The Articles of Union

(1)	Name The Estonian Union of Persons with Mobility Impairment (hereinafter: the Union) is a non-profit union. The abbreviation is EUPMI.
(2)	Status The Union is non-political and non-religious.
(3)	Seat The Union and its Board are located in Tallinn.
(4)	Object The object of the Union is to concentrate the interests of persons with mobility impairment of the Republic of Estonia (hereinafter: Estonia) and represent their common interests in the society, including the governmental and legislative organs.

(1)	The Union operates in the common interests of all persons with mobility impairment in Estonia. Their common interests are the sum total of the interests and needs of all persons with mobility impairment in Estonia.
(2)	To obtain its object, the Union shall: concentrate, analyze and disseminate information about the conditions and needs of persons with mobility impairment in Estonia; take an active part in shaping the public opinion; organize consultations and negotiations with legislative and governmental organs; organize consultations, national and regional training programs, work-shops, rehabilitation and recreation for its members; disseminate information about international experience of disabled persons; carry out projects in collaboration with other organizations of disabled persons in Estonia and other countries; adhere to the principles set out in its approved program of activities.
(3)	The Union shall be entitled to: organize charitable and profitable activities, concerts, exhibitions, sports competitions etc.; promote economic activities in the limits stipulated by law; establish foundations operating in the interests of persons with mobility impairment; print publications; hire salaried employees.

(1)	Member The members of the Union shall be non-profit organizations which have stipulated as their object protecting and promoting the interests of persons with mobility impairment, and which have been operating minimum for a year; The members shall participate in the work of the Union through their authorized representatives (proxies).
(2)	Enrolment The applicant non-profit organization shall submit the following documents: a) the application certified by the governing organ of the applicant organization indicating the seat of its Board, contact phones and faxes as well as the list of its Board members with their residential addresses, contact phones and faxes; b) the Articles of Union of the applicant non-profit organization; the Articles shall stipulate as the organization's primary object representing and protecting the interests of persons with mobility impairment; c) the Registrar's duly certified copy of registration of the applicant non-profit organization; d) the number of members of the non-profit organization, persons with mobility impairment among them. The Board shall be entitled to check the submitted documents within a month. Enrolment shall be decided by a simple majority of votes. Membership shall be effective after: a) signing the Union agreement; b) paying the admission fee and the member's subscription.
(3)	Secession The member of the Union shall be entitled to secede from the Union by sending in a written resignation from the membership.
(4)	Exclusion The member shall be excluded from the Union if it has: a) neglected its statutory object - to promote the interests of persons with mobility impairment; b) not paid its member's subscription within the calendar year prior to the General Meeting; c) substantially discredited the Union morally or materially; d) failed to observe the Union agreement. Exclusion from the Union shall be decided at the Board by a simple majority of vote..

(1)	The member of the Union shall be entitled to: submit proposals and applications to the Union; participate in the activities of the Union; receive information about the operation of the Union.

(1)

The member shall be obliged to: observe the Union agreement; pay the member's subscription; immediately notify the Board of the Union about changes among the members of its board and about changes in its requisite elements; cherish and protect the image of the Union, promote the object and principles of the Union.

(1)	Powers The General Meeting shall have the power to: alter the Articles of Union; alter the object of the Union; alter and approve the program; approve the budget and the plan of activities;  the budget implementation, the annual balance and the record of performance; approve the amounts of the admission fee and the member's subscription and the principles of their collection; nominate the members of the Board; nominate the Auditing Commission, if required; supervise the performance of the Board and the salaried employees.
(2)	Convocation The General Meeting of the Union members shall be convened when necessary, but minimum once a year. The notice specifying the date and the business conducted at the General Meeting shall be given minimum a month in advance. The Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called upon a request by the Board or in the stipulated order. The members shall be represented at the General Meeting by their authorized representatives (proxies). Each proxy has one vote when resolutions are put to vote.
(3)	Procedure of passing resolutions The General Meeting shall have power to pass resolutions if more than a half of the Union members are represented at the Meeting, except Article 6 (1) 1. and 2. A resolution of the General Meeting has been passed if it has been approved by more than a half of the representatives attending the General Meeting, except: a) alteration of the Articles of Union, which shall require minimum a two-thirds majority of votes in favour; b) alteration of the object of the Union, which shall require a nine-tenths majority of votes in favour.

The Board of the Union shall comprise of three to nine members. The Chairperson of the Board is elected by a direct vote and is simultaneously the President of the Union. A Deputy Chairperson is elected, if necessary. The Board is elected for a period of three years.

(1)	Power of representation Board members shall represent the Union collectively, except the Chairperson who has power to represent the Union individually. Power of representation can be widened by the resolution of the General Meeting.
(2)	Duties of the Board The Board shall comply with the Articles of Union and the program of activities approved by the General Meeting. The Board shall divide its fields of activities and responsibilities among its members. The Board shall submit the following year's budget, plan of activities and proposals for altering the program of activities for approval to the General Meeting. The Board shall endorse the agreement of Union stipulating the rights and obligations between the Union and its members. The Board shall inform the members of the Union about its activities and, upon a request, submit its report. The Board shall appoint the staff of salaried employees. The Board shall draw up the internal regulations for the salaried employees.
(3)	Right of the Board member The Board member has the right to get compensation for the expenses made in performing his/her tasks.
(4)	Recall of the Board member The Board member can be recalled if he/she has substantially neglected his/her duties or is unable to execute his/her tasks in managing the Union. The recall shall be decided by the General Meeting.
(5)	Resolution of the Board The Board shall be competent to pass a resolution if over a half of its members are present.

The Union shall possess, use and dispense of its property in compliance with its Articles of Union. The incoming of the Union shall be used solely for obtaining the object stipulated by the Articles of Union. The Union shall not divide its profits among its members.

(1)	To execute its tasks, the Union shall have the power to sign contracts and use its funds as specified in the budget approved by the General Meeting
(2)	The funds of the Union shall comprise of: admission fees and members' subscriptions; purpose-oriented granting's and donations; other receipts.
(3)	The General Meeting shall supervise the activities of the Board and the salaried employees. For this purpose the General Meeting can call a check-up or an auditing.
(4)	Financial inspectors or auditors shall report to the General Meeting about the results of the auditing.

The Board shall practice accounting according to the current law.

The accounting year starts on January 1 and finishes on December 31.

(1)	After the end of the accounting year, the Board shall compile the statutory annual accounting report and the performance report.
(2)	The Board shall submit the reports to the General Meeting within six months from the end of the accounting year. If the General Meeting has appointed an auditor or an Auditing Commission, the follow-up report of the auditor or the estimation of the Auditing Commission shall be attached to the reports.

After satisfaction of creditors' claims, the remaining property shall be distributed among beneficiaries, i.e. non-profit organizations having similar objects with the Union. Beneficiaries shall be nominated by a resolution of the General Meeting.

 

These Articles of Union were adopted on November 13,1998 by the 5th Congress of the Estonian Union of the Unions of Persons with Mobility Impairment.

   Ants Paju
Chairman of the Board