Yhdistyksen säännöt
Rules of the Association
Note: This is just a translation, official rules are in Finnish
1§ Name and Registered Municipality
The name of the association is Warrantti ry (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”), and its registered municipality is the City of Vaasa.
2§ Purpose
The Association is a non-aligned subject association for students studying business at the University of Vaasa. Its purpose is to promote and develop business education at the University of Vaasa. The Association acts as an advocate for students’ interests and as a liaison during their studies, both in matters concerning studies and in matters related to student welfare. The Association also represents its members at the national level.
3§ Activities
In order to fulfil its purpose, the Association organises meetings, educational events and seminars to develop education, as well as discussion and recreational events to promote social interaction. In addition to the above, an important form of activity is active communication with corresponding organisations at other institutions of higher education.
The Association also engages in communications directed outside the university community, as well as educational and study counselling. The Association may provide services aimed at its members, such as orientation to the university environment, student welfare counselling and maintaining an examination archive. The services shall, where possible, be provided to members free of charge or at cost price.
In order to support its activities, the Association may organise fee-based recreational events and sales events, own real and movable property necessary for the Association’s activities, receive bequests and donations, and, after obtaining the appropriate permit, organise lotteries, fundraising campaigns and sales events.
4§ Members
The Association may have ordinary members, supporting members, exchange student members and honorary members.
Any student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration or Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree at the University of Vaasa may become an ordinary member of the Association.
The Board may accept as a supporting member a person or a legal entity wishing to support the activities of the Association.
The Association meeting may, upon the proposal of the Board, invite as honorary members persons who, through their own activities, have significantly promoted the activities of the Association. Honorary membership is the Association’s highest distinction.
By decision of the Board, the Association may also award honorary and merit badges as well as other corresponding distinctions, as provided for in the traditions and honorary distinctions regulations approved by the Association meeting.
A person pursuing a business degree at a foreign university who has arrived at the University of Vaasa through an official student exchange programme to complete an exchange period may become an exchange student member.
Upon joining the Association, exchange student members shall not become student members of Vaasan Ekonomit or Suomen Ekonomit.
Exchange student members, honorary members and supporting members have limited voting rights and are therefore not eligible for election in the Association’s meetings. Acquired membership rights shall remain in force.
5§ Resignation and Removal of a Member
After an ordinary member has completed a higher university degree in business or when their right to study expires, they must express their wish to continue their membership as a supporting member, after which the Board shall decide on their acceptance as a supporting member.
Exchange students may be removed from membership or may resign when they are no longer studying in the faculty.
A member has the right to resign from the Association by notifying the Board or its Chairperson in writing, or by announcing their resignation at an Association meeting for entry into the minutes. The resignation shall take effect upon notification.
6§ Membership Fee
The amount of the membership and joining fees for ordinary members, exchange student members and supporting members shall be decided at the Association’s autumn general assembly. Honorary members are exempt from the obligation to pay membership fees.
7§ Audit
The Association shall have an auditor and a deputy auditor in accordance with the applicable Auditing Act. The auditor may be a natural person or an auditing firm.
8§ Association Meetings
The Association’s general assembly shall be held twice a year, the first time in April and the second time in November.
An extraordinary general assembly shall be convened without delay if at least one-fiftieth (1/50) of the members submit a written request for one or if the Board considers it necessary.
Notice of the assembly shall be given at least 14 days before the meeting on the Association’s official notice board, via the email list maintained by the Association, and on the Association’s official website.
The Board shall notify honorary and supporting members of a general assembly at least 7 days before the meeting by post or email.
9§ Spring general assembly
The Association’s spring general assembly in April shall address at least the following matters:
- The Association’s annual report for the preceding calendar year shall be presented.
- The auditor’s report shall be presented and the financial statements for the preceding financial year shall be confirmed.
- A decision shall be made on granting discharge from liability to the Board of the preceding term of office.
10§ Autumn general assembly
The Association’s autumn general assembly in November shall address at least the following matters:
- The Board of the Association shall be elected. The Chairperson of the Board shall be elected by direct personal election. The other members of the Board shall be elected by majority vote.
- The action plan and budget prepared by the Board for the following term of office shall be approved. The Association’s meeting may subsequently amend these.
- An auditor and a deputy auditor shall be elected for the following financial year.
- The membership fee shall be decided in accordance with §6 of these Rules.
11§ Meeting Procedures
An Association meeting shall have a quorum when it has been duly convened.
Minutes shall be kept of all meetings. The minutes shall be authenticated by the signatures of the Chairperson and Secretary of the meeting, as well as two minute examiners elected at the meeting.
In votes conducted at meetings, a simple majority of votes shall determine the outcome unless otherwise provided for in these Rules.
In the event of a tie, the position of the Chairperson shall prevail, except in elections of persons and in votes conducted by secret ballot, in which case the matter shall be decided by drawing lots.
12§ Board and Officers
The Board shall prepare matters to be dealt with at the Association’s meetings and shall be responsible for implementing the decisions made at such meetings.
The Board shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and no more than nine (9) other members.
The Board shall elect a Vice-Chairperson from among its members and other necessary officers from among its members or externally.
The Board’s term of office shall be one calendar year.
The Board and its members must enjoy the confidence of the Association meeting.
The removal of a Board member may also be brought before an Association meeting on the proposal of the Chairperson, provided that a majority of the Board supports the proposal.
The Association meeting considering the removal shall also decide on any necessary replacement or supplementation of the Board.
13§ Financial Management
The Board shall carefully manage the Association’s assets and shall keep its funds securely and in a manner advantageous to the Association.
The financial management of the Association shall be guided by Warrantti’s Financial Regulations.
14§ Committees and Working Groups
The Board may freely establish committees or working groups and appoint officers. A term of office and powers shall be specified for all of the above.
In addition, Warrantti’s Heritage Society operates under the Association as a non-independent sub-organisation. Its activities are governed by the traditions regulations.
15§ Board Meetings
The Board shall have a quorum when, in addition to the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, at least half of the Board members are present.
The Board shall be convened by its Chairperson or, if the Chairperson is prevented from attending, by the Vice-Chairperson.
A Board meeting shall also be convened if at least three (3) Board members request one.
Notice of a Board meeting shall be given at least 1 day before the meeting.
16§ Signing for the Association
The Association shall be represented by the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary, always two jointly.
17§ Financial Year and Financial Statements
The Association’s financial year shall be the calendar year.
The financial statements shall be submitted to the auditor for examination no later than one month before the spring meeting.
The auditors shall submit their audit report no later than 14 days before the spring meeting.
18§ Amendment of the Rules and Dissolution of the Association
An amendment to these Rules must be approved at two consecutive meetings held at least 14 days apart, with a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast required at both meetings.
The dissolution of the Association must be decided at two meetings held at least 14 days apart, with a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the votes cast required at both meetings.
The Association meeting may approve regulations governing the activities of the Association and its bodies by a simple majority.
19§ Distribution of Assets upon Dissolution
If the Association is dissolved, its assets shall be transferred for use in supporting students of business at the University of Vaasa in a manner determined by the Association’s most recent meeting.
20§ Removal of a Member
The Board of the Association may remove a member on the grounds specified in §14 of the Associations Act.
In addition, inappropriate or threatening behaviour at Association events may constitute grounds for removal.
The persons concerned shall always be heard by the Board of the Association before a final decision is made.
21§ Other Activities
In all other respects, the activities of the Association shall comply with the provisions of the Associations Act in force.