1. Name

1.1. The name of the organization shall be the World Holstein-Friesian Federation (WHFF).

1.2. The term Holstein-Friesian, as used herein, will include member organizations identified as Holstein, Holstein-Friesian or Friesian.

2. Membership

2.1. Membership shall be open to Holstein-Friesian Herdbooks and, in countries where no recognized Herdbook exists, membership shall be open to any agency, organization, or institution actively involved in maintaining pedigree records of Holstein-Friesian cattle for the promotion and improvement of the breed.

2.2. A copy of the statutes governing the organization must be submitted before membership can be approved.

2.3. The council reserves the right to accept or reject membership and to withdraw membership if, in the opinion of the Council, the interests of the Holstein-Friesian breed are compromised by the organization or country.

3. Fees

3.1. Annual fees shall be decided by the Council and confirmed by the General Assembly at each World Conference.

3.2. The annual fee for each member organization shall be based on its domestic membership at 1 January each year and shall be paid before 31 March of that year.

4. Aims

4.1. The fundamental aim of the WHFF is that all Herdbook organizations accepted as members shall recognize registered/identified Holstein-Friesian cattle of fellow Herdbooks for registration at equal status in their own Herdbooks.

4.2. To harmonize technical/organizational matters connected with the Holstein-Friesian breed

4.3. To advance and promote the Holstein-Friesian breed worldwide

4.4. To exchange information on important issues concerning the breed

4.5. To assist emerging herd book organizations

4.6. To organize appropriate meetings and world conferences

4.7.To represent common interests of Holstein-Friesian breeders worldwide

4.8. To co-operate with organizations dedicated to dairy cattle improvement and matters of animal science in general, and co-ordinate research into dairy matters worldwide

5. Finance

5.1. The WHFF shall be a non profit / not for profit organization.

5.2. In the event of dissolution of the WHFF, all funds shall be returned to the member organizations in proportion to their latest annual membership figures as defined in sub-clause 3.2.

5.3. No emoluments shall be paid by the WHFF to council members, member countries or organizations.

5.4. The WHFF may collect fees for services.

5.5. The WHFF may accept donations or payments from any source, provided they are used to support the aims of the World Holstein-Friesian Federation.

5.6. The WHFF shall pay for the costs of administration incurred on its behalf.

5.7. The council shall keep a record of finances and submit a report to each General Assembly.

6. Member meetings

6.1. The General Assembly of the members shall be defined as the officially seated delegates of member organizations.

6.2. A General Assembly of the members shall be held every four years.

6.3. A World Conference shall be held in conjunction with the General Assembly.

6.4. The location of the General Assembly and the World Conference shall be determined at the previous General Assembly.

6.5. Each member organization may be represented at the General Assembly by a maximum of four officially seated delegates, and an unlimited numbers of observers.

6.6. Voting.

In the event that it is necessary to decide an issue by a vote of the members, each member organization shall have a number of votes in proportion to its latest annual domestic membership figure. Each member organization shall have at least 2 but no more than 6 votes.

7. Council

7.1. The WHFF shall be administered by a Council comprised of 9 elected members and a representative of the country hosting the forthcoming World Conference. Such Council Members shall be elected by and represent the following regions :

Africa - 1

America - 3 (North and South)

Asia - 1

Australasia - 1

Europe - 3 (Eastern & Western)

7.2. Council shall elect a Chairman from within the Council

7.3. Council shall meet, as required, at a location mutually determined

7.4. Council may invite persons to attend its meeting

7.5. Council may appoint ad hoc committees

7.6. Council shall organize each World Conference in co-operation with the host country

7.7. Members of Council shall serve in an honorary capacity

8. Quorum for meeting of council.

Six members of Council shall constitute a quorum.

9. Election & term of office of council.

9.1. Council members shall serve a term from the end of one World Conference to the end of the next World Conference.

9.2. The election of members of Council shall take place during the General Assembly at each World Conference.

9.3. Members of Council shall be nominated by the official delegates from member organizations representing each of the five regions described in sub-clause 7.1., and elected at regional meetings during the General Assembly. If consensus is not reached at a regional meeting, the regional representatives shall be elected by the delegates of the General Assembly.

9.4. A mid-term regional vacancy on the Council shall be filled by election by the current financial (paid-up) member organizations from the region in which the vacancy exists. Each eligible member organization shall have a number of votes as prescribed in sub-clause 6.6.1.

10. Co-ordinator

10.1. The WHFF Council may appoint a co-ordinator to administer its affairs.

10.2. The Co-ordinator shall be responsible to the Council.

11. Amendments to the Constitution

11.1. The Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the General Assembly.

11.2. Proposals to amend the constitution shall be submitted to the Council (via the WHFF Co-ordinator) in writing at least six months prior to the General Assembly.

11.3. Amendments to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority vote of officially seated delegates.