SEASN statute

According to the Article 13 of the Associations Act (Narodne Novine 74/2014 and 70/17) the Founding Assembly of the South eastern Europe Advisory Service Network Association - SEASN, at the meeting held on 6 th November 2019 in Bansko, Bulgaria, adopted the following:


S T A T U T E
OF SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE ADVISORY SERVICE NETWORK


I
GENERAL PROVISIONS


Article 1

This Statute regulates the name of the Association; headquarters of the Association; representation of the Association; the appearance of the Associations stamp; activities of the Association in accordance with the Associations objectives; conditions and way of becoming a member in Association, termination of membership, rights, obligations and responsibilities of members; disciplinary accountability of members; Governing Bodies, their composition and the manner of convening Assembly meetings, selection, recall, powers, decision-making and the duration of the mandate of the Governing Bodies and the manner of convening the Assembly in the event of expiry of the mandate; election and recall of the Association's liquidator; the termination of the Association; its assets, and the method of acquisition and disposal of assets; procedure with assets in case of termination of the Association; way of resolving disputes and conflicts of interest within the Association and other issues of importance for the Association South eastern Europe Advisory Service Network.  

Article 2

The name of the network: Mreža savjetodavnih službi jugoistočne Europe.
The name of the network in English: South eastern Europe Advisory Service Network
Abbreviation of Network's name: MSS-JE
Abbreviation of Network's name in English: SEASN

Article 3
Decision on Associations headquarters address and changes is brought by the General Assembly.
Associations Head office is located at Ministry of Agriculture, Bani 110, Buzin, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
The SEASN Regional Offices are located at KGZS-Ljubljana, Slovenia, NAAS-Sofia, Bulgaria and IPN-Belgrade, Serbia.
Other offices or contact points, may be established upon justification of SEASN member and approval of Executive Board.
Association is active on territory of all countries which Association's members are from.

Article 4

The Association is represented by the President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary and Expert Secretary.  The Executive Board may order or authorize other persons to represent the Association.


Article 5

Association has a logo. It is a net with Associations name abbreviation.

Article 6

Association has the stamp.
The stamp is round with a diameter of 38mm, and in its periphery is Association's full name and abbreviation in English.
Association's President authorize the persons in charghe for use of the Stamp.
Number of the stamps and manner of use shall be determineted by the Associations Executive Board.


II
OBJECTIVES, SCOPE OF ACTION, TARGET GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

Article 7

The objectives of the Association are:

    • increasing the efficiency of agricultural advisory services in order to develop agriculture and rural areas in the region;
    • application and implementation of International projects
    • participation in the establishment and development of AKIS systems in its members
    • implementation of CECRA methodological training of agricultural advisers
    • cross visits activities
    • a dynamic exchange of knowledge and experience about the mode of financing of advisory services;
    • simple exchange of experiences, knowledge and information, on an understandable local languages;
    • easier cooperation with similar organizations in the region and Europe;
    • regional projects cooperation;
    • regular correspondence among members of the Association.

Article 8

Scope of Associations action in accordance with the objectives are:
    • economy;
    • international cooperation;
    • education, science and research;
    • sustainable development.


Article 9
Target groups of the Association regarding members and users on which the Association is focused on, are:
    • farmers;
    • government bodies;
    • NGOs and civil initiatives;
    • rural population;
    • women in rural areas;
    • private companies, cooperatives and other.

Article 10
Activities for the realization of the Associations objectives are:
    • organizing workshops, seminars, lectures, panel discussions, symposiums, promotions and other events about current problems and issues;
    • organizing activities and educational trainings;
    • connecting interested advisors and other stakeholders to work together and implement various projects relevant to knowledge transfer in agriculture, rural areas and increase sustainability and competitiveness of the sector;
    • issuing publications, manuals, brochures and flyers about the activities of the Association;
    • taking care of vocational and professional training of members by creating conditions for the improvement of professional performance;
    • proposing projects important for the region in which Association operates, as well as wider;
    • establishing cooperation with local and regional governments, as well as with other similar associations and organizations at home and abroad;
    • other activities that could contribute to achieving the Associations objectives in accordance to the Act;
    • the overall activities of the Association should promote an understanding and adoption of ethical values through advisory work in agriculture and rural areas;
    • provision of material resources and spending of funds in accordance with the regulations of the legislator;
    • cooperation with other organizations and institutions;
    • application and implementation of International projects
    • participation in the establishment and development of AKIS systems in its member institutions
    • implementation of CECRA methodological training of agricultural advisers
    • cross visit activities
    • performing other tasks specified in this Statute and other regulations and rules which are of interest for advisory services in agriculture and rural areas.


III
PUBLICITY OF THE ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES

Article 11

Association activities are public. Publicity is provided by:
    • submitting report on the work of the Association to members at the session of the Association bodies;
    • public session of the Association bodies, except in exceptional cases, when the session are closed to the public;
    • preparation and publication of annual financial reports on the work of the Association;
    • the use of informational communication technologies (website, social networks, etc.);
    • public communication;
    • organizing special events;
    • any other appropriate activities.


IV
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION

Article 12

Member of the Association can become any public or private advisory service; advisor individual; other institution, NGO and individual person working in agriculture and rural areas if they are interested in working in the Association and willing to contribute achieving the objectives of the Association and accept the provisions of the Statute.
Natural or legal person, as well as private or public advisory services, which are interested in membership in the Association, shall submit the completed membership form in the Office of the Association's headquarters. Office then sends the request to the Executive Board of the Association, which makes a decision on an admission of new member(s) in its first meeting, at the latest within a year. The Executive Board makes first instance decision.
One is becoming a member of the Association by the second instance decision of the General Assembly.

Article 13

The Association keeps a database of its members. Members Database shall be kept electronically or in a written Book of members and should contain following data: name of person or institution, the Personal Identification Number or the passport number (for foreign natural persons), date of birth, date of accession to the Association, and the date of termination of membership in the Association.
The list of members is available for inspection to all members of the Association and the competent authorities, at their request.
Technical Assistant or any other person authorised by the Associations President is keeping the Members Database.

Article 14

Membership in the Association can be: regular, honorary or supportive.
Supporting member can be any natural or legal person whose active participation in the Association contributes to achieving the objectives of the Association.
Honorary member can be any natural or legal person who contributes to the reputation of the Association and act on its promotion and development.

Article 15

Supporting members are being proposed by the Executive Board or they can apply for membership the same way as regular members.
Members of the General Assembly shall make proposals which persons should become honorary members of the Association.
General Assembly makes final decision who will become honorary or supporting member of the Association. Honorary and supportive members are marked as honorary or supportive in the Associations Members Database.
   
Article 16

The obligations of regular members of the Association are:
    • uphold and enforce the provisions of this Statute and other laws of the Association;
    • effectively and responsibly participate in work of the Associations Body in which they were elected or appointed to;
    • protect and improve the reputation of the Association;
    • engage in consulting work;
    • take care of material goods and fulfill its obligations;
    • pay membership fee.
    •
Article 17

Provisions of the Article 15 are also applied on the honorary and supportive members, except they do not have obligation of paying Associations membership fee.

Article 18

The rights of Associations regular members are:
    • participate in the work of the Association;
    • to elect and be elected to the governing and working bodies of the Association;
    • express their opinions and proposals;
    • be informed about the work of the governing and working bodies;
    • use the property of the Association in accordance with the objectives, activities and decisions of the Association.

Article 19
Provisions of the Article 16 are also applied on the honorary and supportive members, except they do not have right to vote in the bodies of the Association.

Article 20
Membership (regular, supportive and honorary) in the Association is terminated because of:
    • dissolution of the Association;
    • resignation, when the signed statement of resignation from the membership is submitted to the Executive Board;
    • exclusion for violation of membership obligations and the responsibilities;
    • exclusion for non-payment of membership fees for two years (valid only for regular members);
    • death of a member.

Disciplinary responsibility of members

Article 21

Association's members have commitments and responsibilities in accordance to the law and other legal regulations, Statute and other Association acts.

Association Members are disciplinary liable for violation of member obligations and responsibilities:
    • violations of the legal and other obligations in respect of the Association's activity;
    • failure to comply with the provisions of the Statute;
    • failure to comply with decisions of Managing bodies of the Association;
    • failure to perform commitments and duties;
    • negligent performance of obligations which caused damage to the Association;
    • negligent or illegal disposal of assets of the Association;
    • damaging the reputation of the Association;

Article 22

Disciplinary responsibility of Association members shall be determined in the disciplinary proceedings.
Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by any member of the Association.
Disciplinary proceeding is conducted and disciplinary measures are imposed by Executive Board.
In the disciplinary proceedings it is determined which circumstances led to a violation of membership obligations and responsibilities, the severity of the violation and the damage caused to the Association.   
Article 23

For violation of membership obligations and responsibilities it may be imposed the following disciplinary measures:
    • Warning
    • Warning before exclusion from the Association
    • Exclusion from the Association

Article 24

Member of the Association subjected to a disciplinary measure of exclusion from the Association have the right, within fifteen days from the day of decision delivery, to submit an appeal to the Executive Board.
Executive Board is obligated to make a decision on member appeal within 30 days, since the day of the appeal's delivery and submit it to General Assembly for a final decision.
The decision of the General Assembly about the expulsion is final.

Article 25

Each member of the Association has right to written complaints about the work of individual members or the Associations bodies.
The warnings and complaints should be sent to the Executive Board which is obliged to respond in writing within 30 days of the receipt of the warnings and complaints.


V
MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION AND WORKING BODIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 26

Association members are managing the Association directly through the General Assembly and with the elected representatives of the other bodies of the Association.

Article 27

Working bodies of the Association are:

    • General Assembly
    • Executive board
    • President
    • Vice-presidents
    • General Secretary and Expert Secretary
    • Permanent SEASN Advisory Board
    • Supervisory Board.


1 General Assembly

Article 28

The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the Association.
All members of the Association are also members of the General Assembly, but only their representatives have right to vote at the General Assembly session:
Institutional members have 1 representative in the General Assembly and individual members elect 1 representative on 50 individual members.
Individual members elect their representatives regarding the position in Members Database (1-50 elect 1st representative, 51-100 elect 2nd representative, 101-150 elect 3rd representative etc.). Individual members shall elect their representatives before General Assembly session in person or via e-mail or Skype or any other ways of communication.
Adults who are deprived of business capacity and juveniles are included in Associations work and can make decisions with oral or written consent of the legal representative or guardian.


Article 29

General Assembly can be regular, electoral and special.
The regular Assembly will meet once a year, while electoral assembly will meet every two years.

Article 30

General Assembly meetings are convened and chaired by the President of the Association.
In the case of her/his inability Assembly meeting is convened and chaired by Vice president of the Association authorized by President or Executive board.
The Assembly is convened at least 20 days before the session and written invitation is sent to all members of the Association.
The invitation to the session contains the draft agenda of the session, the date and place of the session.

Article 31

Special Assembly is convened by the President on his own initiative or at the request of at least 1/3 of Association's vote holders members.
To convene special Assembly, proponents must have planned and prepared detailed agenda of the assembly.
If the President does not convene a special Assembly within 30 days of receipt of the request referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, Assembly will be convened by the proponents.
The procedure of convening a special Assembly meeting is identical to the procedure described in the previous article.

Article 32

In the case of the expiry of the mandate of the Association's bodies which are authorized to convene a session of the Assembly, the Assembly shall be convened by 1/3 of the Association's vote holders members.

Article 33

The Assembly makes decisions by majority vote of present members.
The decision on the termination of the Association is made by a 2/3 majority of all members.
Voting at the Assembly session shall be public. The Assembly may decide that certain matters are voted in secret ballot.
Minutes of the Assembly sessions shall be done and permanently kept in the Association archives and the scorer is determined by the Assembly.

Article 34

The General Assembly has the following rights and obligations:
    • adopts the Association Statute and its changes and amendments;
    • chooses and dismisses the members of the Executive Board;
    • chooses and dismisses the President and the Vice-presidents of the Association;
    • choose and dismisses the Association Liquidator;
    • decide on joining in associations, communities, networks and other forms of co-associations;
    • adopts a work plan and financial plan for the next calendar year and annual work report for a previous calendar year;
    • adopts annual financial report;
    • decides on changing the goals and activities, economic activities, cessation of work and asset allocation;
    • enacts the decision on Statue changes;
    • decides on other matters which are not under the jurisdiction of other Association Bodies foreseen by the Statute;
    • adopts Association plan and working directions;
    • optionally, establishes and appoints the Commissions and similar bodies and determines their tasks;
    • appoints individuals and institutions for Honorary or Supportive Members;
    • determines the membership fee;
    • decides on appeals brought by the members;
    • adopts other documents and decisions important for the Association’s work;
    • assigns recognitions and awards on the Executive Board’s proposition;
    • makes decisions about joining another associations/organizations and disassociation;
    • decides on the termination of the Association;
    • performs other tasks defined by the law or by the Statute of the Association.


2 The President of the Association

Article 35

The President of the Association is authorized to represent the Association.
The President of the Association performs executive and other tasks prescribed by this Statute.
The President of the Association is also the President of the Executive Board.

Article 36

The President of the Association is elected by the General Assembly for a mandate of 2 years. President of the Association may be selected for a President function once again. The President of the Association is responsible to the General Assembly for his work and submits an annual report on it to the Assembly.

Article 37
The mandate of the Associations President can end before the time prescribed by the Statute:
    • on his own request;
    • in the event that he cannot perform his duties longer than 6 months;
    • by revocation.

Article 38

The President of the Association can be revoked for reasons prescribed in the Article 17 of this Statute.
The procedure for the revocation of the President of the Association can be initiated on the request of at least 1/3 Association's vote holders members.
The request for the revocation of the President of the Association is discussed and decided on a regular or special Assembly’s session which convenes according to the provisions of the Statute.
The President of the Association will be revoked if the decision of revocation has been voted by one half of members of the Association present at the session.

Article 39

In the case of termination of the Association President mandate before the expiry date, the procedure for the election of the new President of the Association for the remaining term of mandate will be carried out on a special Assembly`s session.
In the case of revocation of the Association President, a new Association President will be elected for the remaining term of mandate on the same session on which the previous President has been revoked.

Article 40
The President of the Association has the following rights and obligations:
    • responsibility for legal Association’s work;
    • presents and represents the Association;
    • initiates the discussion on certain issues from the Assembly and the Executive Boards scope;
    • conducts the Association’s work according to the Assembly’s decisions;
    • convenes Associations Assembly Sessions;
    • concludes contracts for the Association after the Executive Boards decision;
    • takes care for informing the public with the work of the Association and its Bodies;
    • manages the work of the Assembly and the work of the Executive Board;
    • is responsible for the submission of annual financial report to the Assembly;
    • delivers the record from the regular Assembly’s session to the competent office which leads the Register of the Associations;
    • enters into contracts and takes other legal actions on behalf of the Association;
    • performs other duties according to law, the Statute and the Association’s documents.

Article 40 a

    • The Assembly elects the first Vice President of the Association, who is the Deputy President by function.

3 The Executive Bord

Article 41

The Executive Board is the Association’s body which, within its jurisdiction, decides on the activities of the Association and performs the executive functions and other duties prescribed by this Statute.  The Executive Board is the executive Association’s Body.

Article 42

The members of the Executive Board are elected by General Assembly for a mandate of 2 years. The Executive Board is composed of President,Vice-presidents, Secretary and other members elected by General Assembly. The General Assembly makes decision on number of the Executive board members.

Article 43

The Executive Board:
    • decides on organization of seminars, workshops, lectures and conferences;
    • takes care about execution of decisions, conclusions and observation points of the Assembly;
    • appoints representatives of the Association in the bodies of other organizations and associations;
    • manages the assets of the Association;
    • appoints commissions and similar bodies when necessary, and defines their tasks;
    • adopts general document for deciding on redress, awards and financial support;
    • oversees financial activities of the Association;
    • adopts business decisions according to working directions which are terminated by the Assembly of the Association and according to the Statute of the Association;
    • decides on employment of professional staff in the Association;
    • performs other duties set out in the Statue and other general documents of the Association.
    • Executive Board of the Association appoints a person who acts as the Head of the Head Office of the Association.

Article 43 a

The Head of the Head Office of the Association has the following rights and obligations: taking care of the operational and timely implementation of the tasks listed in Articles 47 and 47a of these Statute, according the orders and instructions of the Secretary-General and the Expert Secretary.
She/he is a member of the Board of Directors;

Article 44

The President of the Executive Board convenes the sessions of the Executive Board. The Executive Board's decisions are made by the majority votes of its members who are present at the session, and it can decide when one half of its members are present. The Executive Boards sessions are being held at least 2 times a year. The Executive Board submits an annual report on its activities.

4. The Vice-Presidents of the Association

Article 45
In the event of the President of the Association’s incapacity or absence he will be replaced by first Vice-President of the Association in all of his activities.
In the case that President and first Vice-president are  not able to function, Executive Board shall make a decision which Vice-president shall replace the President.
The provisions of this Statute on election, duration and termination of the President of the Association’s mandate are being appropriately applied on the Vice-Presidents of the Association.


5 Secretary General and the Expert Secretary

Article 46

The Secretary General and the Expert Secretary are being elected  and appointed by the Assembly of the Association for a mandate of two years.

Article 47

The Secretary General of the Association has the following rights and obligations:
    • Organizes professional and administrative work in the Association;
    • Organizes the execution of decisions of the President, the Executive Board and the Assembly of the Association;
    • With the prior approval of the Executive Board, employs staff at Headquarters and Regional Offices to perform administrative and other tasks
    • is a member of the Executive Board;
    • takes care of the flow of information within the Association
    • takes care of cooperation and joint activities of the members of the Association
    •  performs other tasks that are within his competence.
    • Organizes the keeping and care of the documentation of the Association;
    • Organizes that the Head Office is the contact point of all members of the Association;
    • Organizes the keeping of the seal of the Association;
    • Concludes an Agreement with the accounting and bookkeeping service for the purpose of carrying out the proper tasks in the Association
    • maintains the Register of Members.
The Secretary-General may delegate part of his / her duties to the Expert Secretary of the Association.

Article 47 a

The Expert Secretary of the Association has the following rights and obligations:
    • Organizes project activities in the Association;
    • Organizes the execution of decisions of the President, the Executive Board and the Assembly of the Association;
    • With the prior approval of the Board of Directors, employs staff in Glan and regional offices to carry out project and other tasks
    • is a member of the Executive Board;
    • takes care of the flow of information within the Association related to project activities
    • takes care of cooperation and joint activities of the members of the Association
    • performs other tasks that are within his competence.

Article 48.

Permanent SEASN Advisory Board

The Permanent SEASN Advisory Board is an advisory body that analyzes and evaluates plans, activities and reports of the Association
The Permanent SEASN Advisory Board is elected by the Assembly for a term of two years
The Permanent SEASN Advisory Board elects its President from among its members
The Permanent SEASN Advisory Board reports on its work at the Annual General Meeting
Members of the The Permanent SEASN Advisory Board are members of the Association and external members

Article 49

Treasurer
The Executive Board nominates Treasurer of the Association. The Treasurer is elected and revoked by the Assembly of the Association for a mandate of 2 years. The same person can be elected for a Treasurer function more than once.

Article 50
The Treasurer has following rights and obligations:
    • takes care of financial activities of the Association;
    • takes care of membership fees payment;
    • presents financial reports to the General Assembly;
    • performs other tasks within his jurisdiction in accordance with the Technical Assistant.

Article 51
Supervisory Board

Tasks and responsabilities of Supervisory Board are:
- to monitor the Executive Board and other bodies of Association and makes audit on financial and material performance
- to report obligatory to the Assembly, once a year.
Membership in Supervisory Board excludes membership in Executive Board. Suupervisory Board is responsible only to Association Assembly.   

Article 52

The President, Vice-Presidents, members of the Executive Board, including the Secretary-General, the Expert Secretary and the Head of the Head Office, and members of the Permanent SEASN Advisory Board, Supervisory Board perform their tasks voluntarily - without compensation for work.
Upon the decision of the Executive Board, these persons are entitled to reimbursement of travel and other material expenses incurred in carrying out the tasks of the Association.

VI
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 53
The official language of the Association is English.
The use of language for certain activities of the Association is determined by the Assembly.


VII
JOINING ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANISATIONAL FORMS OF ASSOCIATIONS

Article 54
The Association can join domestic and international alliances or community associations.
The decision on joining is brought by the Assembly on the Executive Board’s proposition.



VIII
ASSETS, ACQUISITION OF ASSETS AND DISPOSAL OF ASSETS

Article 55
The assets of the Association consists of funds from the membership fee, voluntary contributions and offerings, funds from the Association’s activities which serve to achieve the agenda, programs and projects of the Association which are financed from the state’s budget and the local and regional municipality’s budget and funds or foreign sources, other funds gained according to law, and the Association’s movable and immovable property, and other property rights.

Article 56
The Association disposes with its assets only for achieving the agenda and for performing the activities prescribed by the Statute, according to law.
The Assembly of the Association decides on disposal of assets.

IX
TERMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION AND DEALING WITH THE ASSETS IN THE EVENT OF TERMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 57
The Association ceases to exist:
    • by the decision of the Assembly of the Association about the termination of the Association;
    • by the decision of the Assembly of the Association on annexation with another association, joining with another association, a division of the association by separation;
    • in other cases prescribed by the law.

Article 58
The decisions of the Assembly of the Association from the previous article are made by two-thirds (2/3) majority of all members of the Association.

The Liquidator of the Association

Article 59
The Liquidator represents the Association in the liquidation procedure and with the opening of liquidation procedure shall be enrolled into the Register of the Associations as a person authorized for the representation of the Association until the liquidation procedure terminates and the Association is erased from the Register of the Associations.

Article 60
The Liquidator is elected and revoked by the Assembly of the Association for a mandate of 2 years. The same person can be elected for a Liquidator more than once.


X
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Article 61
A conflict of interest exists if the Associations members and/or members of the governing bodies in the performance of their duties come into a situation that its decisions or other action are favorable to themselves or persons close to them, and at the expense of the interests of other members of the association. About every conflict of interest shall be decided separately.   
In the event of a dispute between the members of the Association which prevents and complicates the activities of the Association and which cannot be resolved through the procedures prescribed by this Statute, the members of the Association shall attempt to settle the dispute by conciliation.

Article 62
The members of the Association must, in all affairs of interest and importance for the Association, act honorably, in good faith (bona fide), with conscience, responsibly and objectively, keep their own credibility and the credibility of the Association.
In performing the activities of the Association the members must not place their private interest above the interest of the Association.

Article 63
In the event that private interest of the Association’s member is in a contrary to the interest of the Association or in the event of private interest affecting or when it can affect the objectiveness of the Association‘s members work in performing the Association’s activities, the Association’s member who is found to be in conflict of interest must, without delay, inform the Executive Board on it, and, if possible, exempt himself from further work on the concrete activity.

Article 64
In the event of doubt whether there is conflict of interest or not, any member of the Association can ask for the Executive board opinion.


XI
TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 65
The Assembly of the Association adopts the Statute of the Association, respectively its changes and amendments, by the majority of votes of all regular Association’s members after the discussion is carried out.

Article 66
The initiative for changes and amendments of the Statute may be started by at least 1/3 of regular Association’s members.
The initiative for changes and amendments of the Statute are submitted in written form to the President of the Association or, in the event of his incapacity, to the Vice-Presidents of the Association, who shall include the proposition of changes and amendments on the timetable of the next Assembly’s session.
The proposition of changes and amendments of the Statute must contain the new formulation of the Statute’s articles whose changes are proposed along with the explanation of it.

Article 67
The interpretation of the provisions of this Statute gives the Assembly.
The interpretation of other Association’s documents gives the Assembly.

Article 68
The Assembly decides on all procedural-statutory matters which are not regulated by this Statute.

Article 69
This Statute enters into force on the day it is adopted.


At Bansko, Bugarska,

 7th  November 2019


_____________________________

                                                                                                    Igor Hrovatič dipl ing agr

The President of the Association

_____________________________