Association

The name of the association is Romanian Suomalaiset Lääketieteen Opiskelijat ry. The abbreviation RoSLO may be used in informal contexts. The registered office of the association is in Helsinki.

The purpose of the association is to act as an ideological link between Finnish citizens studying or applying to study medicine or dentistry in Romania, and to promote its members' common interests in their studies and in professional matters. To fulfil its purpose, the association: – supports the studies and professional development of its members – advocates for its members in matters related to their studies – organises training, discussion, cultural and free-time events – carries out communication and cooperation activities – cooperates with other student and professional associations – promotes national and international cooperation between students – provides information to those interested in applying for medical or dental studies in Romania and supports them through the application process – promotes the integration of new students starting their studies in Romania into the student community. To support its activities, the association may own property necessary for its operations, organise events, accept donations and carry out other activities that further its purpose.

A regular member of the association may be a Finnish medical or dental student studying at a Romanian university. Supporting members may be doctors or dentists who studied in Romania. An associate member may be a Finnish person studying medicine or dentistry abroad elsewhere who has no other Finnish advocacy organisation. The association meeting may invite as an honorary member a person who has particularly meritoriously advanced the activities of the association or the realisation of its purpose. Members are approved by the board of the association.

A member of the association has the right to – take part in the activities of the association – make proposals to the board – consult the minutes of the association's meetings – be present at the meetings of the board, unless the board for a particular reason decides to handle a matter in closed session – receive information about the activities and decisions of the association – participate in the association's meetings in accordance with these bylaws. Only regular members have voting rights at the association's meetings.

A member is removed at the end of the term in which they complete their degree or otherwise lose their eligibility for membership. A member may resign from the association by giving written notice to the board. The board may expel a member who – acts against the purpose of the association – harms the activities of the association – fails to pay their membership fee. Before an expulsion decision, the member must be given an opportunity to be heard. An expelled member has the right to bring the decision before the association's meeting within one month of being notified of the decision. Resignation takes effect when the notice is received, unless the member specifies a later date. Membership fees already paid are not refunded upon termination of membership.

A joining fee and a membership fee are collected from regular, supporting and associate members, the amount of which is determined by the board. Any changes to the fees are submitted to the association's spring meeting for approval. Honorary members do not pay a membership fee. The membership fee is paid annually in the manner and by the deadline determined by the board of the association.

The affairs of the association are managed by the board, which consists of – the chair – the vice-chair – the secretary – the treasurer – 1–6 other members. A board member must be a regular member of the association. The board's term of office is one calendar year. The board is elected at the autumn meeting. The board – directs the activities of the association – manages the administration and finances of the association – prepares matters to be considered at the association's meetings – represents the association – decides on the acceptance of new members – ensures the implementation of decisions taken by the association's meetings – inducts the new board members after the autumn meeting. The board convenes at the invitation of the chair or, if the chair is unavailable, the vice-chair. The board has a quorum when at least half of its members, including the chair or vice-chair, are present.

The association's name is signed by the chair or the vice-chair, jointly with either the secretary or the treasurer. In addition, the board may grant the right to sign on behalf of the association to one or more persons individually.

The chair and the treasurer have access to the association's bank accounts. The board may also grant access to other board members by decision.

The financial year of the association is the calendar year.

The highest decision-making power is exercised by the association's meetings. The association holds two regular meetings each year: – the spring meeting in March–April – the autumn meeting in November. Meetings may also be attended via telecommunications if the board so decides. An extraordinary meeting is held when the association's meeting so decides, when the board considers it necessary, or when at least one tenth (1/10) of the eligible members request it from the board in writing. The meeting must be held within 30 days of the request being submitted to the board. The meeting deals with matters mentioned in the notice and any other matters that arise.

The association's meetings are convened by the board. The notice of meeting, together with any attachments, must be sent to members by email at least seven days before the meeting. The notice must state the time and place of the meeting and the matters to be considered.

At the spring meeting the following matters are considered: – the financial statements – the annual report – the auditor's statement – approval of the financial statements – discharge of liability for the board – the amount of the membership fee – other matters mentioned in the notice. At the autumn meeting the following matters are considered: – the plan of activities – the budget – the election of the board chair and other members – the election of the auditor and deputy auditor – other matters mentioned in the notice. The association's meeting has a quorum when it has been convened in accordance with the bylaws. Decisions are made by simple majority. In the event of a tie, the chair has the casting vote, except in elections and secret ballots where lots are drawn. The accepted voting methods for matters requiring a vote are open hand vote and closed ballot. Where necessary, voting may be carried out electronically. The association's meeting decides on the voting procedure. At the association's meeting, each regular member has one vote. A regular member may exercise their voting right by proxy through another regular member. One member may represent at most one other member by proxy. If there is only one candidate for the chair of the board, a board member or any other position of trust, and no one opposes the appointment, the person may be declared elected without a vote. Members may submit proposals in advance for matters to be considered at the association's meetings. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the board at least one month before the meeting.

An amendment to the bylaws is decided by the association's meeting by a majority of at least three quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The dissolution of the association is decided at two association meetings held at least three weeks apart, with at least three quarters of the votes cast supporting the decision on both occasions. Upon dissolution of the association, its assets are used for activities that promote the purpose of the association in the manner determined by the meeting deciding the dissolution. Amendment of the bylaws or dissolution of the association must be mentioned in the notice of meeting.

In all other respects, the applicable Finnish Associations Act (yhdistyslaki) shall apply.