Bylaws

Norwegian Network for Downs Syndrome

 

 

Ratified at the General Assembly February 28, 2008

 

 

 

§ 1 Name and purpose

 

The name of the association is Norwegian Network for Downs Syndrome (NNDS)

 

The purpose of the association is to be an interest group for people with Downs Syndrome and to look after this group's interests which are significant for the establishment and maintenance of an optimal quality of life.

 

The fulfillment of the purpose will be sought after by working for:

• Improving diagnosis-, birth and early phase treatment
• Improving habilitation opportunities
• Improving the opportunity for participation in work life
• Improving the opportunity for participation in leisure activities
• Improving the care giving services both qualitatively and quantitatively
• Improving the information- and support services in regards to people with Downs syndrome and their parents, siblings, grandparents and more
• Improving the authorities' understanding and accept of the  collective planning of lifespan and their overriding responsibility for this
• Improving the public's knowledge of and understanding for the situation of the mentally disabled, possibilities and needs through national and international cooperation
• Strengthening, developing and coordinating the various professionals' work with learning, habilitation and research in regards to the improving of the quality of life of the disabled.

 

§ 2 Membership

 

One becomes a member via the local chapter.  For members who do not have the opportunity to connect to a local chapter one can sign up for a membership directly on the national level. 

 

The association is open to anyone who has interest in the work with people with Downs syndrome.  The association can include both persons with Downs syndrome, professionals, parents and family as well as others with an interest in the field.

 

The association has individual membership.  Members with Downs syndrome, their parents and family members are considered category no. 1, other members category 2.

 

§ 3 Organization

The association has this structure:

National  convention

Council

The board

Local chapters

Professional board

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§ 4 National convention

 

§ 4.1 Invitation

 

The National Convention is the highest authority in the association.  Ordinarily the convention is held within the end of May every other year and is called by the board.

1. January 15^th, at the latest, information regarding time and place with be sent to the local chapters as well as a reminder about the deadline for the submission of items for the agenda.
2. Items to be considered at the National Convention must be received by the board at the latest two months before the date of the convention.
3. At the latest 21 days before the convention the summons with agenda and relevant documents must be sent to the local chapters and registered delegates.

 

 

§ 4.2 Eligibility to vote

 

1. At the National Convention the following are eligible to vote:
   1. The Council  (the board and 1 from each local chapter)
   2. In addition each local chapter has 3 representatives at the National Convention. Local chapters with more than 50 members attend with 3 representatives and local chapters with more than 100 members meet with 4 representatives.  The individual representative can, in addition to his or her own authority, attend and vote with up to 2 written power of attorneys.  In addition all the members have meeting- and speaking rights, but not the right to bring proposals.
   3. The necessary quorum is present at the National Convention is  when at least half of the eligible to vote are present or represented with power of attorney as described above in point b.
2. At the National Convention only items on the agenda can be discussed. All resolutions with the exception of those under § 10 and § 11 are met by simple majority.  In the case of a tie the leader's vote is decisive.
3. Election is described specifically under § 9 in the bylaws.
4. The National Convention is to discuss the following issues:
   1. Approval of the power of attorney documents
   2. Approval of the summons
   3. Election of chair, secretary and counting group.
   4. Approval of the agenda
   5. The annual report closed per 31.12
   6. Revised accounts closed per 31. 12
   7. The establishment of membership fees, hereunder the share to the associations centrally and to the local chapter, for the following period until the subsequent National Convention (2 years)

 

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1.  
   1. Working program for the upcoming period
   2. Incoming items
   3. The electoral committee's  suggestions for:

 

The election of members to the board according to the guidelines in § 5.

Selection of committees which are to be voted on during the National Convention

 

1.  
   1. The boards suggestion for the electoral committee of three members
   2. Choice of accountant

 

1. An extraordinary National Convention may be called when the Council or at least 1/3 of the members find it necessary.  The summons will be done in writing and with at least 14 days notice.  Only the points described in the agenda may be discussed.

 

§ 5 The board

 

The daily work of the association is led by the board which will work towards carrying out the working program which has been approved at the National Convention.

 

The board is responsible for the publications of the association.

 

The board will go over the accounts of the association at least twice a year.

 

The board is chosen during a specific election and consists of:

• Chair
• Deputy chair
• 5 board members
• 2 deputy members

 

The board is voted on during the National Convention.  The Chair and the majority of the board must be in member category 1 (persons with Downs syndrome, parents /family)

 

The board appoints a member to the Professional working committee, and representatives to organizations where the association is member.

 

The board has the necessary quorum when at least 4 members are present.  At a tie vote the Chair's vote is decisive.

 

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The board may appoint specific committees for particular assignments.

 

The board is called when the Chair or at least 3 board members demand it.

 

The Chair has the daily employee responsibility for the employees of the association.  The Chair along with the board is responsible.

 

 

 

§ 6 The Council

 

 

The Council is the highest authority between National Conventions.

 

The Council consists of:

1.  
   1. The board
   2. One representative from each local chapter, usually the leader.

 

Each local chapter chooses their own representative to the Council with a personal deputy representative.

The Council shall meet at least once a year and otherwise when a majority of the board or the members of the Council  demand it.

 

 

The Council is lead by the leader of the association.

 

 

The Council approves the budget for the oncoming year.

 

 

The Council has the necessary quorum when at least half the members are present.  Resolutions are adopted  by simple majority.  In the case of a tie the vote of the leader is decisive.

 

 

§ 7 The local chapter

 

1. A local chapter consists of a fylke ( translators note:  Norway is divided into 19 such areas, called fylke ), or a region where several fylke are included.  The local chapter is free to organize their work, hereunder county based or area based local chapters.
2. Within the framework of the association's bylaws and relevant guidelines developed by the board or the Council the local chapters have freedom to organize their own work.

 

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1. The local chapter must have a board with at least 3 members.  There can be made an exception to the requisite number of board members by the central board.
2. The local chapter shall as a rule hold their annual meeting within the end of  February.
3. The local chapter is responsible for their own economy.
4. At cessation the means of the local chapter will transfer to the national association.

§ 8 The professional board

 

The Professional board is established as an independent unit within the association.  The Professional board is a resource in the work with spreading knowledge and information.

 

The Professional board is led by a working committee consisting of three persons, of which at least one of these is a board member in the association.

 

The Professional board constitutes itself.

 

One representative from the the Professional board's working committee participates at the National Convention and the Council's meetings with the right to speak.

 

§ 9 Election

 

Elections will be written whenever there are more than one option, or if any of the delegates to the National Convention demands it.  In the case of a tie, a new vote will be executed.  In the case of a second tie the election will be carried out by a draw.

 

The association's election committee consists of three members and is chosen by the National convention for a period of two years.  As a main rule, there must be one member chosen at the National Convention.  At least two of the election committee members must be in member category 1 (persons with ds/parents or relatives)

 

The election committee is responsible for the nomination of  candidates, ref. §4.2 above.

 

§10 Bylaw changes

 

Changes in these bylaws can only be carried out following a proposal at the National Convention/Extraordinary Convention with at least 2/3 majority of the given votes at the meeting.

 

§ 11 Cessation

Cessation of the association can only take place at the National Convention and demands a 2/3 majority vote.  Possible means available at such an event shall be distributed by the National Convention to the benefit of persons with Downs syndrome.

 

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