2. Objective

ECYU's prime objective is to save, maintain and promote the European yachting heritage. The key to this objective is to establish contact, friendly relations and effective exchange of knowledge and information between all like-minded European clubs or associations and the ECYU. This exchange can be anything related to the technical and social history of both individual yachts and classes as a whole.

3. Membership

The ECYU will act as a union for the associations and clubs in each European country. Individual persons and yachts should be encouraged to join their national associations. This avoids conflict of interest and competition between national associations on one side and the ECYU on the other side. The national associations and clubs remain sovereign; the ECYU will not interfere with their national policy.

The ECYU welcomes all classic yacht associations, clubs and class organisations of traditional yachts that have been built for, or are used for leisure, including motor and steam yachts as well as the sailing classes.

The ECYU reserves the right to refuse membership to organizations whose statutes indicate objectives in conflict with what ECYU stands for.

Museums, yacht yards, etc. and associations from countries outside Europe are welcome as associated members without voting rights.

4. The Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the highest corporate assembly of the ECYU.

At the AGM the Executive Board as well as the representatives of the member clubs and the workgroups (see 6 and 7 below) will meet. The AGM shall be convened once in every calender year by the Executive Board with not less than 6 weeks written notice. The President of the Executive Board shall chair the AGM.

Special proposals can be put on the agenda of the AGM only if the proposal is presented in writing to the Executive Board at least 10 weeks prior to the AGM. Such special proposals shall be presented to the members in writing together with the notice of the AGM.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be convened with at least 4 weeks notice if this is requested by the majority of the Executive Board or by member clubs from at least 3 countries. The topic(s) to be discussed shall be presented to the members in writing together with notice for the EGM.

5. Votation

At the AGM or EGM items on the agenda are decided by a simple majority. Changes of the Articles of Association (Statutes) require 2/3rds majority of the votes present. Every member association or club has one vote. Member clubs not abel to attend can vote through proxy given to a member of the Executive Board or any member present at the AGM or EGM.

6. The Executive Board

The Executive Board will consist of 3 persons: President, Treasurer and Secretary elected for two years. Each members can be re-elected. However, a board member can only be President for two consecutive election periods. Each board member shall have the authority to sign for the ECYU.

7. Workgroups

In order to promote the gathering of knowledge and information, workgroups will be formed with individuals who have expertise and/or interest in particular subjects. These worksgroups should perferably consist of individuals from different nations and will be elected by the AGM. Between AGMs they will report to the Executive Board.

8. The Election Committee

The AGM shall appoint an Election Committee with 3 representatives from 3 nations.

9. The Europe Week for Classic Yachts

Members and yachts should have an opportunity to meet on a regular basis during an established national or international classic yacht event. Such an event should if possible be co-named EUROPE WEEK FOR CLASSIC YACHTS and contain a regatta (race) for sailing yachts, a classic (sail or motor) yacht parade and ECYU’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) as well as cultural and social events, exchange of information and skills, etc.

National association(s) should apply for being the host of such an event. In order for the hosting association(s) as well as the ECYU members to plan and prepare for the next EUROPE WEEK, such decision of venue should be decided by the AGM at least two years ahead of the event.

Applications must be in the hands of the Executive Board at least 10 weeks ahead of the relevant AGM. The Executive Board shall present their recommendation to the AGM. However, each applicant will be allowed to present his application at the AGM before the AGM makes its decision.

10. Fees

All members associations will pay the same fee. The fee payable will be decided by the AGM and is due three weeks thereafter. Associations or clubs applying for membersship shall pay the prevailing fee three weeks after application is approved. Only members having paid the prevailing annual fee can vote at the AGM or EGM.

11. Union Logo

The ECYU’s logo shall be approved by the AGM with 2/3rds majority. Only individual members of associations, clubs or organizations being members of ECYU are allowed to fly the ECYU pennant and wear the ECYU logo (badge).

12. Dissolution

The ECYU can be dissolved after a vote at the AGM in which _ of the votes represented are in agreement. The AGM shall by simple majority decide how the ECYU’s net assets shall be distributed between appropriate associations serving the ECYU spirit and objectives.