STATUTE ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG

1.    SEAT / NAME

The association carries the name “ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG”, based on Article 60 ff. of the Swiss Code of Obligations/OR. The headquarters are in Zurich, Switzerland.

2.    PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION

Research, development, installation and advancement of sustainable marine use in all areas; particularly the improvement of preservation of the ocean and coastal regions through aquaculture, in accord with local populations, communities, ecosystems and economic systems.

To achieve the aims, the association may be active, amongst others, in the following fields:

  • Operation, research and development of the ecological production of pearls, sponges, corals, shells, amongst others, marine cultures, in particular the development of aquaculture farms with integrated ecological management.
  • Special advancement of women through work and secure income possibilities in aquaculture operations.
  • Procurement of microcredit as an initial aid for local small businesses transacting in aquaculture.
  • The schooling and consultancy of local people and communities in aqua-farming through the operation of workshops, training courses, technical training, seminars, conferences, etc.
  • The advancement of partnerships and collaboration with Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and institutions that are active locally, nationally or internationally, in the fields of aquaculture, marine or coastal conservation.
  • Support and development of political, regulatory or legal control measures for the improvement of marine, coastal and beach preservation and the protection of the native species of these areas.
  • Advancement and active support of projects, organisations and private businesses which are engaged in the development of natural resources management, marine and species preservation, community development, or other activities that are beneficial to the aims of the association.
  • Organisation and advancement of research and volunteer work in the field of aquaculture, marine and coastal conservation.
  • Advancement of aquaculture tourism.

The association is of neutral denomination and is a non-profit organisation.

3.    MEMBERSHIP

3.1.     ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

3.1.1. The active membership is determined in the form of a resolution of the association through the annual members’ meeting, according to legal jurisdiction (Article 65 Swiss code of Obligation/OR) and statuary jurisdiction (Article 4 of the statute).

3.1.2. Only natural persons or a body of persons may be active members. They distinguish themselves through the formative way they perceive the interests of the association.

3.1.3. The admission of a new active member is determined by a 2/3 majority of the annual members’ meeting. The application and reasons for admission to the association is to be sent in writing to the Executive Board. The applicant is to be heard. After consultation of the Board of Management or the Executive Board, an application to the annual members’ meeting follows.

3.1.4. The duration of an active membership is one year. After this time, the re-election is to be confirmed by the annual members’ meeting. A 2/3 majority is needed for the expulsion of a member and a reason must not be given. A withdrawal from the association is possible at any time as of end of the month with one month’s notice.

3.1.5. Executive Board members, members of the Board of Management and employees automatically become active members of the association with their appointment. Active membership ends with the cessation of a function, expulsion from the association, dismissal, retirement, and cessation of membership or termination of employment.

3.2.    PASSIVE MEMBERSHIP

3.2.1. Passive members may be natural persons or legal persons. They support the association’s activities through logistical, financial or other help. They are to be regularly informed of the association’s activities per E-mail.

3.2.2. New passive members are to be appointed by the Board of Management. An application for passive membership may be made at any time.

3.3.    HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

The annual members’ meeting may grant honorary membership to natural persons, legal persons or sponsors.

4.    MEMBERS’ MEETINGS

4.1. The annual meeting of active members is the highest instance of the ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG. A notice of the meeting is to be given at least 2 weeks in advance by the Executive Board, either by E-mail or telephone, together with the agenda of the meeting.

4.2. The following fall within the exclusive jurisdiction o f the annual members’ meeting:

  • Regulation and changes in the statute
  • Admission and expulsion of active members
  • The election of the Executive Board, in which a 2/3 majority is needed in the first ballot, and a simple majority in further ballots
  • The annual approval of the statement of operations and balance
  • Assistance for the Executive Board

4.3 At least 50% of the active members must be present for a resolution to be passed. A 2/3 majority is needed for the admission and expulsion of active members, changes in the statute, as well as the dissolution of the association. For all other decisions, a simple majority is needed insofar that the statute does not require a qualified majority.

4.4. The meeting of active members can form chapters and partake in organisations and businesses with the same or similar aims and functions.

5.    EXECUTIVE BOARD

5.1. The Executive Board of the association will be elected for a period of two years. The Executive Board is composed of natural persons.

5.2. The Executive Board will be assigned the responsibility of the appointment of the Board of Managers from the annual members’ meeting of the ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG. The Executive Board comprises of at least three members of the association who capably represent all concerns of the association, particularly personnel issues, business management, finances, legal issues, contact with authorities, partnerships, shareholdings, marketing, research and development.

5.3. The Executive Board decides over all fields and exercises all authorisations that are not specifically subject to another institution. Included under the duties of the Executive Board are the implementation of the aims of the association and the assessment and appraisal of all problems which can occur. The Executive Board may delegate certain duties to the Board of Management, to commissions or external bodies.

5.4. The Executive Board designates or may recall the members of the Board of Management with a simple majority.

5.5. The Executive Board members may occupy hired employment with the ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG.

5.6. The Executive Board may assign the total operative management of the Board of Management, as necessary.

5.7 The members of the board were volunteers and were only entitled to compensations of their effective expenses and cash expenses. For special efforts of a single member of the board an adequate compensation may be paid.

6.    BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

6.1. The Board of Management may consist of one or more natural persons. It is responsible for the efficient and successful operation of the association and may externally represent the ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG with the power of attorney as granted by the Executive Board. The Board of Management must intervene when the interests of the association are compromised.

6.2. The members of the Board of Management are employed and discharged by the Executive Board.

6.3 The Board of Management is to carry out all monetary transactions and accounting, and compiles an annual statement about its transactions, activities and perspectives. It is the responsibility of the Board of Managers to deliver an annual balance and statement of operations to the Executive Board, which presents the report to the annual members’ meeting, within three months of the end of the fiscal year, together with the budget for the next fiscal year.

7.    LIABILITY

The assets of the association are solely liable for payment of all debts.

8.    MEMBERSHIP FEES

The rate of annual membership fees will be stipulated at the annual members’ meeting. In a year when no new decision is made, the membership fee rate from the previous year is effective.

9.    DISSOLUTION

In the case of dissolution of the association, the associations’ assets must be assigned to an organisation aims and functions as identical as possible with those of the ASSOCIATION OF MARINECULTURES.ORG. A distribution to the members is impossible.

In the case of discrepancies or obscurities between the German and English versions of the association’s Statute, the German version is solely decisive.

The present statute comes immediately into effect.

 

Approved with the resolution from the annual members’ meeting on 25th September 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland.

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