FICO CONSTITUTION

 

Download the FICO Constitution in .pdf format

GENERAL

1. Created in 1986, The Forum International De La Course Oceanique (FICO) is a Swiss based, non profit making Sailing organisation run in accordance with Articles 60 to 79 of the Swiss Civil Code.

FUNCTION

2. To provide an umbrella organisation for all Organising Authorities involved in Oceanic racing and to contribute to the continued development of all aspects of the sport.

OBJECTS

3. FICO’s aims and objectives are:

a) To promote Oceanic competitive sailing.
b) To co-ordinate, in association with ISAF, the FICO four yearly calendar of events.
c) To offer organisational, technical, safety and media advice to Organising Authorities of Oceanic events.
d) To assist members, when requested, in dealings with International/National Authorities.
e) To promote a World Ranking List for competitors and sponsors of events in the FICO calendar.
f) To provide submissions on Oceanic matters to ISAF.

MEMBERSHIP

4. The Association comprises, Active members, Individual and Honorary members. All applications for membership shall be approved by the FICO Council.

a) Active Members
Any Organising Authority of an Oceanic Race or Organisation involved with Oceanic racing, approved by the FICO Council.
Active members are automatically members of the Council, pay an annual subscription fee and have one vote at FICO meetings.
b) Individual Members
An individual with an interest or experience in Oceanic racing who wishes to support the FICO aims and objectives.
Individual members shall pay an annual subscription but do not have a vote at FICO meetings.
c) Honorary Members
An individual who has given distinguished service to FICO or has achieved particular merit in Oceanic racing.
Honorary members do not pay a subscription, do not have a vote, but can attend FICO meetings.

d) Applications/Resignations/Loss of Membership
All applications/resignations/loss of membership shall be considered by the FICO Council.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

5. Annual subscriptions for all categories of membership shall be decided by the FICO Council at the Annual General Meeting.
Organising Authorities whose events are part of the World Ranking List shall pay an additional fee.

ORGANISATION

6. FICO is made up of the following bodies:

a) The FICO Council which comprises Organising Authorities and the Executive Committee
The FICO Council is the highest authoritative body of FICO. It shall meet at least annually and shall be chaired by the President, or one of the Vice Presidents.

b) The Executive Committee which comprises the President and three Vice Presidents.

c) Sub-Committees established from time to time by the FICO Council.

VOTING RIGHTS

7. All Active members have one vote. Proxy votes shall be allowed and shall be lodged with a member of the Executive Committee at least five days before a meeting. Any active member may represent another active member.
Members of the Executive committee do not have a vote. The President or a nominated Vice President has a casting vote when required.

MEETINGS

8.
a) Annual General Meeting
The agenda and any supporting documents shall be sent out to all members at least fourteen days before the meeting. Only items on the agenda shall be discussed. Requests from members for items to be included on the agenda shall reach the Executive Committee at least twenty one days before the meeting.
b) Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General meeting can be called at any time by the Executive Committee or a majority of the Council. For decisions to be valid at least one half of the Active members must be present. Decisions shall be by majority voting, with two thirds of Active members present needing to vote in favour.

c) Minutes of all meetings shall be signed and sent to all members.

ADMINISTRATION

9. The Association is administered by an Executive Committee comprising, a President and three Vice Presidents.

a) The Executive Committee is elected in its entirety at the Annual General Meeting every two years. Active or Individual members wishing to stand for election as President shall propose their Executive Committee at the Annual General Meeting. The President and Executive Committee are thus elected collegially as a body. Retiring members can seek re-election. Notices of candidacy to be President shall be sent to the Executive Committee at least twenty eight days before the Annual General Meeting.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

10. The Council delegates day to day management decisions to the Executive Committee who are responsible for:

a) Maintaining a list of FICO members.
b) Presenting an annual report, balance sheet, and income and expenditure accounts at the Annual General Meeting.
c) Maintaining the FICO World Ranking List.
d) Contacting Council members on matters of Oceanic interest.

ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT

11. The President represents FICO and is primarily responsible for:

a) Ensuring decisions of the Council and the Executive Committee are implemented.
b) The functioning of the Executive Committee.
c) The overall management of budgets and accounting procedures.

These responsibilities may be delegated to a Vice President when necessary.

ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES

12.
a) The financial year is from 1 October to 30 September of the following year.
b) Accounts shall be produced as required by the Swiss Code, Articles 60 to 79.
.

LIABILITY

13. Only the assets of the association guarantee its commitments.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

14. FICO is a bilingual organisation, French and English. The official language when dealing with the Swiss Civil Code shall be French. The official language when dealing with sailing matters, following international convention, shall be English. All other administrative documentation shall be bilingual.