STATUTE
ITALIAN FEDERATION OF ALLIED FIGHTERS
TITLE I.
NAME - REGISTERED OFFICE - PURPOSE
Art. 1
An International Association, with the name FEDERAZIONE ITALIANA DEI COMBATTENTI ALLEATI (FIDCA), is constituted in Italy, among the Italian and foreign Combat Forces, nourished by a European spirit and brotherhood, for the achievement of Peace in Europe and in the world, which with Decree of the President of the Republic n. 305 of 09-04-1986, legal personality was recognized.
Art. 2
The Italian Federation of Allied Fighters it is based in the Municipality of residence of the National President. The National Executive Committee meets in the same seat or, possibly, in the one established by the National President.
Art. 3
The FIDCA is non-partisan and apolitical and frames the Fighters with or without uniform, who have vivid memories of the struggles for Freedom and Democracy. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, religion and race. It has an eminently moral character. Its main purpose is the internationalization of combat values, intended as an instrument of Peace and collaboration between peoples.
The Italian Federation of Allied Combatants wants to cooperate with the similar associations of European countries, to achieve the aforementioned purposes, in a United Europe. The FIDCA also has the purpose of protecting the moral and material interests of the members. To achieve these purposes, the Federation will carry out any activity aimed in particular at:
· to keep alive the sentiment of the Fatherland, by participating in all the fighting events of national and international interest, and the spiritual and cultural elevation;
· to foster the will to produce moral and material development, and this with a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity;
· cement ties with other European nations, participating in conferences, conventions, and collaborating to create new structures and new programs;
· assist Members in their eventual needs, directing them in the best way;
· implement bonds of solidarity with other Combat and Weapon Associations, especially at the Sectional level.
TITLE II
EQUITY - SOCIAL EXERCISES
Art. 4
The Federation's financial means are insured by:
a) social patrimony, constituted by the Patrimonial Fund of the Federation, from movable and immovable property which, for whatever reason, will become its property.
b) Management fund, consisting mainly of the compulsory annual contributions, which the Sections will collect from the Members, together with the voluntary contributions from individuals and public and private bodies.
Art. 5
The financial year ends on December 31 of each year. At the end of each financial year, the final and estimated budget of the following financial year will be prepared by the National Executive Committee (CEN), which will be submitted to the approval of the National Assembly by 30 June of the following year.
If, due to urgent needs, or due to unforeseen extraordinary expenses, the National Presidency cannot meet these financial expenses, subject to the approval of the CEN, with a majority of 2/3 (two thirds), it can resort to the help of the Sections, which , independently and according to their financial possibilities, they must contribute to the smoothing out of these financial outgoings. This appeal must be of an absolute extraordinary nature.
TITLE III
MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION
Art. 6
The members of the Federation are divided into:
• Honorary Members
• Meritorious Members
• Effective Members
• Additional Members
The Honorary Members are: Military and Civil personalities, who have given or give prestige with their presence, or who have carried out promotional activities of association prominence; the Military and Civilian of Italian and Allied Peace Contingents, who have operated, or who operate in the various nations of the world.
Meritorious Members are: those who have given or give material support or carry out social activities in favor of the Sodality. They will be issued with special Diplomas and a free membership card.
The Effective Members are: all those, former Italian and foreign combatants, who have participated in a war campaign in the Italian and allied Armed Forces, in the civil resistance and in partisan military formations, recognized in Italy and in the nations allied with it.
· Resistors, Patriots, Deported, Civil and Military Internships;
· Military and Civil Resistance Prisoners, who remained passive to any injunction;
· Women in possession of military documentation or equivalent, or injured from war causes;
· those who fought in Spain, in the International Brigades or in the Garibaldi Formations in Europe, as well as those who fought in different Nations and Continents, under the orders of legally elected Governments, or cooperated autonomously with them.
Anyone wishing to be admitted to the Federation with the qualification of Effective Member must document the qualification of ex-combatant.
The Additional Members are: Italian citizens, men and women, and foreigners residing in Italy, all of age, who do not have the requirements for admission to Full Members, but who accept and advocate the principles enshrined in art. 7. They will have rights and duties equal to the other members and will be able to hold any position within the Federation, without any discrimination.
Art. 7
Those persons who have not repudiated the system of violence, dictatorship, deprivation of physical freedom, of thought and speech and scrupulously recognized human rights and those who, despite having the requisites, have suffered convictions, in accordance with the provisions of Italian and foreign laws.
Art. 8
Membership qualification is lost:
a) by death;
b) due to resignation;
c) for unworthiness;
d) for prolonged arrears;
e) by expulsion.
The expulsion can take place after the conclusion of the disciplinary procedure sentenced by the Board of Arbitrators.
The expelled member has the faculty and the right to know the reasons for his expulsion and may appeal to the National Board of Arbitrators, within three months from the notification of the expulsion.
TITLE IV
FEDERATIVE ASSOCIATIVE ORGANIZATION
Art. 9
Bodies of the Italian Federation of Allied Combatants are:
NATIONAL BODIES
a) The National Assembly of Members;
b) the National Presidency;
c) the National Executive Committee
d) the National Board of Auditors;
e) the National Board of Auditors of Arbitrators;
PERIPHERAL ORGANS
a) The Sectional Assembly of Members;
b) the Sectional Presidency;
c) the Sectional Executive Committee;
d) the Sectional Board of Auditors;
e) The Sectional College of Arbitrators;
f) The Group of the Lady Patronesses;
g) The Provincial Committee;
h) The Regional Committee.
TITLE V
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF MEMBERS
Art. 10
The Assemblies are the sovereign bodies of the Federation and in them the will of the Members to establish the general directives of the Federation is manifested.
The National Assembly of Members is convened when the National President, having heard the opinion of the National Executive Committee, deems it appropriate, or at the request of Members representing at least 1/5 (one fifth) of the members or at the request of the CEN itself, with a majority of 2/3 (two thirds) of the members. In addition to the Section Presidents or their Delegates, members can also participate.
The Section Presidents or their Delegates have the right to vote, provided that the Sections are up to date with the contributions due to the National Headquarters, for the year preceding the date of the Assembly and for the same year the votes due are counted: 1 (one ) vote for every 10 (ten) registered and 1 (one) vote for fractions of 5 (five) plus 1 (one) registered.
The National Assembly of Sectional Delegates elects by secret ballot, every three years:
a) the National Executive Committee, made up of 15 members;
b) the National Board of Auditors (Statutory Auditors);
c) the National Board of Arbitrators.
Each Delegate can use only one proxy.
Art. 11
The Extraordinary Assemblies are competent for amendments to the Statute and the Regulations, for mergers with another Association and for the dissolution of the Federation.
The resolutions, to be valid, must be approved by at least 2/3 (two thirds) of those present. These Meetings must be attended by a notary, who must draw up and sign the respective minutes.
The convocations of the Assemblies are sent by the National President to the Presidencies of the Regional Committees, to the Presidencies of the Provincial Committees and to all the Sections, indicating the topics to be discussed, the indication of the place, day and time and the specification of the first and second convocation. The Shareholders' Meetings are valid on first call, when the majority of those entitled to call are present, on second call, whatever the number of attendees.
Art. 12
The Sectional Assembly of Members is made up of all the members of the Section. All those enrolled in good standing with the annual Sectional fee have the right to vote.
The Sectional Assembly of Members is ordinarily convened every year. The Extraordinary Sectional Assemblies, whenever the Section President deems it appropriate, for important or serious events, after hearing the opinion of the Board, or when at least 1/5 (one fifth) of the members so requests. In Section Assemblies, the vote is clear and the resolutions will have immediate effect. In the Section Assemblies, the topics concerning the associative life of the Section are dealt with and the report or minutes will be sent, for information, to the National Presidency.
Every three years the Assembly elects by secret ballot:
a) the new Sectional Board, composed of a minimum of 6 (six) to a maximum of 9 (nine) members;
b) the Sectional Board of Auditors, in number of 3 (three) effective and 2 (two) alternates;
c) the Sectional College of Arbitrators, in the ratio of 3 (three) effective members and 2 (two) alternates;
d) the Delegate who represents the Section in the National Assemblies.
The Presidents of the Sections existing in the Province will be able to elect the Provincial Committee. The Presidents of the Provincial Sections, existing in the Region, will be able to elect the Regional Committee.
TITLE VI
THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Art. 13
The National President directs the Federation and represents it in all respects, before third parties and in court. He is responsible for signing the social deeds that bind the Federation to third parties.
The President oversees the implementation of the resolutions of the Assembly and the National Executive Committee and takes urgent decisions, then reporting them to the National Executive Council.
In cases where the National President does not see the need to convene the CEN, he can consult the members of the same, by means of a referendum with a letter, specifying the topics and actions on which to express his opinion (consent-dissent), as long as motivated.
The members of CEN will reply in writing and will thus be able to authorize specific actions or measures of the President.
In case of temporary absence or impediment, the National President is replaced by the Deputy Vice President, for a period not exceeding 6 (six) months.
Art. 14
The National Executive Committee (CEN) is composed of 15 (fifteen) members, elected by the National Assembly of Delegates and elects the National President from among them. The latter, in turn, appoints, on the basis of the votes obtained by each, and taking into account the individual abilities of each:
a) a Deputy Vice President;
b) three National Vice-Presidents;
c) A National Organizational Secretary;
d) A National Organizing Deputy Secretary;
e) A National Administrative Secretary;
f) A National Administrative Deputy Secretary.
The National President convenes the CEN at least 2 (two) times a year, or whenever he deems it necessary, or when 1/3 (one third) of its members request it.
The CEN meets as established by art. 2 of this Statute.
It is up to the CEN to establish the life of the Federation, establish the rules for the functioning of the peripheral bodies, examine and approve the final and budgetary budgets, establish the social quotas from year to year, the contribution that the Sections must send for each Member to the National Presidency , formulate the Internal Regulations, to clarify the Statute and update it in relation to needs.
Provide for the publication of the FIDCA periodical directly or by appointing one or more members of the CEN or one or more Members deemed competent in this task.
The CEN, where they do not exist and until their appointment, can delegate, in place of the Regional or Provincial Presidents, members of its choice, for the performance of certain tasks. The appointment is temporary and in any case until the possible appointment of said Presidents, if done before the completion of the appointment itself.
For resolutions to be valid, the favorable vote of the simple majority (50% plus one) of the members present at the meetings, or represented by proxy, is required. Each National Councilor cannot be the bearer of more than 1 (one) proxy. The CEN may delegate part of its powers to the National President, only in cases of absolute necessity, taken by a majority of 2/3 (two thirds) of those present (present or by proxy, made in writing and attached to the minutes of the meeting) .
The Delegation is temporary and cannot exceed 6 (six) months.
CEN meetings are valid on first call, when at least half plus one of the members in office or represented by proxy are present. Each CEN member cannot be the bearer of more than 1 (one) proxy. On second call, whatever the number of attendees, present or by proxy. In the voting, in the event of a tie, that of the President will prevail.
The activity of CEN is carried out through the functioning of the following offices:
1) ORGANIZATION,
2) ADMINISTRATION,
3) ASSISTANCE,
4) PRINT.
The Organization Office has the task of:
· to issue directives and advice for the good performance of the FIDCA, both at the National, Regional, Provincial and Sectional level;
· strengthen the Peripheral Bodies and promote the establishment of new Sections;
· promote and implement national, regional or local events, if relevant;
· organize participation in foreign events, if of a significant nature;
· provide for the removal of any obstacle at the National, Regional, Provincial or Sectional level, which should arise, for any reason, in the organization of events or other.
The Administration Office has the task of:
· to keep the accounting books;
· prepare the financial statements and the accounting situation, to be submitted to CEN, for their approval;
· maintain relations with the Regional and Provincial Sections, for the correct setting of the accounting records;
· whatever else is necessary, to collaborate with the National Presidency and the Auditors, in the administrative and accounting offices.
The Assistance Office is responsible for:
· promote and maintain relations with public and private bodies and offices, to assist, both morally and materially, the members in their needs;
· carry out, even materially, the practices of those Members who make a specific request;
· collaborate with the Sections, for the forwarding and assistance, at Entities and Institutions, of the files of the Members;
· anything else necessary to assist and collaborate with the Sections.
The Press Office has the task of:
· prepare and publish articles of interest to the FIDCA at all levels in the local and national press;
· prepare the Association Periodical, with the preparation and control of the material to be published and dispatch it;
· do everything possible to illustrate and promote our Association in the National, Regional and Provincial fields, with participation in patriotic events, days of remembrance, exhibitions and more. The CEN convocations must be communicated at least 10 days before the established date, and be accompanied by the Agenda, to allow attendees to prepare themselves on the topics to be discussed.
Art. 15
NATIONAL BOARD OF AUDITORS
The National Board of Auditors has the task of controlling the economic and financial management, inspecting the company books, accounting documents and cash management, and expressing its opinion on the financial statements, with a written report.
The Statutory Auditors can attend the meetings of the Executive Bodies and be invited when important financial matters are dealt with.
NATIONAL COLLEGE OF PROBIVIRI
The National Board of Arbitrators has the task of judging and expressing opinions, and has ample faculty of judgment on the investigative acts, issuing the measures it deems appropriate, for a prompt definition of the cases submitted to it.
The judgment of the National Board of Arbiters is final.
Cases can be submitted both from above, ie by the various Presidencies, and from below, ie by individual Members.
TITLE VII
HONORARY PRESIDENTS
Art. 16
The National and Sectional Assemblies can elect an Honorary President, among the Members who have well deserved within the Association, and who have served the Association with commitment and a high sense of responsibility.
The Honorary National President for life can only be appointed in one case and for exceptional merits.
Art. 17
The Deputy National Vice-President replaces the National President, whenever the need arises, and works only in ordinary administration. In case of proven long absence, resignation, death or definitive impediment of the President, the CEN convenes for the election of the new President. This is if at the end of the three-year period from the last Congress Assembly, there is more than 1 (one) year left. Otherwise, the Deputy Vice President, missing less than 1 (one) year before the meeting expires, prepares and organizes a new Congress Assembly, for the election of the Statutory Bodies.
The decisions of the Deputy Vice President must be taken as soon as he becomes aware of the proven and ascertained impediment of the President in office.
The three National Vice-Presidents carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the National Presidency or by the CEN, and they must answer to these for their conduct.
Art. 18
The National Assembly is convened by the National Presidency every three years or when the CEN, by majority, deems it appropriate, for proven and important reasons, or by the Deputy Vice President, as specified in Article 16, or by 2/3 (two third parties) of the Delegates, who represent the members, according to the rules of the following article 20.
The Section Presidents or their Delegates participate in the Assembly, with the right to 1 (one) vote, every 10 (ten) associates and 1 (one) vote with more than 5 (five) associates remaining.
The Assembly deliberates on the general directives of the Federation; expresses opinions on the amendments to the Articles of Association and the Regulations, the approvals of which must take place in an Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting, as required by law; expresses opinions and votes on all the topics under discussion. The Assembly is chaired by a member elected by the congressmen at the beginning of the meeting. He directs the work, assisted by a secretary and two scrutineers proposed and chosen from among those present.
These people must not be chosen from among those proposed for election to the various corporate offices.
The President of the Assembly has the task of directing the work, checking the validity of the proxies, signing the ballot papers, drawing up the minutes of the voting results, which must be countersigned by two scrutineers, declare the ballots with voting errors null and void and not valid for the elective effects and the blank ones, after consulting with the scrutineers.
The President's judgment on the nullity of the ballots is final.
The Presidents or Delegates of the Sections in good standing with the contributions of the year prior to the date of the meeting have the right to vote: a date which is also valid for counting the votes due to each Section.
The rule of the date relative to the previous year is not valid, of course, for the newly established Sections. However, the latter must be up to date with the payments relating to the current year and paid to the National Presidency.
Any complaints regarding the outcome of the voting must be submitted within 10 (ten) days from the date of the voting.
The associates can attend the Assembly and will be granted the floor, if duly requested, at the end of the interventions of the Delegates.
Art. 19
The Assemblies are validly constituted and deliberate with the majority referred to in art. 21 of the Civil Code, ie with the presence of half plus one of the members, on first call and whatever the number of participants, on second call.
TITLE VIII
OF DELEGATIONS
Art. 20
Provincial Delegations in those provinces that have three or more Sections can be constituted and therefore be Bodies of the FIDCA.
The Presidents or Sectional Delegates have 1 (one) vote for every 10 (ten) associates, plus 1 (one) vote with more than 5 (five) remaining votes.
They will elect the Provincial Presidents and these the President of the Regional Committee.
The Provincial President will appoint a select Committee, made up of the Presidents of the Sections, and with them will organize the ceremonies and anything else necessary for the proper functioning of the Sections. He will also have the task of liaising only with the Provincial Civil and Military Authorities and will represent the FIDCA in the ceremonies promoted in the provincial field.
The Regional Committee will have the same tasks in the regional context, replacing the Provincial Committees.
These Committees are Bodies of the FIDCA for organizational purposes. To elect the Regional President, the Provincial Presidents will have 1 (one) vote for every 10 (ten) associates, plus 1 (one) vote with more than 5 (five) remaining votes.
The Regional President, having heard the opinions and suggestions of the Provincial Presidents, will have the task of presenting the Federation as a whole to the Civil, Military and Government Authorities and to the Public and Private Bodies of his own Region.
Art. 21
The holders of offices at any level, unjustified absent during three consecutive sessions of the staff they belong to, automatically forfeit their function.
The National President and the Regional and Provincial Presidents will send specific written communication to the interested parties.
TITLE IX
FINANCIAL MEANS
Art. 22
The revenues of FIDCA consist of the company shares, the profit deriving from events, any other source that contributes to increasing the company's assets and the provisions of article 4 of this Statute.
Art. 23
The duration of the Federation is unlimited. The dissolution is approved by the Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting, which will appoint a Liquidator. At least 2/3 (two thirds) of the Members must participate in this Assembly. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Federation, by the Liquidator, will be donated to the Entity with which the Federation will eventually be affiliated, or to some other charitable body, chosen by the Liquidator.
Art. 24
DAME PATRONESS COMMITTEE
The Lady Patronesses will elect their President, who will have to work in close contact with the President of the Section; it will take part by right in the meetings of the Sectional Executive, whenever topics concerning the promotional activities of the Committee are dealt with.
TITLE X
SPECIAL PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION
Art. 25
The Sections of the Federation are Bodies that operate in their own territory and are economically autonomous. They will have the duty to inform the Provincial Presidency for their particular initiatives. Their most important tasks are:
a) provide, within the month of April of each year, for the registration of the Members;
b) update the list of Members, broken down by category;
c) transmit to the National Presidency, within the same month, the list with the names and addresses of the members in good standing with the membership of the previous year and return the unused stamps;
d) to send to the National Presidency, within the month of June of each year, the contribution stamps of the Members in good standing with the payment;
e) the Sections operating abroad, in particular cases, and with the authorization of the National President, or of the CEN, will be able to withhold the payments of the stamps for needs inherent to the Section and in a completely extraordinary way;
f) take care of the collection and storage of the minutes of the meetings;
g) keep the cash register of income and expenses up-to-date;
h) comply with the provisions issued by the National Presidency, not contained in the Statute and in the Regulations.
Art. 26
The Sections will have to commensurate their commitments to their own financial resources, taking care not to create debt situations. In the event of non-compliance, which could cause prejudice to the image of the Federation, the National President, in serious cases, having heard the opinion of the Sectional and National Arbitrators, may dismiss the assignor and also, if necessary, dissolve the Sectional Executive.
The Presidents of those Sections with associates living in districts, hamlets, or towns of the same province, far from the headquarters, will be able to appoint Delegates and assign them some associative positions.
TITLE XI
DISPUTES
Art. 27
All disputes between members and between them and the Federation, or on Bodies, will be submitted to the competence of the College of Arbitrators, which will judge ex bono et aequo and without procedural formalities.
Art. 28
FLAG OF THE FEDERATION
.....OMISSIS.....