Statute

Pursuant to Article 13 of the Associations Act (official gazette “Narodne novine” no. 74/2014, hereinafter: “Act”) and Article 19 of the Association’s Statute, the Regular General Assembly of the CROATIAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at its session held on May 25, 2015, adopted the following

STATUTE

OF THE CROATIAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY  

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

This Statute regulates the name, headquarters, areas of activity, purpose, activities, bodies of the CROATIAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY (hereinafter referred to as the “Society”), their composition and procedures for convening sessions, election, dismissal, powers, decision-making processes, mandate length, the procedure for convening the Assembly in the event of the expiration of a mandate, management, representation, the Society’s seal, the means of ensuring public transparency, conditions and methods of membership admission and termination, rights, obligations, and responsibilities of members, disciplinary responsibility, membership register management, election and dismissal of the Society’s liquidator, termination of the Society, assets, acquisition and disposal of assets, asset management in the event of the Society’s dissolution, resolution of disputes and conflicts of interest within the Society, and other issues relevant to its operation.

The Croatian Ethnological Society is organized as a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit association of ethnologists in the Republic of Croatia.

Article 2

The full name of the Society is: CROATIAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY (in Croatian: HRVATSKO ETNOLOŠKO DRUŠTVO). The abbreviated name of the Society is: HED.

Article 3

The headquarters of the Society is in Zagreb. The decision on the address of the Society is made by the Management Board. The Society operates within the territory of the Republic of Croatia.

Article 4

The Society is legally represented by the  President and Vice President, in accordance with this Statute.

Article 5

The Society has a round seal with a diameter of 3 cm, bearing the inscription: “Croatian Ethnological Society” (Hrvatsko etnološko društvo), with “Zagreb” in the center. The President and Vice President are authorized to possess and use the seal.

Article 6

The Society may cooperate with and become a member of related associations both in Croatia and abroad.

Article 7

The work of the Society and all its bodies is public. Transparency is ensured through the regular publishing of the results from the activities of the Society and its members, organization of public gatherings, meetings, lectures, and exhibitions, as well as through academic and professional publications. All meetings of the Society’s bodies are public, and representatives of the media may attend them. Transparency is also maintained through media channels and the Society’s official website.

The Society publishes an annual journal – Etnološka tribina.

Article 8

The Society operates based on an activity program adopted by the General Assembly, in accordance with the objectives outlined in this Statute.

II. OBJECTIVES, SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES, AND OPERATIONS

Article 9

The objective of the Society is to advance ethnological research and its position in society, as well as to encourage and coordinate work in all areas of ethnological activity. The scope of the Society’s activities includes education and academic research in the humanities, professional work (categorized as: humanities; professional associations in the field of science, professional work and research).

Article 10

To achieve the objectives set out in Article 9, the Society shall carry out the following activities:

  • Advance ethnological science
  • Coordinate ethnological work
  • Encourage, support, and conduct ethnological research of broader significance
  • Assist in the development of ethnology education
  • Work on the professional advancement of ethnologists
  • Organize and support the organization of academic and professional ethnological gatherings and other events with ethnological and folkloristic significance
  • Encourage and support the collection, preservation, and display of ethnographic materials and cultural heritage
  • Promote and assist in ethnographic filmmaking, the creation of ethnoparks, and similar initiatives
  • Popularize ethnological research and disseminate findings
  • Represent and protect the interests of the Society’s members
  • Establish and maintain connections with ethnological and other professional associations, organizations, and institutions, both in Croatia and internationally
  • Award recognition and prizes for outstanding contributions to the Society’s work
  • Propose legislative solutions to Croatian legislative bodies for the proper evaluation and preservation of ethnographic and folkloric heritage in the Republic of Croatia
  • Cooperate with government institutions in regulating healthcare and pension insurance for HED members who are professionally active in the field but are not in permanentemployment
  • Publish professional books, journals, audio recordings, and audiovisual materials with ethnographic, ethnological, folklore, and folkloristic content

III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE SOCIETY

Article 11

Any legally competent citizen of the Republic of Croatia, as well as any foreign national who is engaged in the field of ethnological and cultural anthropological research, and who accepts the Statute, objectives, and activities of the Society, may become a member of the Society. Members of the Society can be regular or honorary members. Membership in the Society is voluntary.

Membership is acquired by registration in the member registry based on a membership application. The Management Board decides on the acceptance of new members and has the right to reject an application, which can be appealed by the applicant to the Ethics Committee within 15 days. The Ethics Committee must make a decision on the appeal within 30 days. The decision of the Ethics Committee is final.

The member registry is kept electronically and must include the full name, personal identification number (OIB), date of birth, date of membership, membership category, and date of membership termination.

The member registry must always be accessible for inspection by all members and relevant authorities upon request. The Secretary of the Society maintains the registry.

Article 12

Every member of the Society has the right to: vote on and be elected to the Society’s bodies, address all bodies of the Society, be informed about the Society’s activities.

Members of the Society have the right to participate in the work of the Society and utilize its resources for professional and academic work, in accordance with the work program and financial plan of the Society.

All Society members receive Society publications at a discounted rate, as determined by the General Assembly.

Article 13

The duties of Society members are:

  • Active participation in the Society’s activities in accordance with the Statute
  • Preserving and improving the reputation of the Society
  • Safeguarding the Society’s material assets
  • Complying with decisions made by the Society’s governing bodies
  • Regular payment of membership fees to the Society (retirees are exempt from membership fees)

Article 14

An honorary member of the Society may be a person who has made exceptional contributions to the advancement of ethnological and cultural anthropological disciplines or to the work of the Society. Any member of the Society may propose a candidate for honorary membership.  The final decision on honorary membership is made by the Management Board.

Article 15

Membership in the Society will be terminated due to:

  • Non-payment of membership fees
  • Voluntary resignation
  • Expulsion from membership
  • Death of a member

Failure to pay the membership fee results in automatic removal from the membership registry without a special decision if a member, even after receiving a written reminder, does not fulfill their overdue obligation. The Secretary of the Society will send a written notice to any member not fulfilling their obligations, granting an additional 30-day payment period and warning that failure to comply will result in termination of membership. In exceptional and justified cases, this period may be extended upon request by the member, subject to approval by the Management Board.

IV. DISCIPLINARY RESPONSIBILITY OF SOCIETY MEMBERS

Article 16

A Society member is subject to disciplinary action if they violate the Statute or decisions of the General Assembly, endanger the interests of the Society, or cause serious damage to the Society or its members. Disciplinary responsibility also applies to violations of the General Assembly’s decisions. For minor infractions with regard to rights and obligations, the Management Board may issue a warning; in cases of serious violations with regard to rights and obligations, the member may be expelled from the Society.

An appeal against the Management Board’s expulsion decision may be made to the Ethics Committee within 15 days. The Ethics Committee decides on the appeal at its next session, within 30 days. The decision of the Ethics Committee is final.

V. GOVERNING BODIES OF THE SOCIETY

Article 17

The governing bodies of the Society are:

  • General Assembly
  • Management Board
  • Supervisory Board
  • President of the Society
  • Vice President of the Society
  • Ethics Committee
  • Secretary of the Society
  • Treasurer of the Society

1. General Assemble

Article 18

The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the Society. The General Assembly consists of all Society members. The General Assembly convenes at sessions. The sessions can be regular, electoral, and special sessions. Regular sessions of the General Assembly are held at least once a year, whileelectoral sessions are held every two years. Special sessions of the General Assembly may be convened by the Management Board or upon a written request from one-third of the regular members. The Management Board convenes a General Assembly with a written notice at least 14 days before the session, including the proposed agenda. If the mandate of the governing bodies expires, the General Assembly session is convened by the last registered representative in the Register of Associations of the Republic of Croatia or by eight Society members who were listed in the membership registry before the expiration of the mandate.

Article 19

The General Assembly has the following powers:

  • Adopts and amends the Statute
  • Approves the plan of activities and financial plan for the upcoming calendar year and reviews the annual report on activities for the previous year
  • Approves the annual financial report and final accounts of the Society
  • Appoints and dismisses the President, Secretary, Management Board members, Supervisory Board members, Ethics Committee members, and liquidator of the Society
  • Reviews the report on activities of the President, Secretary, Management Board, Supervisory Board, and Ethics Committee and evaluates their work
  • Decides on changes to the Society’s status
  • Adopts regulations for publishing activities and other general acts as needed
  • Decides on proposals, requests, and appeals in cases outlined by the Statute
  • Determines the amount and due date of membership fees
  • Organizes branches, clubs, and sections which can not have the status of a legal person
  • Decides on the dissolution of the Society
  • Makes other decisions and performs duties as provided by the Statute

Article 20

The General Assembly can validly decide if the majority of the Society’s members participate in the session. If there is no quorum, the session is postponed for half an hour, after which the decisions of the General Assembly become valid if at least one-quarter of the members participate. The General Assembly adopts decisions by a majority of the votes cast by the members present.

The General Assembly is chaired by a working presidency elected by the General Assembly.

The President of the Society, the Management Board, the Supervisory Board, and the Ethics Committee are elected by secret ballot, while the General Assembly determines the method of voting on other agenda items.

Upon the proposal of the Management Board, the General Assembly elects committees, working groups, and establishes special funds as needed. The Management Board may, if necessary, engage administrative, accounting, and other staff.

2. Management Board

Article 21

The Management Board, composed of nine members, manages all affairs of the Society between regular General Assembly meetings. The Management Board consists of eight members elected at the Electoral General Assembly and the President of the Society, who is elected by the General Assembly in separate proceedings. The mandate for members of the Management Board is two years, and individuals may be re-elected multiple times consecutively.

The Management Board is constituted immediately after the elections and elects the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer from among its members. The Management Board performs the following duties:

  • Prepares proposals for the Society’s program and activities, the plan of activities, and the financial plan
  • Prepares proposals for the Statute and other regulatory acts of the Society
  • Monitors the activities of the Society and implements the decisions of the General Assembly
  • Decides on the awards and recognitions to members of the Society
  • Selects the editorial board of the Society’s annual journal
  • Selects editorial boards for other publications of the Society
  • Ensures the implementation of the Society’s plan of activities and financial plan
  • Carries out other tasks as prescribed by the Statute and those not assigned to another body of the Society

The Management Board convenes as needed, at least twice a year, and may operate if a majority of members participate at the session. The President convenes the session of the Management Board, and in their absence, the Vice President. Valid decisions require a majority vote of all Management Board members. In urgent situations, members of the Management Board may also vote in writing.

Article 22

Members of the Management Board are accountable to the General Assembly for their work. Members of the Management Board may be removed from office by the General Assembly before the end of their mandate due to inactivity, non-compliance with the Assembly’s decisions, or other acts of the Society.

Article 23

The Management Board may, if necessary, co-opt new members up to one-third of the total number of members, provided that such a decision is confirmed by the General Assembly. Valid decisions of the Management Board must be signed by the President or Vice President.

Article 24

The Management Board ensures that the public is appropriately informed about the overall activities and operations of the Society and its bodies. The Management Board also proposes representatives of the Society to professional and social bodies.

3. Supervisory Board

Article 25

The Supervisory Board oversees the legality of the work and financial operations of the Society. The Supervisory Board consists of three members who elect a chairperson from among themselves.

The mandate for members of the Supervisory Board lasts two years, and they cannot be re-elected for the same function in the following mandate.

All bodies and officials are obliged to allow the Supervisory Board access to all documents related to the activities of the Society.

The Supervisory Board submits reports on its findings to the President of the Society and the General Assembly.

4. President of the Society

Article 26

The duties of the President are to:

  • Manage the affairs of the Society in accordance with the decisions of the General Assembly
  • Convene and preside over sessions of the Management Board
  • Ensure the implementation of the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Management Board
  • Represent the Society, conclude contracts, and undertake other legal actions on behalf and for the account of the Society
  • Act as the person authorized for the execution of the Society’s financial plan
  • Perform other tasks assigned by the General Assembly or the Management Board

The President of the Society is responsible for submitting the annual financial report proposal to the General Assembly. The President submits the minutes of the Regular General Assembly to the competent office that maintains the Register of Associations. The President of the Society is responsible for ensuring the legality of the Society’s operations. The mandate of the President is two years, and individuals may be re-elected multiple times consecutively.

5. Vice President of the Society

Article 27

When the President is unable to perform their duties, the Vice President assumes their responsibilities and has the same rights, obligations, and responsibilities as the President.

The mandate of the Vice President is two years, and individuals may be re-elected multiple times consecutively.

6. Ethics Committee

Article 28

The Ethics Committee consists of three members who elect a Chairperson among themselves. The Ethics Committee resolves disputes and disagreements among members related to the Society’s work in the first instance. The Ethics Committee must issue a decision within thirty days after the conclusion of the proceedings. A member may appeal the first-instance decision of the Ethics Committee to the General Assembly, whose decisions are final.

The Ethics Committee also decides on appeals or objections against decisions of the Management Board in cases and within the deadlines specified by this Statute. The second-instance decisions of the Ethics Committee are final.

In its activities, the Ethics Committee follows the Ethical Declaration and Ethical Guidelines of the Society’s Code of Ethics.

The mandate for members of the Ethics Committee is two years, and individuals may be re-elected multiple times consecutively.

7. Secretary of the Society

Article 29

The Secretary of the Society is appointed by the Management Board for a mandate of two years to perform professional-administrative tasks for the Society. Upon the expiration of the mandate, the same person may be reappointed as Secretary.

Article 30

The Secretary of the Society:

  • Maintains the Register of Members of the Society
  • Implements the tasks of the Society
  • Performs administrative-technical and financial duties
  • Organizes and prepares materials for the General Assembly
  • Performs other tasks in accordance with this Statute and other general acts of the Society

8. Treasurer

Article 31

The Treasurer of the Society is appointed by the Management Board for a mandate of two years to perform the Society’s treasury-related tasks. Upon the expiration of the mandate, the same person may be reappointed as Treasurer.

VI. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

Article 32

Financial operations are carried out in accordance with legal regulations and the established financial plan. The Society maintains business records and prepares financial reports in accordance with the regulations governing the financial operations and accounting of non-profit organizations.

Article 33

The Society generates revenue from membership fees, funds obtained through public tenders in the Republic of Croatia, European Union funds, income from publications, lectures, and similar activities, income from property and property rights, donations, grants, sponsorships, and other sources.

All generated profits are used exclusively for achieving the goals of the Society, in accordance with the law. Members are entitled to reimbursement for justified expenses incurred in connection with the Society’s activities, as well as compensation for work related to the Society’s activities, all in accordance with the Society’s program and financial plan.

VII. PROPERTY OF THE SOCIETY

Article 34

The Society may own movable and immovable property that facilitates and improves its activities in accordance with its purpose and tasks. In the event of the Society’s dissolution, all its assets shall be transferred to the ownership of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology.

VIII. LIABILITY FOR OBLIGATIONS AND DAMAGES

Article 35

The Society is liable for its obligations with all its assets.

Members of the Society and members of its governing bodies are not personally liable for the obligations of the Society.

Bankruptcy proceedings may be initiated against the Society in accordance with the law.

The Society and individuals authorized to represent the Society are liable for any damage they cause to the Society or that the Society causes to third parties, in accordance with general regulations on liability for damages.

IX. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Article 36

A conflict of interest arises when a member’s private interests conflict with the interests of the Society in decision-making or actions within the Society. In the case of a conflict of interest, the Society member involved must not participate in the decision-making process nor act in a way that influences the Society’s actions, status, or obligations. To resolve disputes or conflicts of interest between the Society and its members, the General Assembly shall, if necessary, appoint an arbitration panel composed of members of the Society. The composition, mandate, and decision making procedures of the panel shall be regulated by rules adopted by the General Assembly. The arbitration panel shall apply the provisions of the Mediation Act as appropriate in its activities.

X. DISSOLUTION OF THE SOCIETY

Article 37

The Society shall cease to exist based on a decision of the General Assembly or for other reasons prescribed by law.

XI. LIQUIDATOR

Article 38

The liquidator of the Society is appointed and dismissed by the General Assembly.

The liquidator may be a person who is not a member of the Society.

The liquidator is entitled to reimbursement of expenses for their work from the Society’s funds, in an amount determined by the General Assembly at the first session following their appointment.

The liquidator represents the Society in the liquidation process and, upon the initiation of liquidation proceedings, is registered in the Register of Associations as the authorized representative until the completion of the process and the removal of the Society from the Register of Associations.

XII. FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 39

This Statute shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Upon its entry into force, the Statute of the Society dated December 19, 1997, and the Decision on Amendments to the Statute dated June 6, 2013, shall cease to be valid.

Zagreb, May 25, 2015

President of the Croatian Ethnological Society

Zoran Čiča, Mr. Sc.