ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CITIES OF COUNTY RANK
Chapter I.
General provisions
Name of the Association: Association of Cities of County Rank
1.1. The seat of the Association is the seat of the local government of the city of county rank, the mayor of the local government of which is the president of the Association.
From the election of officials of 2006 the seat of the Association is: 4024 Debrecen, Piac u. 20.
1.2. The Association operates a representative office in Budapest.
1.3. Field of operation of the Association: territory of the Republic of Hungary.
1.4. The stamp /seal/ of the Association:
In the middle the coat of arms of the Republic of Hungary, around the writing /Association of Cities of County Rank/.
1.5. The Association, as a separate legal person, has its own articles of association, representation and separate management.
Chapter II.
Purpose of the Association
2. The collective representation, protection of the local governmental rights of the cities of county rank, the facilitation of their execution, the development of local governmental operation, cooperation with domestic and international local governmental associations of interests.
Chapter III
Tasks of the Association
3.1. Providing opinion in connection with drafts of laws concerning cities of county rank and of other government decisions.
3.2. General participation in legislative works and in preparation of legal instruments.
3.3. Expressing opinion, representation of interests in questions with nationwide significance and in individual governmental decisions.
3.4. Maintaining contact with organizations of government, society and interest representation, of different type and levels, especially with regard to the other associations of interest of local governments.
3.5. Establishing relationship with similar foreign local governmental associations.
3.6. Organizing cooperation and aid programs between the cities, domestic and international local governmental associations.
3.7. Incentive, support of scientific research regarding cities of county rank, the disclosure of general rules regarding cities.
3.8. Establishing inner information system, data and documentation base, issuing publications.
3.9. Organizing expert meetings, professional further education.
3.10. Application for and use of foundations, tenders and other financial assets. Search for and dispose of means of support beyond the membership fee.
Chapter IV
Members of the Association
4.1. Member of the Association may be the local government, which, in its application for membership, declares the articles of association obligatory for itself, undertakes to participate actively in the work of the organization and pays the annual membership fee.
4.2. Application of membership to the Association is voluntary.
4.3. Membership of the association terminates with withdrawal, in case of failure to pay the membership fee or the undertaken material support for more than 6 months, with discharge in case of losing the title of city of county rank, with exclusion, with the dissolution of the Association.
For admission and exclusion the unanimous vote of more than 2/3 of the members of the association is needed.
Chapter V.
Rights and obligations of the members of the Association
5.1. Rights of the members of the Association:
a./ May participate in the articulation of the Articles of Association of the Association.
b/ Its representative may elect and may be elected into the organizational units, positions of the Association.
c/ May participate in the activities, events of the Association, may request the activities of representation of interests and enforcement of interests of the Association.
d/ May make use of the services of the Association.
e/ May have its share, upon the decision of the General Meeting of the Association, from foundations, tenders, other financial incomes, support.
f/ May present proposal in any issues related to the Association, and may file complaint against the unlawful decision of the Association.
g/ May request information about any activities of the Association, to which the leaders /officers/ of the relevant organizational unit shall answer on the merits.
5.2. Obligations of the members of the Association:
a./ Respect of the Articles of Association
b./ Regular participation in the work of the organizational units of the Association, facilitating the realization of the goals of the Association.
c./ Management of professional and moral activities worthy to the membership in the association.
d./ Protection of the assets of the association
e./ Payment of the membership fee till the 28th of February each year.
Chapter VI.
Organizational units of the Association
Organizational units of the Association: General Meeting, Executive Committee, President, Co-President, Managing-vice-president, Vice-Presidents, Financial Monitoring Committee, Professional Committees/Subcommittees, Notary Board, Chief Executive.
6.1. The highest organizational unit of the Association is the General Meeting.
The General Meeting is the body of the mayors (in case of obstruction, of the vice-mayors, eligible for representation) of the members of the association. In the General Meeting each member city of county rank bears one mandate.
The General Meeting shall be called as necessary, but at least once a year and also if it is ordered by the court, or if it is initiated by one-third of the members with the indication of the reason and purpose. The General Meeting is called by the President.
6.2. The General Meeting has the quorum if more than half of the mayors are present. The invitation shall be sent, together with the materials to be negotiated, 8 days preceding the General Meeting.
6.3. 6.3. The General Meeting adopts its decisions in open session, with open voting, usually with simple majority. For the adoption of the proposal the ?yes? vote of more than half of those present is necessary.
For qualified majority the unanimous vote of more than half of the ordinary members is necessary.
Qualified majority is necessary:
a.) For the declaration of the merger, dissolution of the Association
b.) For the adoption or modification of the articles of association
c.) For decision delivered in question of protection of interest, belonging to the competence of the General Meeting.
d.) For the determination of the minimum of the material contribution of the ordinary members of the Association, and of the patrons and associated members.
In case of equal votes new voting round shall be held between the candidates or versions having had received the most identical votes. In the new voting round the candidate or version shall be considered accepted, which received the most ?yes? votes, provided that it reaches the necessary majority.
10% of the mayors present may propose the acceptance of the proposed agenda with qualified majority or in closed session. The General Meeting decides about the proposal with simple majority.
6.4. The following belong to the exclusive competence of the General Meeting:
a./ Determination, modification of the Articles of Association.
b./ Determination of the yearly budget.
c./ Acceptance of the yearly report about the management of the Association.
d./ Acceptance of the yearly report about the activities of the Executive Committee, the Financial Monitoring Committee and the President.
e./ Declaration of the establishment, dissolution of the Association, or of its merger with other social organizations.
f./ Appointment of the President, Co-President, the managing vice-president, the vice-presidents, the president and vice-presidents of the Financial Monitoring Committee, the president of the permanent professional committees, and of the president/vice-president of the Notary Board for the period of one local government term, till the next general meeting for the election of officials.
g./ Appointment of the Chief Executive for an indefinite period of time.
h./ Yearly determination of the membership fee of the members at a value proportionate to the number of inhabitants.
i./ Authorization of use of the name Association of Cities of County Rank.
j./ Delegation of members into the nationwide forums of the representation of interests.
k./ Foundation of awards, prizes.
6.5. The Executive Committee is the executive organizational unit of the Association.
6.6. The Executive Committee is formed of 5 members.
Members: president, co-president, managing vice-president and the vice-presidents. The Executive Committee holds a meeting when necessary, but at least once in each quarter of a year. The Executive Committee has the quorum if more than half of its members are present. The Executive Committee delivers its decisions with simple majority. At the meetings of the Executive Committee the Chief Executive and the president of the Notary Board are present with right of consultation.
6.7. Tasks and competences of the Executive Committee:
a./ Upon the decisions of the General Meeting and its own decisions performs the continuous representation and protection of interests of the Association at the central state organizations, and at the organizations which are affected by the realization of the set goals.
b./ Establishes and maintains permanent contact with central state organizations, which also includes the mutual change of information and the organization of regular professional forums.
c./ During the performance of its work it maintains regular contact with the local governments of the cities with county rank.
d./ Draws up the draft of the yearly budget of the Association.
e./ Determines the wage of the Chief Executive.
f./ Organizes the activities of the Association.
g./ Approves the report about the activities of the President between two meetings of the Executive Committee.
h./ Makes decision about the use of financial assets not belonging to the competence of the General Meeting.
i./ Adopts the Organizational and Operational Regulations of the work organization and its appendixes.
j./ Appoints the presidents of the sub-committees for the period of one local governmental term, till the next general meeting for the election of officials.
k./ Approves the schedule of the permanent committees and their annual work plan.
l./ Grants awards and prizes.
6.8. President, Co-President of the Association:
The president and co-president of the Association are appointed by the General Meeting from among the mayors representing the cities with county rank, for a definite period of time, for one local governmental term, till the next general meeting for the election of officials.
The president and the vice-president are the executive officers of the association.
In case of joint obstruction of the president and the managing vice-president, the co-president exercises the presidential tasks and competences.
The President of the Association:
a./ Conducts the meetings of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee.
b./ Represents the Association. In this competence, with the authorization of the Executive Committee, may conclude agreements.
c./ Maintains contact with other local governmental associations and state management and non-governmental organizations.
d./ Directs the chief executive, and through him, the activities of the management.
e./ Makes decision in issues referred to his tasks and competences by the General meeting or the Executive Committee.
f./ May initiate the call of meeting of the permanent professional committees if necessary.
g./ Directs, prepares and coordinates the international relations of the Association.
h./ Exercises the other employer?s rights regarding the chief executive.
i./ Harmonizes and directs the national negotiation activities of the Association.
j./ Directs the relations of the Association with civil organizations.
k./ Organizes and directs the regional relationships of the Association.
l./ Makes proposals, upon the recommendations of the representatives of the cities, for granting awards and prizes.
m./ Issues ad-hoc authorization for the performance of representation in nationwide representation forums.
The Co-President of the Association:
a) Conducts the meetings of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee, if necessary.
b) Maintains contact with other local governmental associations and state management and non-governmental organizations.
c) Makes decision in issues referred to his tasks and competences by the General meeting or the Executive Committee.
d) May initiate the call of meeting of the permanent professional committees if necessary.
e) Makes proposals, upon the recommendations of the representatives of the cities, for granting awards and prizes.
6.9. Managing vice-president, vice-presidents
The General Meeting appoints from among the mayors representing the member cities of county rank one managing vice-president and two vice-presidents.
The managing vice-president and the vice-presidents, as members of the Executive Committee, take part in the continuous management of the activities of the Association.
In case of the obstruction of the president the managing vice-president exercises the presidential tasks and competences.
General tasks of the Managing vice-president, vice-presidents:
a./ Represent the Association upon the mandate of the president.
b./ Maintain contact with other local governmental associations and state management and non-governmental organizations.
c./ Coordinate and assist the work of the committees determined by the president.
d./ Outside of their area of management decide about issues referred to their competence by the General Meeting, the Executive Committee or the president.
e./ Participate in the task of negotiation of interests, in maintaining contact with non-governmental organizations, and in organizing the regional relationships.
6.10. Financial Monitoring Committee:
The Financial Monitoring Committee is composed of a president and 2 members. Shall not be a member of the Financial Monitoring Committee who is in the employment of the Association, member of the Executive Committee or performs economic activities at the Association.
The Financial Monitoring Committee determines the detailed rules of its operation in its statute.
Tasks of the Financial Monitoring Committee:
a./ Monitors the execution of the resolutions of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee, supervises the operation of the organizations of the Association.
b./ Examines, monitors and follows with attention the financial and management activities of the Association.
c./ Supervises the payment of the membership fee, the time proportionate payment of the material supports.
d./ Informs about its observations, suggestions the General Meeting, the Executive Committee and the organization performing supervision, if necessary.
6.11. Permanent Professional Committees:
The General Meeting of the Association establishes the following permanent professional committees and sub-committees:
a.) Human Service Committee, in which:
Health Sub-Committee
Youth Sub-Committee
Cultural Sub-Committee
Educational Sub-Committee
Sport Sub-Committee
Social Sub-Committee
b.) Information Technology Committee
c.) Public Service Committee, in which:
Environmental Protection Sub-Committee
Urban and Housing Sub-Committee
City Operational Sub-Committee
d.) Financial Committee, in which:
Economic Sub-Committee
Budget Sub-Committee
Sub-Committee of Financial Office Managers
e.) Area Development Committee, in which:
European Union issues and International Relations Sub-Committee
Area and Administration Development Sub-Committee
Tourism Sub-Committee
The permanent professional committees and their sub-committees:
a./ Provide professional opinion about draft laws.
b./ Reveal the positive administrative experiences and methods of the member cities.
c./ Prepare proposals, recommendations and draft resolutions for the General Meeting.
The professional committees and the sub-committees are directed by the president.
The presidents of the professional committees are elected by the General Meeting from among the mayors or vice-mayors representing the ordinary member cities of county rank.
The presidents of the sub-committees are elected by the Executive Committee upon the proposal of the president of the professional committee, from among the mayors or vice-mayors representing the ordinary member cities of county rank.
The presidents, members of the professional committees and sub-committees, the secretaries of the committees are elected for a definite period of time, for one local governmental term, till the next general meeting for the election of officials.
To the professional committees and the sub-committees 1 elected representative, officer of the ordinary member city of county rank or the executive public servant of the mayor?s office may be delegated.
The permanent professional committees hold meetings at least two times a year. The sub-committees hold ad hoc meetings, as necessary. The items on the agenda of the meetings of the sub-committees shall be previously approved by the president of the competent professional committee.
The committees determine in their own statutes the detailed rules of their operation, which includes the detailed rules of the operation of the sub-committees, therewith the presidents of the sub-committees may participate at the committee meetings with right of consultation. The statutes of the committees shall be approved by the Executive Committee. The General Meeting ensures the material conditions necessary for their operation.
The president of the professional committee organizes the work of the committee upon the corporate decisions and with the guidance of the competent sub-committee presidents.
6.12. Notary Board
The Notary Board is the body of the notaries (in case of obstruction, vice-notaries) of the ordinary members of the association, the president of which is the notary appointed by the General Meeting. The Notary Board establishes its rules of functioning. The board holds meeting as necessary, but at least two times a year.
The Notary Board:
a./ Provides professional opinion about the draft laws concerning local governments, and about other drafts of legal instruments and strategic plans.
b./ Collects and exchanges professional experiences about the local governmental and administrative activities of the Mayor?s Offices of Cities of County Rank.
c./ Establishes and maintains database from the most important local governmental and administrative information of the ordinary members.
d./ Prepares professional recommendations and proposals to the General Meeting, the Executive Committee and the Professional Committees.
e./ Upon the request of the president of the Association, provides assistance for the preparation and execution of the decisions of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee.
f./ Upon the proposal of the president, co-president, managing president and vice-presidents of the Association provides opinion about and negotiates draft laws and other topics.
g./ Keeps contact with the governmental organizations, the National Association of Notaries, the Hungarian Administrative Association, and the similar level forums of other local governmental associations.
6.13. Chief executive
The Executive is the officer appointed by the General Meeting upon competition. The President exercises the employer?s rights regarding the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive operates upon the decisions of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee, and the directions of the President.
The Chief Executive in the operation of the Association is the organizer of the activities directed at the preparation and execution of the corporate decisions.
a./ Upon the authorization of the president represents if the Association.
b./ Prepares the meetings and decisions of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee.
c./ Organizes the execution of the decisions of the General Meeting and the Executive Committee.
d./ Provides assistance for the work of the officers.
e./ Ensures that the members of the Association regularly receive the necessary information about the work of the General Meeting, the Executive Committee and the committees.
f./ Performs all tasks assigned to him by the General Meeting or the Executive Committee.
g.) Directs the work organization of the Association and exercises the employer?s rights with regard to the employees of the work organization of the Association.
h./ Directs and organizes the work of the officers, the executives and the external experts.
6.14. Work organization
For the better operation of the management tasks and information system of the organization, the General Meeting, for the assistance of the Executive Committee, the President, for the management of the budget management establishes a work organization. The work organization has its own organizational and operational regulations.
Chapter VII
Material resources of the Association and management
7.1. Incomes of the Association:
a./ Membership fee
b./ Support, offers and contributions of legal and natural persons
c./ Incomes from tenders and foundations.
d./ Incomes from events and other incomes.
7.2. The management of the Association is based on yearly budget.
7.3. The Association is liable for its debts with its own assets. The members, member organizations shall only pay the membership fee, they are not liable with their own property for the debts of the Association.
7.4. The President of the Association and the Chief Executive may dispose of the settlement account of the Association jointly.
One of the signatories is in each case the Chief Executive of the Association.
Chapter VIII
Dissolution of the Association
8.1. The Association terminates:
a./ If its dissolution is declared by the General Meeting.
b./ If the Association merges with other organization.
c./ If it is dissolved by the court.
d./ With the declaration of its dissolution by court.
8.2. In case of dissolution of the Association the General Meeting disposes of the assets left after satisfying the creditors.
