STATUTES

§ 1. Objective.
The objective of the association is to work towards a sustainable improvement of the living conditions among the poorest populations in the third world, especially India.

§ 2. Seat.
The association is nationwide with its postal address in Copenhagen.

§ 3. Membership.
Membership of the association is acquired by sending a request to the Board. Membership is attained once the Board has approved the request and the member has paid the, by the Board decided upon, membership fee. The membership continues for as long as the member pays his or her membership fee on an annual basis. The Board can repudiate a membership if 2/3 of the Board members vote in favor thereof. In the case of a repudiation the issue must be presented at the following General Assembly, if the person of concern requests it.

§ 4. The Board.
The association is run by the Board, which consists of 5 members, who are elected for a period of two years. Two Board members, thus, stand as candidates on even years, and three stand as candidates on odd years. The Board is constituted immediately after the General Assembly, and among the Board members a chairman, a deputy chairman, a treasurer and a secretary are appointed. The Boarddecides on an internal organizational structure, rules of procedure and a set of values and principles on which the work of the association rests. Board meetings are held as required, and at least once per quarter. The chairman sets the agenda for the meetings, which is forwarded to the members of the Board at least one week prior to a meeting.

§ 5. Activity groups.
The members of the association may, at their own initiative, start activity groups, which focus attention and resources on specific social groups and selected geographical areas. The creation of an activity group must be announced to the Board as soon as possible after the group has been constituted. Alongside announcing its creation, the Board must be informed about who is to be the contact person of the activity group.
The activity groups handle their internal organization and identify their members, including replacement of same.

§ 6. Responsibilities and tasks of the Board.
The Board coordinates the individual activities and projects and has the overall responsibility of ensuring to meet the requirements set by the association’s sponsors. The Board informs the members of the activities taking place in the individual activity groups. Provided that all members of the Board find that an activity group does not meet the objectives of the association, it can decide to end the activity or exclude it from the association. Provided that a majority of the Board finds that the actions of an activity groups do not meet the objectives of the association, the issue can be presented at an extraordinary General Assembly, which is the highest body in cases of disagreement.

§ 7. Accounting and auditing.
The association’s fiscal year runs from 1st January to 31st December. The accounts must be audited by an accountant (registered or chartered) prior to the ordinary General Assembly, as well as by two ‘internal’ accountants chosen by members outside the Board. The accountant and the internal accountants are elected at the General Assembly for a one-year period.

§ 8. Assets of the Association.
The financial assets of the association should be placed in a recognized financial institution and should to the extend that it is possible bear interest.

§ 9. General Assembly.
The annual General Assembly is to be held in the month of April. The members must be informed at least three weeks before the General Assembly. Extraordinary General Assemblies may be called, if the Board deems it necessary. It must be convened when at least 1/3 of the Board members, stating the agenda in writing, requests so to the Board. In the latter case no later than one month after the request has been received.
§ 10. The Authority of the General Assembly.
Within the limits set by the law, the General Assembly is in all affairs the highest authority of the association.

§ 11. Management of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly is chaired by a moderator elected by the assembly. At the ordinary General Assembly, an Annual report concerning the past financial year is presented. The report is to be approved by the General Assembly.
The audited accounts are presented for approval.
Incoming proposals to be treated at the General Assembly must be submitted to the Board no later than 14 days prior to the General Assembly.
Finally, election of Board members is carried out along with one accountant and two ‘internal’ accountants.
The vote will be in writing if only one member wishes so. Notice of the General Assembly shall include notification of which members of the Board who which to stand down in accordance with the laws and who are willing to receive re-election. Only items listed on the agenda and amendments to these can be subject to an election.
In order to vote at the General Assembly, personal presence is required.
Elections are decided by simple majority vote, cf., however, §§ 12 and 13.
Every member is entitled with one vote.

§ 12. Amendments to the Statutes.
To amend the Statutes of the Association requires at least a 2/3 majority of the votes cast at the General Assembly.

§ 13. Dissolution.
The dissolution of the association requires at least a 2/3 majority of all members of the association. If 2/3 of the members are not present at the General Assembly, the Board – no later than 30 days after – may convene a new General Assembly where the dissolution of the Board can be adopted by 2/3 of the members present.
In the event of dissolution, the assets of the association are to be distributed for charitable purposes.

§ 14. Endorsement & Liability
The association is committed in major financial matters by the signature of the chairman and of the treasurer.
For smaller everyday transactions, the chairman and the treasurer can individually sign the association.
The association is only liable for its obligations based on the at any time given financial assets of the association.
There is no personal liability to the members of the Board of the association.

Copenhagen October 2008 – Endorsement of the founding members
Bodil Faber, Gitte Falk, Frants Christensen, Poul Daugbjerg, Søren Jeppesen.