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| FIAU |
| Statutes and Information
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The International Federdation for Human Support was born in Spain in 1998 under the name FIAH (Federacion Internacional de Apoyo Humano). The Federation was created with the goal of bringing together all the non-profit organizations that have as their main objective within their statutes the following principles:
- Placement of the human being as the central value.
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Affirmation of the equality of all human beings.
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Recognition of personal and cultural diversity.
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Seeking to devlop understanding that goes beyond what is currently accepted
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Affirmation of the freedom of ideas and beliefs.
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Rejection of violence
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To strive for and encourage peace, justice, solidarity and cooperation among all human beings, encouraging the principles of reciprocity, peaceful cooperation, friendship, mutual support and help.
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Promote economic and ecological development among human beings, in order to achieve life in harmony with the environment.
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Development of actions based on the following criteria: reciprocity, organization of the social base and in accordance with the needs of the people.
Shortly after the creation of the Spanish organization, chapters in Italy and Argentina were formed - individual organizations in federation with FIAH.
The Italian chapter, called FIAU, was legalized in 2001. The social objectives are shared with the Spanish organization and the statues are based on the same principles.
Over the years, dozens of Italian and foreign associations which expressly recognize the principles outlined in the statues have joined the Federation. These associations are found in more than 20 countries worldwide, in five continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, and both Americas.
FIAU is a recognized ONLUS (a European structure. ONLUS stands for Organizzazione Non Lucrativa di Utilitˆ Sociale , or Non-Profit Organization for Social Work) under the Italian corporate and governmental codes.
In order to move forward and realize the human support projects, the availably of funds is critical, not only in order to finance projects but also to sustain the Federation itself.
In the statures, it is expressly indicated that the economic resources of the Federation are:
- Dues paid annually by the federated Associations and also by individual members
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Government or private grants
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Donations from benefactors
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Sales of publications, auctions, special events, etc.
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Individual donations for individual projects, fundraisers, etc.
In order to keep the economic activities of FIAU open, the statues name Benefactors, who are those who "offer economic or other assistance to FIAU. Benefactors may assist in the assembly but have no power of voting. They are exclusively consultants and are informed of all the decisions made by FIAU and the Board of Directors."
The statutes also dictate:
"It is prohibited that FIAU distribute - even indirectly - budget surpluses, let alone active funds, collected, donated, or received in anyway during the life of the Federation, unless these distributions are expressly demanded by law, except to other non-profit organizations, that by law, statute, or rule are part of the Federation. FIAU is obligated to distribute funds or budget surpluses for the realization of institutional activities or those directly connected."
Other that what is determined by the Social Statues, FIAU operates under certain guidelines for the management of funds to guarantee that the accounting remains open to the members, benefactors, and other donors.
All members, in Italy and in the countries where Human Support projects take place, are volunteers. Each is treated equally, as individuals who have agreed to take on certain roles and tasks, people who decide to dedicate part of their free time to the activities of the Federation. For the volunteer work, there is no compensation or salary except in rare cases when specific expenses may be reimbursed.
FIAU does not keep offices rented or purchase in order to minimize management expenses. Meeting spaces are donated when needed, and a telephone line with fax machine was installed in the President's home, at the Federation's expense.
Web space is donated by a private company who chose to sustain FIAU with this donation. The site is designed and maintained by a professional who freely donates his time for this work.
The accounting is placed in the hands of a certified accountant who donates her time and in this way supports FIAU's activities.
In order to follow existing Human Support projects and bring forward new ones, it is necessary for volunteers to travel to the countries in which the projects are taking place. Most volunteers fund these trips personally. But in some cases, when there are not sufficient personal funds to sustain a trip, the Federation will reimburse exclusively the expenses of the trip itself (airfare, lodging, meals, rental space for meetings, local transport, etc.)
As a consequence, the expenses dedicated to the administration of the Federation include a telephone line, banking fees, and the occasional reimbursement of the expenses put forth by volunteers when travel is necessary for FIAU projects.
As stated previously, FIAU uses various methods for raising funds. All cash donations which arrive at the Federation, whether they come from individuals, associations, or events, go directly to Human Support projects.
On occasion, events (concerts, block parties, exhibitions, public events) are organized to raise money. All of the money raised by such events (with the exception of the expenses necessary to hold that event only) is distributed to the project or projects indicated by the event itself.
In order to raise the funds necessary to cover administrative costs (telephone, banking fees, trips), FIAU uses the annual dues paid by the members and member associations. If these fund are not sufficient, FIAU will organize specific ad hoc events, for example a dinner, happy hour, street vendors, etc. with the explicit objective of financing specific administrative costs of the Federation.
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