Statute
Nedjelja, 20 Lipanj 2010 16:21
Based on Article 11 of Organizations Law (“Official Gazette”, No. 88/01), Assembly of Parents Association “Step by step” for the Promotion of the Quality of Living of Children and Families, at the Conference held on 11th January 2005, has established
STATUTE OF
PARENTS ASSOCIATION “STEP BY STEP” FOR THE PROMOTION
OF THE QUALITY OF LIVING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
This Statute regulates the issues of the Name, Headquarter, Activities, Internal Organization and other points important for the activities of Parents Association “Step by step” for the Promotion of the Quality of Living of Children and Families (hereinafter: the Association)
Name and Headquarters
Article 1
The Association is named: Udruga roditelja “Korak po korak” za promicanje kvalitete življenja djece i obitelji.
Together with its name in Croatian, the Association uses the English name: Parents Association “Step by step” for the Promotion of the Quality of Living of Children and Families.
The Abbreviated Name of the Association is: UR “Korak po korak”.
With the Abbreviated Name in Croatian, the Association uses the Abbreviated Name in English: PA “Step by step”.
The Headquarters of the Association is in Zagreb. The decision on the address is reached by the Board of directors.
The Association is a non-profit organization.
Area of Activities and Signet
Article 2
The Association acts on the Territory of the Republic of Croatia.
The Association has a Signet. The Signet of the Association is round in form, 35 mm in diameter. Within the Signets rim a full Title of the Association in Croatian language is written, and the middle of the Signet contains the Headquarters of the Association.
Representation
Article 3
The Association is represented by the President of the Association, and in case of his obstruction the Vice-president. The Association may also be represented by any member of the Board of directors of the Association, if the President empowers him/her in written form.
The publicity of work
Article 4
The work of the Association is public, which implies that the members of the Association, as well as the general public, have the right of insight to decisions of the elements of the Association and in the work of the Association in general. The publicity of work of the Association is generated by regular informing of members of the Association on the work of the Association, by written or electronic Bulletin, or in any other appropriate way.
Purpose of foundation
Article 5
The purpose of foundation of the Association is the promotion of social values directed on children – society that considers children as their most valued treasure, and therefore sets their wellbeing, development and education as a priority, and sees the renewal of parenthood values as a source of possibilities for solving the conflict between work and child care, doing everything so that the parents role is appreciated and facilitated.
In actualizing of this goal, the Association may especially advocate:
• better communication between children and adults so that the human rights of children would be better understood and respected;
• active participation of children in all question which influence their rights, by advocating solidarity and partnership relation of children and adults;
• equal opportunities and access to quality elementary education, which is free and mandatory for all children;
• implementation of children oriented methodology in nurseries and schools;
• a nursery and school environment in which children learn with joy, constantly expanding their understanding of what they learn, and implementation of democratic attitudes, values and behaviour;
• promotion of attitude that parenthood (equally motherhood and fatherhood) is something that children need, and that all that is allocated for parents is arranged as something that children are entitled to;
• encouragement and sustaining of self-organization and voluntary action of parents;
• encouragement of socially responsible business sector, so that the needs of children and their parents would be met;
• promotion of the need for cooperation between employers and employees on developing such a work environment and work organization which will facilitate child care for parents;
• encouragement of working with adults, firstly parents and teachers, in order to develop interculturalism and multiculturalism, the prevention of child abuse, prevention of different kind of addictions, and establishing quality standards and changes in practise which lead to enhancement of life conditions for children and families;
• collaboration with public institutions, organizations and associated Associations in promoting societies values directed on children.
Activities
Article 6
As a purpose of obtaining the goals stated in Article 5 of this Statute, the Association may perform the following activities:
• enabling joint appearance of members in front of elements of Central and Local government, and other institutions;
• collaboration with preschool, school and other institutions which care for children and families;
• organization of seminars and public lectures;
• collaboration with domestic and foreign organizations;
• promotion of donorship and sponsorship;
• acquisition and allocation of humanitarian aid;
• performing other permitted activities.
Membership
Article 7
A member of the Association can be any person that is, as a parent or by professional engagement, as well as any other appropriate way, willing to help and promote interests and rights of children and their families.
Membership within the Association can be regular, joint and honorary.
Regular members actively cooperate in the work of the Association and pay membership fee.
Joint members are those persons who support Associations goals, but are not active in the work of the Association, or pay membership fee.
Honorary members are those persons who, for their contribution to work and actualization of the goals of the Association, are selected as honorary members. Honorary members do not pay membership fee.
Application for joining as a regular or joint member, with the warning of membership kind, is brought to the Board of directors of the Association, which then makes a decision on acceptance of membership and data entry in the membership list.
The proposition for joining as an honorary member can be made by any member or element of the Association. On the proposition for acceptance as an honorary member the Assembly of Association decides.
The rights and obligations of regular members
Article 8
The rights and obligations of regular members are:
• active contribution to actualization of the Associations goals;
• respect of the Statute and the decisions of elements of the Associations based on it;
• protection and enhancing of Associations reputation;
• giving propositions for work improvement, pointing out the failures in work of the elements of the Association;
• proposing new members;
• being informed on the work of the Association and its elements, on financial management, as well as the destiny of members propositions and observations;
• choosing and being chosen in the Associations elements;
• collaborating with associated Associations and state elements in the country and abroad;
• regular payment of membership fee.
Completion of membership
Article 9
A membership in the Association can be completed by:
• caving, or by death of a member
• non-payment of the membership fee for a year
• exclusion of a member.
A member may be excluded if he is in violation of the rules set by the Statute of the Association, if he is purposely neglecting or refusing to follow the decisions made by the elements of the Association, or if he is distorting the reputation of the Association. The decision of exclusion from the membership is brought by the Board of directors. An appeal against the decision of the Board of directors may be stated to the Assembly of the Association within 15 days from the day of receipting a written decision. The Assembly is mandatory to make a decision on the Appeal on the first next conference.
Branches
Article 10
The Association may constitute branches. Branches do not have a legal personality.
The decision of constituting a branch is made by the Board of directors. The work of a branch is regulated by the Rulebook on the work of branches.
In juristic property the Branch appears in the name and in account of the Association. The Branch cannot take over obligations in the name of and in account of the Association, without the written authorisation of the Board of directors of the Association.
Elements of government
Article 11
The elements of government of the Association are:
• Assembly
• Board of directors
• President of the Association.
Assembly
Article 12
The Assembly is the highest element of government of the Association, and it is formed by all regular members of the Association.
The Assembly meets at a regular conference, at least once a year.
The Conference of the Assembly is called by the President of the Association.
Extraordinary Conference of the Assembly may be called by the President of the Association, on his own initiative, and it is mandatory for the Assembly to be called on the suggestion of the Board of directors or ¼ of regular members of the Association.
In case that the President of the Association does not call the Assembly within the term set by paragraph 4 of this Article, the Conference of the Assembly may be called by the proponents.
On an Extraordinary Conference the Assembly makes decisions exclusively on the questions for which it is called.
Article 13
A written invitation must be sent to the members of the Association for participation in the Conference of the Assembly, at least 10 days prior to the holding of the Conference. The invitation must include the agenda of the Conference of the Assembly.
The Assembly makes valid decisions if the Conference has more than half of regular members of the Association present. If there is no quorum in the time set as the beginning of the Conference of the Assembly, the beginning will be postponed for 30 minutes. By the end of that time the Assembly may make decisions if there are 10 regular members present at the Conference.
The Assembly makes valid decisions with more than half of members present, except decisions on the changes made in the Statute and the termination of the Association, which is made by ¾ of present members.
The voting in the Conference of the Assembly is public, and the Assembly may exceptionally decide that the voting on certain topics is secret.
On every Conference the Assembly chooses a chairman and the recorder. The chairman validates the Registry.
Article 14
The Assembly:
• decides on the Statute and its amendments;
• interprets the Statute and other general Acts of the Association;
• chooses and excludes members of the Board of directors;
• carries out the Plan and Program of the work of the Association;
• carries out the Financial plan and acknowledges the balance sheet of the Association;
• observes the Report on the work of the Association and the Board of directors;
• decides on the organizational and status changes and the termination of work of the Association;
• decides on the receiving of honorary members;
• makes decisions on the property of the Association, and handling the property in case of termination of the Association;
• carries out other decisions involving work and business conduct of the Association, for which the Board of directors or the President is not authorized.
Board of directors
Article 15
Between two Conferences of the Assembly the Association is managed by the Board of directors.
The board of directors has 7 members which choose the President and Vice-president between themselves. The President of the Association manages the function of the President of the Board of directors.
Heads of Branches are called on the Conference of the Board of directors when questions important for their activities are argued, but they do not have the right to vote on them.
The Mandate of elected members of the Board of directors is two years, and they can be elected several times.
The Assembly can resolve certain members of the Board of directors, or the Board of directors in general, before the end of their mandate, if a certain members of the Board of directors, or the Board of directors in general break the articles of the Statute of the Association, purposely neglect or refuses to follow the decisions made by the elements of the Association, or if they disrupt the reputation of the Association. In case that the entire Board of directors is resolved, a new one, with the full mandate is selected, and in case that just one member is resolved, a new one is selected by the end of the term of the Board of directors.
In case that between two conferences of the Assembly one of the members of the Board of directors resign, or by any other reason declines or is prevented to participate in the work of the Board of directors, the Board of directors has a right to co-opt another person in his place, from members of the Associations. Not more than two members of the Board of directors can be co-opted.
On the co-opted member of the Board of directors the Assembly of the Association decides on its next conference. The Conference of the Assembly must be held in a period not longer than one year of co-opting a member of the Board of directors. In case that a regular conference of the Assembly is not called in that period, the Board of directors will propose to the President to call an extraordinary conference of the Assembly.
The Assembly may confirm the decision of the Board of directors on co-opting a member and confirming the duration of the mandate of the Board of directors, or refuse a decision of the Board of directors on co-opting a member, resolving a co-opt member and choosing a new member of the Board of directors.
Article 16
The Board of directors makes valid decisions if there are more than half of its members present at the Conference.
The Board of directors makes valid decisions with more than half votes of the present members.
The voting in the Conference of the Board of directors is public, and the Board of directors may exceptionally decide that the voting on certain topics is secret.
The Board of directors decides on the Rulebook of its work.
Article 17
The Board of directors:
• manages the work of the Association between conferences of the Assembly;
• selects and resolves the President and the Vice-president of the Association;
• performs conclusions and decisions of the Assembly;
• suggests amendments of the Statute;
• reaches rulebooks and other under-statutory acts of the Association;
• names and resolves the Secretary of the Association;
• submits a report on the work of the Association to the Assembly;
• suggests a financial plan and the balance sheet of the Association;
• decides on the bank through which the financial business of the Association will be conducted;
• decides on acceptance into membership and exclusion of membership within the Association;
• decides on the cost of membership fee and the date of its payment;
• informs the membership and the general public on the work of the Association;
• decides on the management of funds of the Association over the amount of 10.000,00 Croatian Kuna;
• decides on the management of the property of the Association;
• reaches a decision on the address of headquarters of the Association;
• reaches a decision on constituting branches of the Association.
President and Vice-president of the Association
Article 18
The President is selected by the Board of directors to the mandate of two years.
The President represents the Association; calls, defines the agenda and presides in the conferences of the Board of directors, and suggests their agenda. Reports to the Board of directors on the realization of their decisions between conferences; decides on management of the funds of the Association under the amount of 10.000,00 Croatian Kuna, and is responsible for the legality of the work of the Association.
In case of his prevention, the President is replaced by the Vice-president of the Association with all authorities of the President.
Article 19
The Vice-president is selected by the Board of directors to the mandate of two years.
The Vice-president aides the President and presides the conferences of the Board of directors, in case of the Presidents prevention.
In case of absence of the President and the Vice-president, the conferences of the Assembly and the Board of directors is presided by the member of the Board of directors who has a written accreditation from the President in case of his and the Vice-presidents prevention. In this case the member of the Board of directors with the accreditation has all the authorities of the President.
Secretary of the Association
Article 20
The Secretary of the Association is selected by the Board of directors. The mandate of the Secretary is for two years. For his work the Secretary is responsible to the Board of directors.
The Secretary prepares the drafts of acts for the conference of the Assembly and the Board of directors, and writes the record at the conference of the Assembly and the Board of directors.
The Secretary keeps a record of membership, cares for the Archive and does other administration activities entrusted to him by the Board of directors.
Financial management
Article 21
The financial year starts on January 1st, and ends on December 31st.
The funds of the Association are managed on a separate account at the business bank that is selected by the Board of directors.
The Association is mandatory to keep financial books in appliance with regulations.
All payments are signed by at least one of the total three bank signatories. The bank signatories are the President, the Vice-president and the Secretary of the Association.
Article 22
Revenues and expenses of the Association are determined with a yearly financial plan. At the end of the year for which the financial plan is accepted, a balance sheet is made.
The revenue acquired by conducting authorised activities of the Association can be spent only for financing activities that generate the purpose of the Association.
Article 23
The funds for the Associations work are acquired by:
• membership fee,
• contributions and gift items,
• donations and sponsorship,
• organization of seminars and lectures,
• other legally permitted resources.
Record
Article 24
A record is kept for all conferences of the Board of directors and the Assembly.
A copy of the record is stored in the Archive of the Association.
The record is signed by the record keeper, and validated by the President of the Association or the person who has at the conference acted with the authorities of the President.
Changes of the Statute
Article 25
Changes of the Statute can be made only at a conference of the Assembly of the Association.
Termination of work
Article 26
In case of termination of work of the Association, a decision on the property of the Association is made by the Assembly.
The Assembly can decide that the property of the Association pertain to one of the registered Associations in the field of upbringing and education.
Final provisions
Article 27
Decisions and acts of managing elements of the Association, as well as the decisions and practice of an official of the Association cannot be against this Statute.
General acts of the Association have to be in compliance with this Statute.
Article 28
This Statute takes effect with the day it is authorised by a competent authority.
In Zagreb, January 11th 2005
President of the Association:
Gorana Hitrec
Based on Article11 of Organizations Law (“Official Gazette”, No. 88/01) and the Article 14 of the Statute from January 11th 2005 the Assembly of Parents Association “Step by step” for the Promotion of the Quality of Living of Children and Families, held on March 23rd 2006 has established
AMENDMENTS OF THE STATUTE
Article 1
In the Statute of Parents Association “Step by step” for the Promotion of the Quality of Living of Children and Families from January 11th 2005 in these articles:
Article 1
The first paragraph is changed to: “The Association is named: Udruga roditelja “Korak po korak””.
The second paragraph is changed to: “Together with its name in Croatian, the Association uses the English name: Parents Association “Step by step””.
Article 3
Changes to: “The Association is represented by the President of the Association and the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of directors may empower any regular member of the Association to replace the President or the Chief Executive Officer.”
Article 6
The point “Acquisition and allocation of humanitarian aid” is erased.
Article 11
After the point “The President of the Association”, the following points are added: “The Chief Executive Officer” and “The Secretary of the Association”.
Article 17
Point “Names and resolves the Secretary of the Association” is changed into “Chooses and resolves the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary of the Association”.
Article 18
Second paragraph is changed to: “The President represents the Association; calls, defines the agenda and presides in the conferences of the Board of directors; cooperates with the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary of the Association in administering the decisions of the Board of directors, and reports the Board of directors on that; together with the Chief Executive Officer decides on management of the funds of the Association under the amount of 10.000,00 Croatian Kuna, and is responsible for the legality of the work of the Association.”
After Article 19, a new Article is added.
Article 20
Chief Executive Officer
• represents the Association and performs the program of the work of the Association;
• performs instructions, decisions and conclusions of the Board of directors;
• is responsible for work organization and business activities of the Association;
• cares for ensuring financial assets for performance of the programs and projects of the Association;
• is responsible for conducting work of the Association according to law;
• decides, together with the President of the Association, on managing funds of the Association under the amount of 10.000,00 Croatian Kuna;
• does his work professionally, according to Labour Law;
• is chosen by the Board of directors, based by an internal application with the re-election every two years;
• cooperates with the Board of directors, the President and the Secretary of the Associations between conferences of the Assembly;
• participates in the work of the Board of directors, without the right to vote;
• chooses and employs associates.
Article 20 is changed to Article 21 as follows:
Secretary of the Association
• for his work answers to the Board of directors and the Chief Executive Officer;
• is chosen by the Board of directors, based by an internal application with the re-election every two years;
• keeps a record of membership and cares for the Archive of the Association.
Article 21 is changed to Article 22 as follows:
In paragraph 4 the word “three” is changed to “two”. Behind the phrase “The President” the phrase “and the Chief Executive Officer”, and strikes the phrase “Vice-president and Secretary of the Association”.
Article 22 is changed to Article 23.
Article 23 is changed to Article 24.
Article 24 is changed to Article 25.
Article 25 is changed to Article 26.
Article 26 is changed to Article 27.
Article 27 is changed to Article 28.
Article 28 is changed to Article 29.
Article 2
These Amendments take effect with the day that they are brought.
In Zagreb, April 10th 2006
The President PA “Step by step”
Gorana Hitrec