Rules of NEFA-Jyväskylä ry
Rules approved by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH)
Rules entered into force on 18 August 2025
1. NAME AND DOMICILE
The name of the association is NEFA-Jyväskylä ry, and its domicile is Jyväskylä.
2. PURPOSE AND NATURE OF ACTIVITIES
The purpose of the association is to act as the representative of the students of Ethnology, Anthropology, and Cultural Policy (KUMU) at the University of Jyväskylä, to maintain national and international relations with other cultural studies organizations and associations, to foster connections between KUMU students and researchers in the field, and to safeguard their common interests.
To achieve its purpose, the association organizes seminars, meetings, cultural, discussion and information events, excursions, leisure activities, and other similar events. The association may also take a stand on educational policy issues related to the study of cultural research. The association strives to inform its members about current and important issues in the field as comprehensively as possible through accessible communication channels (such as the association’s website, mailing lists, and social media).
To support its activities, the association may collect membership fees, organize paid leisure events, accept grants, donations, and bequests, engage in publishing activities, organize sales events, own necessary movable property, and, with the appropriate permission, conduct lotteries and fundraising.
3. MEMBERS
There are five (5) categories of membership: active member, alumni member, supporting member, exchange student member, and honorary member. The board of the association approves all members regardless of category. All members have the right to attend and speak at meetings of the board and the association.
Active members may be any student or researcher in the relevant field at the University of Jyväskylä who accepts the purpose of the association. When the right to study or employment at the University of Jyväskylä ends, the member must update their membership category or resign from the association. Active members have the right to vote in association meetings and to stand as candidates for the board.
Alumni members may be any former active member of NEFA-Jyväskylä who accepts the purpose of the association. Alumni members have no voting rights and may not stand as board candidates.
Supporting members may be private individuals or legal entities who wish to support the purpose and activities of the association. Supporting members have no voting rights and may not stand as board candidates.
Exchange student members may be any person enrolled in a foreign university who comes to the University of Jyväskylä as part of an official exchange program and accepts the purposes of the association. Exchange student members have no voting rights and may not stand as board candidates.
Honorary chairpersons or honorary members may be invited at an association meeting on the proposal of the board, if they have significantly advanced and supported the association’s activities. Honorary chairpersons and honorary members have the right to vote in association meetings, but may not stand as board candidates.
4. RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
A member has the right to resign from the association by notifying the board or its chairperson in writing, or by declaring resignation at an association meeting to be recorded in the minutes. The board may expel a member if they:
1. fail to pay the membership fee within the time determined by the autumn meeting, or
2. no longer meet the conditions for membership specified by law or these rules, or
3. by their conduct within or outside the association cause significant financial or reputational harm to the association, or
4. by their actions cause significant health or other harm to the members of the association, or
5. otherwise fail to fulfill the obligations undertaken when joining the association.
4.1. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
If a member neglects the rules of the association through their behavior, the board has the right to take disciplinary measures:
1. The member receives a written notice of harmful conduct.
2. If the same conduct continues, the member receives a second written notice.
3. If the conduct continues, the member receives a written warning, and representatives of the board or persons designated by the board discuss the conduct and its consequences with the member.
4. If, after the above measures, the conduct remains harmful to the association or its members, the association has the right to expel the member.
5. MEMBERSHIP FEES
The autumn meeting decides the amount and period of membership fees for all categories. Honorary chairpersons and honorary members are exempt from membership fees.
6. BOARD
The affairs of the association are managed by the board, consisting of a chairperson and at least four (4) other regular members elected at the autumn meeting, along with their possible personal deputies. The maximum size of the board is a chairperson and eleven (11) members with deputies.The board’s term of office is one calendar year. From among its members, the board elects a vice chairperson, treasurer, and secretary, and may appoint other necessary officers from among its members or externally. The board prepares the annual report and financial statements, as well as the action plan and budget. It manages the association’s finances, prepares matters for association meetings, and leads the association in achieving its statutory purpose.
The board meets at the call of the chairperson or, if unavailable, the vice-chairperson, whenever they deem it necessary, or when at least half of the board members request it. The board is quorate when at least half of its members, including the chairperson or vice-chairperson, are present. Financial matters may not be decided without consulting the treasurer. Decisions are made by an absolute majority of votes. In the event of a tie, the chairperson’s vote decides, except in elections, where the result is determined by lot.
7. RIGHT TO SIGN FOR THE ASSOCIATION
The name of the association is signed jointly by two of the following: the chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, or treasurer.
8. FINANCIAL YEAR AND AUDIT
The financial year of the association is the calendar year. The financial statements, required documents, and annual report must be submitted to the auditor at least one month before the spring meeting. The auditor must provide a written statement to the board at least two weeks before the spring meeting.
9. ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Meetings of the association may also be attended via telecommunication or other technical means if decided by the board or an association meeting. The association holds two statutory meetings each year: the spring meeting between January and May, and the autumn meeting between September and December, on a date determined by the board.
An extraordinary meeting is held when decided by an association meeting, when the board deems it necessary, or when at least one-tenth (1/10) of the voting members request it in writing from the board for a specified matter. The meeting must be held within 30 days of the request being submitted to the board. Each voting member has one vote. Other members have the right to attend and speak. Decisions are made by a majority of votes cast unless otherwise provided in the rules. In the event of a tie, the chairperson’s vote decides, except in elections, where the result is determined by lot.
10. NOTICE OF MEETINGS
The board must call association meetings at least seven (7) days in advance by notifying members via email, the association’s website, or other communication channels that reach members as widely as possible.
11. REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
At the spring meeting, the following matters are addressed:
1. Opening of the meeting
2. Election of chairperson, secretary, two examiners of the minutes, and, if necessary, two tellers
3. Confirmation of the legality and quorum of the meeting
4. Approval of the agenda
5. Presentation of the financial statements, annual report, and auditor’s statement
6. Decision on adoption of the financial statements and discharge of liability for the board and other responsible parties
7. Other matters mentioned in the notice of the meeting
At the autumn meeting, the following matters are addressed:
1. Opening of the meeting
2. Election of chairperson, secretary, two examiners of the minutes, and, if necessary, two tellers
3. Confirmation of the legality and quorum of the meeting
4. Approval of the agenda
5. Confirmation of the action plan, budget, membership fees, and fee periods for the next calendar year
6. Election of the chairperson and other members of the board
7. Election of the auditor and deputy auditor
8. Other matters mentioned in the notice of the meeting
If a member of the association wishes to have a matter considered at the spring or autumn meeting, they must notify the board in writing early enough for it to be included in the notice of the meeting.
12. AMENDMENT OF RULES AND DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
A decision to amend the rules or dissolve the association must be made at an association meeting by a majority of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the votes cast. The notice of the meeting must mention the amendment of rules or dissolution. In the event of dissolution, the association’s assets shall be used to promote the association’s purpose as determined by the meeting deciding on the dissolution. If the association is terminated, its assets shall be used for the same purpose.
13. ACQUIRED MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS
Membership rights acquired under the previous rules remain valid.