STATUTES OF ASSOCIATION OF BODYNAMIC PSYCHOLOGY (ABP) – 2020

§ 1. NAME:

Association of Bodynamic Psychology (ABP)
The association resides at Bodynamic International, Aadalsparkvej 3, 3 tv, 2970
Hoersholm, Cvr. Nr. 40879943. The association are politically independent.

§ 2. PURPOSE/ GOAL:

2.1 The ABP was founded on 3rd September 2019 in Hoersholm, Denmark. It is a non-profit organization that aims to enhance human rights, dignity, mutuality and conflict resolution skills through Body psychology and bring into common knowledge in the world and organize individual Bodynamic psychotherapists of different orientations in the world.
2.2 The ABP will promote to young adults the quality to incorporate the body to create a more balanced state of mind. (Body, Mind and Spirit).
2.3 The ABP will seek to promote for the benefit of the public the relief of involuntary emotional suffering, the prevention of mental illness and disorder and the improvement of quality of life and well-being.
2.4 The ABP is a professional body that aims to promote high standards of ethics, training and education for the benefit of the general public.
2.5 The ABP also publishes ‘A Statement of Ethical Principles’ and requires that all Bodynamic Teachers, therapist’s, and students conform to this.
2.6 The ABP promotes collaboration and exchange of ideas among the different psychotherapy organizations, encourages contact with related services, and supports practical and relevant research.

§ 3 Means to realize the purpose of the ABP

The purpose of the association should be realized through idealistic and material means. Idealistic means could include lectures, meetings, research, publication of a Journal (the International Journal of Psychotherapy) and a library. The material means could include
admission fees, annual membership fees and contributions, conference fees and other
proceeds.

§ 4 Membership

4.1 Bodynamic coordinators and teachers:
All Bodynamic coordinators and teachers around the world that have signed legal licensed contract and therefore authorized to coordinate trainings or teach and obligated to be individual members of ABP.

4.2 Individual Members
4.2.1 Must have 6 years of working experience in the care system or an academic degree or equivalent and in training/ trained as Practitioner in the Bodynamic System.
4.2.2 Are organized within the ABP in a Chamber of Individual Members with a delegate who has a vote in the Governing Board.
4.2.3 All students at Practitioner level are obligated to be member of the association at the start of the training.
4.2.4 Honorary Positions: The Governing Board can recommend people for honorary positions. These need to be ratified at a General Meeting.
4.2.5 Honorary members shall be persons who have been significantly involved with the ABP or Bodynamic International ApS, recommended by the Governing Board.
4.2.6 People in honorary positions do not pay membership fees.
4.3 Supportive members: Shall be persons who of personal effort and/or financial support promote the interest of ABP. The Governing Board will appoint supportive members.
4.4 Only individuals that are actual members of ABP can claim a membership relationship with ABP. Only properly appointed ABP members are allowed to use the name and logo of the ABP on their professional stationary, business cards, etc., with the approval of the General Secretary

Termination of Membership

4.5 Any member can withdraw from the ABP at any time without mentioning any reason. The membership fee has to be paid fully for the running business year of the withdrawal. The resigning member has a legal claim to all statutory services of the ABP until the end of the running business year. Individual membership will be cancelled by one’s own free will, by suspension, or by death.
4.6 Reasons for suspension of membership are: no longer meeting the requirements for ABP membership; failure to pay the membership fees; organizations allowing membership of psychotherapists who act in violation of their own Ethical Guidelines or Professional Code: Reasons for exclusion of membership are: where members that have been declared to have acted against the interest of the Association or contrary to the Ethical Principles, as determined by the Governing Board.
4.7 If the member is in arrears with paying its membership fee for 9 months after reception of the bill and two reminders, their membership can be withdrawn automatically. The General Secretary will inform the member by letter.
4.8 In case of not meeting any more the requirements for ABP membership, or in case of acting against the interests of the Association or contrary to the Ethical Principles, or any other complaint about a member, the complaint shall be made in writing to the Chairman. The Chairman shall send the issues to the appropriate committee, that then reports to the Governing Board. If the Governing Board comes to the decision that the complaint is legitimate, it will require the member in question either to fulfil the requirements of the Governing Board or to withdraw from the ABP. The membership can be suspended or excluded by a 2/3 decision of the Governing Board. A suspended or excluded member has the right of appeal to the next General Meeting.
4.9 Excluded members are not allowed to claim ABP membership. Excluded members may be allowed to apply for membership again after removal of the matter of exclusion and according to conditions decided by the Governing Board

§ 5 The General Meeting

5.1 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place at least every 12 months. It will indicate the basic direction of the ABP and is its maximum legislative and governing body. The AGM will settle all periodical business, in particular:

• Appointment of tellers and moderator.
• The annual reports from the Chairman, the General Secretary, the Registrar, and any other elected or appointed Officer of the ABP
• The annual reports from committees
• Adoption of the annual accounts and the budget for the following year
• The level of membership fees on proposal of the Governing Board and any other fees
• Election of the Chairman, Secretary and the Treasurer
• Election of the auditors
• Decision of all proposals presented by the Governing Board, a member organization or its Delegates
• Date and place of the next Annual General Meeting
• All other decisions mentioned in these statutes

5.2 The Chairman, or his or her substitute, will chair the AGM.
5.3 Proposals for the agenda must be sent to the Chairman not less than eight weeks in advance (date of postmark or e-mail). The invitation and the agenda, together with the accounts and other required documents, must be sent out under responsibility of the administrative office/General Secretary not later than three weeks before the AGM (date of postmark or e-mail).
5.4 Only items included in the circulated agenda may be voted upon at the meeting. Additional items may be discussed at the discretion of the Chairman, but not voted upon this time.
5.5 In special matters a postal vote may be authorized by the AGM allowing the entire membership two months minimum after reception of the related documents with the relevant part of the minutes of the AGM as approved by the Executive Committee. A postal vote can only be allowed on matters where simple majority is required.
5.6 The Executive Committee or the Governing Board may call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at any time, by decision of 2/3 majorities of its members present. The Governing Board shall also call an Extraordinary General Meeting if it receives a request to do so from 15% of the organizational members of the ABP. The Chairman will call the Extraordinary General Meeting within 12 weeks. The agenda and supporting documentation shall be sent to all members at least two weeks before the EGM (date of postmark or e-mail).
5.7 A General Meeting (AGM or EGM) will be recognized whenever it has been convened in accordance with the Statutes.

5.8 Details of the General Meeting (GM)

5.8.1 Quorum: A quorum of the GM will be recognized whenever it has been convened in accordance with the statutes when at least half of the ordinary members are present. If this number is not present within 30 minutes after the time designated for the opening of the session, the GM starts with the ordinary members present with the same agenda out of regard for the members present.
5.8.2 Voting: Votes shall be on a majority basis unless otherwise stated in the Statutes. The chair should ask what points on the agenda should be voted on by ballot. If the number of the abstentions together with the no votes is more than the votes in favor, the motion is postponed. In case of a tie, the Chairman shall declare the motion lost.
5.8.3 Election: Elections will be decided be on the basis of absolute majority (more than 50%) on the first ballot, and, if this is not achieved, of a relative majority (the highest number of votes) on any further ballot.
5.8.4 Should the Meeting so decide, a secret ballot will be organized for elections or votes.
5.8.5 The removal of an ABP Board Member will be put on the agenda as a separate item. The assembly will decide by a single majority vote.
5.9 Only a General Meeting can vote out of function or out of appointment elected or appointed Officers that have been elected or appointed by the General Meeting.
5.10 The minutes of the General Meeting are the responsibility of the General Secretary and will be circulated no later than one month after the General Meeting.
5.11 The General Meeting is empowered to decide the winding up of the ABP. This will require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. Following such decision any money, goods or property owned by the ABP shall, after satisfaction of all proper debts and liabilities, be transferred to the Bodynamic International ApS.

§ 6 Voting Rights and Procedures

6.1 Access to participate in and take the floor at the general meeting and to make proposals has any Individual paying member. The auditor, as well as persons invited by the board, also have the opportunity to participate in and take the floor at the general meeting.
6.2 Each individual member has voting right. A member can give the vote by proxy to another member. However, an individual member may only cast a vote in accordance with proxy.

§ 7 The Governing Board

7.1 The Governing Board shall be made up of the following persons:

7.1.1 Ex Officio Members: the Chairman, the Treasurer, the Secretary.
7..1.1 Each Officer (and/or their deputy, see 5.2.2.1) must be an Individual Member of the ABP in good standing
7..1.2 Students in the system cannot be elected as officer.
7..1.3 The Officers are appointed for an initial two-year period and may be re-appointed every 2 years, or until their successors are appointed.

7.1.2 One delegate of each Committee created by the General Meeting.
7.1.3 One delegate of the Individual Members.
7.1.4 The Governing Board will be chaired by the Chairman, or his or her substitute.
7.1.5 The Chairman, as chair of the Governing Board, is responsible for the board meetings, the business, the continuity, and the coordination of the Governing Board.
7.1.6 A quorum of the Governing Board shall be one third of its appointed membership who are represented in person. If there is not a quorum, any decisions must be referred to the next Board meeting.

7.2 Duties of the Governing Board

7.2.1 The Governing Board shall carry out the decisions and policies of the ABP. During the financial year and between Annual General Meetings (AGM), the Governing Board shall have the power to manage the activities of the ABP, not specifically attributed to another organ by these statutes.
7.2.2 The Governing Board shall appoint Officers appropriately (other than Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary – elected by the General Meeting). These shall include, at least an External Relations Officer and a Registrar.
7.2.2.1 The Governing Board can appoint a Deputy or an Assistant to any Officer, other than the Chairman.
7.2.2.2 Any officer wishing to resign shall give the Governing Board advance notice. The Governing Board can invite nominations for the vacant position.
7.2.2.3 Any Officer appointed by the Governing Board can be voted out of such appointment by the Governing Board.
7.2.3 All decisions of the Governing Board shall be determined on the basis of one vote per member of the Governing Board and by simple majority of the votes cast. An abstention from voting is not a vote and does not count. Votes cannot be accumulated through multiple representations on the Board. Any member of the Governing Board may delegate their vote to another present member. A member can only carry one ‘proxy’ or delegated vote.
7.2.4 Any change in the voting procedure must be made by the General Meeting with two thirds of the votes cast and after previous discussion in a Board Meeting, held at least two months in advance.
7.2.5 The Governing Board may appoint the following Committees:

• – Membership Committee;
• – Conference committee
• – Finance Committee;
• – Ethical Committee;
• – Professional Development and Science Committee
• – Public Relations committee.

7.2.5.1 The Chairs of Committees will be drawn from the membership of that Committee, and nominated by the Committee to the Governing Board, which will vote on such nominations.
7.2.5.2 The Ethics Committee consists of a chairman and min. 2 members, all of whom are elected at the general meeting. The Ethics committee elect their own chairman at their first meeting. The members are elected for two years with three members in even years and four in odd years.

7.2.5.2.1 Proposals for election to the ethics committee are submitted to
the Board of Directors no later than one month before the
general meeting. The Board of Directors may itself propose
elections to the committee. The Board of Directors ensures that
the submitted proposals meet the conditions set out in the
articles of association and endorses the proposed proposal as
“approved” or “not approved”. Only approved candidates will be
voted on at the general meeting.

7.2.5.2.2 The Ethics committee follow the ETHICAL PRINCIPLES,
STANDARDS, AND PROCEDURES paper.

7.2.5.3 Chairs of the Committees are appointed for an initial 2-year period and may be re-appointed every 2 years as long as the individual is still eligible to stand for that committee. Chairs of Committees, whose term as delegate expires before their term of office as Committee Chair, may remain as Chair until their current term of office ends.
7.2.5.4 The Governing Board may make exceptions to the above.
7.2.6 The Governing Board may create other committees, working parties or other groupings as are needed. All committees receive their tasks in writing from the Governing Board and report to the Governing Board.
7.2.7 The Governing Board will adopt and issue standing orders and/or rules of procedure which shall be subject to review at the AGM and which shall be consistent with the provision of the Statutes of the ABP.
7.2.8 The Governing Board shall present a statement of the annual accounts to the AGM, signed by the Treasurer. At least 3 weeks before the AGM, the budget of the next financial year and any proposals for changes to the annual membership fee(s) must be circulated (by e-mail or ordinary mail) to members of the Governing Board, subject to its approval, for voting at the AGM.
7.2.9 The administration office supports and carries out the tasks on behalf of the Presidency and of the Governing Board (the latter through the General Secretary) and fulfils all administrative affairs. The General Secretary guides the office in accordance with the directives from the Governing Board and the Chairman

§ 8 Register

8.1 The Governing Board establishes a World Wide Register of ABP Certified therapist and supervisors.
8.2 As a task of the Governing Board, the Registration Committee, headed by the Registrar, carries out the responsibilities of registration.

§ 9 The Auditors

9.1 The auditors will examine all the financial affairs of the ABP, including the annual financial statements, and will present their written report in person to the General Meeting.

The auditors will have no other official function within the ABP

§ 10 Financial Means

10.1 The ABP may have the following as income sources in accordance with its non-profit status:

a) Annual membership fees
b) Certification fees
c) Conference, lectures and meeting fees
d) Contributions
e) Sales from publications
f) Donations
g) Interests
h) Any other lawful income as approved by the Governing Board of ABP.
10.2 The financial year 2019 will run from 1st October to 31st December 2019 and the following financial years from 1st January to 31st December.
10.3 In financial matters the Treasurer or the General Secretary together with the Chairman or his/her substitute are authorized to sign. On order of the Chairman the Treasurer can sign up to the amount authorized by the Governing Board.
The Financial Committee, headed by the Treasurer, will supervise the finances, the
payments and the bookkeeping.

§ 11. Liability

Only the Association’s assets will guarantee debts and liabilities incurred by ABP

§ 12. Amending these Statutes

12.1 Amending these Statutes can be done from a proposition from any member, properly seconded, to the General Meeting, preferably after consultation with the Statutes Committee.
12.2 The proposition for changes of the Statutes must be announced and put on the agenda for discussion in a meeting of the Governing Board, at least three months before the General Meeting.
12.3 Only a General Meeting can make changes to the Statutes of ABP. These will require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

Statues approved at 2.nd General Meeting d. 2/9 2020