Based on the provisions of the Law on Associations and Fondations of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette 32/01) Steering Board of the Atlantic Initiative Bosnia and Herzegovina, on its meeting held on 14 October 2009, agreed upon the following:
STATUTE
OF THE ATLANTIC INITIATIVE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
OF THE ATLANTIC INITIATIVE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Article 1
Provisions of the Statute of Atlantic Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina set name, residence and scope of activities of the Association, regulations on goals and means to achieve these goals, confirm public nature of the Association, membership and relevant fees, rights and obligations, as well as responsibilities of the members of the Association, its internal organization, bodies within the Association, their composition, authorities, decision making processes, conditions and election/dismissal procedures, duration and type of mandate of members, property, termination or property procedures in case of termination of activities within the Association.
Article 2
Atlantic Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina is non-political and non-governmental association of citizents which share common interest in promoting Nort-Atlantic Treaty and its activities. Atlantic Initiative (hereinafter: Association) is a non-proft, legal body, registered with apropriate authoritity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Article 3
Association is active on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to achieve its goals and undertake steps to make these goals possible, Association can operate on international level. Its headquarters is in Sarajevo.
Article 4
Name of the Association is „Atlantska inicijativa“. Abbreviation used is AI. The name used in English is „Atlantic Initiative“, while the abbreviation remains the same.
SIMBOL AND STAMP
Article 5
Simbol of the Association is combination of BiH flag and the name of Atlantic Initiative. The shape is square.
Article 6
Stamp of the Association is round-shaped with inscription: «Atlantska inicijativa, Sarajevo» (Atlantic Initiative, Sarajevo) in the middle.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Article 7
Objectives of the Association are:
• Spreading information to citizens on Euro-Atlantic integration
• Public promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration
• Initiation of the debate and impact on quality of information on Euro-Atlantic integrations
• Participation in the awareness raising on Euro-Atlantic integration
• Contribution to establishment of modern, free of bias, democratic, tolerant and non-violent society
• Co-operation and contact with similar organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the region and worldwide.
• Spreading information to citizens on Euro-Atlantic integration
• Public promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration
• Initiation of the debate and impact on quality of information on Euro-Atlantic integrations
• Participation in the awareness raising on Euro-Atlantic integration
• Contribution to establishment of modern, free of bias, democratic, tolerant and non-violent society
• Co-operation and contact with similar organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the region and worldwide.
Article 8
In order to achieve its objectives, the Association undertakes the following activities:
• Organization of debates, meetings and informative seminars
• Spreads information, warns, advises and espresses its stand points thtough media
• Organizes study visits
• Maintaines up to date website and publishes online magazine on security and defense related issues
• Co-operates with relevant executive and legislative bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Makes publications such as aforementioned Online magazine or newsletters for broader public and members of the Association, in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Other activities inteded to assist achivement of particular objectives of the Association
• Organization of debates, meetings and informative seminars
• Spreads information, warns, advises and espresses its stand points thtough media
• Organizes study visits
• Maintaines up to date website and publishes online magazine on security and defense related issues
• Co-operates with relevant executive and legislative bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Makes publications such as aforementioned Online magazine or newsletters for broader public and members of the Association, in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Other activities inteded to assist achivement of particular objectives of the Association
Article 9
Association strongly supports the following principles:
• Respect for difference of opinion, thoughts and ideas
• Freedom of choice
• Independence of the Association in its activities
• Punlic nature of the Association
• Democratic procedures and views
• Accountability of each and every individual in it, as well as of the Association as a whole, for all undertaken steps.
• Respect for difference of opinion, thoughts and ideas
• Freedom of choice
• Independence of the Association in its activities
• Punlic nature of the Association
• Democratic procedures and views
• Accountability of each and every individual in it, as well as of the Association as a whole, for all undertaken steps.
MEMBERSHIP
Article 10
Article 10
Membership in the Association is voluntary to all private and legal bodies which accpet ideas and share views of the Association, and fulfil conditions set forth in Articles 11 or 12 of this Statute. There are no ethnicity based, ratial, social or religious affiliations based obstacles for anybody to become member of the Association. Membership in the Association could be:
• Permanent membership
• Supporting membership
• Honorary membership
• Permanent membership
• Supporting membership
• Honorary membership
Article 11
Any work eligible person can become permanent member of the Association.
Article 12
Supporting member of the Association can be any work eligible person or any legal body.
Article 13
Honorary member of the Association can be any person that, as decided by the Steering Committee, contributed to exceptional promotion of the Association and its goals, or will do it by the fact of becoming a honorary member of the Association.
Article 14
One becomes member of the Association by registration in the Book of members kept by the President of the Association.
Article 15
Rights and obligations of members of the Association would be to:
– participate in activities of the Association,
– as a permanent member of the Association to vote and be elected to all bodies of the Association and other bodies of other associations, as a representative of the Association.
– obtain assistance in fulfiling its rights related to core activities of the association
– be informed on activities of the Association.
– evaluate the work of the Association.
– set example in protecting interest, reputation, honor and property of the Association
– pay membership fee, as decided by the Steering Committee of the Association
– participate in activities of the Association,
– as a permanent member of the Association to vote and be elected to all bodies of the Association and other bodies of other associations, as a representative of the Association.
– obtain assistance in fulfiling its rights related to core activities of the association
– be informed on activities of the Association.
– evaluate the work of the Association.
– set example in protecting interest, reputation, honor and property of the Association
– pay membership fee, as decided by the Steering Committee of the Association
Article 16
Termination of membership:
a) Permanent members
– in case of voluntary termination of membership in the Assoctiation
– in case of termination of status defined in Article 11 of this Statute
– in case of irregular payment of membership fee, as set by the Steering Committee of the Association
– Exclusion from the Association by the decision of the Steering Committee, in cases and member intentionaly or as a result of lack of attention violated objectives and princiles of the Association, as set in this Statute.
b) Supporting members :
– in case of voluntary termination of membership in the Assoctiation
– in case of termination of status defined in Article 12 of this Statute
– in case of irregular payment of membership fee, as set by the Steering Committee of the Association
– Exclusion from the Association by the decision of the Steering Committee, in cases and member intentionaly or as a result of lack of attention violated objectives and princiles of the Association, as set in this Statute.
c) Honorary members:
– in case of voluntary termination of membership in the Assoctiation
– Exclusion from the Association by the decision of the Steering Committee, in cases and member intentionaly or as a result of lack of attention violated objectives and princiles of the Association, as set in this Statute.
Member of the Association that has been expeled from its activities in accordance with the decision of the Steering Board can submit a complaint on the decision to the Association Committee, not later then 15 days from the date of delivery of the decision made. Association Committee is obliged to take the complaint into the consideration on its first following meeting and make the final decision.
a) Permanent members
– in case of voluntary termination of membership in the Assoctiation
– in case of termination of status defined in Article 11 of this Statute
– in case of irregular payment of membership fee, as set by the Steering Committee of the Association
– Exclusion from the Association by the decision of the Steering Committee, in cases and member intentionaly or as a result of lack of attention violated objectives and princiles of the Association, as set in this Statute.
b) Supporting members :
– in case of voluntary termination of membership in the Assoctiation
– in case of termination of status defined in Article 12 of this Statute
– in case of irregular payment of membership fee, as set by the Steering Committee of the Association
– Exclusion from the Association by the decision of the Steering Committee, in cases and member intentionaly or as a result of lack of attention violated objectives and princiles of the Association, as set in this Statute.
c) Honorary members:
– in case of voluntary termination of membership in the Assoctiation
– Exclusion from the Association by the decision of the Steering Committee, in cases and member intentionaly or as a result of lack of attention violated objectives and princiles of the Association, as set in this Statute.
Member of the Association that has been expeled from its activities in accordance with the decision of the Steering Board can submit a complaint on the decision to the Association Committee, not later then 15 days from the date of delivery of the decision made. Association Committee is obliged to take the complaint into the consideration on its first following meeting and make the final decision.
ORGANISATION
Article 17
Article 17
Association is represeted by President, Secretary General, member of the Steering Board and other persons, as authories by the Steering Board or the Committee.
Article 18
Steering Board and Committee make decision on establishment of boards, comissions and working groups, as needed. Alliances with other institutions are decided upon the Steering Board and verified by the Committee.
Article 18
Steering Board and Committee make decision on establishment of boards, comissions and working groups, as needed. Alliances with other institutions are decided upon the Steering Board and verified by the Committee.
Article 19
Boards, commissions and working groups of the Association follow the principles and regulations set in this Statute and the appropriate Terms of reference. Terms of reference for particular board, commission or working group is set by the Steering Board, except in cases when those apply to boards, commissions and working groups which are under the responsibility of the Committee of the Association.
BODIES
Article 20
Article 20
Bodies of the Association would be
– Committee
– Steering Board
– Committee
– Steering Board
COMMITEE
Article 21
Article 21
Committee of the Association is its highest body. Members of the Committee are all permanent members of the Association.
Article 22
Scope of activities of the Committee as the highest body of the Organisation would be:
– it makes, adopts and changes Statute of the Association, as proposed by the Steering Committee,
– decides upon rules and regulations as well as terms of references for its own activities and activities of its bodies,
– creates and decides upon programatic and financial documentation of the Association and adopts reports on their implementation,
– elects and dismisses President of the Association
– elects and dismisses the Steering Board and controls its work on permanent basis or through special commision which might be established upon need,
– makes verdicts on members complaints against decisions made by the Steering Committee
– makes other decisions as set by this Statute
– it makes, adopts and changes Statute of the Association, as proposed by the Steering Committee,
– decides upon rules and regulations as well as terms of references for its own activities and activities of its bodies,
– creates and decides upon programatic and financial documentation of the Association and adopts reports on their implementation,
– elects and dismisses President of the Association
– elects and dismisses the Steering Board and controls its work on permanent basis or through special commision which might be established upon need,
– makes verdicts on members complaints against decisions made by the Steering Committee
– makes other decisions as set by this Statute
Article 23
Committee meets at least once in two years time. Elections are organized every four years.
President of the Association calls for a meeting, as recommended by the Steering Board of the Association. President of the Association is chairperson of the Commitee.
President of the Association calls for a meeting, as recommended by the Steering Board of the Association. President of the Association is chairperson of the Commitee.
Article 24
Extraordinary sessions of the Committee can take place if initiated by:
– Steering Board;
– Steering commission establihed by Commitee to control the Steering committee or at least one third of the permamnent members of the Association
In case and within 30 days from submission of the request of authorised recommenders, as mentioned in the previous article, President of the Association does not call for a meeting of the Commitee, the initiatior of the session would organize it. The initiator is obliged to set the agenda and prepare the Committee for it. Extraordinary sessions are explicitly organized to make decisions on particular questions which trigerred such meetings.
– Steering Board;
– Steering commission establihed by Commitee to control the Steering committee or at least one third of the permamnent members of the Association
In case and within 30 days from submission of the request of authorised recommenders, as mentioned in the previous article, President of the Association does not call for a meeting of the Commitee, the initiatior of the session would organize it. The initiator is obliged to set the agenda and prepare the Committee for it. Extraordinary sessions are explicitly organized to make decisions on particular questions which trigerred such meetings.
Article 25
The Committee can make valid decision if at least of permanent members of the Association are present at its sessions. In case and this is not possible, President of the Association is obliged to call for a new meeting, covering the same agenda, within the following seven days. Decisions at such meeting can be made if third of permanent members of the Association are present. Decision of the Committee are made with majority of votes from all present permanent members of the Association. Supporting and honorary members can take part in work of the Committee through discussions and proposals only, but have no right of direct vote. Voting procedure is generally public, and in exceptional cases it can be secret.
STEERING BOARD
Article 26
Article 26
Steering Board of the Association is executive body comprised of three members that have to be permanent members of the Association. It has a four year mandate.
Article 27
Steering Board is comprised of:
– President of the Organisation elected by the Committee in direct voting, based on the proposed activity plan,
– Member of the Steering Board of the Association and Secretary General of the Association, which are recommended by the President and elected by the Committee.
– Member of the Association can hold same position withing the Steering Board not more then twice.
– President of the Organisation elected by the Committee in direct voting, based on the proposed activity plan,
– Member of the Steering Board of the Association and Secretary General of the Association, which are recommended by the President and elected by the Committee.
– Member of the Association can hold same position withing the Steering Board not more then twice.
Article 28
President of the Association is chairperson of the Steering Board. President calls sessions in, as proposed by the Committee, chairs them, is responsible for finances of the Association, together with the Secretary General, signs decisions and documents, and signs all financial papers. President represents the Association in media, acts as editor of periodicals an booklets, and organiyes debates, meetings, seminars, etc. In case and President of the Association is not in a position to committ his duties, or is absent, for more then 30 days, Secretary General acts as replacement.
Article 29
Secretary General of the Association is at the same time deputy president of the Association. Secretary General takes minutes of the sessions of the Steering Board and the Committee, organizes and is responsible for the administrative tasks, makes membership records, provides invoices for membership, is respoinsible, together with the President, for all financial transactions of the Association. In case and Secretary General is not in a position to perform his/her duties, for over 30 days, he/she will be replaced by member of the Steering Board.
Article 30
Member of the Steering Board is, at the same time, deputy to Secretary General.
Article 31
Scope of activities of the Steering Board would be:
– creates Terms of reference for its activities;
– leads the entire business of the Association, in between two sessions of the Committee.
– on behalf of the Committee, makes decisions and conclusions, adopts necessary documents and at the first following session of the Committee, it submits those for discussion and adoption.
– elects representatives of the Association to other associations of similar kind.
– determines membership fees and payment methods
– proposes budget plan and final bill
– any other duties as assigned and in accordance with this Statute and relevant legislation
– creates Terms of reference for its activities;
– leads the entire business of the Association, in between two sessions of the Committee.
– on behalf of the Committee, makes decisions and conclusions, adopts necessary documents and at the first following session of the Committee, it submits those for discussion and adoption.
– elects representatives of the Association to other associations of similar kind.
– determines membership fees and payment methods
– proposes budget plan and final bill
– any other duties as assigned and in accordance with this Statute and relevant legislation
Article 32
At its sessions, Steering Board makes decision by vote of more then half of all the members of the Steering Board
FINANCES
Article 33
Article 33
Activities of the Association are financed from:
– membership fees and contributions;
– specific funds obtained from state and other organisations intended for particular goals;
– income from gifts, donations, contributions, etc.;
– other sources, in accordance with the law.
– membership fees and contributions;
– specific funds obtained from state and other organisations intended for particular goals;
– income from gifts, donations, contributions, etc.;
– other sources, in accordance with the law.
Article 34
Finances of the Association are kept and controled in accordance with proper and valid legislation.
Article 35
Financial transactions are made in order to achieve long term financial stability of the Association. Obtaining financial sources mentioned in Article 33, permanent and temporary sources of financing are secured for the Association.
Article 36
Property of the Association comprise all finances, real estate, equipment, inventory and archives/library, as well as other property rights. Property of the Association is intended for achivement of its programatic goals and for use in daily activities of the Association.
Article 37
Steering Board can make special Rules of Procedure for finances and property issues.
PUBLICITY
Article 38
Article 38
All activities of the Association are public. This is ensured by up to date and relevant reporting to members of the Association on all of its activities, writen reports, at special meetings and in other manners – through media. In order to provide more comprehensive information, the Association may issue periodicals, newsletters, magazines and other documents, in accordance with the relevant legislation.
TERMINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION
Article 39
The Association can terminate its activities in accordance with the decision made by the Committee or in other cases set by the law. Property of the organisation, upon payment of all debts, remains with founders of the Association.
Article 40
Decision on termination of activities of the Association is valid only if made by at least majority of all members of the Committee.
Article 41
President or Secretary General are obliged to submit information on termination of activities of the Association to the autority in charge, so it could erase the Association from the Register of Associations.
TEMPORARY AND CONCLUDING REGULATIONS
Article 42
Article 42
Commitee of the Association is responsible for interpretation of this Statute.
Article 43
All matters that are not covered in this Statute can be regulated with separate bylaws agreed upon within the Association.
Article 44
Statute is valid as of its adoption with the Committee of the Association. This Statute is, therefore, agreed upon at the meeting of the Committee of the Association, held in Sarajevo on 14 October 2009, in accordance with the adequate procedure.
