Bylaws
Bylaws of the Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation
Section 1 The name of the Foundation is the Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation, and its registered office is Inari.
Section 2 The purpose of the Foundation is to support and promote Skolt Saami culture.
Section 3 The Foundation shall implement its purpose by maintaining a Skolt Saami Culture Centre in Sevettijärvi, Inari Municipality, by supporting scientific research into Skolt Saami culture and making its results known, and by engaging in cultural cooperation in the Saami region, domestically and internationally.
Section 4 The Foundation’s basic capital consists of a bank deposit of 25.650 euros.
The Foundation has the right to accept donations and bequests and to accumulate funds in other ways, such as by engaging in business related to its operations and other business related to financing its activities.
Section 5 The affairs of the Foundation are managed and represented by a Board of Directors elected for a term of four calendar years, consisting of nine members. At least five members must be Finnish citizens of Sámi descent.
The members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the Skolt Saami Siida Administration of the Näätämö area, the Skolt Saami Siida Administration of the Nellim-Keväjärvi area, the Sámi Parliament, Sámi Museum – Sámi Museum Foundation, the Sámi Education Institute, Inari Municipality, Orthodox Church and Metsähallitus, each with one member. In addition, the current Skolt Saami Trustee is invited to the Board. If a party has not appointed a member by the deadline, the Board will elect the missing member.
The Board of Directors elects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members, with a Skolt Saami member being elected as Chair.
The Board of Directors may appoint committees and invite permanent experts.
Section 6 The Board of Directors meets at the invitation of the Chair or, in their absence, the Vice Chair.
The meeting notice must be sent to the Board members no later than seven days before the meeting.
The Board of Directors has a quorum when the Chair or Vice Chair and four other members are present.
Decisions are made by a simple majority of votes, unless otherwise provided for in these rules.
In the event of a tie, the election will be decided by drawing lots, but in other matters the decision will be made by an opinion that the Chair of the meeting has agreed with.
Minutes must be drawn up for the board meeting, which is signed by the Chair of the meeting and at least one member elected by the Board.
Section 7 The Foundation is represented by the Chair or an official of the Foundation authorized by the Board of Directors alone or by two members of the Board together.
Section 8 The Board of Directors shall employ the necessary employees and determine their salaries.
Section 9 The Chair, members and secretary of the Board may be paid a reasonable meeting fee and a reasonable fee for other work done for the benefit of the Foundation, as well as reimbursement of travel expenses in accordance with actual costs.
Section 10 The Board of Directors convenes for an annual meeting in April-May of each year and for an autumn meeting in October-November.
At the annual meeting:
1) The Board of Directors’ report and financial statements are approved and the auditor’s report is discussed.
2) Other matters raised by the Board will be discussed.
At the autumn meeting:
1) The action plan and budget for the following year will be decided.
2) The amount of the meeting fee will be determined.
3) An auditor and their deputy will be elected for the following year.
4) Other matters raised by the Board of Directors will be discussed.
Section 11 The financial year of the Foundation is the calendar year. Financial statements and the Board’s report on the Foundation’s activities for the previous year must be submitted by the end of February to the auditor, who must submit his report by the end of March.
Section 12 Certified copies of the income statement and balance sheet with appendices, the balance sheet itemization, and the activity and audit reports must be submitted to the Finnish Patent and Registration Office by the end of June.
Any change in the Board members and signatories must be notified to the Finnish Patent and Registration Office’s Foundation Register without delay.
Section 13 The Foundation’s rules may be amended if at least six board members support it.
The amendment to the rules must be confirmed by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office.
The dissolution of the Foundation is decided in the same order.
Section 14 If the Foundation is dissolved, its assets will be used for the purpose specified in Section 2 of the rules in a manner decided by the Foundation’s Board.