trunk/www/statutes.md

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title: "Statutes"
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## Article 1 - Naming of the association ##

We, the participating active members declare to abide by the following
statutes and to found an association under the law of July 1, 1901
(French law) and the ordinance of August 16, 1901, denominated:
Organization for Free Software in Education and Teaching.

## Article 2 - Declaration of subject-matter ##

The present association considers as its foremost purpose the
promotion and enhancement of the development of free educational
software and likewise the support of unimpeded access to free
standards of software for education.

## Article 3 - Registered seat ##

The registered seat shall be at Bonneville, France. The seat can be
transferred through unilateral decision by the council of
administration.

## Article 4 - Duration of association ##

There shall be no set time limit to the duration and continuation of
the association.

## Article 5 - Members and general structure of the association ##

The structure of membership be the following:

* honorary members
* sponsorial members
* governing or participating members

Honorary members are named individuals with distinct contributions to
the promotion of the association objectives. They are exempt from
subscription fees.

The annual subscription fee for sponsorial members is determined by
the interior regulation of the association.

Governing members have committed themselves to the payment of an
annual subscription determined by the interior regulation.

## Article 6 - Membership ##

The conditions for application are determined by interior
regulation. The governing administration may decline an application
without specifying.

## Article 7 - Exclusion and termination of membership ##

Membership is terminated by:

* written notice of withdrawal
* decease
* expulsion and termination declared by the council of administration
  for reasons of non-payment of subscription fees, or for other
  serious offense against the ruling statutes, for disrespect of the
  interior regulation or for other serious action detrimental for the
  spirit of the substance of the association.

## Article 8 - Resources and funds ##

The following be the basic resources of the association:

* subscription fees by active members
* donations and subsidies in compliance with the legal regulations
* funds and contributions obtained through the association activities.

## Article 9 - Council of administration ##

The governing body of the association is a council of members co-opted
into office for a period of two years. The members of the council can
be reelected. The maximum number of members for the council is
fifteen.

The council of administration will elect among the members a governing
board composed of the following:

* a president
* a vice-president
* a secretary, and, if required, an assistant secretary
* a treasurer, and, if required, an assistant treasurer

The members of the governing board are elected for one year to be
re-enacted.

The President of the governing board is the President of the
association.

The council of administration is vested with extended powers to decide
on and implement any action leading towards the achievement of the
association's objectives as well as concerning its management, its
development and its appropriate functioning. The council may also
decide on the modification of statutes.

## Article 10 - Sessions of the council of administration ##

The administrative council meets at least once every six months at the
request by the President or of one fourth of its members. Decisions
have to be taken by majority vote. In the case of parity of votes, the
President's vote will prevail. Any members of the administration
council who will have been absent at three consecutive sessions
without proper excuse or justification may be considered as resigned
from office.

The sessions will take place in accordance with the interior
regulation and with regard to the means of communication to be
utilized.

## Article 11 - Non-profit administration ##

The members of the council of administration of the association will
not receive any remuneration for the exercise of the functions they
have been entrusted with. They may, however, obtain the reimbursement
of the expenditure incurred for the association on production of
documentation and after the consent of the council of administration.

## Article 12 - Duties of the members of the governing board ##

The President summons all general meetings and the meetings of the
administration. His part is to represent the association in all civil
acts and procedures and to ensure the proper registration of such. In
the case of absence or illness, his place is taken over by the
vice-president who is then invested with the above authority.

The secretary is in charge of all correspondence and the archives. His
duty is to draw up the minutes of the council meetings and to file
them properly. In the case of absence or illness, his place is taken
over by the assistant secretary who then is invested with the above
authority.

The treasurer is in charge of all matters concerning the funds and
assets of the association. He administers all payments under the
surveillance of the President. He maintains a regular accountancy of
all financial operations. In the case of absence or illness, his place
is taken over by a member of the council of administration designated
by the President. This member is then invested with the above
authority.

## Article 13 - General assembly ##

The general assembly comprises all members of the association
irrespective of the their status.

The general assembly is summoned by the President. With fifteen days
at least in advance to the date of the assembly, the members are
notified by the secretary who will simultaneously send a specification
of the assembly along with an agenda.

The President, assisted by the members of the council, presides the
assembly and submits a statement on the actual situation of the
association.

The treasurer submits the accounts and the balance for approval by the
assembly.

The general assembly then enters a debate on each itemized topic of
the agenda.

Any member of the association may submit to the council of
administration additional items to the agenda. The deadline for
submission is seven days in advance to the set date of assembly. Any
proposal or motion supported by at least one quarter of the votes of
the members participating or represented will figure additionally on
the agenda.

The results of debate by the general assembly are voted as accepted by
single majority by the participants present or represented.

In the case of parity of votes, the votes of the President
prevail. Any active member may be represented by another member as
specified by the internal regulation.

The general assembly must only deal with items figuring on the
approved agenda.

## Article 14 - Extraordinary assembly ##

Due to exceptional circumstances or on the express request of more
than half of the members enrolled, the President may summon an
extraordinary assembly following the ruling of article twelve.

## Article 15 - Interior regulation ##

An interior regulation can be established by the council of
administration.

This potential regulation is destined to define all points and details
that had not been initially included in the statutes.

## Article 16 - Dissolution and termination of the association ##

In the case of voluntary dissolution, either statutory or requested by
law, the council of administration will transfer all available funds
and assets to a non-profit association of similar orientation.

*Taipei, the 27 of April 2000*