ESN FINT rules in english

Table:
1§ Name and domicile
2§ Purpose and activities
3§ Members
4§ The board
5§ Releasing from a position of trust
6§ Signing for the association
7§ Accounts
8§ Calling the association meetings
9§ Meetings of the association
10§ Autumn and spring meetings
11§ Changing of the rules and dissolution of the association

1§ Name and domicile

The name of the association is Erasmus Student Network Finns and Internationals in Tampere ry. The unofficial abbreviation ESN FINT can also be used. The domicile of the association is Tampere. The association is a member of the international Erasmus Student Network.

2§ Purpose and activities

The purpose of the association is to improve the internationalization at home and the integration into Finnish culture of its members, also furthering the past-time recreational events and activities. The association is not politically aligned. 

To reach its goals, the association organizes past-time recreational events and activities and trips for its members, co-operates with organizations that share similar goals and organizes gatherings, educational- and instructional events. The association can also co-operate with other organizations.

To support its activities the organization may accept donations, official assistance and wills, own the necessary property for its activities, practice publishing, and having received the appropriate permission the association may organize collections and raffles.

3§ Members

All students of a higher education facility in the Pirkanmaa region that accept the purpose and rules of the association are eligible as actual members. The actual members of the association are approved by the board. The amount of the joining and membership fees are decided by the spring meeting.

Members have a right to resign from the association by informing the board or the chairperson of the association or by informing of the resignation at the Association Meeting. A member can be expelled if they have failed to pay their membership fee for six months. A board can expel a member if they cause considerable damage to the association.

An actual member may continue as a member of the association after their studies have ended, but they can not be elected into the board. Board members of Erasmus Student Network Finland ry and Erasmus Student Network AISBL are allowed to become members of ESN FINT ry.

The association’s meeting may invite a person for honorary membership that has considerably furthered and supported the functioning of the association. Honorary members are not charged a membership fee.

4§ The board

The routines of the association are run by the board, to which belong a chairperson, and between two (2) and nine (9) members, chosen at the spring meeting. The board members must be members of the association. At the spring meeting each board member is assigned an area of responsibility. A board member’s term of office is from the first of August (1.8.) to the thirty-first of July (31.7.) of the following year.

The board convenes by the invitation of the chairperson, or in his absence by invitation of the vice-chairperson, or when at least 1/3 of the board members demand it. The board meets quorum when at least half of its members, including the chairperson, or vice-chairperson are present. 

Matters are decided by a simple majority vote. In case of a tie, the chairperson’s vote will be the deciding one, but in elections ties will be resolved by drawing lots.

5§ Releasing from a position of trust

The meeting of the association can dismiss a member of the board during their term, in which case this must be mentioned in the invitation to the meeting.

A replacement for the dismissed member of the board must be chosen in the same meeting for the remainder of the term.

6§ Signing for the association

The signatories of the association are the chairperson and vice-chairperson together, or either one together with another member of the board.

7§ Accounts

The association's fiscal year is from the first of August (1.8.) to the thirty-first of July (31.7.) of the following year. The accounts and all required documentation must be handed to the auditor at least one month before the autumn meeting. The auditor must check the accounts and material assets of the association and present the board with a written declaration at least two (2) weeks before the autumn meeting.

8§ Calling the association meetings

The association's meetings are called by the board. The invitation must be sent at least seven (7) days before the meeting to the e-mail list of the association.

9§ Meetings of the association

The association holds two general meetings each year. A General Meeting may also be attended by using a data connection or some other technical means during the meeting or before the meeting if so decided by the General Meeting or the Board.

The association’s spring meeting is held yearly in April or May on a day set by the board. The association’s autumn meeting is held yearly in October or November on a day set by the board.

Additional general meetings are held when the association's meeting so decides, or when the board sees it necessary, or when at least one tenth (1/10) of the members that are eligible to vote have requested it in writing for a specific case from the board.

In the meeting of the association, every actual member and honorary members have one vote.

The decision will be the suggestion that has had more than half of the given votes. In case of a tie, the meeting’s chairperson’s vote is the deciding one, but in elections ties will be resolved by drawing lots.

10§ Autumn and spring meetings

a) Autumn meeting

At the autumn meeting the following are done: opening of the meeting; electing a chair of the meeting, a secretary, two scrutinizers of the minutes and if necessary two vote counters for the meeting; check for legality and quorum; accepting the agenda; presenting the accounts, the annual report and the auditor’s declaration; confirming the accounts and deciding on the release from liability of the board and other liable persons; confirming the plan of action and the budget; other issues mentioned in the invitation.

b) Spring meeting

At the spring meeting the following are done: opening of the meeting; electing a chair of the meeting, a secretary, two scrutinizers of the minutes and if necessary two vote counters for the meeting; check for legality and quorum; accepting the agenda; election of the chairperson of the board; deciding on the amount of board members, their areas of responsibilities and electing the members of the board; confirming the amount of the joining and membership fees; choosing an auditor and a backup for them for the next fiscal year; other issues mentioned in the invitation.

11§ Changing of the rules and dissolution of the association

A decision to change the rules must be made in a meeting of the association by at least a three fourths (3/4) majority vote.

A decision to dissolve the association must be made in two consecutive meetings of the association by at least a three fourths (3/4) majority vote.

A change of rules or the dissolution of the association must be mentioned in the invitation to the meeting. If the association is dissolved, all its funds will be used to further the purpose of the association in a way that the association’s meeting decides. If the association is disbanded, the funds will be used in the same manner.