Based on the provisions of Article 11 of the Associations Act („Official Gazette“ No.88/01 and 11/02), the Constitutional Assembly of the association Zemlja Za Nas held on 22nd April 2013, adopted the following:
STATUTE of the association Zemlja Za Nas
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1.
The provisions of this Statute regulate the name and the registered seat of the Association, the representation rights, its objectives and the activities to achieve the objectives of the Association, the achievement of publicity related to the activities of the Association; the rights, obligations and responsibilities of its members, the internal structure, joining alliances of associations and membership in international associations, the bodies of the Association, the assets and the disposal of income, termination of the Association, and other issues in accordance with the Act.
Article 2.
The name of the Association in Croatian language is: Zemlja Za Nas (hereinafter: Association).
The abbrevated name in Croatian is: ZZN. The Association can also use the name translated to English language, which is: Earth For Us.
Article 3.
The seat of the Association is at the address: Sv. Mihovila 5, 21 000 Split, Croatia. The decision to change the seat is to be adopted by the Minor Council of the Association.
The Association acts on the territory of the Republic of Croatia, and abroad, when necessary.
Article 4.
The Association is the non-profit legal entity and is entered in the Croatian Register of Associations in the State Administration Office, General Administrative Service, County of Split-Dalmatia.
Article 5.
The Association has its official seal. The seal has diameter of 35 mm, spiral shape, within the spiral there are three smaller spirals, and inscription that reads: Zemlja za nas. The seal can be used by three authorized coordinators of the Minor Council of the Association.
Article 6.
The Association is generally and legally represented by three coordinators of the Minor Council. Coordinators organize the activities of the Association and are responsible for the legitimacy of its work.
Article 7.
The Association may join alliances or community associations in the Republic of Croatia and abroad, whose objectives and activities corelate with the objectives and activities of the Association, and contribute to achieving objectives of its activities, as defined by this Statute.
The decision on membership in associations, alliences and communities, as well as the decision on withdrawing from the membership or terminating the alliance, is to be adopted by the Grand Council of the Association.
II. GOAL AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION
Articel 8
Goal:
Promoting ecology and environmental awereness among members and people in general, and promoting the values, sustainability and self-sustainability of humans in nature and with nature. Raising awareness on biological and cultural diversity with respect to ecology and the conservation of the nature, the islands, and the heritage in general.
Article 9.
- In order to achieve the objectives of Article 8 of this Statute, the Association will conduct the following activities:
- Education and vocational training of its members in the activities related to ecology and permaculture, encouriging self-sufficiency
- Promotion of ecological construction through educational workshops (using traditional construction techniques, environmentally friendly materials and renewable energy sources)
- Biodiversity conservation (with special emphasis to agrobiodiversity), ecological/sustainable agriculture and organic gardenig, education, permaculture, biodynamics, animal care; ecotourism promotion and development
- Networking of individuals, women’s, environmental and arts associations; local communities involvement in programs and activities of the Association; preservation of cultural heritage; revitalization and preservation of traditional practices (such as crafts), knowledge and local customs related to the environment and natural cycles; artistic activities and subject-related programs
- Educational projects for local population on the waste classification, promotion and application of the Zero waste concept
- Ensuring subsistence needs in accordance with the fundamental ethical principles of the Association (nature protection, equality and cooperation) through the promotion of healthy food, ecotourism and active holidays
- Individual personal growth and development through creative lyfestile creation, learning and expression, as well as environmental and gender sensitization of the community and wider society
- Advocating, protecting the rights, and sensitizing the communities to the discriminated groups in the society
- Development and implementation of the studies, programs and projects in accordance with the objectives of the Association
- Volunteer work promotion and organization
- Organizing camps (ecological, artistic, research..)
- Organizing and conducting lectures, workshops, courses, seminars, conferences and study visits in accordance with the objectives of the Association
- Organizing exhibitions, promotions and concerts
- Promotion of handmade art and utilitarian objects made of natural materials
- Organizing excursions and recreational activities for its members and under special regulations
- Publishing services (publishing and distributing magazines, manuals, books, multimedia and other publications) in accordance with the objectives of the Association and under special regulations
- Promotional services (printing flyers, brochures, newsletters, books, badges, posters and other promotional material) in accordance with the objectives of the Association and under special regulations
- Collaboration with other associations of citizens, interested economic operators, cultural institutions and local government units on programs and projects
- Collaboration with other organizations outside the Republic of Croatia, who share similar objectives of their activities
- Other activities to meet the objectives of the Association, including those acquiring income, in accordance with the laws and special regulations;
III. MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERS RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
Article 10.
Any physical or legal entity, residing on the territory of the Republic of Croatia, may become a member of the Association, and under the same conditions, any foreign physical or legal entity that accepts the provisions of this Statute.
Membership within the Association is voluntary.
Article 11.
Membership within the Association can be:
a/ active
b/ supporting
c/ honorary
The decision on the admission to membership is to be adopted by the Minor Council of the Association.
The Association maintains the Register of members.
Article 12.
Any adult person who, by the means of oral or written statement, expresses interest to participate actively in the work of the Association, may become its member.
The Minor Council of the Association has the right to refuse an application for active membership.
Article 13.
The rights and obligations of active members are as follows:
- active participation in the work of the Association,
- involvement in the decision making process during the Grand Council meetings,
- staying informed about the work of the Association,
- electing and being elected to the governing bodies of the Association
- respecting the decisions of the Association,
- compliance with the provisions of the Statute and other acts of the Association,
- maintanence and expansion of the Association’s reputation
- regular payment of annual membership fees
Article 14.
Any person who supports the objectives and principles of the Association, and is not able to be actively involved in the work of the Association, can become its supporting member.
Supporting members may participate in certain activities of the Association.
Article 15.
The rights and obligations of the supporting members are as follows:
- staying informed about the work of the Association,
- participation in the Grand Council meeting, in the role of the observer,
- respecting the decisions of the Association’s bodies,
- compliance with the provisions of the Statute and other acts of the Association,
- maintanence and expansion of the Association’s reputation
- regular payment of annual membership fees.
Article 16.
Any person who, by the means of their personal work and effort or materially, contributes to the achievement of the objectives, can become honorary member.
Any member of the Association can give the proposal for honorary membership.
Honorary members are adopted by the Grand Council.
Honorary members may not elect or be elected to the bodies of the Association.
They may participate in the work of the Grand Council, but may not participate in the decision making process. Honorary members do not pay membership fees.
Article 17.
The membership in the Association shall cease by
- resignation,
- deletion,
- exclusion from membership.
The member resigns from the Association based on the written or verbal notification to the Minor Council of the Association.
The deletion from membership may occur in case of the irregular payment of membership fees.
The member may be excluded from the membership in the Association, if he/she is violating the provisions of the Statute, if his/her behaviour damages the reputation of the Association or intentionally causes pecuniary or non-pecuniary damage to the Association, third parties or organizations.
Decision to exclude a member from the Association is to be adopted by the Minor Council, based on the proposal of any body of the Association or one-third of active members.
An appeal to the Minor Council against their decision to exclude or reject the apllication for the admission to membership may be filled within 15 days from the date of notification on the decision.
.The decision of the Minor Council is final.
IV. PUBLICITY OF ASSOCIATION’S ACTIVITIES
Article 18.
The activities of the Association shall be open to the public. Public insights into the Association’s activities shall be achieved by manners determined within this Statute, namely:
- Timely informing its members about the work of the Association and significant events, in written reports, at special gatherings or in some other adequate way,
- Information technology (creating and maintaining web-sites, creating data bases) in accordance with the objectives of the Association and under special regulations
- Public announcements to stakeholders and the media on the website of the Association etc.
V. ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES OF THE ASSOCIATION
Article 19.
The bodies of the Association are:
- Grand Council
- Minor Council
Article 20.
Grand Council
The Grand Council is the highest governing body of the Association. The Grand Council comprises of all active members of the Association.
Article 21.
The Grand Council is competent and performs the following activities:
- adopts the Statute, its amendments, the regulations and the other laws of the Association,
- elects and dismisses the members of the Minor Council,
- identifies and decides on program and financial documents of the Association and adopts reports related to their realization,
- decides on the organizational and statutory changes and the dissolution of the Association,
- reviews and approves reports regarding the work of the Minor Council,
- decides on the amount of the annual membership fee,
- makes decisions regarding the Association’s operations that are not placed under the jurisdiction of any body of the Association by this Statute,
- Decides on other questions of importance established by this Statute
Article 22.
The Grand Council meets as needed, at least once a year, and is convened by the Minor Council.
The Minor Council is obligated to convene the Grand Council within 30 days from the day of the proposal, provided that at least one-third of all active members of the Association propose the assembling of the Grand Council.
The proposing party is obligated to include the proposed agenda of the counsel in their request for the Grand Council assembling. If the Minor Council fails to convene the assembling of the Grand Council, it shall be convened by the proposing party.
The members shall receive information about Grand Council assembling by the means of the public or an electronic media (e-mail) invitation at least 8 days prior to the session.
Article 23.
The Grand Council validly determines whether the 2/3 of the active members are present at the meeting.
The Grand Council decisions are made by a 2/3 majority vote of all members of the Grand Council.
The statements made during the Grand Council assembling are public.
Article 24.
The Grand Council is chaired by the member of the Minor Council.
The work of the Grand Council shall be recorded, and the records shall be permanently kept in the archives of the Association.
Article 25.
Minor Council
The Minor Council is the executive body of the Association and the highest governing body between the two convened assemblies of the Grand Council.
The Minor Council is constituted of 5 coordinators and 2 members.
The Grand Council elects coordinators and members of the Minor Council by direct voting based on the proposed work program.
The Minor Council and all its members are accountable to the Grand Council of the Association for their performance.
Article 26.
The mandate of the Minor Council members lasts for four years with the possibility of being re-elected.
The mandate of the Minor Council members may be terminated before their term of office has expired:
- by the Grand Council dissolution
- at their own request
The members of the Minor Council may be dismissed before the end of their term, if they do not perform their duties conscientiously and in accordance with the Law, this Statute and Work program, or if their work harms the reputation of the Association.
In case of dismissing the entire Minor Council, the Grand Council shall appoint the new Minor Council for the full term of office, while in case of dismissing certain members of the Minor Council, the Grand Council shall appoint new members of the Minor Council for the time until the expiration of the term to which they were elected.
The decission on dismissal is adopted by the Grand Council, based on the proposal of at least one-third of all active members within the Association.
Article 27.
The Minor Council makes decisions and performs in accordance with the Work program.
The Minor Council is competent and performs the following activities:
- Preparation of draft amendments to the Statute, regulations and other legislation adopted by the Grand Council,
- Preparation of the Grand Council assembling, annual work program and financial plan, and reporting on the activities and financial operations,
- Implementation of the Grand Council decisions
- Attends to property, legal and financial matters of the Association,
- Decides on the awards and other recognitions,
- Decides on all other matters determined by this Statute
Article 28.
The Minor Council meetings are held as necessary, and at least once a month.
The Minor Council meetings shall be convened by one of the coordinator, and based on the proposal of any two members of the Minor Council.
Article 29.
The Minor Council can adopt decisions only if more than half of the members are present at the meeting.
The Minor Council adopts the Work program and other decisions by the means of consensus.
Other members of the Association may also be invited to the Minor Council meeting. The work of the Minor Council shall be recorded, and the records shall be permanently kept in the archives of the Association.
Article 30.
Working bodies
In order to improve operability and efficiency of the Association, the Minor Council may establish permanent or temporary, working or advisory working bodies (councils, teams, working groups, etc.).
By deciding to establish the aforementioned bodies, the Minor Council determines their composition, scope of work and other issues related to the performance of certain body.
VI. ASSETS, REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES, AND PURSUIT OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ASSOCIATION
Article 31.
The Association acquires assets for its activities through:
- membership fees and contributions,
- earmarked assets granted by the state authorities and other organizations in order to achieve the set objectives,
- revenue from gifts, donations, contributions, inheritance, etc.,
- pursuit of other activities in accordance with the Law and this Statute
Article 32.
The members are entitled to compensation for the reasonable expensess incurred while pursuing the activities of the Association, and they are also entitled to the reward for the work in connection with the activities of the Association. The amount of compensation and rewards is adopted by the Minor Council in accordance with this Statute and relevant laws.
The pursuit of professional, administrative, material, financial and supporting activities is determined by the Minor Council. For aforementioned activities and if necessary, it is possible to establish a working relationship, working contract or author agreement.
Job descriptions and employment arrangements are defined in the Regulations on employment and activities, which shall be created by the Minor Council, and adopted by the Grand Council.
Article 33.
The assets of the Association are financial resources, real estate, equipment, inventory and archive-library resources.
The property of the Association is used for the realization of its program objectives and proper operation of the Association.
When the Association makes profit in course of its activities, it must be used exclusively for the pursuit and improvement of the Association’s activities, which enable the achievement of the Association’s objectives established by this Statute.
The use of the resources is to be determined by the Minor Council.
Article 34.
The Association manages the assets in accordance with the provision on material and financial operations of nonprofit organizations.
The resources of the Association are allocated in accordance with the financial plan for the calendar year, which shall be prepared by the Minor Council, and adopted by the Grand Council.
Article 35.
The Association shall be liable for the its obligations with all its assets in accordance with the Law.
Article 36.
The financial year of the Association starts on January 1st, and ends on December 31st of the same year.
VII. TERMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION
Article 37.
The Association terminates its operations by the decision of the Minor Council, and as specified by the Law.
The decision to terminate the Association is adopted by two thirds majority vote of all the members of the Grand Council.
After the Association ceases to exist, and all of the creditors and costs of the court and other procedures have been settled, the assets will be transferred to the other organization, who will take over the activities of the Association, as determined by the Grand Council. The liquidation proceeding in the event of termination of the Association will be carried out by authorized representative.
VIII. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 38.
This Statute shall come into force on the day of its adoption.
Coordinators:
______________
(Antonela Djogas)
______________
(Daria Metelko)