BYE-LAWS
of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts pursuant to clause 30 of WAGGGS’ constitution
Introduced on 18 November 2014
Date of bye-laws (last amended): Resolution passed 31 July 2023
Bye-Law I – Entitlement and Method of the Girl Guide/ Girl Scout Movement
Entitlement to use the words “Girl Guide”, “Guide” or “Girl Scout”
1.1 Members Organisations (Full Members or Associate Members) shall be entitled to incorporate the words “Girl Guide”, “Guide” or “Girl Scout” in its name. Any non-member National Organisation recognised by WAGGGS as working towards membership, may incorporate those words only with the approval of the World Board. Method of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement
1.2 The method of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement includes:
1.2.1 commitment through the Original Promise and Original Law;
1.2.2 progressive self-development;
1.2.3 learning by doing;
1.2.4 teamwork through the patrol system and training for responsible leadership;
1.2.5 active co-operation between young people and adults;
1.2.6 service in the community;
1.2.7 outdoor activities;
1.2.8 symbolism.
Bye-Law II – Membership
Fundamental Provisions relating to membership Conditions of membership: full membership and associate membership
2.1 There shall be the following two categories of membership:
2.1.1 Full Membership;
2.1.2 Associate Membership, with the rights, privileges and conditions of membership set out in the constitution and further regulated in these Bye-Laws. Procedure for the Recognition of a National Organisation as a Member Organisation Application, Recognition and Ratification
2.2 Associate Members
A National Organisation wishing to be recognised as anAssociate Member must make an application in writing through the World Bureau. The National Organisation must be visited by an experienced person authorised by the World Board, whose report will be considered when the World Board examines the application to decide whether it is satisfied that the applicant is prepared and ready to fulfil the conditions of membership and to accept its responsibilities as an Associate Member of WAGGGS.
If the World Board is satisfied, it may grant recognition of Associate Membership to a National Organisation, with immediate effect pursuant to the two-stage admissions procedure set out at sub-clause 10.1.4 of WAGGGS’ constitution, subject to ratification by the Full Members meeting at the next World Conference. Prior to ratification of the recognition, the National Organisation has all responsibilities and privileges of an Associate Member, apart from the exercise of voting rights at a World Conference or a Regional Conference.
The decision regarding recognition will be brought for ratification by the World Board to the Full Members meeting at the next World Conference. Following ratification, the appropriate certificate of membership will be issued in accordance with WAGGGS membership policies.
2.3 Full Members
When a National Organisation wishes to become a Full Member it must satisfy the World Board that it is prepared and ready to fulfil the conditions of membership as set out at sub-clauses 10.1.2 and 10.9 and will be subject to the two-stage admission procedure set out at sub-clause 10.1.4.
If the World Board is satisfied that a Potential Membership Organisation satisfies the requirements of a Full Member, the application will be submitted to the Full Members meeting at the World Conference, and, if approved, the Member Organisation will be recognised as a Full Member with immediate effect.
National Organisations working towards membership
2.4 Newly established or re-established National Organisations and/or Associations which accept the conditions of membership of WAGGGS and are actively working towards such membership can become an Associate Member on application.
National Organisations in countries attaining political independence
2.5 A National Organisation which has been part of WAGGGS through a Member Organisation may, on the attainment of political independence by its country, apply directly to be a Member Organisation.
In a country where the formalities of political independence are in process but not fully completed the National Organisation in that country may submit an application for membership of WAGGGS. Subject to recommendation by the World Board the application may be submitted to the Full Members meeting at a World Conference, for approval.
The World Conference may authorise the World Board to send, at its discretion, the official acceptance as a Member Organisation and the certificate of membership; this to be either when the formalities of the country’s independence are completed or, in special circumstances, at a time considered more appropriate by the World Board.
The procedure to be followed for the recognition of a National Organisation as a Member Organisation is laid down in sub-clause 10.1.4 of WAGGGS’ constitution.
Appointment of delegates and observers
2.6 Member Organisations are entitled to appoint a delegation to attend the World Conference composed of not more than two delegates from each Member Organisation (being either a Full Member or Associate Member) and appointed from within each Member Organisation.
Each Member Organisation shall appoint a Head Delegate to represent it and vote on behalf of the Member Organisation in accordance with sub-clause 12.7 of WAGGGS’ constitution. The appointment of a Head Delegate shall be notified to the World Bureau and entered onto the register of Head Delegates.
2.7 Member Organisations are entitled to appoint persons to observe the World Conference (known as observers) in accordance with the policy agreed from time to time by all Member Organisations. Observers may attend all sessions of the World Conference unless otherwise decided by a 75% majority of those voting in accordance with sub-clause 11.4.4.8 of WAGGGS’ constitution.
2.8 Observers may speak at a World Conference if so requested by the Head Delegate representing the Member Organisation of which they are part. Membership: Associations and/or groups in special circumstances
2.9 Detailed procedures are established and updated at intervals by the World Board for the guidance of National Organisations in special circumstances. These include:
2.9.1 the existence of more than one Association or group in a country before the acceptance of a National Organisation as a Member Organisation;
2.9.2 the appearance of new Associations or groups calling themselves Girl Guides/Girl Scouts in a country where a National Organisation exists already;
2.9.3 the possibility of dissolution of a National Organisation which is composed of more than one Association or group.
2.10 Appropriate actions to be taken include:
2.10.1 establishing contacts and organising visits;
2.10.2 providing information about conditions of membership;
2.10.3 assisting the various Associations or groups to get in touch with each other and integrate into one National Organisation;
2.10.4 advising and helping existing Member Organisations in cases of change of entity;
2.10.5 setting up an ad hoc committee to study cases where agreements between the different Associations and groups cannot be reached otherwise. Should the ad hoc committee not succeed in reaching agreement, the matter shall be referred to the World Board for a recommendation to be made to the Full Members meeting at a World Conference.
Changes of Entity
2.11 If a change occurs affecting the entity of a National Organisation which is a Member Organisation, the entity which emerges from the change shall replace the former Member Organisation subject to the conditions of membership set out in sub-clauses 10.1.2 and 10.9 being fulfilled.
2.12 The new entity shall, from the moment it is deemed acceptable by the World Board pursuant to sub-clause 10.1.4, assume the membership status of the entity it replaces (i.e. Full Membership or Associate Membership). This change of entity shall be submitted by the World Board to the Full Members at the next World Conference for ratification.
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in countries other than their own - Affiliation and registration of groups of Girl Guides/ Girl Scouts
2.13 As a general rule, Girl Guides/Girl Scouts are part of WAGGGS through the Member Organisation of the country in which they reside (hereinafter called the Host Member Organisation).
2.14 In certain circumstances, however, groups of girls and young women who are Girl Guides/Girl Scouts or prospective Girl Guides/Girl Scouts may become part of WAGGGS either:
2.14.1 by affiliation through a Member Organisation outside the country of their residence, provided that they have the approval of the Host Member Organisation if one exists, or if not, the approval of all Member Organisations which may be concerned; or
2.14.2 by direct registration through the World Bureau if their affiliation through a recognised Member Organisation has proved impossible or inappropriate. Such groups are known as Registered Units.
2.15 Guidance concerning the application of Bye-Laws 2.13 to
2.16 shall be given by the World Board.
2.16 Should any difficulties arise which cannot be settled by the parties concerned, the matter shall be referred to the World Board.