SECTION 1 - THE ORGANISATION

SECTION 1.1 NAME - The name of the organisation shall be Young European Federalists Ireland or JEF Ireland in English and Ógra Feidearalacha na hEorpa or ÓFE in Irish.

SECTION 1.2 AIMS - The aims of JEF Ireland shall be to;

A. To promote a democratic, transparent, and federal Europe. This federal Europe should be based on the principles of democracy, justice, equality, as well as the principles of subsidiarity and members states autonomy.

B. To promote and engage in civic and political activism on a local, national, and European level.

C. To engage in political campaigning and lobbying on a local, national, and European level, especially to campaign and lobby in the furtherance the political platform and policy of the organisation.

D. To promote an awareness amongst the youth in Ireland about the European Union and how to engage with its institutions.

SECTION 1.3 ORGANISATION - JEF Ireland, herein referred to as the 'Organisation' shall be a non-for-profit political youth organisation and shall be an unincorporated association.

SECTION 1.4 POLITICAL PLATFORM & POLICY- The political platform and policy of the organisation shall be set by the National Congress and shall be binding on the organisation unless they are repealed by a subsequent National Congress or Extraordinary National Congress conveyed for that purpose. A political policy compendium shall be compiled and published by the NEC after National Congress.

SECTION 2 - THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 2.1 POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - The National Executive Committee (NEC) or Ard-Comhairle Náisiúnta is the collective executive of the organisation and its governing, coordinating and management body. Decisions of the NEC shall be taken by a simple majority vote. Matters of finance, however, shall be in the exclusive remit of the Finance Committee.

SECTION 2.2 OFFICERS OF THE NEC – The officers of the NEC shall be made up of the President, Secretary-General, the Membership Development Officer, the Communications Officer, the Campaigns Officer, the Events Officer, the Projects Officer, the International Officer, the Policy Officer and the Oifigeach na Gaeilge. One of the officers of the NEC shall be appointed Vice President in the manner set out in Section 2.13.

SECTION 2.3 THE PRESIDENT - The President or Uachtarán shall be the leader, spokesperson, representative, public relations officer and chairperson of the organisation, and shall be its principal officer and chief executive officer. The president holds a casting vote at NEC meetings.

SECTION 2.4 THE SECRETARY-GENERAL - The Secretary-General or Rúnaí-Ginearálta shall be the administrative and financial officer of the organisation, they shall also manage the minutes and correspondence of the organisation. They shall be the chief financial officer and secretary of the organisation.

SECTION 2.5 THE MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OFFICER - The Membership Development Officer or Oifigeach Comhaltas shall be the charged with the recruitment and retention of members into the organisation, shall be in charge of managing and coordinating with county associations and third level societies of the organisation, shall set the recruitment plans for the organisation and shall manage and keep a register of members.

SECTION 2.6 THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - The Communications Officer or Oifigeach Cumarsáide shall manage the external communications of the organisation and shall manage the social media and website of the organisation.

SECTION 2.7 THE CAMPAIGNS OFFICER – The Campaigns Officer or Oifigeach Feachtais shall be the coordinator and manager of the campaigns of the organisation.

SECTION 2.8 – THE EVENTS OFFICER – The Events Officer or Oifigeach Imeachtaí shall be the coordinator and manager of the events of the organisation.

SECTION 2.9 THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICER - The International Officer or Oifigeach Idirnáisiúnta shall be the international representative of the organisation, and shall be the coordinator between JEF Europe, other JEF sections and JEF Ireland.

SECTION 2.10 THE PROJECTS OFFICER - The Projects Officer or Oifigeach Tionscadail shall be the coordinator and manager the projects of the organisation.

SECTION 2.11 THE OIFIGEACH NA GAEILGE – The Oifigeach na Gaeilge or Irish Officer shall be charged with running Irish language and cultural campaigns, linking in with other Irish language organisations and translating the organisations documents into Gaeilge.

SECTION 2.12 THE POLICY OFFICER – The policy officer or Oifigeach na Polasaí shall be charged with compiling the national political policy compendium after each National Congress or, an Extraordinary National Congress which has passed or amended policy. They shall also be one of the Co-Chairs of the Policy Committee.

SECTION 2.13 THE VICE PRESIDENT - The Vice President or Leas-Uachtarán shall be appointed by the President from among the officers of the NEC at the first NEC meeting after the National Congress. The President or the Secretary-General cannot be the Vice President. They shall be the deputy of the President and fill in and act in their capacity when they cannot do so. If the Vice President is acting due to the resignation of the President, a by-election shall be called by the NEC as soon as possible to fill the vacancy. They shall be the Vice Chairperson of the NEC, National Meetings and National Congress. The Vice President may be removed from office by the President or by the officers of the NEC with a simple majority vote. If the Vice President is removed from office, this does not affect the primary office they hold on the NEC, however if they are removed or resign from their primary office on the NEC, they shall be deemed to have resigned the office of Vice President.

SECTION 2.14 NON-EXECUTIVE COORDINATORS - The NEC acting as a majority, or the President can appoint and dismiss non-executive coordinators to coordinate and manage a specific task or project. They shall have the right to attend but not vote at NEC meetings and shall not be officers of the NEC. They shall report to the President.

SECTION 2.15 MEETINGS - The NEC shall meet at least six times a year. A meeting of the NEC can be called by the President or 50% or the NEC requesting a meeting.

SECTION 2.16 RESIGNATION AND DISMISSAL - A motion of no confidence may be proposed by any member of the organisation (who has been a member for more than a year) in an officer(s) of the NEC. It must be signed by either 25% of the members of the organisation or 66% majority of the Officers of the NEC and be put to a National Meeting or an Extraordinary National Congress and will require a 55% majority to pass. A reason for the vote of no confidence is required as part of the motion. The officer(s) of the NEC for whom the motion passes in favour of, will be deemed to have resigned their office. That vacancy shall be filled at the nearest National Meeting or Extraordinary National Congress. If an officer of the NEC voluntarily resigned their office, that vacancy shall also be filled by a National Meeting or Extraordinary National Congress.

SECTION 2.17 - SPECIAL AGE REQUIREMENT - Due to the incapacity of persons under the age of 18 and owing to the special position both President and Secretary-General have in managing the organisations finance and signing potential contracts. Persons under the age of 18 cannot hold the office of President, Secretary-General or Vice President.

SECTION 3 – FINANCE & THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

SECTION 3.1 TREASURER AND SECRETARY - The Secretary-General shall be the treasurer and secretary of the organisation.

SECTION 3.2 CHAIRPERSON- The President shall be the chairperson of the organisation.

SECTION 3.3 SIGNATORIES - The President and Secretary-General shall be the authorised signatories on the bank account. Any one signatory may draw from the bank account.

SECTION 3.4 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE - The Finance Committee or An Coiste Airgeadas, shall be made up of the President and Secretary-General. The Secretary-General shall be Chairperson of the Finance Committee. Membership of the Finance Committee shall be restricted to members who have attained the age of 18. The Finance Committee shall be the financial body of the organisation. The responsibility and remit of the Finance Committee shall be to;

A. Assist the Secretary-General in managing the finances of the organisation.

B. Assist in preparing and presenting the finance report at the National Congress,

C. Applying for grants on behalf of the organisation.

D. Opening and operating the organisations bank account.

E. Overseeing, monitoring, and managing the organisations budget.

F. Approving and managing the organisations income and expenditure.

G. Allocating budgets to individual officers for projects, events and other needs they may have and monitoring these budgets and expenditure.

F. Other financial matters of the organisation.

SECTION 3.5 - BORROWING - The Finance Committee shall not borrow from any financial institution on behalf of the organisation.

SECTION 3.4 - TRUSTEES - The Finance Committee shall be the collective trustees of the organisation.

SECTION 4 - THE NATIONAL CONGRESS

SECTION 4.1 DATE - The National Congress or Comhdháil Náisiúnta shall be convened by the NEC every two years.

SECTION 4.2 ELECTIONS - The National Congress shall elect the officers of the NEC, apart from the Vice President for a two-year term.

SECTION 4.3 OFFICER REPORTS - The NEC shall present their end of term officer reports at the National Congress.

SECTION 4.4 POLICY MOTIONS - The National Congress shall set the political platform and policy of the organisation. Members of the organisation, the Policy Committee, or the NEC can submit policy motions to the National Congress. The number of policy motions that may be proposed and the deadline for submissions shall be set by the NEC no later than one month before the National Congress. Only the National Congress or an Extraordinary National Congress called for that purpose may vote to approve or repeal policy of the political platform.

SECTION 4.5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS - The NEC may schedule other matters or events for the National Congress.

SECTION 4.6 - AGENDA - The draft agenda for National Congress shall be circulated to members no less than two weeks before the National Congress. An approved agenda which includes amendments to motions shall be published no later than five days before National Congress.

SECTION 5 - EXTRAORDINARY NATIONAL CONGRESS - An Extraordinary National Congress (ENC) or Comhdháil Náisiúnta Urghnách may be called by the President, or a simple majority vote of the NEC, or by 35% of the members of the organisation by way of signed written notice to the NEC, after receiving this notice the NEC must call the ENC within three months of receiving.

SECTION 5.1 – AGENDA – The agenda, which shall include the matters to be resolved at the ENC shall be proposed by the caller(s) of the ENC as part of their notice. No other business or matters shall be scheduled, deliberated, or approved of, other than the matters within the notice, including any motions that are not part of the caller’s notice.

SECTION 5.2 – PURPOSE – The purpose of an ENC shall be to;

A. Propose a motion of no confidence in an officer, or officers of the NEC.

B. Propose a motion of no confidence in the NEC.

C. Fill multiple vacancies in the NEC that cannot be filled at a National Meeting.

D. Propose an amendment(s) to this constitution.

E. Another extraordinary matter(s) that cannot be dealt with at a National Meeting.

F. To propose, deliberate and approve of policy including the repeal of policy.

SECTION 6 - ELECTIONS & STANDING ORDERS

SECTION 6.1 NEC ELECTIONS -

A. The elections of officers of the NEC shall be overseen and run by the Returning Officer or Ceann Comhairimh who shall be appointed by the outgoing NEC. The Returning Officer shall set the timetable and deadline for nominations, manage the registration of candidates, conduct the counting of ballots and chair all election debates. The Returning Officer cannot be a candidate for any NEC election. The NEC may under Section 11 convene an Elections Committee or Coiste Toghcháin to help the Returning Officer organise and manage the elections, if one is convened, the Chairperson of the Elections Committee shall be the Returning Officer.

B. NEC candidates must be nominated and seconded by two members of the organisation.

C. NEC candidates must be a member of the organisation for no fewer than three months.

D. Candidates for election will be given the opportunity to make a speech to the meeting, as well as answer questions. A video may also be produced by a candidate for this. The Returning Officer will outline the time limit for the speech / video.

E. Voting for candidates shall be carried out using Proportional Representation Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV). Voting members will be instructed to fill out their ballot by noting the candidates in order of preference.

F. Candidates must receive 50%+1 of all votes to be elected or be the final candidate on the ballot after all other lower placed candidates are eliminated.

G. If there are no valid registered candidates for an election, a special election may be called during the National Congress by the outgoing NEC. This election shall be run and overseen by the Returning Officer, who shall also set a deadline for nominations.

SECTION 6.2 STANDING ORDERS

A. The NEC shall set the deadline for submission of motions and amendments for the National Congress or a National Meeting, these motions and amendments shall be submitted to the NEC, and the NEC shall then put forward each motion before National Congress or National Meeting.

B. A motion requires a 50%+1 majority to pass except in circumstances outlined in this constitution.

C. An emergency amendment may be proposed from the floor but shall require 35% of registered members of that meeting or congress to assent to the amendment being put forward by way of raising to the floor in agreement with the mover, then that amendment shall require a 66% majority to pass.

D. On any given motion, the Chairperson shall present the motion to the Meeting. The proposer will then be given a platform to present the rationale behind their motion. The Chairperson will determine the allocated amount of speaking time per speaker before the proposer begins.

E. Where an amendment to a proposal has been submitted, the amendment shall be taken first. If the initial proposer accepts the amendment, then it shall be accepted without debate

F. Where 2 or more amendments or proposals are related to the same area of text, and therefore could both not be accepted, a debate and vote on which proposal to carry forward must take place.

G. After the proposer has presented their rationale, the Chairperson shall open the floor for speakers against and in favour of the proposed motion from the Meeting. A speaking list shall be compiled by the Chairperson, and speakers shall be taken in that order. The proposer of the motion will then be given time to summate or can formally summate without speaking.

H. The following procedural motions shall apply to a meeting;

a) That the question now be put.

b) That the question may not be put.

c) That the question be taken in specific parts.

d) That the matter be referred to a specified later time or to the NEC.

e) That the matter be referred to a Special Committee.

f) A challenge to the Chairperson’s ruling.

g) A motion of no confidence in the Chairperson.

h) That the question be taken together

i) The suspension of standing orders.

I. Procedural motions require a seconder and may be proposed from the floor but may not be proposed during a point of order, during the act of voting or during a speech.

J. The proposer of a procedural motion may speak on it for one minute, followed by one speaker against the motion for one minute. Except in the case of procedural motions (f) and (g), where the Chairperson will have priority. The motion shall then be put to a vote without discussion.

K. When procedural motions (f) and (g) are called, the Chairperson shall immediately leave the chair until a vote is taken. If procedural motion (f) is carried, the Chairperson shall rule in accordance with the procedural motion. If the procedural motion (g) is carried, the Chairperson to whom it relates will not take the chair for the remainder of the session.

L. The Chairperson of the meeting or congress may, in their discretion, refuse to put any procedural motion if one of similar effect and related to the same manner has been defeated within the previous fifteen minutes.

M. If procedural motion (a) is carried, the Chairperson shall allow the proposer the right of reply, before proceeding to vote.

N. Procedural motion (i) shall require a lime limit included in the motion, upon the lapse of that time limit, standing orders shall be deemed to be resumed unless a second procedural motion (i) has passed before that lapse.

O. Only one procedural motion may be proposed at any one time, amendments may not be made to procedural motions.

P. A point of order may be raised by any member provided they raise the point immediately and states that they are rising "on a point of order" and specifies the matter to which the point of order relates. A point of order shall relate only to the procedure adopted or to the conduct of the meeting. A point of order shall take precedence over all other business except the act of voting, unless it relates to the conduct of the vote.

Q. Points of information may be raised by any member who states that they are rising on such a point, and such a member may be heard if the speaker gives consent. Points of information shall be limited to 15 seconds, such time to be taken from the time allowed to the speaker at the microphone.

R. The method of voting shall be by show of members cards or hands, with each delegate having one vote.

S. An officer may not act as Chairperson or Secretary of a session deliberating a motion of no confidence in which they are named. If this motion of no confidence is in the entire NEC, a three person Standing Orders Committee shall be elected from the floor to manage that session.

SECTION 6.3 EMERGENCY MOTIONS - Emergency motions may be submitted to the NEC after the deadline for submission of motions but must be signed by at least 25% of members registered for the National Congress or 15% of registered members for the National Meeting. The NEC may also propose an emergency motion, but it must be signed by simple majority of the Officers of the NEC. An emergency motion shall require a 66% majority to pass.

SECTION 6.4 BY-ELECTIONS - If a vacancy(s) in the NEC arises, a National Meeting or an Extraordinary National Congress may vote to fill that vacancy(s). This byelection shall be run in the same manner set out in Section 6.1.

SECTION 6.5 QUORUM AND REGISTRATION - The quorum required for a National Meeting, National Congress, or Extraordinary National Congress shall be 35% of voting members registered for that meeting. The Secretary of that meeting shall register all members present at the beginning of that meeting and take note of their voting rights. Any member may call a quorum count from the floor. This count shall be conducted by the chairperson and secretary of that meeting. If a meeting fails to meet quorum, then no motion may be put, or vote take place until a quorum is reached.

SECTION 6.6 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS - Amendments to this constitution may be submitted before the National Congress or by an Extraordinary National Congress called for that purpose. Constitutional Amendments can be proposed by; the NEC acting by majority, the President, or five members of the organisation. Only the National Congress or an Extraordinary National Congress called for the purposes of deliberating and approving a constitutional amendment can amend this constitution. An amendment shall be deemed to take effect immediately after the motion has passed, unless stated otherwise in the motion.

SECTION 6.7 CHAIRPERSON AND SECRETARY - The President shall be the Chairperson or Cathaoirleach of National Meetings, the NEC, National Congress and an Extraordinary National Congress and the Secretary-General shall be the Secretary or Rúnaí of National Meetings, the NEC, National Congress and an Extraordinary National Congress. If the Secretary-General hasn't the capacity to be the secretary of the meeting, the Vice President shall act in their capacity. If the Vice President is unable to, an acting secretary shall be elected from the floor. If the President hasn't the capacity to Chair a meeting, the Vice President will act in their capacity. If the Vice President is unable to, an acting Chairperson shall be elected from the floor. The Vice President cannot act as both secretary and chairperson of a meeting.

SECTION 6.8 CASTING VOTE - The President, or a Vice President acting in their capacity does not have a casting vote at National Meetings, National Congress or an Extraordinary National Congress. Any motion that fails to reach the requisite majority at these meetings will be deemed to have fallen. They do however hold a casting vote at NEC meetings.

SECTION 6.9 VOTING RIGHTS - A member must be a registered paying member for no fewer than three months to vote at National Congress and an Extraordinary National Congress. A member must be a registered paying member for no fewer than one month to vote at National Meetings unless that vote is in an election to the NEC, in which case they must be a registered paying member for no fewer than three months.

SECTION 7 - NATIONAL MEETINGS

SECTION 7.1 DATE - National Meetings or Cruinniú Náisiúnta shall be conveyed by the NEC at least four times a year. A National Meeting may be called by the President, or a simple majority vote of the NEC, or 35% of members of the organisation who have made a written request to the NEC.

SECTION 7.2 OFFICER REPORTS - The NEC shall give their officer reports on their work at every national meeting.

SECTION 7.3 AGENDA - The NEC shall set the agenda for the national meeting and invite members to submit items for discussion, and then circulate it to members no later than five days before the National Meeting. However, political policy motions or a constitutional amendment cannot be submitted to a National Meeting.

SECTION 8 - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 8.1 MEMBERSHIP - Membership shall be open to any person between the ages of 16 and 35 who live in the Republic of Ireland, and citizens of Ireland living abroad. As well as persons living in Northern Ireland under the provisions of Section 8.3.

SECTION 8.2 FEE - The membership fee shall be an annual fee of €10, of which €2 shall be paid to JEF Europe for affiliation.

SECTION 8.3 NORTHERN IRELAND - Persons living in Northern Ireland may also join JEF Ireland, these members will be encouraged to join and engage with JEF UK also.

SECTION 8.4 SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION– The NEC may, by simple majority vote, suspend or terminate membership of a person, if they have; acted in contravention of this constitution, code of conduct, brought the organisation into disrepute, not acting in accordance with the aims and ethos of the organisation, bullying and harassment, or on other reasonable grounds. A Disciplinary Committee shall be convened by the NEC and shall make recommendations to the NEC before any vote on suspension or termination. A member has the right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee to the NEC.

SECTION 9 COUNTY ASSOSIATIONS AND THIRD LEVEL SOCIETIES

SECTION 9.1 CREATION OF A COUNTY ASSOSIATION – Five members may create a County Association or Cumann covering a county and submit an application for affiliation and approval to the NEC, who shall vote by a simple majority to approve their creation.

SECTION 9.2 AFFILIATION OF A THIRD LEVEL SOCIETY – A Society in a third level institution may submit an application for affiliation to the NEC, who shall vote by a simple majority to approve their affiliation to the national organisation.

SECTION 9.3 GOVERNANCE – A County Association or Society shall be managed by a County/Society Committee consisting of; 1) A Chairperson, 2) A Secretary, 3) A Treasurer, 4) And other committee members the county association deems necessary. A County association/Society shall also draft articles of association and submit them for approval to the NEC.

SECTION 9.4 AFFILIATION FEES – The national membership fees may be paid to the County Association or third level Society however they must pay the national membership fee to the NEC of €10 per member per annum to maintain their affiliation to the organisation.

SECTION 9.5 DISAFFILIATION AND SUSPENSION – The NEC may convene a Disciplinary Committee to make recommendations on the disaffiliation and suspension of a County Association or third level Society. After the Disciplinary Committee makes its recommendations, the NEC shall take a simple majority vote to disaffiliate and suspend the County Association or Society. Disaffiliation and suspension may arise due to;

1. Failure of the County Association or Society to pay the national membership fees to the NEC.

2. Breach of the code of conduct.

3. Breach of the rules and constitution of the organisation.

4. Breach of the aims and ethos of the organisation.

5. Other reasonable grounds.

SECTION 10 - AFFILIATIONS

SECTION 10.1 JEF EUROPE - JEF Ireland is the national organisation of JEF Europe for the Republic of Ireland and shall be affiliated to JEF Europe. A fee of €2 per member shall be paid to JEF Europe for affiliation fees.

SECTION 11 – NON-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES

SECTION 11.1 – CREATION, DISMISSAL AND APPOINTMENT - The NEC acting by a majority may create and dismiss Non-Executive Committees or Coiste for a specific purpose and shall prescribe the method of appointment to these Committees.

SECTION 11.2 – STRUCTURE - The NEC shall draw up a term of reference which shall define the purpose, structures, and chairperson of the committee. The Committees shall report to the NEC or a specific officer of the NEC.

SECTION 11.3 – DEFINED NON-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES - The following non-executive committees may be convened;

A. A Disciplinary Committee or Coiste Smachta, which shall be restricted to the procedure in Section 8.4 and Section 9.5.

B. A Policy Committee or Coiste Polasaí, which shall deliberate and draft policies for presentation to the National Congress or Extraordinary National Congress called for that purpose.

C. A Steering Committee or Coiste Stiúrtha, which shall provide guidance, direction and management to a project, campaign, or event within an organization.

D. The Elections Committee or An Coiste Toghcháin may be convened to assist the Returning Officer in the organising and management of an internal election. Members of the Elections Committee cannot be candidates for an election. The Returning Officer shall be the Chairperson of the Elections Committee

E. The Standing Orders Committee or An Coiste Buan-Orduithe, may be convened to manage the standing orders of a meeting and give guidance to the chairperson and secretary on procedures.

F. A Special Committee Coiste Speisalta, which may be convened for any other purpose.

SECTION 12 – JEF EUROPE STATUTORY MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1 THE FEDERAL COMMITTEE – The President shall be the organisations delegate to Federal Committee meetings of JEF Europe. If the president cannot attend a Federal Committee meeting, the International Officer shall go in their place and act as their proxy. If neither the President nor International Officer can attend, the NEC acting by majority shall elect a proxy delegate to go in their place.

SECTION 12.2 EUROPEAN CONGRESS – The President shall be the leader of JEF Irelands delegation to European Congress and be the organisations primary delegate. The order of priority for delegates of JEF Ireland to JEF Europe European Congress shall be as follows; 1) President, 2) Secretary-General, 3) International Officer, 4) Vice President. Any other remaining surplus delegates shall be distributed by the NEC to other officers of the NEC first, and then to members of the organisation. Proxy delegates may be distributed by the NEC among members of the organisation.

SECTION 12.3 VOTING – Delegates and Proxy Delegates of JEF Ireland to the Federal Committee and or European Congress will be expected to vote in line with the political platform of JEF Ireland as decided by the organisation as a whole, as well as any collective decisions of the organisation made at a National Meeting preceding that statutory meeting. This is binding on delegates of the organisation.