Functioning

The Executive Bureau (EB) as well as the Chairs & Co-chairs of the Political Commissions (PCs) and Working Groups (WGs) in the Federal Committee (FC) continuously prepare new proposals which can be shared with the PCs’ and WGs’ members for further discussion and elaboration. Even though the FC is only physically meeting twice a year when resolutions are being voted upon, the Presidium of the FC as well as the Chairs & Co-Chairs of the PCs and WGs steer the activities of the FC in-between the FC meetings in order to provide the EB with the necessary political orientation and organisational input. The EB involves the relevant PCs and WGs whenever desirable in the preparatory phase of proposals, takes the final executive decisions and will then implement these decisions with the support and control of the PCs and WGs wherever possible.

Structure

The European Congress

The Congress is the supreme body of JEF. It meets every two years. It is composed of delegates elected by JEF national sections. It defines the political direction of JEF and its policies in specific fields. It elects for a mandate of two years the President, the two Vice-Presidents and the directly elected members of the Federal Committee.

The Federal Committee

The Federal Committee (FC) meets twice each year and is responsible for formulating policy for JEF. It is the main decision-making body between Congresses and controls the administration of the EB. The Federal Committee is composed of one representative of each national section of JEF, plus 20 members directly elected by the Congress. This allows JEF to represent both its national sections and the European level of the organisation - federalism in practice! Each of the 20 elected members of the FC is also responsible for one area of JEF activity or policy. The FC meets at least twice a year.

The Executive Bureau

The Executive Bureau (EB) is responsible for the management of the organisation. It implements the decisions taken by the Federal Committee. It is composed of the President, the two Vice-Presidents, at least four members elected by the Federal Committee, the Treasurer and the Secretary-General. It is responsible for ensuring JEF's campaigns and activities run effectively. It meets at least four times a year

The European Secretariat

The Secretary-General is in charge of the European Secretariat of the association. S/he is responsible for relations with the sections of JEF Europe and the coordination of their activities. S/he is appointed by the Federal Committee for a term of two years.

The Arbitration Board

The Arbitration Board has five members elected by the Congress. They elect a chairperson from among their members. Its function is to settle statutory conflicts between members, JEF sections and statutory bodies of JEF. No dissenting opinion shall be delivered in public by any member of the Arbitration Board. All the decisions of the Arbitration Board are final. The Arbitration Board takes its decisions by simple majority.

The Auditors Comittee

The Auditors Committee is composed of at least two members and a maximum of three, elected by the Congress. It verifies at least one time a year the accounts of the association. It is accountable to the Federal Committee, to which it has to report at least once a year.