediation and, where necessary, may dictate reasonable solutions, with regard to the points of view expressed.
6.9.5 In the event of the dissolution of a regional section, the property and assets remain the property of AMARC.
Action Committees
7.1 The General Assembly and Board of Directors may create Action Committees to carry out specific tasks in fulfillment of the goals of AMARC and the needs of its members.
7.2 The Action Committees are composed of AMARC members and report to the Executive Committee.
The General Assembly and the Board of Directors may create as many Action Committees as they deem necessary.
7.3 The Board of Directors determines the share of AMARC in the funding of each action committee.
General Secretariat
8.1 The General Secretariat is the administrative body of AMARC. A General Secretary hires, directs and supervises the staff of the Secretariat, including the legal advisor(s).
8.2 The General Secretary is hired by the Board of Directors.
He or she is in charge of administering the affairs and activities of AMARC as defined by the Board of Directors and in keeping with the guidelines determined by the General Assembly.
The General Secretary is a member of the Board of Directors with a voice but no vote.
8.3 Neither the General Secretariat nor the staff of the Secretariat may solicit or receive instructions from any government or national or international body.
Chapter V – Funding and Auditing
9.1 The financial resources of AMARC are composed of the following:
9.1.1 Membership dues
9.1.2 Income generated by the association
9.1.3 Grants from local, national and international organizations
9.1.4 Contributions from the private sector (natural or legal persons)
9.1.5 Any other source of revenue
9.2 An auditor is appointed by the Board of Directors with a mandate to review the management of the Association’s financial resources.
Chapter VI – Amendment
10.1 These Articles of Association may be amended by the adoption or repeal of articles, and by modification of the wording of existing articles.
10.2 Motions for amendment shall be delivered to the President of the Association in writing within a reasonable period of time before the meeting where they will be submitted to the General Assembly, and shall be attached to the notice of the meeting.
10.3 Motions for amendment are adopted by a two-thirds majority of the votes of members in good standing who are present or represented by proxy.
Chapter VII – Dissolution of AMARC
11.1 A motion to dissolve AMARC may be submitted to the General Assembly by the Board of Directors or by two-thirds of the voting members of the Association.
11.2 Such a motion shall be delivered to the President in writing within a reasonable period of time before the meeting where it will be submitted to the General Assembly, and shall be attached to the notice of the meeting.
11.3 Such a motion is adopted by a two-thirds majority of the votes of members in good standing who are present or represented by proxy.
11.4 The decision to dissolve AMARC may also be validly made by correspondence, by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by all voting members.
11.5 In the event of dissolution, the Board of Directors shall appoint one or more persons in charge of liquidating the assets of AMARC.
11.6 After liquidation of the assets and payment of all of the Association’s debts, any remaining assets of AMARC shall be remitted to one or more cooperation organizations working in the field of community communication.
Chapter VIII – Final and Transitory Provisions
12.1 The languages of AMARC are French, English and Spanish.
12.2 The Board of Directors shall adopt its internal by-laws before the next meeting of the General Assembly.
12.3 Until such time as the internal by-laws of the Board of Directors are adopted, the Board is empowered to take all measures necessary for the smooth operation of AMARC, as it sees fit.
The Board of Directors shall inform the General Assembly of all actions thus taken at the next regular or special meeting of the General Assembly.
12.4 These Articles of Association take effect the day of their adoption by the General Assembly of AMARC.
Approved by the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, 27 February 2003 in the city of Katmandu, Nepal.
Amended at AMARC 5 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, 28 August 1992, at AMARC 6 in Dakar, Senegal, 25 January 1995 and at AMARC 7 in Milan, Italy, 29 August 1998, at AMARC 8 in Katmandu, Nepal, 27 February 2003