Non- profit organisation
“European Stork City Organisation”
The statute

Accepted in the conference of foundation
April 28, 2001

Paragraph 1. Purpose of the Organisation

1.1. “European Stork City Organisation” (further in the text – Organisation) is an international non-profit organisation with the aim to develop mutual co-operation among the towns and share experience in economics, culture, tourism, education, environmental protection and social sphere.

Paragraph 2. Aims of the Organisation

2.1. The aims of the Organisation are:
2.1.1. to build a communication network in Europe through economical and cultural communication;
2.1.2. to share the experience, develop and introduce environmentally friendly policies;
2.1.3. to develop co-operation among enterprises in the member towns; 
2.1.4. to consolidate the democracy through the co-operation among schools, non-governmental organisations, and local artists;
2.1.5. to promote the preservation of the living countryside and strengthen the identity of the countryside;
2.1.6. to involve local society in international nature protection, culture and sports programmes;
2.1.7. to develop co-operation in tourism, art and culture.

Paragraph 3. Methods of action

2.1. To fulfil the purpose and aims, the Organisation:
3.1.1. holds regular meetings for the mayors of towns to share experience in different spheres;
3.1.2. organises culture and sports events and exhibitions in member towns;
3.1.3. involves local society, schoolchildren, non-governmental organisations and local artists in international environmental protection, culture and sports events;
3.1.4. forms a network of environmental protection experts, organises international environmental protection conferences and exhibitions;
3.1.5. works with fundraising from foundations, investors, and other sources for the realisation of joint projects;
3.1.6. co-operates with similar organisations in Latvia and abroad;
3.1.7. carries out other activities permitted by the law.

Paragraph 4. Name

4.1. The name of the organisation is “European Stork City Organisation”.
 

Paragraph 5. Abbreviation of the name

5.1. Abbreviation of the name of the Organisation is “ESCO”.

Paragraph 6. Emblem

6.1. The emblem of the Organisation depicts a circle with a map of Europe, a white stork on it, abbreviation of the name of the Organisation “ESCO”. The surrounding edge is formed by the coat of arms of the members (towns) of the Organisation.

Paragraph 7. Location

7.1. Organisation is located in Lielā? street 7, Staicele, Latvia, LV 4043.
7.2. Organisation is a public organisation with its independent balance sheet, account in the bank and stamp.

Paragraph 8. Supreme institution

8.1. The supreme institution of the Organisation is an assembly of members.
8.2. The chairman of the board calls an assembly in case of necessity, but at least once a year.
8.3. The chairman of the board can call assemblies other than the pre-scheduled in accordance with this Statute upon the request of the chairman of the board, the board, the auditor or one-fourth (1/4) of the members.
8.4. The assembly is rightful and its decisions are mandatory if more than a half of the members participate in the assembly.
8.5. Decisions of the assembly must be supported by a majority of half of the votes cast.
8.6. The assembly of the members has authority to:
 8.6.1. confirm the Statute of the Organisation and its changes;
 8.6.2. elect the board;
 8.6.3. determine the number of the members of the board;
 8.6.4. determine the term of the board;
 8.6.5. approve year’s budget, reports and accounts;
 8.6.6. set the priorities of the Organisation;
 8.6.7. approve the emblem of the Organisation;
8.6.8. form enterprises and organisations and decide about participation in other enterprises and organisations;
 8.6.9. decide about the reorganisation or dissolution of the Organisation;
 8.6.10. decide other matters.

Paragraph 9. Constant management institution

9.1. The constant management institution of the Organisation is a board.
9.2. The board consists of a chairman and two members of the board. The board itself divides the responsibilities among the members.
9.3. The assembly of the members elects the board for two years.
9.4. The board:
 9.4.1. implements decisions of the assembly;
 9.4.2. elects the chairman of the executive board from its members;
 9.4.3. supervises activities of the Organisation;
9.4.4. governs the resources of the Organisation in accordance with the Statute and decisions of the assembly;
9.4.5. calls an auditor to do the audit in the Organisation at least once a year;
9.4.6. proposes changes in the work of the Organisation;
9.4.7. prepares reports to the assembly about the work of the Organisation;
9.4.8. decides about admission and dismissal of members in accordance with the Statute;
9.4.9. approves the list of personnel and fees;
9.4.10. carries out other activities in accordance with the aims of the Organisation.
9.5. Chairman of the board calls regular sessions in the case of necessity. Any member of the board can propose sessions other than the pre-scheduled. The session is rightful if at least 2/3 of the members of the board participate in it. Decisions of the board must be supported by a majority of 2/3 of the votes cast.
9.6. Chairman of the board leads the daily work of the Organisation.
9.7. Chairman of the board:
 9.7.1. implements decisions of the assembly and the board;
9.7.2. represents the Organisation in governmental and municipality institutions, organisations, enterprises and international organisations;
 9.7.3. carries out activities in accordance with the budget of the Organisation;
 9.7.4. authorises other persons to represent the Organisation;
 9.7.5. proposes changes in the work of the Organisation;
 9.7.6. prepares necessary documentation for the board and the assembly;
9.7.7. engages and fires personnel, passes regulations mandatory for the personnel;
 9.7.8. decides other daily matters.
9.8. Assembly or the board can appoint special matters for the decision of which the chairman of the board needs acceptance from the assembly or the board.

Paragraph 10. Institution of financial audit

10.1. The board calls an auditor to do the audit in the Organisation once a year.
10.2. The auditor may not be the member of the board of the Organisation.
10.3. The auditor of the Organisation:
 10.3.1. does an audit of financial resources and property;
 10.3.2. reports on the work of the board;
 10.3.3. reports on the budget and annual report of the Organisation;
 10.3.4. reports on Organisation’s accountancy and office-work;
10.3.5. proposes the changes in management of financial resources in the Organisation;
 10.3.6. does other tasks appointed by the assembly.
10.4. The auditor does the audit in terms set by the assembly, but at least once a year.
10.5. The auditor’s conclusion is mandatory for the assembly in order to accept the annual report and balance sheet of the Organisation.

Paragraph 11. Admission and dismissal of members

11.1. Any European municipality, which has a stork in its coat of arms, can become a member of the Organisation. The municipality has to be interested in the work of the Organisation, has to support and follow this Statute and other decisions of the Organisation’s board.
11.2. To become a member of the Organisation, an authorised representative of the municipality has to hand in an application to the board of the Organisation. Members may be admitted and dismissed by an absolute majority of the present members of the board.
11.3. Members may be dismissed from the Organisation if they:
 11.3.1. do not satisfactorily perform their tasks to the Organisation;
 11.3.2. cause moral or financial detriment to the Organisation.
11.4. The day of admission or dismissal is the day when the decision about it has been accepted.
11.5. In the case of dismissal or resignation of members upon their free will, membership fees are not repaid.
11.6. In the case of resignation or dismissal, the members or a group of members may not claim their rights to the property or financial resources of the Organisation, nor use the name of the Organisation.
 

Paragraph 12. Authority and obligations of the members

12.1. Members of the Organisation have an authority to:
12.1.1. participate in the administration of the Organisation in accordance with this Statute;
12.1.2. receive all information about the activities and decisions of the Organisation;
12.1.3. participate in all events and activities of the Organisation, hand in proposals concerning the work of the Organisation, defend their opinion;
12.1.4. resign from the Organisation, handing in a written application to the board of the Organisation.
12.2. Members of the Organisation have an obligation to:
 12.2.1. follow this Statute and decisions of the assembly and the board;
 12.2.2. pay annual membership fees;
 12.2.3. participate actively in the realisation of the Organisation’s aims.
12.3. Each member (municipality) has one vote in the Organisation.
12.4. Each municipality can be represented in the Organisation with an unlimited number of persons.

Paragraph 13. Acquirement and utilisation of financial resources

13.1. Financial resources of the Organisation are made of:
 13.1.1. annual membership fees;
 13.1.2. donations and sponsorship;
 13.1.3. income from entrepreneurship;
13.1.4. target payments by members and public or private sector for the realisation of particular tasks and projects of the Organisation;
 13.1.5. other income authorised by the law.
13.2. Financial resources of the Organisation are spent in accordance with the decisions of the assembly and the board for:
 13.2.1. realisation of the tasks of the Organisation;
 13.2.2. other expenses connected with the activities of the Organisation.
13.3. Financial resources of the Organisation may not be used for selfish purposes nor divided among the members.
13.4. The chairman of the board is responsible for the use of financial resources.
13.5. The chairman of the board has signatory authority. The board of the Organisation may also give signatory authority to other persons.

Paragraph 14. Dissolution

14.1. The Organisation may be dissolved by a majority of 2/3 of the votes cast of the present members of the assembly or in other cases stated by the legislation of the Republic of Latvia.

14.2. The property and financial resources of the Organisation will be used based on the decision of the assembly in accordance with the tasks of the Organisation.