I.    IDENTITY

1.    The CONFERENCE OF VISITORS OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION OF EUROPE AND THE ORIENT (CEVIM) unites Visitors and Vice-visitors from the Provinces and Vice-provinces of Europe and the Middle East: the Provinces of Holland, Austria, Ireland, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Paris Toulouse, Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Salamanca, Portugal, Middle East, Turin, Rome and Naples and the Vice-province of Ss. Cyril and Methodius and the Superior of the Region of Belgium.

2.    All references to the Visitors and the Provinces of this Statute it is understood to include the Vice-visitors and Vice-provinces as well as the regional superior and of the region of Belgium.

II.    NATURE

3.    The Visitors of Europe and the Orient established CEVIM as a voluntary forum for meetings, communication and mutual collaboration in all matters of mutual concern.

4.    CEVIM does not have a legal-canonical status or civil recognition, but does or enjoy fraternal support from the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and his Council.

5.    CEVIM respects the autonomy of each Province and the authority of each Visitor. No CEVIM decision is obligatory on a Province without the agreement of the respective Provincial and his Council.

III.    AIMS

6.    The aims of CEVIM are to:

6.1    Favour mutual acquaintance and fraternal support between the Visitors and Provinces.

6.2    Promote interprovincial collaboration in initial and ongoing formation, in the evangelization of the poor and in common service projects.

6.3    Promote collaboration of the Congregation of the Mission with the Daughters of Charity and with the other groups of the Vincentian Family.

6.4    Promote Vincentian charism, through periodic meetings etc.

6.5    Promote a European consciousness within the Congregation to enable it to fulfil its Mission in Europe and the Middle East.
6.6    Make decisions concerning sub-groupings of the Visitors of Europe, in accordance with their statutes or regulations.

6.7    Encourage communication and exchange with other Conferences of visitors of the Congregation of the Mission and with the General Curia.

6.8    Facilitate the organisation of regional groupings between the members of CEVIM when it is deemed appropriate.

IV.    MEMBERS

7.    The members of CEVIM are those missionaries who have been appointed as Visitors of the Provinces to which they belong. If a Visitor is unable to participate in the Conference sessions, due to illness or any other serious reason, he may be substituted by his Assistant or by another member of his Council.

8.    Members of CEVIM should:
(i)    Participate in meetings.
(ii)    Propose items for the agenda up to one month before the meetings are held.

(iii)    Know the work agenda at least one month before each of the Conference sessions.

(iv)    Make decisions on the different activities relating to the Conference and on the bodies that depend on the conference.

(v)    Be consulted and informed on all-important matters that may arise between Conference meetings.

9.    The duties of the members of CEVIM are:
(i)    Prepare, assist and actively participate in work sessions.
(ii)    While respecting the autonomy of each Province implement the tasks agreed by the Conference.

(iii)    Sustain all activities promoted by the Conference in a just manner.
(iv)    To promote the communication and implementation in the Provinces of agreements reached.

(v)    Respect and comply with the stipulations of this Statute.

V    OPERATION

10.   CEVIM shall ordinarily meet once a year

(i)    The annual meeting of CEVIM shall normally take place during the second week of Easter.
(ii)    In the year in which the General Assembly or the Meeting of all the Visitors of the Congregation of the Mission is held, CEVIM shall hold its own annual meeting for this occasion.

11.    In addition to the annual Assembly, CEVIM can hold extraordinary meetings to study urgent problems. An extraordinary meeting is called by the Permanent Council with the consent of the majority of the members of the Conference.

12.    All decisions at CEVIM meetings shall be taken by absolute majority of the members present. However, any modification or addition to the Statutes shall require the majority of two thirds of the members present.


VI THE PERMANENT COUNCIL


13.    The PERMANENT COUNCIL OF CEVIM is comprised of the President, the Vice-president, the Visitor from the Province in which the next Conference session shall be held (Vocal Visitor) and the Secretary.

14.    The PERMANENT COUNCIL meets at least twice a year.

15.    It pertains to the PERMANENT COUNCIL:

(i)    Ensures true compliance with the aims of CEVIM.

(ii)    Plans, prepares and organises CEVIM sessions.

(iii)    Approves the themes and methodologies of the interprovincial meetings promoted by CEVIM.

(iv)    Resolves matters that cannot await the next CEVIM session, informing the Visitors.

(v)    Studies the Secretary’s report.

(vi)    To supervise the accounts of CEVIM and effect the participation of the Provinces.

(vii)    Approves the participation of persons invited to the Conference meetings.


VII THE PRESIDENT

16.    Is a Visitor elected from the Visitors that constitutes CEVIM. A two-third majority in the first and second vote is required to elect the President. If none is elected in the first or second vote, the Visitor  that obtains the absolute majority in the third vote shall be elected. If the third vote is unsuccessful a fourth and final vote shall be taken. Only the two Visitors who have obtained the greatest number of votes in the third vote shall stand for election in this fourth and final vote. The candidate with the majority of votes is elected.

17.    The President is elected for three years and shall remain in office wherever he continues to be a Visitor of his Province. He may be re-elected under the same conditions for a further three years.

18.    The PRESIDENT OF CEVIM:

(i)    Revises and approves with the Permanent Council, the agenda and the materials for studying the themes of the sessions.

(ii)    Presides over and moderates the sessions.

(iii)    Calls Conference meetings.

(iv)    Ensures the agreements reached are implemented.

(v)    Informs and consults with the Visitors when, between one Conference meeting and the next, a theme of mutual interest arises.

VIII THE VICE PRESIDENT

19.    Is a Visitor elected from amongst the Visitors that make up CEVIM. The same method is used to elect the vice-president as that used to elect the President.

20.    Is elected for three years and remains in office wherever he continues to be a Visitor of his Province. He may be re-elected under the same conditions for a further three years.

21.    Assists the President and substitutes same in his absence or where he is relieved of his duties. If, in the time between two ordinary assemblies, the office of vice-president falls vacant, the president, will nominate a new vice-president, after consultation with the visitors and within the next 30 days. At the next assembly, he will be elected vice-president in accordance with article 19

IX THE VOCAL VISITOR

22.    Is the Visitor of the Province where the next Conference session shall be held. If the next session of the Conference takes place during an Assembly General or a meeting of all the Visitors of the Congregation of the Mission, or in the province of the President or the Vice-President, the Convoking Visitor will be elected by the majority of valid votes.

23.    Forms part of the PERMANENT COUNCIL for one year.


X THE SECRETARY

24.    Is a missionary, not a Visitor, elected by the members of CEVIM by absolute majority of votes.

25.    Elected for three years and can be re-elected for a further three.

26.    Participates on the Permanent Council without voting rights.


27.    The CEVIM SECRETARY….

(i)    Prepares the draft agenda and other materials for consideration and presents them to the President for his approval at the Permanent Council.
(ii)    Sends the agenda to the Conference members and other materials for consideration, at least one month before the date the meeting is scheduled.

(iii)    Provides CEVIM members with any documentation they require for a better understanding of the matters.

(iv)    Puts into operation and manages computer communication between the members of CEVIM.

(v)    Draws up the minutes of CEVIM meetings and sends them to each of its members.

(vi)    Looks after the files containing CEVIM documentation at a suitable location, which has been approved by the Permanent Council. Any documentation shall be carefully passed on to his successor
.
(vii)    Inducts and assists recently elected Visitors in their participation in CEVIM sessions.

(viii)    Keeps CEVIM accounts subject to the approval of the President.

XI WORK COMMISSIONS

28.    To advance the study of the specific themes or projects, CEVIM may entrust specific tasks to work Commissions, formed from among its members.

XII FINANCES

29.    CEVIM operating costs:

(i)    Travel and accommodation expenses of the Visitors during the Assembly shall be met by each of the Provinces.

(ii)    The Provinces shall share expenses required for proper operation of the office of the Secretary and the obligations of the Permanent Council.

(iii)    The Provinces that are exempt from paying contributions to the General Curia are also exempt from contributing to CEVIM expenses.

30.    A common account, administered by the CEVIM secretary, shall cover the expenses of the Permanent Council. Its administration shall be accounted for at the Assembly.

XIII FINAL DISPOSITION

31. This CEVIM Statutes, approved on the 11th of April two thousand and five may be modified by the CONFERENCE with a two thirds vote in favour thereof.