Statute

2018-04-24 22:54:16

Chapter I
General provisions

Article 1.
The name of the association is "Betel" Catholic Charitable Association.

Article 2.
The territory of the Association activity is the territory of Poland.

Article 3.
The seat of the Association governing bodies is the City of Czestochowa.

Articles 4.
The Association is a charitable organization, based on social involvement of its members. The Association may employ workers to handle its matters.

Article 5.
The Association has civil and ecclesiastical legal personality.

Article 6.
The fundamental standard for the Association activities is the person of Jesus Christ and Christian values; work of the Association is based on the teaching of the Roman-Catholic Church.

Article 7.
The Association operates with the consent of the local bishop, who can deprive the Association of its legal personality.

Article 8.
The Association may co-operate with and be a member of organizations with the similar profile of activity.

Article 9.
The Association co-operates with the Charity Division of “Caritas” organization of the particular local Church.

Article 10.
A chaplain approved by the local bishop provides spiritual care to the Association. The chaplain is also responsible for the compliance of the Association activity with the teaching of the Church and the Statute of the Association. Furthermore, the chaplain has full membership rights of the Association.

Article 11.
The Association has the right to establish Districts and Divisions according to the principles set forth in this Statute.

Article 12.
The Association can have its banner and organizational badge and can use a round and rectangular seal with the name and address of the Association.

Chapter II
Aim, tasks and means of the Association activity

Article 13.
The aim of the Association is a charitable, philanthropic activity, with respect for the dignity of every human being, irrespective of their religion, outlook on life, nationality, race, beliefs and state of health.

Article 14.
Tasks of “Betel” Catholic Charitable Association include:
1. Carrying out charitable, philanthropic activity for the needy, in particular for disabled and sick people, senior citizens, the homeless, the unemployed, the addicted, single mothers, victims of violence, prisoners, immigrants and refugees, victims of elementals disasters, epidemics and military conflicts as well as for families, children and youth.
2. Welfare aid.
3. Promoting the presence of the disabled in the centre of life of the Roman Catholic Church, parishes and other communities.
4. Maintaining the national tradition, cultivating the Polish national identity and development of the national, civil and cultural awareness.
5. Work for national minorities.
6. Activity supporting the development of local communities.
7. Work for development of science, education, schooling and upbringing.
8. Promotion of physical culture and sport.
9. Creating strong bonds between the disabled, the sick and their families and friends.
10. Creating the appropriate life environment where the disabled and the sick could live and function normally and on their own level, despite their limitations.
11. Culture, art, protection of cultural heritage and tradition.
12. Social pathology prevention.
13. Promotion and protection of human freedoms and rights as well as civil liberties, activities supporting development of democracy.
14. Rescue service and population protection.
15. Work for European integration and development of contacts and cooperation between societies based on Christian values.
16. Promotion and organization of voluntary service.
17. Technological, training, information and financial support to public benefit entities.

Article 15.
The Association fulfills these tasks in particular by means of:
1. All works undertaken in favour of the community of the needy.
2. Regular formation and training of workers and volunteers.
3. Organizing meetings, trips, camps.
4. Organizing meetings for the disabled, the elderly, their families and friends.
5. Organizing meetings, lectures, debates, seminars and conferences and other events, appropriate for the fulfillment of the aims of the Association.
6. Educational activity in line with the Polish religious and national tradition.
7. Organizing and providing community aid.
8. Promoting disease prevention and health protection.
9. Helping the disabled to become independent.
10. Lending houses and cars belonging to the Association, free of charge, to volunteers who will live with disabled people in the houses and help them charitably.
11. Organizing various forms of recreation and rehabilitation for the disabled, the elderly, the sick.
12. Carrying out business activities of the size serving the fulfillment of the statutory aims according to the principles set forth in special regulations. The income from the business activity shall be used for the purposes of the statutory activity.
13. Taking actions promoting and financing the charitable activity.
14. Propagating the ideas, aims and activities of the Association.

Article 16.
With a view to the fulfillment of the statutory aims the Association cooperates with:
1. parishes and other church charitable institutions in the diocese
2. public administration bodies
3. charitable organizations of other religions and denominations and with lay organizations, maintaining, however, its own identity
4. other domestic, foreign and international entities within the scope of fulfillment of the statutory aims.

Chapter III
Members, their rights and duties

Article 17
1. Natural and legal persons can be members of the Association.
2. There are three types of the Association members:
a) ordinary
b) honorary
c) supporting.
3. People at least 18 years of age, Polish citizens and foreigners who
a) have applied for the Association membership
b) have been admitted by Resolution of the Management Board
can be ordinary members of the Association.
4. Persons who have not yet come of age can be members with the consent of their parents or legal guardians.
5. Legal persons who, in agreement with the Management Board, contribute to the development of the Association can become supporting members.
6. Persons who have rendered special services to the Association can become honorary members.
7. Natural persons providing assistance to the Association in the fulfillment of its statutory aims, in particular making money payments, can also become supporting members.
8. An appeal against a refusal to admit to the Association can be lodged with the Audit Committee within 30 days, through the Management Board.

Article 18.
1. Ordinary members have the right to:
a) take part in the work of the Association
b) exercise the active and passive voting rights
c) receive help from the Association
d) put forward proposals and comments and take initiatives
e) have identity cards and badges of the Association.
2. Ordinary members are obliged to:
a) fulfill the plans and statutory aims of the Association
b) obey the provisions of the Statute and by-laws
c) submit to resolutions and decisions of the Association bodies
d) contribute to the development of the Association by active participation in its works
e) promote the idea of the Association and recruit new members.
3. Honorary and supporting members are entitled to have identity cards and badges of the Association.
4. Honorary and supporting members are obliged to promote the idea of the Association and recruit new members.

Article 19.
1. The Association membership is terminated by:
a) withdrawal
b) crossing off the members list
c) exclusion from the Association.
2. A member is crossed off the members list if he / she fails to contribute to the fulfillment of the aims and tasks of the Association.
3. A member is excluded from the Association if he / she acts to the detriment of the Association or is in breach of the provisions of the Statute, ideological programmes, resolutions and decisions of the Association bodies or if he / she commits an unworthy deed.
4. An appeal against crossing off or exclusion from the Association can be lodged with the Audit Committee within 14 days, through the Management Board.

Chapter IV
Governing bodies of the Association

Article 20.
1. The governing bodies of the Association are:
a) General Meeting of the Association
b) Management Board
c) Audit Committee.
2. The Association bodies are elected for the period of four years.
3. Unless it is stipulated otherwise in the general provisions of the Statute, resolutions of the Association bodies are adopted by an ordinary majority of votes, with at least 1/2 of the total number of persons authorized to vote present. In case of equal number of votes for and against a resolution the President has a casting vote.

General Meeting of the Association

Article 21.
1. The highest governing body of the Association is the General Meeting of the Association. An Ordinary General Meeting is held every three years, whereas an Extraordinary General Meeting – within one month after the decision made or a motion put forward.
2. Extraordinary General Meetings of the Association may be convened:
a) on the initiative of the Management Board or Audit Committee
b) on a written motion put forward by 1/3 of the Association members.
3. A notice of an Ordinary General Meeting of the Association shall be sent one month before the date of the Meeting at the latest.
4. Delegates elected according to the election formula established by the Management Board take part in the General Meeting of the Association.
5. In no required quorum is present, the next Meeting shall be held irrespective of the number of delegates present, two weeks after the date of the previous Meeting. Resolutions adopted at the Meeting held at the time as above are effective irrespective of the number of the delegates having the right to vote.
6. The Association governing bodies are elected by secret ballot. The election can be also carried out by open vote if the majority of the members present and having voting rights are in favour of an open vote.
7. The following matters shall come before the General Meeting of the Association:
a) election of the Association governing bodies
b) adoption of resolutions concerning the directions and programme of the Association activities
c) granting vote of acceptance to the Association governing bodies based on their reports heard and discussed by the Meeting
d) adoption of amendments to the Statute
e) adoption of a resolution on dissolution of the Association.

Management Board

Article 22.
1. The Management Board of the Association shall consist of 2 – 5 members and is elected by the General Meeting of the Association. During the election it shall be indicated which of the elected Board members is to hold the office of the President and which – the office of the Secretary.
2. The Management Board has the following powers:
a) makes decisions concerning the implementation of resolutions of the General Meeting of the Association
b) adopts the annual plans of the Association activities and budget and assesses their implementation
c) makes decisions on admission of new members to the Association
d) manages the Association property and finances
e) establishes bylaws and internal instructions
f) determines the territories of the Association Districts
g) assumes obligations and enters into contracts
h) determines the amount of membership fees and exempts members from fee payments
i) revokes decisions of Division directors and District chairpersons contrary to the law, Statute or bylaws
j) appoints additional Board members, not more however, than 1/3 of the total Board membership
k) appoints and revokes Division directors and District chairpersons
l) excludes members from the Association
m) supervises the activities of Districts and Divisions, homes run by the Association and coordinates their operation
n) convenes the General Meeting of the Association.
3. Meetings of the Management Board are held as necessary, not less than once a year and they are called by the President or Vice-President.
4. Resolutions of the Management Board are adopted by an ordinary majority of votes with at least a half of the Board members present.
5. The term of office of a Board member shall be terminated in case of a permanent, lasting for more than three months, impediment to the office being held.

Audit Committee

Article 23.
1. The Audit Committee shall consist of 2 – 5 members.
2. Meetings of the Audit Committee are held as necessary, not less, however, than once a year.
3. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:
a) supervision over the entire operation of the Association, including:
- supervision over the property and financial management
- supervision over the compliance with the Statute
- checking the implementation of resolutions of the Association governing bodies.
b) presenting the proposals and observations of the Audit Committee to the Management Board and the Association General Meeting
c) presenting reports of the Audit Committee activities at the General Meeting of the Association and proposing to grant a vote of acceptance to the outgoing Management Board
d) considering appeals against decisions of the Management Board to refuse admission to the Association, to cross off from the list of members and to exclude members from the Association.
4. The Audit Committee Chairman or authorized members can attend meetings of the Management Board in advisory capacity.
5. The Audit Committee may, by secret ballot, decide to revoke the President of the Management Board if it is required in the interest of the Association. Adoption of such decision shall involve calling an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association to elect a new Management Board of the Association.
6. The Audit Committee shall send one copy of the report of its activity to the Management Board at least three weeks before the date of General Meeting of the Association.
7. Members of the Management Board or persons employed by the Association cannot be members of the Audit Committee.
No Committee member shall be:
a) related by blood or marriage or subordinate by reason of employment to any Board members
b) convicted by a final judgment of an offence committed with intent,
c) receive by virtue of his / her Audit Committee membership reimbursement of reasonable costs or remuneration higher than specified in Art. 8 clause 8 of the Act of March 3rd, 2000 on remunerations of persons managing some legal entities.

Chapter V
Divisions and Districts of the Association

Article 24.
1. The Management Board of the Association may establish Divisions and Districts of the Association.
2. The Association District is established only as a superior structure for at least two existing Divisions.
3. A Division is headed by a Director appointed and revoked by the Management Board.
4. A District is headed by a Chairperson appointed and revoked by the Management Board, after consultation with Directors of the Divisions subordinate to the District.
5. The manner of establishing, organization and powers of a Division and District of the Association shall be specified by the Management Board of the Association in a resolution.

Chapter VI
Assuming obligations

Article 25.
The President, acting alone, and the Secretary, acting alone, or two other Board members, acting jointly, are authorized to represent the Association and to assume financial obligations.

Chapter VII
Funds and property of the Association

Article 26
1. The property of the Association consists of: monetary assets, real property and movable property.
2. The property of the Association consists of:
a) proceeds from membership fees
b) state subsidies
c) donations and bequests
d) proceeds from the Association business activity.
3. The Association Divisions and Districts are authorized to have access and use the property of the Association within the scope of powers granted to them by the Management Board.

Article 27.
It is prohibited:
1. To grant loans to or to secure by pledge or lien on the property of the Association, liabilities of the Association members, members of its bodies, employees or volunteers as well as persons married to, directly or collaterally related by blood or marriage up to the second degree or by adoption, guardianship or custody to the employees or volunteers, referred to hereinafter as the “relatives”.
2. To transfer and use the property of the Association in favour of its members, members of the Association bodies or employees or volunteers or their relatives, otherwise than on the terms applied to third parties, and in particular if any such transfer were free of charge or on preferential conditions unless the use of the Association property arises from the statutory aim of the Association.
3. To purchase on special terms goods or services from entities in which members, employees or volunteers of the Association participate and from their relatives.

Chapter VIII
Amendment to the Statute and dissolution of the Association

Article 28.
1. A resolution on amendment to the Statute is adopted by the General Meeting of the Association by the majority of 2/3 of votes, with at least a half of the members with the right to vote present.
2. A resolution on dissolution of the Association is adopted by the General Meeting of the Association by the majority of 2/3 of votes, with at least a half of the members with the right to vote present.
3. If a resolution on dissolving the Association is passed, the General Meeting of the Association appoints a Liquidation Committee, composed of a chairperson and two members.
4. A resolution on dissolving the Association specifies the future use of the Association property.