The organisation shall be known as 'International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art: UK National Section', abbreviated to 'CIOFF UK'.

Article 2: Aims and Objectives

2.1. CIOFF UK shall have the same aims as CIOFF, as laid down in Article 6 of the by-laws of CIOFF, ie:

"To maintain peace and strengthen friendship between countries, CIOFF promotes international understanding particularly in the field of folk art and folk culture.

"Therefore it contributes to:

* respect and appreciation for cultures of peoples and their cultural traditions,
* conservation, promotion and cultivation of folklore and artistic folk activity, customs and traditions,
* joy and participation of many people in the cultivation of cultural heritage,
* constant improvement of methods to increase the artistic and organisational quality of international folklore festivals and other events, like symposia, conferences, seminars, etc.,
* improvement of international exchange of experience and information between members, particularly in international folklore events and similar activities in the field of folklore."

Article 3: Membership

3.1 Membership of 'CIOFF UK' shall be open to: festivals, organisations, institutions and individuals who are based in the UK, who are engaged in the field of folklore, and who support the aims and objectives, as laid down in article 2 above.

3.2 There shall be two categories of membership: 'full members' and 'associate members'.

3.3 Membership subscriptions shall be due annually.

3.4 Membership subscriptions shall be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting.

3.5 All members shall receive copies of the annual CIOFF Calendar, copies of 'Entre Nous', copies of any other publication (free or at concessionary rate as appropriate), details of invitations to UK dance and music groups from CIOFF festivals in other countries, and details of visits to the UK of overseas dance groups, as notified through CIOFF.

3.6 CIOFF UK will continue to correspond with a wide variety of folklore organisations and groups.

Article 4: Meetings

4.1 An Annual General Meeting shall be held in each calendar year, on a date and at a venue to be arranged.

4.2 All members shall be entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting and speak, but only full members may vote.

4.3 All institutional, organisational and festival members may be represented by up to three members each, but in the case of full members, only one person may vote. The voting member is to be declared at the start of each meeting.

4.4 Extraordinary General Meetings may be held at the written request of 50% of full members.

4.5 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall include: election of Chairperson, consideration of minutes, reports of officers, election of officers, consideration of accounts and determination of the fees.

4.6 Proper minutes shall be kept of each meeting.

Article 5: Officers

5.1 The Chairperson of meetings shall be elected at the start of the meeting.

5.2 The following officers shall be elected every two years by the meeting: CIOFF UK National Section Delegate, and Treasurer. The same person shall be permitted to hold both posts. Officers are eligible to be re-elected.

Article 6: Duties and Rights

6.1 The duties of CIOFF UK shall include:

6.1.1 To observe and help realise the aims and decisions of CIOFF.

6.1.2 To pay the membership fee to CIOFF, as fixed by the General Assembly.

6.2 CIOFF UK has the right to participate actively in the work of CIOFF, as follows:

6.2.1 To take part in the General Assemblies (through the National Delegate and observers) -- submit proposals and suggestions, and submit candidates for election to the Executive Board, Commissions and Committees.

6.2.2 To assist in the preparation of CIOFF publications.

6.2.3 To take part in the Northern European Regional Sector of CIOFF.

6.2.4 To seek assistance and support through CIOFF for the exchange of folklore groups: both those groups who wish to visit the UK, and those UK groups who wish to travel to overseas festivals.

Article 7: CIOFF UK National Section Delegate

7.1 The National Section Delegate shall be a representative of a full member.

7.2 The National Section Delegate shall attend the CIOFF General Assembly, or the full member shall approve a representative in their place if the Delegate is unable to attend. In the absence of alternative funds, the Delegate, or their representative, shall be expected to fund the cost of attending the General Assembly.

7.3 The cost of the administration in carrying out the duties of the National Section Delegate shall be met from member subscriptions, from other donations and, if necessary, from the resources of the organisation of the Delegate.

Article 8: Alterations to the Constitution

8.1 Alterations to this constitution may take place at the Annual General Meeting or Extra-ordinary General Meeting, by majority vote of the full members, subject to the approval of CIOFF.