Statutes Benelux-Maldives Friendship Society

​

The founders: H.E. Ambassador Hassan Sobir, Mr. Gerard Huiting and Ms. Ratchaneewan Jongkeeree

unanimously decide to set up a friendship association under Belgian law that will be governed by the following statutes

​

Statutes

Benelux – Maldives Friendship Society 

 

General

​

Name

Article 1: The association carries the following name: « Benelux- Maldives Friendship Society ».

 

Seat

Art. 2 The registered office of the association is located at: Biesakker 39, 2490 Balen, Belgium. It can be transferred to any other address by

a simple decision of the board of directors.

 

Goal

Art. 3. The association aims to support all initiatives that build bridges between the Embassy of the Maldives to the EU and the Benelux countries (based in Brussels) and the citizens of Benelux and Maldives, in the broadest sense of the word, encompassing economic, cultural, humanitarian and tourist matters. The association refrains from all interference in political and religious affairs, in both the Benelux and the Maldives.

 

Duration

Art. 4. The association is set-up for an indefinite duration of time

 

Members accession

Art. 5. There is no limitation concerning the number of members. Admission to the association as a member falls within the competence of the board of directors, which decides sovereignly on the written applications addressed to it, without having to justify its decision.

The board of directors may, under the conditions it determines, grant the titles of supporting or honorary members.

 

Art. 6. The membership is FREE!

 

Withdrawal, loss of membership

 

Art. 8. Withdrawal is possible at any time. This must be confirmed by signed letter addressed to the president of the association.

 

The exclusion of a member falls within the competence of the general meeting, which decides by a two-thirds majority. The reasons for the exclusion are not required to be given.

 

The withdrawing or excluded members, as well as the heirs and beneficiaries of a member, have no claim whatsoever to the assets of the association and can never claim the return of the contributions paid, of contributions or other services. Under no circumstances may they require proof or copies of invoices, sealing of the association goods or the drawing up of an inventory.

 

Board of Directors

​

Art 9. The association is managed by a board of directors comprised of at least three members, elected by the general meeting.

 

The mandate of a director has a term of 5 (five) years. In the event of the death or dismissal of a director, the mandate of the replacement

co-opted by the board expires at the same time as that of the other directors.

 

The mandate of director is not remunerated.

 

Expenses incurred by the directors with regard to the performance of their task for the non-profit organization are reimbursed upon submission of an invoice or bill in consultation with the board, as long as there is financial scope to pay the expenses.

 

If there is no financial scope to pay the expenses, the costs are on account of the director who incurred them and cannot be recovered from co-directors or other members.

 

The directors shall not enter into any personal commitment on behalf of the association. Vis-à-vis the association, they have the responsibility of an unpaid mandate.

 

Powers

 

Art. 10. The board of directors has the greatest possible authority to manage and govern the association. Everything that is not explicitly reserved by law or the statutes for the general meeting, falls under its authority.

 

Operation

 

Art 11. The board of directors meets at the written invitation of either the chairman or two directors. The chairman deliberates validly as soon as at least half of the directors are present. Each decision is taken by a majority of votes of the directors present. Procurations are not allowed. In the event of a tie, the vote of the chairman of the meeting is decisive.

 

The council elects a chairman, vice-chairmen and a secretary / treasurer from among its members.

 

In the absence of the chairman, his functions are validly performed by the eldest of the vice-chairmen present or, in their absence, by the eldest of the directors present.

 

General meeting

 

Art. 12. The general meeting deliberates sovereignly on the matters placed on its agenda and its decisions are binding.

 

Convocation

 

Art. 13. The general meeting is convened at the request of the board of directors or one fifth of the members, sent via e-mail with at least 14 (fourteen) days notice. The general meeting convenes at the registered office or at the address indicated in the notice.

 

The general meeting must be held at least once a year to discuss and approve the accounts and the budget.

 

Operation

 

Art. 14. The chairmanship and secretariat of the meeting is arranged in the same way as that of the Board of Directors. The meeting elects a secretary and a vote counter for each deliberation.

 

The minutes recording the deliberations of the general meetings are signed by the chairman and kept at the registered office of the association.

 

Each honorary member and members wo did a free gift to the BMFS has one vote at the general meeting.

Free membership members have no voting rights.

With the exception of cases provided for by law, the meeting deliberates validly, irrespective of the number of members present or represented.

 

It statutes by an absolute majority of the members present or represented. In the event of a tie, the chairman has the deciding vote.

 

Reports of proceedings

 

Art. 15. The official reports can be consulted at the registered office of the association by appointment by any honorary member or members who did a free gift to the BMFS. The board of directors makes a decision on any request from a third party to obtain a copy of these reports.

 

Financial provisions

 

Art. 16. The accounts and the budget are prepared annually by the board of directors and submitted for approval to the general meeting.

 

The social service year corresponds to the calendar year.

 

The treasurer ensures that the legally required tax return is made on time every year.

​

 

Art. 17. The financial year runs from January to December.

 

Awards and Membership Cards

 

Art. 18. The board may issue honours or awards for natural persons and companies that have made an important contribution to the association and its goals. These awards can consist of a medal or coin with a certificate or an award certificate only. The medals and coins are divided into the categories gold, silver and bronze. The board determines for which class a deserving person or company qualifies. The board does not have to answer to members or other bodies why a person or company is being honoured. No amount of money or other benefits is attached to the awards.

​

Dissolution

 

Art. 20. In case of dissolution of the association, all goods available, after payment of the outstanding debts, will be used for the benefit of a project in the Maldives, to be determined by the general meeting.

 

Balen, 19 june 2021

 

Certified unanimously

 

HC. Mr. Gerard Huiting - Founder/ President

 

H.E. Ambassador Hassan Sobir -  Founder / Honorary Member

​

Ratchaneewan Jongkeeree - Founder / First Secretary

​

​

​

​