How to become an EABP National Association
In countries where there are a substantial number of body psychotherapists, EABP likes to have a National Association. This is the ‘local branch’ of EABP, and can act to publicize body psychotherapy and generally act for body psychotherapy in the country. There is only one NA per country, and it is not an Organisational Member of EABP – it IS EABP in that country. For individual EABP members, having an NA has the advantage of having a much more effective and much more locally-adapted EABP.
Becoming an NA happens in two steps: firstly, forming a National Committee, and secondly, the NC forms an NA.
Step 1: To become an EABP National Committee (NC)
An EABP National Committee in a country can be formed by a minimum of three individual full EABP members resident in that country. The main aim is to gather colleagues together and form a National Association.
This National Committee announces itself to the EABP Board with a contact address and a set of intentions for future activities.
A short contract/agreement is signed by the NC and the COUNCIL Representative to the Board.
The EABP Board can then confirm the status of the National Committee.
The NC reports yearly on its activities, and sends a representative to the COUNCIL of EABP National Organizations, if possible. There may be financial support available for travel from the COUNCIL.
Up to 20% of the fees of the EABP members collected in this country is returned to the NC. Additional support from the COUNCIL and the EABP is sometimes possible.
Ultimately the Committee should prepare the ground for founding an EABP National Association.
Step 2: To become an EABP National Association
A National Association will normally be set up by the National Committee in that country. There needs to be a minimum of 10 individual Full Members of EABP living in the country to form an NA. An EABP Organisational Member can not normally become an NA.
A National Association must:
- have a set of statutes
- be a legally established Association in its own country
- be open to all persons and organizations in that country who fulfil EABP membership and accreditation requirements
- sign the ‘Agreement’ between EABP and the NA.
The NA statutes must:
- state clearly that the NA is a national section of EABP and that the relationship between the NA and EABP is described in more detail in a signed ‘Agreement’
- have goals and aims in harmony with those of EABP
- formulate different types of membership in accordance with the EABP membership categories
- in general be as similar to the Articles of Association of EABP as is possible, taking into account the local legal situation
- be voted in by a General Assembly of the NA and then by a GA of EABP. After the acceptance of the Statutes of the new NA by a GA of EABP, the NA will be formally part of EABP.
The ‘Agreement’ between EABP and the NA:
- covers all aspects of the relationship, interdependencies, rights and duties and financial agreements between both parties
- should be the same for all NAs as far as possible
- is signed by both parties once the statutes have been accepted by both GAs (NA and EABP).
For the EABP Council of National Associations:
Kathrin Stauffer, Chair
February 2019
National EABP representatives
In those countries where neither a National Committee nor a National Association has (yet) been formed, an EABP member can be asked and appointed by the EABP Board to represent EABP in any relevant areas and to be an informant to EABP about body psychotherapy in his/her country, as well as to inform his/her compatriot colleagues about EABP.