The Norwegian Coastal Federation Articles of Association Paragraph 1 Name The organisation s name is the Norwegian Coastal Federation. Paragraph 2 Object The Norwegian Coastal Federation is a national organisation dedicated to preserving Norwegian coastal culture. The Federation s object is, in collaboration with other preservers of cultural interests, to reinforce Norway s identity as a coastal nation. This will be achieved by promoting preservation of the general use of traditional vessels, buildings, facilities and the coastal environment in general conducting informational activities to boost understanding of the value of human and cultural traditions for Norway s coastal history maintaining and developing traditions in industry and craftsmanship, seamanship and ways of life raising the professional standard of maintenance and safety in the use of vessels and facilities Paragraph 3 Membership Anyone can become a member of the Norwegian Coastal Federation. The Federation has the following membership categories: Full members Young members up to 26 years Family members Spouses/cohabitants/partners of full members and their children count as family members. Members are either affiliated to a local organisation or directly affiliated with the Norwegian Coastal Federation. On enrolment, members join the local organisation of the area where they live, unless another local organisation or direct membership is stipulated. Through local organisations or direct membership, institutions, companies and associations can be affiliated and have rights as full members. The membership magazine is sent out to all full members and young members. Paragraph 4 Organisation The Norwegian Coastal Federation comprises local organisations and affiliated associations and foundations. Centrally, the Federation is organised through a National Congress, National Executive and Secretariat. Three or more local organisations can form an official collaboration on a county or regional basis. The above is on condition that an annual report and financial statements are presented within more detailed deadlines. Locally, the Norwegian Coastal Federation is organised through local organisations.
Paragraph 5 National Congress The National Congress is the Federation s highest authority. The Annual National Congress is held every two years and is convened by the National Executive giving at least two months notice. The National Congress is held by the end of April each year. Composition and representation rights The National Congress comprises the National Executive and a representative from each of the local organisations. Only members of the Norwegian Coastal Federation can be elected as representatives or deputy representatives of the National Congress. The total number of parties entitled to vote at any one time will vary in accordance with the number of local organisations that have representatives on the National Congress. The National Congress constitutes a quorum in the number of voters that are present. The Nomination Committee is called to attend the National Congress. The Committee Chairman has the right to speak and move motions during the review of the Nomination Committee s recommendations. The National Executive can invite specific individuals to attend the National Congress. The National Congress can resolve to grant the above the right to speak. Deadlines and review of agenda items The National Executive establishes the time and venue of the National Congress, and convenes the Congress no later than two months before the date of the meeting. Proposed agenda items are sent to all local organisations together with the notice of the meeting. Proposed items to be reviewed by the National Congress must have been received by the National Executive four weeks before the meeting. A full agenda, including agenda documents and the National Executive s proposed resolutions must be in the hands of the delegates and local organisations no later than 14 days before the date of the National Congress. Authority and assignments The National Congress shall review and adopt resolutions for the items that are included on the approved agenda. The Annual National Congress shall review: 1. The National Executive s annual report and financial statements for the previous period. 2. Action plan for the next four years 3. Budget for the following period (2 years). 4. Received proposals 5. Elections: The National Congress elects: 1. The Federation Chair 2. The Federation Deputy Chair 3. Five National Executive members 4 Three deputy members in order of priority 5. Nomination Committee The National Congress elects a Nomination Committee comprising three members and a deputy member, who propose candidates for the forthcoming elections at the National Congress. Proposed Nomination Committee members are submitted by the National Executive. Members of the Nomination Committee can remain in office for two election periods. One, respectively two, members are replaced at every other Annual Congress.
Constitution While it is being constituted the Congress is chaired by the Federation Chair. The Meeting appoints: Chair(s), Congress Secretary (Secretaries), Editing Committee, count takers and two people to sign the minutes. Voting rules The Congress Chair proposes the method of voting; however, elections must be made in writing if any party requests such. Resolutions are passed with a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Federation Chair shall cast the deciding vote. Amendments to the Articles of Association require a two-thirds majority. Election to the National Executive requires more than half of the votes cast. If this is not achieved on the first ballot, a second ballot shall be held between the two people who received the highest number of votes. If the votes cast are tied after a second ballot, the election shall be decided by the drawing of lots. The number of names on voting slips shall correspond to the number of people that are to be elected. Extraordinary National Congress: An Extraordinary National Congress is convened giving at least 14 days notice when so resolved by the National Executive, or when at least half of the local organisations demand such. The item details and the National Executive s proposed resolutions shall be sent out with the meeting notice. The Extraordinary National Congress is attended by those representatives who were elected at the last Annual General Congress. The Extraordinary National Congress can only review items that resulted in the convening of the meeting. Paragraph 6 The National Executive The National Executive is elected for two years and comprises the Chair, Deputy Chair and five Board members. Deputy representatives are called as required or when the Federation Chair deems such expedient. The National Executive may itself decide whether others can attend the meetings. The National Executive convenes as often as the Federation Chairman or three members deem such expedient. The National Executive constitutes a quorum when at least four members are present, including the Federation s Chair or Deputy Chair. The National Executive s authority and assignments The National Executive is the Norwegian Coastal Federation s highest authority between the National Congresses. The National Executive manages the Federation s work between the National Congresses in accordance with the Federation s Articles of Association and resolutions of the National Congress. The National Executive s remit includes: ensuring that the local organisations submit financial statements and an annual report within the established deadlines preparing a work plan for the National Executive s assignments appointing a General Secretary for the Norwegian Coastal Federation appointing office staff and employees to project positions as required and within stipulated frameworks determining the time and venue of the National Congress and convening the National Congress within established deadlines submitting proposals for the agenda for the National Congress submitting proposed resolutions for items to be submitted to the National Congress preparing a proposed budget and work plan for the following two-year period
preparing proposed guidelines for the business for the next four years, including the Norwegian Coastal Federation s principal work areas establishing/discontinuing work groups and committees as required preparing a work description for the Secretariat s work being represented on the various committees as required submitting proposals to the Nomination Committee for the National Congress Paragraph 7- Secretariat The Federation has a Secretariat including a responsible General Secretary and personnel as decided by the National Executive. The General Secretary participates in National Congresses and on the National Executive where he/she has the right to speak and move motions. Paragraph 8 The local organisations The local organisations work on local and regional assignments in accordance with the Federation s statutory objectives. Each local organisation shall have its own Articles of Association, its own board, and present an annual report and financial statements within the deadlines established by the Federation. Local organisations that fail to deliver an annual report and financial statements by 1 May the following year can, in accordance with the resolution of the National Executive, be denied access to subscriptions until these matters have been rectified. In particular cases the National Executive can resolve to exclude local organisations that fail to deliver an annual report and financial statements as members of the Norwegian Coastal Federation. Paragraph 9 Subscriptions The National Congress establishes the annual subscription, which shall be graded for full members, young members and family members. The National Congress determines the allocation of the subscription between central and local levels. Local organisations cannot collect a local subscription. Paragraph 10 KYSTEN magazine The KYSTEN magazine is issued by the Norwegian Coastal Federation and is the official organ of the Federation. The magazine s activities are managed by an Editor-in-Chief who is employed by the National Executive. The editing organisation s activities are based on the Federation s statutory objectives, the agreement between the Norwegian Newspaper Publishers Association and the Association of Norwegian Editors and applicable legal provisions and practice governing the production of printed material. The Editor-in-Chief attends the National Congress. Paragraph 11 Course and study work The Norwegian Coastal Federation is a member of the Norwegian Study Association for Culture and Tradition. The study work can be performed under the auspices of the Norwegian Coastal Federation, local organisations or the Study Association. The Norwegian Coastal Federation must at all times comply with the applicable rules on adult education issued by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. The Norwegian Coastal Federation is responsible for ensuring that, at the earliest opportunity, members receive information on changes to rules and legislation governing adult education, for arranging study measures in accordance with applicable rules and instructions, and submitting reports and financial statements subject to more detailed deadlines. The National Executive is responsible for course and study work at the Norwegian Coastal Federation and employs the necessary consultancy and office help for this work.
Paragraph 12 Suspension and exclusion Members who through their conduct or in any other way damage, or contribute to damage, to the reputation and objects of the Norwegian Coastal Federation, can be suspended by the National Executive for varying periods. Notice of the above shall be given in good time stating the reason for the suspension. The suspension can be appealed to the National Congress. The National Congress can, at the proposal of the National Executive, exclude members after assessing all matters that could be of significance. Paragraph 13 Other provisions The Nomination Committee shall strive to secure continuity by ensuring that the entire National Executive is not replaced at the same time. Elected representatives or deputy representatives for the National Congress must have paid their subscriptions to the Norwegian Coastal Federation by the time of the National Congress. Efforts shall be made at all times to align the organisational structure with the current situation with regard to the number of members, geographical- and communication-related matters etc. Member groups in a district that includes two or more local authorities can be organised as a local organisation. No one may, without the consent of the National Executive, use the Federation s name, contacts or anything else pertaining to its business in a commercial context. Paragraph 14 Dissolution On the basis of a two-thirds majority over two consecutive years, the National Congress can resolve to dissolve the Norwegian Coastal Federation. If a motion to dissolve the Federation is adopted, the Norwegian Coastal Federation s funds shall be utilised in such a way as to secure maximum possible compliance with the statutory objectives. Paragraph 15 Validity of the Articles of Association These Articles of Association were last revised by the 2015 National Congress The Articles of Association enter into force from 11 April 2015.