Statutes of the Volapük Community

I. THE VOLAPÜK MOVEMENT

1.1 Name

The International Volapük Society (Sog Bevünetik Volapüka) is a collection of people, who actively apply themselves to increase their own knowledge and that of others concerning the international language Volapük of Johann Martin Schleyer and in accordance with the revisions of Arie de Jong.

1.2 Headquarters

The offical headquarters of the Society is the address of the Cifal.

1.3 Badge

The Society and its works are known by a badge, in the centre of which is a black globe in a white sea, with straight central lines; one horizontal, another vertical, and four lines on either side of the straight lines: four for the length encircling the poles and four for the width encircling the centre. Around the world in a sky-blue band are the words in black capital letters, above the globe: VOLAPÜK, and below the globe: MENEFE BAL PÜKI BAL. All of this is encircled by a black ring.

1.4 Foundation

The date of the foundation of the International Volapük Society is the date of this statute.

1.5 Year of the Volapük Movement

The working year is the calendar year.

1.6 Official language of the Society

The official language of the Society is Volapük.

1.7 Funds

The Society does not possess funds. The Guvan asks subscriptions to pay for the costs of printing as also of sending the gazette and other announcements. In case the society should choose to begin activities, which require money, it will be necessary to have the name of a project manager, clear suggestions, an estimate, a source of the monies hoped for, and the approval of the Academy. During and after such an activity, the project manager will send the Academy an annual report on the progress and funds. In case monies for all of this should amount to more than three hundred euros per year, the Academy shall name an independent auditor.

II. THE GOALS OF THE SOCIETY

2.1 Preservation an propagation

The Society endeavours to preserve and to propagate the knowledge, the spread, and the use of Volapük to the whole world.

2.2 Research

The Society investigates past projects and activities of the Volapük community.

2.3 New projects

The Society encourages new projects and activities in Volapük.

2.4 The use of the language

The Society uses the language, adapting it for the needs of modern times, as for example by creation of new words by the Volapük Academy.

2.5 Cultivation of the language

In the words of Cifal Johann Schmidt in a private letter: “We want to look after this language just as one looks after Ancient Greek or Old Saxon.”

3.1 Cifal (Chief)

The Cifal is the highest chief of the Society. He accepts freely the office of the cifal and works enthusiastically to further the goals of the Society. He leads and represents the movement. He signs the statutes and decisions of the Academy, the diplomas of examinations as well as other official obligations of the Society. He maintains the unity of Volapük and the Volapük Movement. He conducts the Academy. The Cifal can, with the approval of the entire Academy, recall a member of the Academy. On the other hand, if the academicians believe, that the cifal is not fulfulling his obligations, a majority of them has justification to recall him and to employ a successor.

3.2 Vicifal (Vice-chief)

Chosen by the Cifal with the agreement of the Academy; prepares himself or herself to replace the Cifal, either temporarily or permanently, by the agreed decision of the Academy. Organizes meetings of the Volapük Movement and assists the Cifal in general.

3.3 Guvan (Administrator)

Chosen by the Cifal with the agreement of the Academy. Attends to the economy of the Society and serves as secretary and editor of the official gazette of the Society, publishing in printed and electronic media.

3.4 Officials

Temporary officials chosen by the decision of the Academy.

3.5 Supporters

A supporter is any person, who wishes to support the goals of the Society and be called a Volapükist.

IV. GOALS OF THE ACADEMY

4.1 Accomplishment of goals

The Academy exists to further the goals of the International Society of Volapük.

4.2 Word creation

The Academy exists to officially create and authorize new words, and to clarify the meaning of modern words which do not yet have Volapük equivalents.

4.3 Definition of doubts

The Academy exists to clarify doubtful points about the words and grammar of Volapük.

4.4 Permission of publications

The Academy exists to confirm Volapük courses, dictionaries, and examinations.

4.5 Membership of the Society

The Academy exists to decide on the conditions of membership of the Society, and, through the Guvan, to welcome suitable new members.

V. ORGANIZATION OF THE ACADEMY

5.1 Highest membership

The highest membership of the Academy consists of the Cifal, Vicifal, and Guvan.

5.2 Number of academicians

The number of academicians is eight. Those who know Volapük, and who have published relevant literature, can be recommended as academicians with the agreement of the Cifal.

5.3 Business of the Academy

The business of the Academy will be done, either by regular post, or by electronic mail.

5.4 Decisions of the Academy

The decisions of the Academy will be published by the Guvan by the above-mentioned service(s) (paragraph 3.3 above).

5.5 Absent academicians

If academicians do not attend either by correspondence, or in person, or by voice, decisions will be made by the attending supporters.

5.6 The previous Academy

The existing Volapük Academy continues the Academy which was instituted on the occasion of the Edict of the Cifal (Section III) on 1 January 1934.

VI. CHANGES TO THE STATUTES

6.1 Necessary changes

Changes eventually necessary to these statutes will be submitted by means of edict by the Cifal with the agreement of the Volapük Academy.

Se Vög Volapüka 2007, Nüm: 1, Pads: 2-8.