This document is 'Appendix D' to the IVU Bylaws

PROPOSED ONE YEAR AGREEMENT BETWEEN IVU AND VUNA

A POTENTIAL LONG TERM AGREEMENT

black regular type - the old agreement
black italic - old items proposed to be deleted
red - proposed new sections

1) Relationship between IVU and VUNA

1. IVU and VUNA both accept and recognize the independence and autonomy of each organization.
   IVU and VUNA recognize the independence and autonomy of each organization.
2. IVU recognizes that VUNA was formed by IVU member groups in the United States of America and Canada in order to better represent the interests of IVU in North America and to better promote IVU within the region.
   IVU recognizes that VUNA was formed by IVU member organizations in North America in order to represent and promote IVU within the region.
3. IVU accepts and acknowledges VUNA as the Regional Organization of IVU for North America.
   IVU agrees to VUNA as its Regional Organization for North America in accordance with S.4 of the IVU Articles of Association.
4. IVU accepts and acknowledges that as a Regional Organization of IVU, VUNA shall propose a representative to the IVU International Council, subject to the approval of the IC.
   IVU agrees that VUNA shall propose a Regional Cordinator to the IVU International Council, subject to the approval of the IC.
5. IVU accepts that as a Regional Organization of IVU, VUNA should be entitled to vote at IVU Meetings of Member Societies and therefore waives any requirement that VUNA pay a separate membership fee. IVU further agrees that the number of votes VUNA is entitled to cast be determined in the same manner as member societies' votes are determined.
   IVU agrees that VUNA shall be entitled to vote in IVU affairs and waives any requirement for a membership subscription.
6. VUNA agrees to act in such a way as to actively promote the benefits and purposes of IVU and the IVU constitution.
   VUNA agrees to act in such a way as to actively promote the objectives of IVU within the principles of the IVU Memorandum and Articles of Association.

2) Memberships

1. VUNA recognizes North American groups will be obliged to pay the same fee to join IVU as groups anywhere else in the world.
   VUNA agrees that North American organizations will to pay a subscription to join IVU as required by IC.
2. VUNA also recognizes it would be more efficient and less confusing if North American groups were to join and renew their memberships and associate memberships directly with IVU. Therefore VUNA agrees IVU shall collect all membership fees and process all memberships, including renewals. VUNA agrees to provide assistance to those groups who have difficulty with this membership procedure and will do so within a reasonable time.
   VUNA agrees that IVU shall collect all membership fees and process all memberships.
3. VUNA shall give a free VUNA membership to any North American IVU member group it wishes to accept.
   VUNA shall give free membership to all North American IVU member organizations, unless it has reason not to accept any such organization and informs IVU of the reasons for this decision.
4. IVU agrees that in order to implement (2)(iii) its Membership Secretary shall, at least quarterly, forward to a designated VUNA official the complete address and contact information (including e-mail address(e's)) and declared number of members of every North American IVU member group.
   IVU agrees to provide one nominated member of the VUNA Board with read-only access to the North American section of the IVU online database, to enable full access to membership records.
5. VUNA shall actively promote IVU membership to North American vegetarian groups and supportive organizations.
   VUNA shall actively promote IVU membership to North American vegetarian organizations.
6. IVU and VUNA agree that individuals (and organizations such as businesses and foundations) are free to financially support either IVU or VUNA, or both.
   IVU and VUNA agree that individuals, businesses and foundations are free to support either IVU or VUNA, or both.
7. ( delete all IVU and VUNA agree that as of the date of this agreement there will be no further splitting of membership fees and no collection of back amounts will be required on either side. )

3) Finances

1. VUNA recognizes that it is responsible for its own finances and the running of its own affairs. This does not preclude VUNA from approaching IVU for possible financing of joint projects or programs.
   VUNA shall be responsible for its own financial affairs.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, IVU agrees to look sympathetically at requests for financial assistance with postage and printing expenses for VUNA's publications.
   IVU agrees to consider any request for financial assistance from VUNA.
3. IVU and VUNA shall exchange full annual financial accounts, and shall make the accounts available to all member organizations.

4) Web site and e-mail addresses

1. IVU agrees to host VUNA's web site.
2. IVU agrees to prominently feature and promote a link to VUNA's web site until and unless this agreement is terminated.
3. VUNA agrees to prominently feature and promote a link to IVU's web site until and unless this agreement is terminated.
   IVU and VUNA agree to feature reciprocal website links.
   
4. VUNA agrees to maintain its website.
5. IVU agrees to provide e-mail addresses to VUNA.
   IVU agrees to provide a forwarding email address of vuna@ivu.org

-- this section to be deleted as no longer relevant---
5) Amendments to VUNA Constitution and By-laws

1. VUNA agrees that within six months it will amend its constitution and bylaws as necessary to comply with this agreement and to be consistent with the constitution and bylaws of IVU.

The VUNA Constitution is not on the web site, does it exist?
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6) Length of Agreement

1. IVU and VUNA will fully adhere to this agreement until such time as either or both parties chooses to renegotiate or terminate it, but providing at least three months notice to effectuate.
   This agreement will expire on September 25, 2009. It may then be amended, extended or discontinued in any way which is agreed between IVU and VUNA by that time.
   

AGREEMENT FOR THE FIRST YEAR ONLY
- some of this could be included in the long term agreement in future, if appropriate.

1. VUNA agrees to review its mission statement towards becoming more realistic and achievable. Ideally including something about coordinating and supporting the vegetarian movement in North America.

2. VUNA agrees to review its rules to clarify the procedures for electing/appointing board members and producing financial accounts.

3. VUNA agrees to review its failure to recruit and maintain volunteer support, particularly in maintaining its website, and to actively recruit volunteers.

4. VUNA agrees to focus initially on recruiting the NA regional/national organizations to IVU/VUNA membership, and encouraging them to renew their memberships.

5. VUNA agrees to support the ivu-na email group to encourage communications, initially between the NA regional/national organizations, and to develop the group in the most appropriate way for the future.

6. VUNA agrees to devise a strategy for encouraging financial support to IVU/VUNA from North America, primarily for such funds to be used in developing countries, but also for general IVU/VUNA income.

7. VUNA agrees to investigate what type of support is actually wanted by the local (state/city) organizations, and how IVU/VUNA can best deliver that support.

8. VUNA agrees to investigate how more of the 423 IVU 'Registered Groups' in North America can be encouraged to become members or supporters of IVU/VUNA.

9. VUNA agrees to maintain its contact details, by post and email, in a way that actually works, instead of 'return to sender' that has been showing on both.