1 § Name and domicile
The name of the association is Turun YK-yhdistys ry, Åbo FN-förening rf.
The association is domiciled in Turku.
The association is a member of UN Youth of Finland and UN Association of Finland.
2 § Purpose of activity
The purpose of the association is to co-operate with UN Youth of Finland and UN Association of Finland and local organizations to promote the achievement of the goals set out in the United Nations Charter and other publications in Finland and elsewhere.
The association strives to influence the development of society
– by promoting international and national consensus and peaceful co-operation between peoples,
– promoting the objectives and activities of the United Nations and its organizations,
– providing an opportunity for association’s members to influence and participate in social activities as well as
– raising the debate on social issues.
– the association aims to promote multicultural interaction in Turku.
3 § Forms of action
To achieve its purposes and goals, the association:
– conducts informational activities,
– organizes seminars and other educational activities,
– implements projects such as development cooperation projects aimed at immediately addressing societal injustices, and
– engages in international activities, including collaborating with other international organizations.
– aims to promote multicultural interaction in Turku.
To support its activities, the association may accept donations and testaments, own necessary real estate for its operations, and, with the appropriate permission, conduct lotteries and fundraising events.
4 § Members of the Association
Any individual who accepts the association’s purpose and rules may become a regular member of the association.
Private individuals or registered associations and organizations may be accepted as supporting members of the association.
The Board approves regular and supporting members as members of the association. Additionally, the Board may appoint honorary members for individuals who have particularly distinguished themselves in the association’s activities.
The Board maintains a membership list of the association’s members. The rights acquired by membership are retained.
5 § Resignation and Expulsion of Members
A member has the right to resign from the association by notifying the Board or its chairman in writing, or by announcing the resignation at a meeting of the association to be recorded in the minutes.
The Board may expel a member if the member has otherwise failed to fulfill the obligations to which they committed by joining the association, or if their actions within or outside the association have harmed the association, or if they no longer meet the conditions for membership specified in the law or the association’s rules.
6 § Membership Fee
No membership fee is charged to the members of the association.
7 § The Board
The affairs of the association are managed by the Board elected at the autumn meeting, consisting of the Chair elected for one year at a time, and at least five (5) but not more than ten (10) members elected for one year at a time, and 0-3 substitute members.
The Board has a quorum when the Chair or the Vice-Chair from among the board members and at least three (3) board members are present. Decisions are made by a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Chair’s vote decides, except in elections, where the decision is made by drawing lots.
The Board elects from among its members a Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and other necessary officials. At meetings of the Board, all members of the association have the right to attend and speak, unless the Board separately decides otherwise for some matter.
The term of office for the Board is one calendar year.
The Board convenes at the invitation of the Chair or, in their absence, the Vice-Chair, when they deem it necessary, or when at least half of the board members demand it. The Board may also conduct meetings electronically, for example, via Skype or email.
A board member has the right to resign from the Board by notifying the Board, which approves the resignation.
8 § Officials
The Board may establish working committees as needed for various projects and events. The working committees operate under the Board.
Members of the working committee may also be from outside the Board.
9 § Signatories
The association’s name is signed by the Chair or Vice-Chair, either together with the Secretary or Treasurer.
10 § Fiscal Year and Audit
The association’s operational and fiscal year is one calendar year.
Two auditors and their deputies are elected at the autumn meeting to inspect the association’s administration and accounts for one year at a time. The financial statements and necessary documents, along with the Board’s annual report, must be submitted to the auditors at least three weeks before the spring meeting.
11 § Association Meetings
The association holds two regular meetings annually.
The spring meeting is held between February and April, and the autumn meeting between September and November on a date determined by the Board.
An additional meeting is held when the association meeting decides so, or when the Board deems it necessary, or when at least one-tenth (1/10) when one of the voting members of the association requests it in writing from the Board for a specially notified matter.
The meeting must be held within thirty (30) days of the demand being made to a member of the Board.
Each regular member and honorary member of the association has one (1) vote at the meetings. Supporting members have the right to attend and speak at the meeting.
Decisions at meetings are made by a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, the chairman’s vote decides, except in elections, where the decision is made by drawing lots. Association meetings are convened at least three days before the meeting.
The association meetings are convened by sending a meeting notice to the member’s email address or postal address provided by the member. The agenda items must be mentioned in the meeting notice.
12 § Regular Meetings
The agenda for the spring meeting of the association includes the following items:
1. Opening of the meeting
2. Election of the Chair, Secretary, two minutes inspectors, and if necessary, two vote counters for the meeting
3. Verification of the legality and quorum of the meeting
4. Approval of the agenda for the meeting
5. Presentation of the financial statements, annual report, and auditors’ statement
6. Decision on the approval of the financial statements and granting of discharge from liability to the Board and other responsible persons
7. Discussion of other items mentioned in the meeting notice.
The agenda for the autumn meeting of the association includes the following items:
1. Opening of the meeting
2. Election of the Chair, Secretary, two minutes inspectors, and if necessary, two vote counters for the meeting
3. Verification of the legality and quorum of the meeting
4. Approval of the agenda for the meeting
5. Approval of the action plan and budget for the following calendar year
6. Election of the Chair of the Board, who is called the Chair of the association
7. Election of at least five (5) and up to eight (8) board members and zero (0)-three (3) alternate members
8. Election of two auditors and their deputies
9. Selection of representatives to umbrella organization boards
10. Discussion of other items mentioned in the meeting notice.
If a member of the association wishes to have a matter considered at the spring meeting of the association, they must notify the Board in writing by the end of January, but at least 14 days before the spring meeting. If a member of the association wishes to have a matter considered at the autumn meeting of the association, they must notify the Board in writing by the end of September, but at least 14 days before the autumn meeting.
13 § Amendment of Rules
A decision to amend the rules must be made at an association meeting by a majority of three-quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The meeting notice must mention the amendment of the rules.
14 § Dissolution of the Association
A decision to dissolve the association must be made at an association meeting by a majority of three-quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The meeting notice must mention the dissolution of the association.
Upon dissolution of the association, its assets shall be used for the purpose determined by the meeting deciding on the dissolution. If the association is dissolved, its assets shall be used for the same purpose.
15 §
In other respects, the provisions of the current Associations Act shall be observed.
Updated April 10, 2024.