Statute (english version)
In accordance with the provisions of the Article 11 and Article 12 of the Law on Associations (“Official Gazette of RS”, no. 51/09) the founding assembly held in Belgrade on June 2nd 2015 adopted the
STATUTE
OF THE “MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE” / “POKRET ZA PREOKRET” ASSOCIATION
Field of activity
Article 1.
The “Movement for Change” (Serbian: Pokret za preokret) association (hereinafter: Association) is a is a non-governmental and non-profit association, founded for an indefinite period of time to achieve the goals in the area of activism in all social areas of importance for the life of citizens in Serbia.
Goals of the Association
Article 2.
The goals of the Association are: consistent advocacy for rule of law that is based on solidarity, equality, and the right to work, as well as use of social potential to develop Serbia in the direction of a modern and democratic country of satisfied citizens. The Association will advocate for the possibility of Serbian citizens to live a dignified life from their wages and salaries, as well as the realization of the right of the socially vulnerable categories to assistance. The Association will advocate for the rights of minority groups, including, and taking special care of, the rights of national minorities. Achieving these goals should be realized with full awareness of the need for protection and improvement of the environment.
The goal of the Association is an efficient political system, which entails responsibility of the elected persons to the citizens who elected them, which is achievable exclusively through a personalised voting system. The goal of the Association is to prevent the democratic election process from being jeopardized by vote buying and corruption during the electoral cycle. The goal of the association is the rule of law, which entails an equal application of the law to all citizens. This also entails full freedom of the media.
The goal of the Association is decentralization of Serbia and creation of a functional Provincial autonomy.
In the field of economy, the goals of the Association are in education, which is a basis for economic development; advocating for combating gray zone business operations and work, which hinder the operation of the legal economy; encouraging exports; increasing liquidity through payment discipline of the public sector, which generates illiquidity; incentives for small entrepreneurs and those starting private businesses; development of the recycling industry, as well as the industries in the field of new technologies and other areas of production that would justifiably substitute imports; reduction of fiscal and parafiscal levies; treating top managers as a resource without which there is no development of either the public or private sector. Another goal of the Association is advocating for the implementation of measures to reduce unemployment. It is necessary to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the development of agriculture and rural areas, which includes the realization of the goal of creating conditions for sustainable development in the countryside. In the field of infrastructure, which is a prerequisite for economic development, the goal is the completion of all key road and railway corridors and the reconstruction and regular maintenance of all other road routes in the country. It is necessary to edit the land registers, as well as to complete the process of legalization of illegally built buildings and prevent illegal construction. The aim of the association is to use natural resources in Serbia rationally and to collect more mining royalties. The goal is also the construction of renewable energy sources, as well as the realization of energy-saving projects. The goal of the Association is also to advocate for creating awareness and encouraging the recognition of tourism as an important branch of economy that is not adequately treated in Serbia. The goal of the Association is to create conditions for free primary and secondary education, as well as to introduce order in higher education. The goal of the Association is also the availability of health care to all population categories, as well as adequate social protection for all citizens who need it. As a prerequisite for the achievement of the set goals, the Association will advocate for an independent and efficient judiciary, so that citizens are aware of the possibility to protect their rights, that those who break the law are punished, and that sanctions also have a deterrent effect, which can only be achieved if judiciary is efficient. This also includes re-socialization of convicted persons. The goal is also quality inspection supervision over the implementation of adopted laws.
The goal of the Association is military neutrality of Serbia, with cooperation with organizations that aim to protect peace in the world. The goal of the Association is peace in the region and protection of Serbs in the region and our citizens in the diaspora. The goal is for Serbia to make more use of the potential of the Serbian diaspora in the world. The association aims to create conditions for a sustainable life for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, which includes the possibility of the return of the displaced persons. The association also aims to take care of refugees and create conditions for their integration or return to their places of former residence.
The aim of the association is to care for young people, develop healthy lifestyles and encourage social activism. The goal of the Association is to care for culture and cultural creators, i.e., employees in cultural institutions.
Article 3.
In order to achieve its goals, the Association will, in particular, animate citizens through various forms of social activism, with the aim of achieving the set goals by applying own knowledge and energy. Together with members and citizens, the Association will propose and implement actions that will affect social changes in order to achieve the goals in the shortest possible time and so that the results are beneficial for the whole society. By establishing parts of the Association at the municipal, city and provincial levels, the Association will consider and engage in solving issues of importance for local self-governments, the Province of Vojvodina and the citizens who live there. To that end, the Association will admit to its membership natural and legal persons who contribute to the achievement of the goal, and will join together in the country and abroad only if the goals of the Association are thus achieved. The Association will also establish its parts according to professional principles.
In order to develop its goals, the Association will adopt a program document.
Name and headquarters
Article 4.
The name of the Association is: “Movement for Change” (Serbian: Pokret za preokret).
The abbreviated name of the Association is: “Change” (Serbian: Preokret).
The headquarters of the Association is in Belgrade, Serbia.
The decision to change the address of the headquarters is made by the President.
The Association carries out its activities on the territory of the Republic of Serbia.
Conditions and ways to become a member and terminate membership
Article 5.
Any adult person with contractual capacity who meets the requirements of this Statute and accepts the goals of the Association and the Statute and submits an application for membership to the Executive Board of the Association can become a member of the Association.
Legal entities can also become members of the Association. They realise membership in the Association through an authorized representative.
Other legal entities can also become associate members of the Association, and mutual rights and obligations are defined by a separate association agreement.
Membership can be regular or honorary.
Regular members of the Association pay an annual membership fee in the amount determined by the Assembly. Those persons who do not generate their own income or are socially disadvantaged can be exempted from paying the membership fee by the Presidency.
A natural person or legal entity who wants to become a regular member of the Association submits an application to the Association through the Executive Board, which makes a decision on admission to membership.
Along with the application for joining the Association, a statement on compliance with the provisions of the Statute and other acts of the Association, as well as the decisions of the Association’s bodies, is also signed.
Natural or legal persons who cannot become members of the Association are those persons who would damage the reputation of the Association by the virtue of having being convicted of criminal offenses in the field of economic crime and criminal offenses related to inciting religious or national hatred, war crimes or other criminal offenses which would render one unsuitable for membership. The Executive Board has the right to assess whether there are any other reasons that would cause such admission to have a negative effect on the reputation of the Association.
Article 6.
The Association can also have supporters, too. One becomes a supporter of the Association by putting one’s handwritten signature in the record of supporters. The record of supporters is kept by the Executive Board and information about sympathizers is not available to the public. Supporters are informed about the activities of the Association that could be of interest to them. Supporters do not have the status of Association members.
Article 7.
The Presidency can appoint honorary members of the Association. Honorary members are made those persons who have contributed to the achievement of the Association’s goals through personal work and commitment.
Rights, obligations and responsibilities of members
Article 8.
Members of the Association have the right to:
– participate equally with other members in the Association’s activities in order to achieve the Association’s goals,
– participate in the work of the Assembly or elect their representatives in the Assembly, according to the Statute of the Association,
– be informed about the work of the Association,
– elect and be elected to the governing bodies of the Association.
Members of the Association are obliged to:
– respect the decisions of the Association’s bodies,
– comply with the provisions of the Statute,
– pay regular annual membership fees.
Article 9.
Membership is terminated by:
– resignation,
– expulsion,
– expulsion due to non-compliance with the provisions of the Statute.
The decision on expulsion is made by the Executive Board. An objection against the decision of the Executive Board on expulsion or rejection of the request for admission to membership can be submitted to the Presidency within 15 days. The decision of the Presidency is final.
Internal organisation
Article 10.
The bodies of the Association are:
– Assembly
– Presidency
– President of the Association
– Executive Board
Assembly
Article 11.
The Association Assembly is the highest body of the Association.
The Assembly of the Association consists of all regular members of the Association.
If the Association reaches the number of 1,000 members, the Assembly will, after that period, be elected according to the delegate principle, in accordance with the Rulebook on Election to the Association’s Assembly, which will then be adopted.
If the Association reaches the number of 900 members, the drafting of the Rulebook will be started, and from the day the 900th member joins, the Rulebook on Election to the Assembly of the Association will be adopted within 30 days, so that, if the case from paragraph 2 of this Article occurs, the necessary act will be prepared for the constitution of the Assembly.
Article 12.
The Assembly of the Association is competent of and performs the following tasks:
– adopts the work plan and program;
– adopts the Statute, as well as amendments to the Statute;
– adopts other general acts of the Association;
– appoints persons authorized to represent the Association,
– elects the president;
– elects and dismisses members of the Presidency;
– considers and approves, at least once a year, the report of the Presidency;
– considers and adopts the financial plan and report;
– decides on status changes and termination of the Association;
– decides on the amount of the annual membership fee;
– decides on joining alliances and other associations in the country and abroad;
– decides on status changes of the Association;
– decides on the termination of the Association.
The Assembly meets as needed, but at least once a year.
The assembly is convened by the president. The President is obliged to convene a session of the Assembly within 30 days from the day when 10% of the regular members of the Association propose it.
As a rule, the President delivers invitations to the Assembly session to the members at least seven days before the day of the session.
In urgent cases, the Assembly may be convened by the President, within a shorter period than the period referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, which the President will explain at the beginning of the session so convened.
Article 13.
The Assembly makes valid decisions if at least half of the members attend the session.
The Assembly decides by the majority of votes of the members present.
A two-thirds majority vote of the present members is necessary for the decision on amendments to the Statute, status changes and termination of the Association.
Presidency
Article 14.
The Presidency executes the decisions of the Assembly and manages the implementation of the goals of the Association between the sessions of the Assembly.
The presidency has 25 elected members, who are elected and dismissed by the Assembly. The mandate of the members of the presidency is 4 years.
The President of the Association, the Vice-Presidents of the Association and the President of the Executive Board of the Association are members of the Presidency by position.
The President of the Association convenes and presides over the sessions of the Presidency.
The presidency performs the following tasks:
– organizes regular activities of the Association;
– manages the implementation of the goals of the Association between the sessions of the Assembly of the Association;
– implements the decisions of the Assembly of the Association;
– decides on the initiation of the procedure for amendments to the Statute, on its own initiative or at the proposal of at least five members of the Association, and prepares a proposal for amendments, which it submits to the Assembly for adoption;
– adopts rules of procedure on its work;
– determines the proposal of the financial plan and the final account;
– makes financial decisions;
– decides on the establishment of branches and other forms of work of the Association;
– proposes to the Assembly to join alliances and other associations in the country and abroad;
– submits an annual work report to the Assembly;
– elects the Executive Board and its president on the proposal of the president;
– proposes membership fee amounts;
– decides on appeals to admission rejections and expulsions from membership,
– handles tasks related to informing of members and the public;
– decides on the use of the Association’s property,
– appoints persons to sign material and financial documents;
– decides on the performance of permitted activities;
– establishes boards, commissions and other bodies that help achieve the goals of the Association;
– performs all other activities assigned entrusted with by the Assembly.
Article 15.
Sessions are convened and presided over by the President of the Association. Sessions of the Presidency are held as needed, but at least once every three months. A session can be held if at least half of the members of the Presidency are present, and valid decisions are made by the majority of votes of the members of the Presidency present.
Article 16.
The Presidency is responsible for its work to the Assembly.
Each member of the Presidency can resign before the end of the mandate for which he/she was elected, but he/she is obliged to perform his duty until the decision on dismissal is made. The Assembly is obliged to make a decision on resignation at the first following session.
Until the election of the first Presidency, the duties of the Presidency are performed by the President of the Association.
President of the Association
Article 17.
The Association has a president who ensures the proper and legal work of the Association, and he/she is elected by the Assembly for a period of 4 years, although he/she can be elected multiple times in a row.
The President represents the Association in legal transactions and has the rights and duties of a financial principal.
The President of the Association is also the President of the Presidency and presides over the Assembly of the Association.
President of the Association:
– represents and manages the Association;
– makes sure that the Program of the Association is implemented;
– makes all decisions that are not within the competence of other bodies;
– convenes and presides over the sessions of the Presidency of the Association and proposes the agenda;
– convenes and presides over the Assembly of the Association;
– implements the decisions of the Assembly and manages the work of the Association between the sessions of the Assembly;
– represents the Association in the registration process;
– in case of termination of the existence of the Association, he performs the duties of the liquidator;
– performs other duties entrusted to him/her by the Assembly or the Presidency.
In case of absence or incapacity of the President, one of the Vice-Presidents, authorized by the President, replaces him/her.
Vice-presidents
Article 18.
The association has one or more vice-presidents, not more than 5, who are elected by the Presidency, at the proposal of the president, for a period of 4 years. The vice-presidents help the president of the Association in the performance of his duties and, if necessary, replace the president, according to the authorizations obtained.
Executive board
Article 19.
The Executive board is the executive body of the Association, which is in charge of the implementation of the decisions of the Assembly, the Presidency and the president of the Association, as well as the decisions that fall within the competence of the Executive board.
The Executive board has at least 9 members. The number of members is determined by the Presidency of the Association. The Executive board is elected for 4 years.
The Executive board performs the following tasks:
– executes the decisions of the Assembly, the Presidency and the President of the Association;
– adopts rules of procedure on its work;
– makes proposals for formation, and, in consultation with the Presidency and the President, organizes the formation of parts of the Association;
– makes proposals regarding personnel for managing branches and other organizational forms of the Association’s work;
– performs tasks, in accordance with the law, related to obtaining financial resources and material conditions for the work of the Association;
– organizes management of administrative affairs for the Association;
– performs other tasks entrusted to it by other bodies of the Association,
At the head of the Executive Board is the President of the Executive Board who organizes the work of the Executive Board. The Executive Board also has a Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, who is elected by the Executive Board at the proposal of the Chairman of the Executive Board. The Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board replaces the Chairman of the Executive Board and assists him/her in his/her work.
Until the election of the first Executive Board, the function of the Executive Board will be performed by a person designated by the Founding Assembly.
Publicity of work
Article 20.
The work of the Association is public.
The publicity of the work is ensured and achieved by timely and truthful informing of the members of the Association and through public announcements. Members are informed about the work of the Association by delivered written materials and through meetings of the Association’s bodies.
Representatives of the media may attend the meetings of the governing bodies of the Association, if such a decision is made by the authority holding the meeting.
In order to make the work as public as possible, the Association can publish its newsletter in accordance with the regulations on public information. The decision on issuing a newsletter is made by the Assembly.
If necessary, the association will organize press conferences, issue press releases and organize public gatherings in order to publicly communicate its views.
If necessary, the Association issues other means of public information (periodical publications, newsletters, posters, etc.) in accordance with the Law.
Methods of acquiring funds for achieving goals and disposing of funds
Article 21.
The Association obtains funds from membership fees, donations, gifts, inheritance, and dedicated funds from the budgets of local self-government units, the Province and the Republic of Serbia.
Article 22.
Financial resources, in accordance with the Statute and the law, are disposed of by the President of the Association or a person authorized by the President. The President submits a report on income and expenses to the Presidency, and, at least once a year, to the Assembly of the Association. The President can transfer certain powers concerning the disposal of funds to the President of the Executive Board of the Association.
Article 23.
Any profit of the Association that would be reported at the end of the year is transferred to the following year or invested in fixed assets, which is decided by the Presidency of the Association.
Members have the right to compensation for justified expenses incurred in connection with the activities of the Association, as well as the right to a reward for work related to the activities of the Association, when this is stipulated by a special act.
Article 24.
The financial year of the Association begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st of the same year.
The financial report on operations is submitted by the Presidency to the Assembly of the Association no later than March 31st, for the previous financial year.
Article 25.
The company can acquire property from its income and through gifts. The decision on the disposal of property is made by the Presidency.
Article 26.
The company will not engage in economic activities that generate profit.
Establishment of branches and affiliation
Article 27.
The association can establish branches, subsidiaries, committees, sections, groups and clubs.
The decision on the establishment of parts of the Association is made by the Presidency, on the proposal of the President.
The parts of the Association do not have the status of a legal entity.
The association can join alliances and other associations in the country and abroad. The decision on this is made by the Assembly, at the proposal of the Presidency.
Appearance and content of the seal
Article 28.
The Association has a seal. The seal of the Association is round in shape, 30 mm in diameter. The name of the Association and the address of the Association’s headquarters are written along the rim in the Serbian language and the Cyrillic script.
The seal is kept and authorized to be used by the President of the Association and other members of the Association authorised in writing by the President.
The procedure for amendments to the Statute and the procedure for adopting and amending other general acts
Article 29.
The proposal for amendments to the Statute is adopted by the Presidency, at the initiative of the President or at least five members of the Association. At the proposal of the Presidency, the Assembly makes a decision on amendments to the Statute.
The bodies of the Association pass general acts from their jurisdiction: decisions, regulations and other acts. All general acts are passed by a majority of votes, if they are collective bodies.
The Association must adopt the following acts: Program of the Association, Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Association, Rules of Procedure of the Presidency of the Association, Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board of the Association, Code of Conduct of Association Members.
Termination of Association
Article 30.
The Association is terminated by a decision of the Assembly or for reasons prescribed by law.
The decision on the termination of the Association is made by the Assembly with a two-thirds majority of the members present.
Article 31.
In case of termination of the Association, its property shall be donated to an endowment or a humanitarian organization in accordance with the decision of the Presidency.
Entry into force
Article 32.
The Statute of the Association enters into force on the day of its adoption at the founding assembly of the Association.
In Belgrade, 02.06.2015
President of the Founding Assembly of the Association
Prof. Dragoljub Jovičić, PhD
