Rules of Rauhala ry

1. Name and domicile of the association

The name of the association is Rauhala ry and its domicile is Savonlinna.

2. Purpose and nature of activities

The purpose of the association is to promote wellbeing in Eastern Finland, cooperation between towns, advocacy for South Savo and the everyday life of residents.

To fulfil its purpose, the association:

• may organise competitions, shows, excursions, camps and other events
• may organise celebrations, concerts, exhibitions or other occasions
• may maintain the association's electronic communication channels
• may publish the association's announcements and other communications in various channels
• advises and guides its members
• takes part in public discussion on matters related to its field
• may collect and share information and carry out research
• brings members together for joint activities and maintains contacts with other associations in the field
• maintains a performing group made up of its members
• may organise trips for its members related to the association's purpose
• may contribute to its members' direct competition costs
• may acquire the necessary materials and equipment for the association's use
• seeks to arrange premises that the association's members can use
• may make proposals and initiatives to increase opportunities for recreational activities
• cooperates with authorities, organisations, companies and private individuals

To support its activities, the association may, having obtained the relevant permit where necessary:

• organise fundraising campaigns and lotteries
• organise sales, flea markets and other events
• organise events with an admission fee
• accept grants, donations and bequests
• own movable and immovable property necessary for its activities
• serve alcoholic beverages in connection with events it organises
• do voluntary work
• sell advertising space
• enter into sponsorship agreements

3. Members

Any person who accepts the purpose of the association may be accepted as a full member. Any private individual or legal entity that wishes to support the purpose and activities of the association may be accepted as a supporting member. Full members and supporting members are accepted by the board of the association upon application. A person who has significantly promoted and supported the association's activities may, on the proposal of the board, be invited at a meeting of the association to become honorary chair or an honorary member.

4. Joining fee and membership fee

The annual general meeting decides on the amount of the joining fee and the annual membership fee collected from full members and supporting members, separately for each group of members. The honorary chair and honorary members do not pay membership fees.

5. Board

The affairs of the association are managed by a board consisting of a chair and 3–5 other full members elected at the annual general meeting.

The term of office of the board is one calendar year.

The board elects a vice chair from among its members and appoints, from among its members or from outside, a secretary, a treasurer and other necessary officials. The board meets at the invitation of the chair or, if the chair is unable to attend, the vice chair, when they consider it necessary or when at least half of the board members so demand. The board has a quorum when at least half of its members, including the chair or vice chair, are present. Votes are decided by an absolute majority. In the event of a tie, the chair has the casting vote, except in elections, which are decided by drawing lots.

6. Signing on behalf of the association

The association's name is signed by the chair, the secretary or the treasurer of the board, each alone.

7. Financial year

The association's financial year is the calendar year.

8. Meetings of the association

If the board or a meeting of the association so decides, members may also participate in a meeting of the association by post, or by means of a telecommunications connection or other technical means during or before the meeting. The meeting of the association approves the voting and election procedure.

The annual general meeting of the association is held each year on a date set by the board between January and May.

At meetings of the association, each full member, the honorary chair and each honorary member has one vote. Supporting members have the right to attend and speak at meetings. Unless otherwise specified in the rules, the decision of a meeting of the association is the opinion supported by more than half of the votes cast.

In the event of a tie, the chair of the meeting has the casting vote, except in elections, which are decided by drawing lots.

9. Convening meetings of the association

The board must convene meetings of the association at least 7 days before the meeting.

The notice of the meeting must be sent to members on the association's website or in the social media group used by the association.

10. Annual general meeting

The following matters are dealt with at the annual general meeting:

1. opening of the meeting
2. election of the chair and secretary of the meeting, two persons to check the minutes and, if necessary, two vote counters
3. confirmation that the meeting is lawfully convened and has a quorum
4. approval of the agenda
5. presentation of the financial statements, the annual report and the statement of the operations inspectors/auditors
6. decision on adopting the financial statements and discharging the board and other accountable persons from liability
7. approval of the plan of action, the budget and the amounts of the joining and membership fees
8. election of the chair and other members of the board
9. election of one or two operations inspectors and a deputy operations inspector, or one or two auditors and a deputy auditor
10. other matters mentioned in the notice of the meeting

If a member of the association wishes to have a matter dealt with at the annual general meeting, they must notify the board in writing early enough for the matter to be included in the notice of the meeting.

11. Amending the rules and dissolving the association

A decision to amend the rules or to dissolve the association must be made at a meeting of the association by a majority of at least three quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The notice of the meeting must mention the amendment of the rules or the dissolution of the association. If the association is dissolved, its assets are used to promote the purpose of the association as decided by the meeting deciding on the dissolution. If the association is terminated, its assets are used for the same purpose.