NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION
Statute of Network of Estonian Eco-Communities (NEEC)

STATUTE
The statute of non-profit association Network of Estonian Eco-Communities (NEEC) is approved at the foundation meeting on February 8th 2008.

I GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. The official name of the non-profit association is Network of Estonian Eco-Communities (henceforth Network) (in Estonian: MTÜ Eesti Ökokogukondade Ühendus).
1.2. The location of the Network is the Republic of Estonia.
1.3. Network is subject to the laws of the Republic of Estonia and other legislation, this statute and the decisions of its governing bodies.
1.4. The duration of the Network's economic year is 12 months and it starts from January 1st and ends on December 31st.
1.5. The Network is founded without a term.

II OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NETWORK AND ACHIEVING THESE
2.1 The broader objective of the Network is to encourage the formation of a just and ecologic world. A more concrete goal is to promote the emergence and development of eco-communities in Estonia. By eco-communities we mean communities that move towards greater sustainability through holistic and systemic worldview that integrates ecology, education, participatory decision-making process, sustainable technologies and economic activity.
2.2 For achieving its goals the Network:
a) connects the emerging and existing eco-communities in Estonia by organizing regular gatherings and information exchange
b) gathers information on eco-communities and shares it with its members and the public
c) serves as a partner for the Republic of Estonia and local municipalities in developing legislation concerning eco-communities and ecologic way of life
d) represents Estonian eco-communities at GEN-Europe (Global Ecovillage Network – Europe) and elsewhere
e) promotes cooperation with similar associations and/or individual eco-communities in Eastern Europe and Baltic Sea region
f) initiates and implements ecologic pilot projects, thus supporting an integrated and innovative development of the regions
g) organizes trainings, drafts learning materials and engages in publishing
h) carries out other activities that contribute to achieving of the Network’s statutory objectives and conform to applicable laws.

2.3 In order to achieve its statutory objectives the Network has a right to:
a) accept financial donations and enter into sponsorship contracts;
b) engage in economic activities and offer services;
c) found companies and foundations;
d) participate in other for-profit and non-profit associations;

2.4 Network’s income can only be used for achieving its statutory objectives and the Network may not allot its profit between its members.

III THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTING MEMBERS, RESIGNING MEMBERSHIP AND EXCLUSION
3.1 Acceptance as a member can be requested by any physical or legal person who wishes to develop activities that are in compliance with the objectives of the Network. Applicant shall submit a written application to Network’s management board confirming to undertake to comply with the statute of the Network and to pay the entrance fee approved by the general assembly of the Network.
3.2 Acceptance as a member or exclusion is decided by the management board or, in case of clause 3.7 of the statute, by the general assembly. Consent of 2/3 of the members of the management board is needed for making a decision.
3.3 By a decision of general assembly honorary members and/or patrons may be chosen for the Network.
3.4 For resigning membership the member must submit a written application to the management board.
3.5 A member can be excluded from the Network by a decision of management board if the member:
a) has not paid the Network’s membership fee for 3 months after the due date;
b) has not participated a general assembly or any events within the last year;
c) violates the Network’s statute or regulations established by the elected bodies of the Network;
d) harms the Network’s activity in any other way.
3.6. Exclusion of members is decided at the meeting of the Network’s management board, informing the member in question about the discussion of the issue in writing at least 2 weeks before the meeting. A member has a right to participate in the discussion of the exclusion issue with a right to speak at the management board. The decision of exclusion has been made when 2/3 of the management board members are in favour of it.
3.7 The member excluded by the management board or a person not accepted as a member has a right to demand a decision on the issue at the closest general assembly.

IV RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
4.1 Network members have the right to:
a) take part in the activities and events organized by the Network;
b) take part in Network’s general assembly with the right to vote;
c) be elected as a member of the management board and revision committee;
d) get information from the management board and other bodies about the activities of the Network;
4.2 Network members are obligated to:
a) comply with the statute and decisions of the management bodies of the Network when participating in the activities of the Network;
b) pay the membership fee by the determined due date;
c) inform the management board about his/her address and residence for accounting reasons and to notify about changes of those within 2 months after the change;
d) utilize the Network’s property rationally, to keep and defend the Network’s reputation.
4.3 Additional obligations for Network members may be established by general assembly or management board.
4.4 Additional financial liabilities besides the membership fee and entrance fee can be established only by a decision of general assembly when 2/3 of Network members are in favour of it.

V GENERAL ASSEMBLY
5.1. The highest body of the Network is the general assembly that includes all Network members. At the general assembly every member has one vote.
5.2. The competence of Network’s general assembly includes:
a) changing of statute;
b) changing of the objective;
c) electing and revocation of the management board and the auditor;
d) determining the number of the members of the management board;
e) determining the amount and the due date of the membership fee;
f) approving the Network’s annual plan and budget of activities;
g) approving the reports from the management board and audit committee;
h) deciding on concluding a transaction with a member of the management board or other body or on raising a claim against him/her, and assigning a Network’s representative in this transaction or claim;
i) deciding on the transfer and encumbering with property law of Network’s immovables and movables to be entered in the register and determining the conditions for the said transactions;
j) deciding on other issues that are not placed within the competence of other bodies by the law or the statute.
5.3. General assembly is summoned at least twice a year.
5.4. General assembly is summoned by the management board:
a) for approving the annual report;
b) in case it is requested in writing and by indicating the cause by 1/10 of the members of the Network;
c) in other occasions when the interests of the Network demand it.
5.5. Management board of the Network shall inform the members at least 7 days before the general assembly, specifying the time, place and agenda of the general assembly.
5.6. General assembly is valid if it includes or has representatives of more than half of the members. Representation is allowed with a written authorization by another member only. In case general assembly is not valid, the management board will summon a new general assembly with the same agenda within three weeks. New general assembly is valid if at least 2 members participate.
5.7. A decision by general assembly is taken when more than half of the participating members or representatives are in favour of it. In case of an equal division of votes a decision is made that the chairman of the board is in favour of. When electing a person the candidate who got the most votes is considered elected.
5.8. For changing the statute of the Network the consent of 2/3 of the members is required and for changing the objective the consent of 9/10 of the members is required.

VI MANAGEMENT BOARD
6.1. Network’s everyday activity is managed and the Network is represented in all legal acts by the management board that can include up to six members.
6.2. Members of the management board are assigned by the general assembly. If there are 2 or more members in the management board, the management board will elect the chairman and/or a vice-chairman from within the board members.
6.3. In order to make transactions with a sum exceeding 6391 EUR the management board must have a prior acceptance from the general assembly.
6.4. For making decisions the management board needs to have a majority of votes. In case of an equal division of votes a decision is made that the chairman of the board is in favour of.
6.5. Management board of the Network also:
a) accepts new members, keeps records of them and collects entrance and membership fees;
b) organizes the income and usage of funds; uses, commands and manages the Network’s property according to the law, this statute and the terms and conditions established by the general assembly;
c) organizes the accounting of the Network according to the Accounting Act;
d) drafts the annual plan and budget for Network’s activities and submits these for approval to the general assembly;
e) prepares general assembly meetings and the issues to be discussed;
f) drafts the annual accounting report and activity report and submits these to the general assembly within 4 months after the end of the financial year;
g) the Network is represented officially by the head of the Network. If 2 or more members are elected to the management board, then chairman of the board, in his/her absence the vice-chairman or other authorized members of the board.
6.6. Chairman of the board:
a) leads the work of the management board;
b) prepares and summons the management board meetings;
c) ensures the preservation of Network’s decisions and reports;
d) signs the financial documents and agreements concluded by the Network;
e) represents the Network; in his/her absence (s)he is substituted by the vice-chairman or other authorized member of the board;
f) concludes, changes and terminates contracts with the paid employees of the Network or with contractors or other persons;
g) performs other tasks assigned to him/her by the general assembly or management board.

VII PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF THE NETWORK
7.1 The funds of the Network are derived from:
a) membership fees;
b) donations, support and appropriations from physical and legal persons;
c) revenue from economic activity and organizing of events;
d) other income.
7.2 The funds of the Network are utilized for achieving the objectives of the Network according to the applicable laws and this statute.
7.3 The Network can rent, loan, give into free usage, transfer or mortgage its property.

VIII MERGER, DIVISION AND DISSOLUTION OF THE NETWORK
8.1. The merger, division and dissolution of the Network shall follow the procedure established by the law and are decided by the general assembly.
8.2. The liquidators of the Network are members of the board or persons assigned by the general assembly.
8.3. Upon liquidation of the Network the remaining property after settling the claims of creditors shall be given to a member of the list of non-profit associations and foundations with a similar income tax incentive or a legal person governed by public law without exceptions according to the Income Tax Act §11.
Statute of the Network is approved on February 8th 2008 at 00:00.