European Japanese Garden Association (EuroJGA)
ARTICLE 1. – NAME
It is founded, between the members of the present statutes, an Association, governed by the article of July 1, 1901 and the decree of August 16, 1901 of the French Law, having for title in French :
- Association Europénne des jardins Japonais.
In English :
- European Japanese Garden Association (EuroJGA).
ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association is to bring together all owners and gardeners of Japanese
gardens in Europe, landscape contractors, landscape architects, academics, professional training institutions, communities, associations, institutions or foundations, concerned or interested in the network activities of the European Japanese Garden Association.
The purpose of the Association is to promote the art of Japanese gardening in Europe and to undertake all actions enabling this objective (organization of seminars, symposiums, colloquiums, study trips, exchanges, recruitment and training of gardeners, etc…).
ARTICLE 3 – HEAD OFFICE
The registered office is located at the
Town Hall of Maulévrier
49360 MAULEVRIER
(France).
It can be transferred by a decision of the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 4 – DURATION
The duration of the Association is unlimited.
ARTICLE 5 – COMPOSITION
The Association is composed of :
a) Active members: individual members (natural persons) or organizations, companies, etc… (legal entities).
b) Honorary members
c) Benefactor members
ARTICLE 6 – ADMISSION
The Association is open to all those who share the objectives of the Association (Article 2).
In special cases, the Board of Directors will decide whether or not to admit a new member.
ARTICLE 7 – MEMBERS – FEES
The following are
- Individual Active Members,
- Individuals who undertake to pay an annual fee of 15 € (fixed each year at the General Assembly).
- Corporate Active Members,
- Legal entities, companies, Japanese gardens, universities, communities, institutions, foundations, associations, who commit to paying an annual fee of 30 € (fixed each year by the General Assembly).
- Honorary members,
- Who have rendered outstanding services to the Association are exempt from paying membership fees.
- Benefactor members,
- Who pay an initial joining fee and an annual contribution (fixed each year by the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 8. – DISMISSAL
Membership is cancelled by:
- A written resignation
- Death
- Expulsion, declared by the Board of Directors for non-payment of the membership fee or for serious offences, the interested party having been invited to provide an explanation before the Board and/or in writing.
ARTICLE 09. – RESOURCES
The resources of the Association shall include:
- The income from membership fees and dues
- Subsidies
- Aid or donations from foundations and/or companies and/or institutions and/or individuals
- Financial contributions from members for activities run by the Association.
ARTICLE 10. – ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The ordinary General Assembly includes all the members of the Association and meets at least once a year.
At least fifteen days before the meeting date the members of the Association are contacted by the secretary. Notice of the meeting will include the agenda.
The President, assisted by the members of the Council, chairs the Assembly and presents the position and activities of the Association.
The Treasurer reports on the financial management and submits the annual accounts (balance sheet, profit and loss account, and income and expenditure statements) for approval by the Assembly.
The General Assembly determines the amount of the annual contributions and the initial fee to be paid by the different categories of members.
Only the items on the agenda may be discussed.
Decisions are taken by a majority of the votes of the members (postal votes, present or represented).
After the agenda has been completed, the outgoing members of the Board are replaced.
The quorum is considered to be reached when at least 50% of the members are present or represented or who have been able to vote by correspondence according to the conditions defined by the internal regulations (see Article 12) approved by the General Assembly.
Due to the geographical distance of some members and consequently difficulties in travelling, the proposals for discussion and approval at the General Assembly will be sent at least 15 days before the date of the Assembly to allow everyone to respond.
The decisions of the General Assemblies are binding on all members, including those who are absent or represented.
ARTICLE 11. – EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
If necessary, or at the request of half plus one of the registered members, the President may convene an Extraordinary General Assembly, according to the procedures stated in the present statutes and only for the modification of the statutes or the dissolution of the
Association.
The procedures are the same as for the ordinary General Assembly.
The decisions are taken by a majority of the votes cast (postal votes, members present or represented).
Each member of the association present at the General Assembly may not have more than 3 votes.
ARTICLE 12. – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Association is managed by a Board of Directors of 12 to 18 members maximum, elected for 3 consecutive years by the General Assembly.
The members are eligible for re-election.
The Board of Directors is renewed every year by thirds, in the first and the second year the outgoing members are designated by drawing lots.
In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors temporarily replaces its members. The next General Assembly shall proceed to their definitive formally confirm the replacement.
In this case, the powers of the members so elected shall end at the expiration of the term of office of the replaced members.
The Board of Directors meets at least once every six months (in person or remotely) when convened by the President or at the request of a quarter of its members.
Decisions are taken by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the President has the casting vote.
Any member of the Council who, without prior written excuse, fails to attend three consecutive meetings, will be considered as having resigned.
ARTICLE 13. – OFFICERS
The Board of Directors shall elect, from among its members, by secret ballot, an Executive Committee composed of:
- A President
- Up to four Vice Presidents
- A Secretary and, if necessary, an Assistant Secretary
- A Treasurer, and, if necessary, an Assistant Treasurer
ARTICLE 14. – COMPENSATION
All functions, including those of the Board of Directors and the Bureau, are free and voluntary. Only expenses incurred in the performance of their duties are reimbursed on the basis of receipts.
The financial report presented to the ordinary General Assembly shows, by beneficiary, the reimbursements of assignment, travel or representation expenses.
ARTICLE 15. – INTERNAL REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors shall draw up procedural rules and have them approved by the General Assembly.
These rules and regulations are intended to set out the various topics not included in these Articles of Association, particularly those relating to the internal administration of the Association.
ARTICLE 16. – DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution pronounced in accordance with the terms of Article 11, one or more liquidators shall be appointed, and the net assets, if any, shall be transferred to a non-profit organization in accordance with the decisions of the extraordinary General
Assembly which decides on the dissolution.
The net assets may not be transferred to a member of the association, even partially, unless to recover a contribution.
Article 17. – LIBERALITIES
The annual report and accounts, as defined in Article 10 (including those of the local committees), shall be sent each year to the Prefect of the department in which the head office is located.
The Association undertakes to present its registers and accounting documents to the administrative authorities upon request, concerning the use of donations it is authorized to receive, and to allow the representatives of these competent authorities to visit its establishments and to give them an account of the operation of the said establishments.
in Maulévrier, 25 July 2022
The President
Jean Pierre CHAVASSIEUX