1- Summary

1.1 Only fully recognized members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) may apply for and receive membership of the International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS).

1.2 The application of an association for membership of the ICCS should follow a process of clarification within that association. Such clarification should ensure that the reasons for applying for membership of the ICCS include:
a) a desire to live scouting in the Catholic faith perspective;
b) a desire to promote and develop a social dimension to Scouting in line with
the social doctrine of the Catholic Church;
c) a desire to belong to and contribute in a spiritual family of Catholic scouting organizations, with a sense of solidarity and genuine commitment.

2- Eligibility

2.1 The following categories of scouting bodies are eligible for membership of the ICCS:
a) any national Catholic scout association provided that it is recognized by WOSM;
b) any Catholic council or Catholic organized group operating within any national association which is recognized by WOSM, provided that the Council or Catholic organized group was formed either by Catholic membership or by the Catholic hierarchy in order to work for the interests and necessities of the Catholic members within the national association and in accordance with the national association.

3- Application for membership

3.1 All applications for membership of the ICCS shall be sent to the Secretary General of the ICCS.

3.2 The Secretary General shall advise the Regional Secretary of the region in which the applicant is based of all matters concerning the application.

3.3 Any obstacles to membership or points of clarification required shall be addressed between the Secretary General and the Regional Secretary.

3.4 The applicant shall submit with its application a detailed case for membership. This case shall advert to the reasons for the application to an assurance that the applicant will abide by the status and the ethos of the ICCS and to a determination to co-operate with all membership responsibilities.

3.5 All applications shall be the result of consensus or large majority decisions within applicant organization.

3.6 All applications shall include the following important information:
(a) the constitutionality of the Catholic Association or the Catholic Council or Catholic organized group, in order to explain the authorized role of the applicant organization as Scout Catholic Entity;
(b) a letter of endorsement from the relevant national Catholic hierarchy or Episcopal Conference;
(c) a letter of endorsement from the Responsible of the Scout Organization of the applicant entity;
(d) a brief resume of the applicant entity’s history;
(e) any supporting documentation or publications which may have been developed by the applicant entity as an aid for spiritual development, training, spiritual programs, guidelines for chaplains, etc…, within the entity.

4- Membership Approval

4.1 As a first step, the Steering Committee of the ICCS World, having examined all aspects of the application and consulted with the regional committee, may decide to grant “observer status” to the applicant entity.

4.2 At the subsequent World Council of the ICCS World, a decision to grant “full
membership status” to the applicant entity may be made.

4.3 On becoming an “observer member” or a “full member”, the applicant entity
shall nominate a delegate to attend the ICCS seminars and councils.

4.4 From the outset, an annual fee shall be payable by the applicant entity. The
fee for organizations with “observers status” shall be determined by the World Treasurer in consultation with the Regional Secretary, and shall be related to the observer’s financial circumstances and other relevant issues.

April 2000