Please note that this is an unofficial English translation of the association’s rules. In case of conflict between the English and Finnish versions, the official rules in Finnish are followed.
Section 1 – NAME AND DOMICILE
The name of the association is Suomen ammattikorkeakoulujen tieteentekijät ry [Research Professionals in Universities of Applied Sciences], and its domicile is Helsinki.
Section 2 – PURPOSE AND FORMS OF ACTIVITY
The purpose of the association is to safeguard the interests of its members engaged in research, development, and innovation activities, teaching and education, and other regularly performed work at Finnish universities of applied sciences, including grant-funded researchers and other persons regarded as research professionals.
The association also serves as a liaison between its members and promotes the professional, educational, societal, legal, financial, and other general interests of its members. Additionally, the association promotes the professional advocacy of its members and safeguards the rights and interests related to their work. The association also aims to enhance the scientific, educational, and societal capacities of its members, and works to advance the development of their working conditions and research activities.
The association may arrange meetings, negotiations, courses, lectures, information events, celebrations, and study trips, as well as make proposals and engage in awareness-raising and public relations activities.
Section 3 – MEMBERSHIP
Any person as defined in Section 2 Subsection 1, who has been approved by the Board and who accepts the purpose of the association, may join as a member. The association may also have pensioner members. The Board admits members upon application.
Section 4 – MEMBERSHIP FEES AND OBLIGATIONS
To finance its activities, the association collects a membership fee from its members. The amount and method of payment are decided by the autumn meeting of the association. The membership fee is a percentage-based fee charged from members’ salaries or a fixed unit fee. The amount of the membership fee may vary for employed members, pensioner members, and members outside the Finnish salaried employment system (for example, grant-funded researchers, those on parental leave, persons performing military or civilian service, unemployed persons, or those on unpaid leave of absence for other reasons).
Section 5 – RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION OF A MEMBER
A member may resign from the association by written notification to the Board or its Chairperson, or by verbal notification at an association meeting, which will be recorded in the meeting minutes.
The Board decides on the expulsion of a member. A member may be expelled if they have failed to pay the membership fee for more than six (6) months. The board may also decide to expel a member if the member has otherwise neglected to fulfil the obligations undertaken upon joining the association, or if their conduct within or outside the association has seriously harmed the association. If expulsion is proposed for other reasons, the member must be allowed to present their explanation in writing or orally at a Board meeting. The decision to expel must state the grounds for expulsion.
Section 6 – SUPPORTING THE ACTIVITIES
To support its activities, the association may accept grants and subsidies, donations, and legacies, acquire and own real estate necessary for its activities, carry out non-profit printing and publishing activities, and, with the appropriate permits, organise lotteries, fundraising, and paid events.
Section 7 – FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year of the association is the calendar year.
Section 8 – BOARD
The affairs of the association are managed by a Board, consisting of a Chairperson and 2–8 Board members, as well as 0–8 deputy members, all of whom are elected at the autumn meeting. A Board member must be an ordinary member of the association. The Board members and deputy members are elected for a one-year term at a time. The Board elects from among its members a Deputy Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Board appoints and dismisses necessary officials.
The Board represents the association, manages its operations and finances, ensures the implementation of decisions of association meetings, prepares matters to be discussed at association meetings, and ensures the organisation of these meetings.
The duties of the Board are to
- establish the necessary committees and working groups to assist it
- convene association meetings and prepare matters for them
- admit and expel members
- implement the decisions of association meetings
- manage the association’s funds
- decide on the sale, exchange, and mortgaging of the association’s property
- sue and be sued on behalf of the association
- decide on the association’s representation in various working groups, boards, and councils
- take other measures to advance the association’s purpose
The Board meets at the invitation of the Chairperson, or in their absence, the Deputy Chair, whenever they deem it necessary, or when at least two members of the Board so request in writing. The Board shall constitute a quorum when at least half of its members, including the Chairperson or the Deputy Chair, are present. Votes shall be decided by an absolute majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson’s vote decides, except in elections where lots shall be drawn.
Section 9 – ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Members may participate in an association meeting, if so decided by the Board or the association meeting itself, also through a telecommunications link or other technical device. The association holds two ordinary meetings annually. The association’s spring meeting is held between January and May, and the autumn meeting between September and November, on a date determined by the Board. Each ordinary member has one vote at an association meeting. Pensioner members have the right to be present and to speak in meetings.
Section 10 – CONVENING ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
The Board must convene the association meetings at least seven days before the meeting. The association is convened by sending a notice of the meeting to members by letter or by email.
Section 11 – ORDINARY MEETINGS
At a spring meeting, the following matters shall be addressed:
- opening the meeting
- electing the meeting Chairperson, Secretary, two minutes checkers, and, if necessary, two tellers
- confirming the legality of the meeting and that it constitutes a quorum
- approving the meeting agenda
- presenting the financial statements, annual report, and statement of Operations Auditors/Financial Auditors
- deciding on the adoption of the financial statements and the granting of discharge from liability to the members of the Board and other accountable parties
- dealing with other matters specified in the meeting notice.
At an autumn meeting, the following matters shall be addressed:
- opening the meeting
- electing the meeting Chairperson, Secretary, two minutes checkers, and, if necessary, two tellers
- confirming the legality of the meeting and that it constitutes a quorum
- approving the meeting agenda
- adopting the action plan, budget, and membership fees for the next calendar year
- electing a Chairperson of the Board, other Board members, and deputy members
- electing one or two Operations Auditors and Deputy Operations Auditors, or one or two Financial Auditors and Deputy Financial Auditors
- electing representatives of the association and a necessary number of deputy representatives for other meetings and bodies to which the association has representation rights
- dealing with other matters specified in the meeting notice.
If a member of the association wishes to have a matter discussed at a spring or autumn meeting, they must notify the Board in writing sufficiently in advance for the matter to be included in the meeting notice.
Section 12 – DECISIONS AND ELECTIONS
Decisions and elections at association meetings shall be resolved by a simple majority of votes cast. Voting shall be conducted openly unless at least two members present at the meeting request a secret ballot. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson’s vote shall decide in an open vote, but in a secret ballot or an election, the result shall be determined by lot.
A matter presented for the first time at an association meeting shall be tabled if requested by a member and seconded by another, unless the matter is declared urgent by a 3/4 majority of votes cast.
Section 13 – AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS
Decisions on joining or resigning from the federation formed jointly by associations (Tieteentekijöiden liitto [Union of Research Professionals]) are made by an association meeting, and the matter must be stated in the meeting notice.
Section 14 – SIGNING THE NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION
The name of the association shall be signed by any two of the following: the Chairperson, the Secretary, or the Treasurer. The Board may authorise the Chairperson, the Secretary, or the Treasurer to sign the name of the association alone.
Section 15 – AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES AND DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
A decision to amend the rules must be made at one association meeting, and a decision to dissolve the association must be made at two association meetings held at least two weeks apart. In both cases, the decision requires a three-fourths (3/4) majority of votes cast. The meeting notice must state that the meeting concerns the amendment of the rules or dissolution of the association.
If the association is dissolved or terminated, its assets shall be used to promote the purpose defined in Section 2 of these rules, as determined in detail by the meeting deciding on the dissolution.