Bylaws of the IFCP
ARTICLE I — NAME OF ASSOCIATIONThe name of this association shall be the International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP).ARTICLE II — PURPOSEThe International Forum for Cotton Promotion is a non-governmental body composed of national and international cotton industry organizations. The mission of the IFCP is to increase consumer demand and consumption of cotton and cotton products.ARTICLE III — OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES |
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| Section 1. | The objectives of the IFCP shall be: (a) To encourage national market development programs through the exchange of ideas and experiences for the purpose of increasing cotton consumption worldwide and gaining market share. (b) To increase awareness of cotton in member countries. (c) To broaden cotton promotion efforts by increasing membership of the Forum. |
| Section 2. | The IFCP shall pursue the following strategies to achieve these objectives: (a) Serve as a clearinghouse for the exchange of proven cotton promotion ideas implemented by national organizations. (b) The IFCP itself will not directly fund promotional activities. |
ARTICLE IV — MEMBERSHIP |
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| Section 1. | Membership in the IFCP is open to all non-governmental cotton industry organizations or companies. Sponsorship is open to companies or organizations that have an interest in fostering a healthy cotton sector. |
| Section 2. | Applications for membership. (a) Applications for membership or sponsorship shall be directed to the IFCP Chairman via e-mail at ifcp@icac.org or via mail at the following address: International Forum for Cotton Promotion(b) Applications for membership or sponsorship shall include a description of the applicant organization, its interest and current activities in cotton promotion. (c) All applications for membership shall be subject to approval by a two-thirds majority of IFCP members in good standing. |
| Section 3. | Financial obligations of members and sponsors. (a) The assessment of each member shall be $5,000 (U.S.) in the form of membership dues. Sponsors will be assessed at $2500.00 for a three-sponsorship term. (b) In the case of multiple members from the same country, participating organizations will have the option of paying a full assessment each to become full members or sharing the $5,000 (U.S.) obligation equally to share a membership. (c) Dues shall be payable within three months of the organization's successful application for membership. (d) Subsequent dues, should they become necessary, will be assessed at a level determined by a two-thirds vote of the membership and payable as per the above articles. |
ARTICLE V — MEETINGS |
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| Section 1. | The IFCP annual meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual ICAC Plenary Meeting. |
| Section 2. | Voting rights shall be as follows: (a) Each full member shall have one vote. (b) If assessments are split among more than one member, those members sharing a full membership shall have one collective vote. (c) Sponsors will not have voting rights. |
ARTICLE VI — OFFICERS |
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| Section 1. | The IFCP shall be represented by four officers: a chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, and immediate past chairman. |
| Section 2. | Election of officers. (a) The officers shall be chosen by majority vote from among the designated representatives of contributing member organizations. (b) The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the IFCP. |
| Section 3. | Term of office. (a) The officers shall be elected for a term of one year. (b) The officers may serve successive terms. |
ARTICLE VII — FISCAL POLICY |
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| Section 1. | The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) shall hold all assessments and miscellaneous dues in an interest-bearing account for the benefit of the IFCP. |
| Section 2. | Financial reporting. (a) The ICAC Secretariat shall issue quarterly written fiscal reports on behalf of the IFCP. (b) An annual Treasurer's report will be presented to the annual meeting of IFCP members. |
ARTICLE VIII - AMMENDMENTS |
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| These Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of IFCP members in good standing. |
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