Statutes for The Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development

§ 1. NAME
The name of the organization is: The Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development. Short form: ForUM.

§ 2. MISSION STATEMENT

§ 2.1 ForUM’s overall purpose is to promote advocacy for sustainable development on both global and national levels. ForUM will work for sustainable development, people’s participation, solidarity, peace and equality.

To do this, ForUM:

• is a meeting point for NGOs with international environmental and development issues on the agenda.
• will work to achieve concrete political results in the fields in which it concentrates its activities.
• is primarily to work in relation to international arenas and processes, emphasizing the follow-up of UN-processes and other relevant arenas.
• is to contribute to relevant issues being followed up by participating organizations or ForUM’s own agencies in a national context.
• is to promote the participation of partners in the South in the forming of development politics and in relevant international processes.

§ 2.2 ForUM is a meeting point for Norwegian and international NGOs working with environmental and development issues. ForUM contributes to the strengthening of international dialogue between these groups and works to promote their policies.

§ 2.3 ForUM shall work to enable Norwegian organizations to be active participants in international forums for environment and development.

§ 3 LIMITED LIABILITY FOR DEBT

ForUM is a self-owned and independent unit with impersonal and limited liability for debt.

§ 4 MEMBERSHIP/PARTICIPATION

§ 4.1 Participation in ForUM is open to any organization that supports the main goals of ForUM.

§ 4.2 Membership
There are two categories of membership in ForUM:

• Participating organizations
• Associated organizations

§ 4.3 The status of participating organization in ForUM can be given to NGOs, foundations and networks working with environmental and developmental issues on an idealistic basis, and wanting to participate actively in ForUM through the thematic and/or cooperation groups. This status is given only to central organizations and not to regional and local bodies.

§ 4.4 The status of associative organization can be given to organizations that comply with the requirements for full membership, but that do not want to have the same obligations as participating members. Such a status can also be given to trade organizations, trade unions, political parties, research institutions and others that cannot become participating organizations.

§ 4.5 The annual general meeting (AGM) shall take the final decision whenever there is doubt about the interpretation of the statutes regarding the status of organizations.

§ 4.6 Applicants for participation in ForUM are considered by the AGM according to the recommendations of the board. The board may confer temporary status on an organization in the time between application and the next annual meeting.

§ 4.7 The AGM can expel participating or associative organizations that oppose or contribute to undermining ForUM’s purpose.

§ 5 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

§ 5.1 Participating organizations shall have the right to speak, vote and propose motions at the AGM. They are eligible for the board and have the right to initiate working groups. In addition, through these groups participating organizations can apply for financial support from ForUM for the writing of reports, the arrangement of events and travel costs. Participating organizations have priority status in relation to participation in ForUM’s events and representing ForUM at external courses, meetings and conferences.

Participating organizations pay annual membership fees, spread information about ForUM and its activities within their own networks, and aim to have their representation in at least one of the working groups.

§ 5.2 Associative organizations shall have the right to be observers at ForUM’s AGM and have the right to speak, but not the right to vote and propose motions. Associative organizations pay membership fees to ForUM and spread information about ForUM and its activities within their own organization.

§ 5.3 Both types of organizations shall receive continuous information about ForUM’s themes and activities. They can avail themselves of ForUM’s network and competence, as well as participating in meetings, courses and conferences arranged by ForUM.

§ 5.4 The annual membership fees and the deadline for payment shall be determined by the AGM.

§ 6 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

§ 6.1 The final authority lies with the annual meeting, which is held by 15th May every year.

§ 6.2 The AGM is open for participating organizations, associative organizations and others invited by the board.

§ 6.3 Written invitations to the AGM must be sent out at least 3 months before the AGM. The invitation must contain the time and place for the meeting, the agenda as defined by the statutes, and the deadline for the submission of proposals for motions.

§ 6.4 Written proposals for motions to the annual meeting, proposals to the annual plans and the budget, as well as nominations for the board and other posts elected at the AGM shall have reached the secretariat or election committee (as appropriate) not less than 2 months before the annual meeting.

§ 6.5 The agenda, including relevant documents and the electoral committee’s proposal shall be sent to all organizations at least one month before the meeting.

§ 6.6 Participating organizations shall have one vote each at the AGM. No representative may vote by proxy for another organization. Each associative organization may have one observer. The names of the representatives and the observers must be in the hands the secretariat in writing not less than one week before the annual meeting. As a general rule the members of the board do not have the right to vote, but an exception from this rule can be made if a member of the board also is the only representative of an organization at the annual meeting.

§ 6.7 Provided that the invitation to the AGM conforms with the statutes, then the actual number of participating organizations present at the meeting constitutes a quorum.

§ 6.8 The following matters shall be on the agenda of the AGM:

• Approval of the invitation
• Approval of the agenda
• Election of the chairman of the meeting
• Two representatives to sign the minutes written by the secretariat
• Presentation of the annual report
• The annual accounts together with the auditor’s report
• New applications for membership (participating or associated) ForUM
• Proposals from the participating organizations
• The Board of Directors' proposition for the annual plans. The board must submit all received proposals in writing even if they are not included in the board’s proposition
• Proposals from the board, not covered by the annual plans
• The Board of Directors' budget proposal and the membership fees
• Motions regarding changes in the statutes
• Election of the Board of Directors
• Election of the auditor
• Appointment of the electoral committee

§ 6.9 Changes in the statutes and expulsion require a 2/3 majority among the present representatives. Other resolutions require an ordinary majority. In connection with the election a headcount must be taken. Nominations not sent to the electoral committee beforehand in accordance with the statutes, will not be accepted.

§ 6.10 When half the number of the board or 1/3 of the participating organizations so demand, an extraordinary annual meeting shall be convened. Extraordinary annual meetings cannot finalize changes in the statutes.

§ 7 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

§ 7.1 The board shall be elected by the AGM from a list of candidates nominated by the participating organizations, on the basis of the suggestion presented by the electoral committee, among for a period of two years. Half the numbers are elected every year. The chairman and the vice chairman are elected at the AGM in alternative years.

§ 7.2 In addition to the chairman and the vice chairman, the board shall consist of six members and three reserve members - the latter elected in order of priority. The composition of the board shall reflect the diversity of ForUM's participating organizations. In addition the employees have the right to nominate one representative and one substitute to the board. This is in accordance with the existing tariff agreement for ForUM. The representative of the employees has the right to vote.

§ 7.3 The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to:

• draw up the proposition for an annual plan and budget
• carry out the approved annual plan within the approved annual budget
• ensure that the accounts are kept and audited properly
• write the annual report and the annual accounts for the AGM
• prepare the items on the agenda for the AGM
• prepare a presentation of applications for membership in ForUM
• consider applications for financial support in accordance with guidelines and the approved annual plan set at the AGM
• ensure that working groups carry out their work in accordance with the statutes
• appoint representatives from ForUM to official delegations
• appoint the managing director for a term of 5 years with the possibility of a further 5 years after the post has been advertised

§ 7.4 The Board meetings shall be directed by the Chairperson or by the Vice chairperson when the former is absent.

§ 7.5 The Managing Director shall be the secretary of the board. Written minutes must be taken at all board meetings.

§ 7.6 The Board is a quorum when at least one half of the members are present, among them the Chairman and/or the Vice Chairman. The substitutes have the right to meet at all board meetings, but only to vote when they are actively substituting.

§ 7.7 Decisions shall be adopted with an ordinary majority. The Chairman has a double vote where necessary.

§ 8 THE WORKING COMMITTEE

§ 8.1 The Board shall appoint a working committee consisting of the chairman and two Board members. The Managing Director shall be the secretary of the Working Committee.

§ 8.2 The Working Committee shall have authorization until the next annual meeting.

§ 8.3 The Working Committee shall work on behalf of the board between the board meetings, within the approved annual plan and other frameworks given by the board.

§ 8.4 The Working Committee has a quorum when 2 of the 3 members are present.

§ 8.5 The minutes of the Working Committee meetings shall be sent to the Board for their information.

§ 9 THE SECRETARIAT

§ 9.1 To carry out the resolutions made by the Board or Directors and the AGM, ForUM shall have a secretariat with a Managing Director. The Managing Director represents ForUM externally, unless the board decides otherwise, or special agreements are reached with thematic groups.

§ 9.2 The Managing Director shall appoint the employees in the secretariat in accordance with guidelines determined by the board.

§ 9.3 The main functions of the secretariat is to:

• follow up the resolutions and the political goals determined by the Board of Directors
• facilitate and prepare the various activities in the working groups
• provide good internal communication between ForUM’s various bodies and participating organizations
• keep associative organizations informed about ForUM’s activities
• Work for the development and establishment of efficient channels in order to increase the political influence of the organizations and of ForUM as a whole

§ 10 WORK METHODS

§ 10.1 ForUM shall at any time work in such a way that the competence and powers of analysis of participating organizations are promoted, and that their work for a common cause achieves influence. Working groups are ForUM’s most important tool for the exchange of information, statements, debate and for the development of mutual points of view between the organizations. There are two types of working groups:

§ 10.2 Thematic working groups
The purpose of the thematic groups is to involve ForUM’s participating organizations in cooperation around their focal themes, in order to achieve concrete political results.

• The board or at least three participating organizations can take the initiative to establish a thematic group provided that it is in accordance with the annual plan approved by the AGM.
• Thematic groups are open to representatives from both participating and associative organizations as well as to individual persons invited to work on the theme of the group.
• The board approves the mandate of the thematic groups.
• Thematic groups constitute themselves and organize their own work
• Thematic groups may apply to ForUM for financial support for their work
• ForUM may also contribute with a group secretary and meeting/office facilities
• Thematic groups draw up proposals for political platforms and strategies for ForUM in accordance with their individual mandates. Thematic groups have responsibility for communicating with participating organizations with a view to getting as much support as possible for their platforms
• The board works out procedures for approval of the political positions of the thematic groups
• The thematic groups work in accordance with the approved political platforms and strategies for ForUM, and prepare a report for the board when a period of mandate expires or when the group itself has dissolved.
• Thematic groups can in agreement with ForUM’s Managing Director make public statements on their topics.

§ 10.3 Cooperative groups
The purpose of the cooperative groups is to develop a professional basis and to build strategies and channels of influence for existing and potential new themes on a broader basis than the member organizations can do on their own.

• The Board is to establish a cooperative group when at least three participating organizations so desire
• Cooperative groups are open to all associated organizations
• Cooperative groups constitute themselves and organize their own work
• Cooperative groups can apply for financial support for their work from ForUM, which can also provide a group secretary and meeting/office facilities
• Cooperative groups report about their work to the board and interested participating and associated organizations
• Cooperative groups do not make public statements on behalf of ForUM, but can disseminate information and political influence on behalf of the participating organizations that constitute the group.

§ 11 THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

§ 11.1 The Electoral Committee consists of three persons, together with one substitute, all from participating organizations. It constitutes itself.

§ 11.2 The Board of Directors shall present a proposal for the electoral committee to the AGM on the basis of nominations received from participating organizations. All nominations sent in from the organizations are to be presented to the annual meeting.

§ 11.3 The electoral committee shall present its nominations to the Board of Directors, the Chairperson and Vice chairperson of the Board.

§ 12 AUTHORISATION AND PROCURATION

The chairman of the Board and the Managing Director shall have individual authorization to sign documents on behalf of the organization. The managing director is given procurement authority.

§ 13 THE DISSOLUTION OF FORUM

§ 13.1 ForUM may only be dissolved after this is decided at two consecutive AGMs, of which one is an ordinary one. The final decision of dissolution is made when at least ¾ of the electors at the annual meeting have voted in favor of it. After the dissolution the AGM shall elect the liquidators. Members of the Board of Directors are eligible for election to the post of liquidators. After ForUM’s dissolution the assets shall be donated to the work for sustainable development in accordance with the liquidation guidelines.