Affiliated member of the WPA – World Psychiatric Association

Statutes

Article I.   Name and Domicile

This corporation shall be known as the World Association for Dynamic Psychiatry, hereafter referred to as the Association. The Association is incorporated in accordance with Article 60ff of the Swiss Civil Code, and as such shall be domiciled in Switzerland and represented there by a Swiss resident.

 

Article II.   Purposes and Objectives

Purposes and objectives of the Association shall be as follows:

a) The dissemination of the theory and practice of the Berlin School of Dynamic Psychiatry of Günter Ammon.
b) Creation and development of regional branches of the Association by the governors in their respective countries.
c) Coordination and direct collaboration of all Dynamic Psychiatric Schools in different countries.
d) To foster and create educational opportunities for Dynamic Psychiatry in universities and other institutions.
e) To foster and create Dynamic Psychiatric institutions, agencies and hospitals.
f) Continuing education in Dynamic Psychiatry for better patient care, disease prevention and health promotion in mental health.
g) Establish schools for training in Dynamic Psychiatry.
h) Support of every branch of Dynamic Psychiatry in every country.
i) Joint research in prevention of mental diseases, therapeutic efficiency, therapeutic methods and standards of education, a.o.

 

Article III.

The Symbol of the Association will be the ‘Labyrinth’ of the German Academy for Psychoanalysis.

 

Article IV.

  1. Membership
    There shall be the following categories of membership.

a) Founding Fellows:
The names of the founding fellows are listed in the appendix.
b) Honorary Fellows:
These are persons who in the judgement of the Board of Governors have done outstanding scientific/humanitarian work in fields related to Dynamic Psychiatry and who, after recommendation by the Board of Governors, are elected by majority vote at the General Meeting of the Association.
c) Fellows:
Fellows of the Association are those who, in the judgment of the Board of Governors, are qualified by academic degrees or equivalent professional status and have a minimum of 5 years of experience in one of the allied fields of Dynamic Psychiatry and are designated as fellows by the Board of Governors.
d) Members
Members are trained persons who are interested and involved in Dynamic Psychiatry and who correspond to the purposes and objectives of the Association.
e) Contributing Members

  1. Application Process
    Applicants for fellowship and membership shall apply to the Secretary-General, with recommendation by the regional branch of the Association or by the proposal of two members of the Association. Acceptance to membership shall be accepted by the Board of Governors.

 

Article V.   Officers

  1. The officers of the Association are a President, two Vice-presidents, a Secretary-General, a Treasurer and fund raiser, a Press officer and a Lawyer. These officers constitute the Executive Council.
  2. The President shall appoint the personnel of all committees, commissions and boards unless otherwise provided and shall preside at the business meetings of the Executive Council, Board of Governors and General Assembly. He shall serve for four years and be eligible for re-election.
  3. The Secretary-General shall serve for four years and be eligible for re-election. The Secretary-General shall keep the records of the Association, performing all duties prescribed by the Constitution and those delegated by the Board of Governors.
  4. The Treasurer shall serve for four years and be eligible for re-election. Under the direction of the Executive Council, the Treasurer shall receive, invest, disburse, and account for all money of the Association. He shall submit a financial statement each year to the Board of Governors and to the General Assembly at designated meetings. The treasurer and any assistant authorized to receive and deposit money of the Association shall be bonded in an amount determined by the Board of Governors or the Executive Council and the account shall be subject to audit every two years by an outside agency designated by the Board of Governors or the Executive Council.
  5. The Board of Governors shall present a slate of officers to the General Assembly. The officers will be elected by majority vote.
  6. If any position becomes vacant, the Board of Governors will elect a member of the Association to fill that office for the unexpired portion of the term.
  7. Any officer can be removed from office by a two-third vote of the membership, following proper investigation and recommendations by the Board of Governors and an opportunity to state his case.

 

Article VI.

The Association is a nonprofit Organization.
The Board of Governors, officers and members serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.

 

Article VII.   Privileges

  1. All members shall be liable for the payment of dues and assessments.
  2. Fellows and members with paid-up dues shall be entitled: a) to nominate candidates and to propose amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws b) to vote in all affairs of the Association

 

Article VIII.   The Board of Governors

  1. The Board of Governors shall be composed of one representative from each regional branch. This representative shall be elected by the regional branch and approved by the General Assembly.
  2. During intervals between general meetings, the Board of Governors shall have the power of the General Assembly. All actions of the Board of Governors will be submitted to the next general meeting for ratification or modification.
  3. The Board of Governors exercises all powers of the Association not otherwise assigned, save where the membership is assembled in general meeting. The power of the Board of Governors includes:

a) Interpreting provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.
b) Fixing the date and place of each meeting of the Association.
c) Determining the dues and assessments for the various classes of membership.
d) Adopting a budget which shall be reported to the membership for approval or amendment at the next business meeting of the Association.e
e) Controlling the funds of the Association and designating its depositories.
f) Making expenditures in implementation of the goals and purposes of the Association.
g) Administering special funds, grants and awards.
h) Appointing and approving all committees of the Association.
i) Processing applications for transfers within membership grades.
j) Approving all candidates for membership, after consideration by the regional branches or members.
k) Hearing and disposing of appeals from applicants rejected for membership.
l) Directing the President to caution, admonish or expel a member, subject to, and in accordance with, the appropriate provisions of the Bylaws.
m) Considering proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.
n) Providing for publications desirable for carrying out the aims of the Association.
o) Appointing such staff personnel as it finds necessary to carry out the purposes of the Association, including professional auditors and the setting of salaries.
p) Doing all other things necessary to carry out the purposes of the Association not inconsistent with this Constitution and its Bylaws.

4. The Board of Governors may take action by mail ballot in exceptional cases.
5. During intervals between the meetings of the Board of Governors, the Executive Council shall have the above mentioned responsibilities and powers of the Board of Governors.

 

Article IX.

Affiliated Groups, Societies or Associations or Organizations.

  1. Scientific and social organizations with aims and goals compatible with those of the Association may affiliate and pay dues arranged by the Board of Governors.
  2. Each affiliated group, society or association or organization will assign a representative to serve as an advisor for an indefinite period of time to the General Assembly.

 

Article X.   Amendments

  1. Proposals to amend this Constitution may originate either

a) by a petition signed by twenty or more Fellows or members, or
b) by resolution of the Board of Governors

2. Such proposals shall be received by the Secretary-General at least thirty days before the next designated meeting, submitted to the Board of Governors and placed on the agenda for reading at the meeting.

3. The proposed amendment will be submitted to the membership. If more than 2/3 of the members being present at the General Assembly are favourable to the proposed amendment then the proposal shall be considered adopted and the Constitution amended accordingly.

 

Article XI.

The Association will be represented by two members of the Executive Council.

 

Article XII.   Bylaws

The Executive Council is authorized to prescribe bylaws in accordance with the Constitution.
The bylaws will be presented to the Board of Governors at the next meeting for approval.