Mission Statement

WEVA is a charitable/"not for profit" association of members of national equine veterinary associations. WEVA's primary goal is to promote equine continuing education together with the advancement of knowledge and development of professional relationships and friendships, with a special emphasis on countries where interest in equine medicine and surgery is evolving. It will do so by holding a bi-annual international congress, in association with a national equine veterinary association. The bi-annual international congress venue will be decided following announcement and review of a bid process. WEVA will use funds derived from the bi-annual international congress to assist with the holding of shorter, intermediate meetings in other countries, in response to invitations from national equine veterinary associations. WEVA also is also prepared, where requested by a national equine veterinary association, to consider adding an international voice to that of a national equine veterinary association, on issues of national or international concern. This mission statement can only be changed with the approval of at least 75% of the voting members of the Executive Committee.

Chapter 1 - Name and Principles

The Association shall be called the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA). It is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect between all members, without prejudice against race, gender, colour, religion or political opinion. In respect of these statutes, the term 'Association' shall in every instance refer to the World Equine Veterinary Association. It is registered as a charitable / "not for profit" association. No member shall profit from its activities. It funds are held in accounts in Switzerland and in the USA.

Chapter 2 - Membership & Reports

2.1 Membership
WEVA shall be formed from members of national equine veterinary associations. Any national equine veterinary association that is demonstrably recognized in its own country shall be eligible, on application, to become a member of WEVA. Individuals may apply for membership provided there is no national equine veterinary association in their country of residence. Honorary Life Membership may be conferred on members for outstanding services to the Association. Individuals or groups other than those described above (which may include non-veterinarians provided that they hold recognized scientific qualifications and are directly engaged in equine research, advisory work or teaching) may also apply to become members. Their number may not exceed 10% of the total membership. An increase in this percentage may only be permitted if approval is given by the Executive Committee.

2.2 Financial contributions from members
In addition to the funds raised from its bi-annual congress, WEVA reserves the right to apply for financial contributions from well established national equine veterinary associations, to enable it to achieve its charitable objectives. WEVA also reserves the right to waive financial contributions from evolving / less well established national equine veterinary associations and individual members.

2.3 Annual reports
WEVA will provide all member associations with an annual report of its activities. All financial contributions to WEVA shall be documented in WEVA's annual accounts, which will be circulated to all member associations, with the annual report. Copies of annual reports will be available to individual members on request.

Chapter 3 - Executive Committee - Terms of office & Structure

3.1 Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of the following five officers and a minimum of seven additional members;

Officers
President
Senior Vice - President (i.e. immediate Past President)
Junior Vice - President (i.e. President Elect)
Secretary (ex officio)
Treasurer (ex officio)

Members of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of at least seven additional (non-officer) members. Ideally, all regions of the world (Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and the single region of Central and South America) will be represented. Each member national association has the right to nominate a representative to the Executive Committee. Composition of the Executive Committee will ultimately be determined by the existing members of the Committee. The Executive Committee will also have the right to invite individuals who have assisted with its charitable aims to join the Executive. This right of the Executive Committee will only be exercised in the short term, until sufficient member association activity/critical mass is attained to sustain WEVA's charitable aims.

3.2 Conduct of Executive Committee business
The Executive Committee must of necessity, conduct much of its business through telecommunication and IT.
It must arrange at least one annual meeting, and a bi-annual meeting at the WEVA international congress. Annual meetings shall be held at a site that will not involve drawing on the WEVA accounts for travel expenses. The only regular drawings on WEVA funds for travel shall be in respect of contributions to the bi-annual WEVA international congress or at WEVA intermediate scientific meetings.

3.3 Terms of office
The term of office for members of the Executive Committee shall be four years. No member may serve on the Executive Committee for more than two successive terms unless they are elected to become Officers of the Association. The term of office for Office of President, Senior Vice-President, Junior Vice-President, will be two years. These offices can each only be held once. The term of office for the other Officers (Secretary, Treasurer) will be two years, with possible re-election for a maximum of one further two year term.

3.4 Sub-committees
Conduct of the business of WEVA shall be facilitated by the establishment of sub-committees. Membership of sub-committees shall be by appointment of the president and/or on a voluntary basis from members of the Executive Committee. It is suggested that there be the following 4 sub-committees: finance and treasury; scientific and congress; social and intermediate meetings; and membership. Additional sub-committees may be formed on an ad hoc basis by the Executive Committee. Sub-committees can make recommendation to the Executive Committee, but do not have the authority to enact its recommendations without Executive Committee approval. Sub-committees can be sunset by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Chapter 4 - General assembly and Observer status

4.1. General assembly
In that the president's opening address at each Congress shall constitute the General Assembly / General Membership of the association, a General Assembly shall be convened by the Executive Committee at each bi-annual WEVA international congress. The membership will be asked to approve appointment of the Executive Committee and Officers, with effect from the year 2008.

4.2 Observer status
Observer status may be granted to international organizations. This status shall be approved by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Executive Committee. Representatives of organizations with observer status shall not have the right to vote.

Chapter 5 - Past Presidents Advisory Committee

5.1 Past Presidents Advisory Committee
In accord with precedents in other similar equine veterinary associations, WEVA officers shall convene a meeting of Past Presidents at each bi-annual WEVA international congress, to draw on their advice and experience and to assist with continuity. This is a purely advisory committee and shall have no voting rights.

Chapter 6 - Voting

6.1 Voting rights in the Executive Committee

6.1.1 Each active Committee member in attendance at the Executive Committee meeting has one vote.

6.1.2. The President does not vote except to break a tie

6.1.3 Decisions regarding:
a. Termination of membership (except voluntary resignation),
b. Amendments of the Statutes,
c. Dissolution of the Association,

require two thirds of the votes cast.

6.2 Quorum

No decision of the Executive Committee shall be made unless there are at least six members present.

Chapter 7 - Nomination and Election of Officers and Executive Committee

7.1 The Officers, i.e. the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary and the Treasurer shall be nominated by, and elected from, the members of the Executive Committee.

Their term of office shall commence at the conclusion of the bi-annual business meeting, unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee.

7.2 The Officers shall be elected for a period of two years with the possibility of one re election for a second term of two years.

7.3 If the President is unable to act or is removed from office, the Executive Committee shall elect a new President.

Until a new President is elected, the Junior Vice President shall act as interim President.

7.4 Each member association shall be entitled to nominate one representative for election to the Executive Committee. Whether this nominee is ultimately elected to the Executive Committee will be determined by a vote of the Committee, and may be subject to considerations related to the geographic representations of Executive Committee members. In the event that there are fewer than 7 association members with representation on the Executive Committee, additional members may be elected by the Executive Committee to ensure that committee membership, exclusive of Association officers, numbers seven. For the election of a candidate, a majority is required. Members elected in this manner shall serve for a period of four years with the possibility of one re election for a second term of four years. In exceptional cases this period may be extended provided it receives the unanimous support of the members of the Executive Committee.

Chapter 8 - Secretary

The secretary shall serve as the Administrative officer of the Association. The duties of the secretary shall be:

8.1 To prepare the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee, and provide copies to Executive Committee members and member association.

8.2 To forward documents and suggestions from subcommittees to the members and to keep them informed about the activities of the Association.

8.3 To prepare a bi annual report on the Association's activities during the preceding year in good time before the bi-annual business meeting.

8.4 To act as custodian of the records of the Association, including membership records.

8.5 To conduct the correspondence of the Association and notify members of meetings.

8.6 To be responsible for recording the minutes of all business meetings of the general membership and the Executive Committee.

8.7 To send dues notices to members and prospective members.

8.8 To maintain and update the WEVA website at quarterly intervals

Chapter 9 - Finance

9.1 Association Fund

The Fund of the Association is constituted from contributions of group or equine Association members, income from the Association's capital, from Congresses and donations and from the funds which it currently holds in Switzerland and the USA.

9.2 Annual Contribution

The Executive Committee shall determine annual requests for financial contribution, if any, following receipt of reports from the Treasurer and the Finance and Treasury Sub-Committee.

9.3 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive Committee to administer the Fund of the Association, to consider all financial matters affecting the Association and to Chair and report to the Finance and Treasury sub-Committee, the Executive and the business meeting of the general membership.

The duties of the treasurer shall be:

9.3.1To collect the contributions of members, render an annual account of the income and expenses of the Association and pay the expenses of the Secretariat. All financial transactions shall require the authorisation of the Treasurer and the serving President, Senior Vice-President or Junior Vice-President

9.3.2 To elaborate an annual budget of income and expenditure in accordance with the items approved by the Executive Committee and report on the results of the previous financial year.

9.4 Auditor

Every second year the accounts of the Association will be examined by a qualified Auditor whose report shall be provided to members of the Executive Committee, and presented at the bi-annual business meeting.

9.5 Accounts of the Association

At the bi-annual business meeting, a motion will be put forward to pass the Association's accounts. After adoption, the Executive Committee is discharged from all liability for the year in question.

If the accounts are not approved, they shall be referred to the Treasurer who shall submit a further corrective report to the Executive Committee.

9.6 Use of the Fund

The Fund of the Association meets the expenses approved by the Executive Committee.

Chapter 10 - Meetings

10.1 Every second year the Association shall hold ordinary scientific meetings at which scientific papers shall be communicated, as well as business meetings of the general membership for transacting the ordinary business of the Association.

10.2 Other intermediate scientific meetings shall be held at such other times and places as shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

Chapter 11 - Alterations

11.1 The Statutes can only be altered at a meeting of the Executive Committee after due notice has been given to its members.

11.2 No alterations shall be made unless at least two thirds of those present and voting are in its favour.

Chapter 12 - Dissolution

12.1 A decision to dissolve the Association shall require the consent of at least two thirds of the votes cast by the members present and voting.

12.2 It may only be taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee specially called for this purpose.

12.3 A surplus of funds, if any, will be used for such purpose defined by the Executive Committee and which best suits the objectives of the Association.

Chapter 13 - Adoption

These Statutes were adopted by the World Equine Veterinary Association in Moscow, Russia on January 28, 2008, and take effect immediately.