Statutes of the 1901 Association

Union of Buddhist Relief Organizations

TITLE I – FUNDAMENTAL PROVISIONS

Article 1: Establishment

An Association is hereby founded by the founding members Mrs. Christine Buisson, Mrs. Maryse Ribault, Mr. Renaud Blondlet, Mr. Frédéric La Combe, Mr. Erwan de Langle, and Mr. Jacques Cathrin, who adhere to these statutes. The Association is governed by:

• The Law of July 1, 1901
• The Decree of August 16, 1901
• Applicable laws and regulations
• These present statutes

Article 2: Name

The Association shall bear the following name:

Union of Buddhist Relief Organizations

Article 3: Purpose

The Union of Buddhist Relief Organizations (hereinafter referred to as the “Union”) is the Association that brings together the various “Buddhist Relief” Associations (hereinafter referred to as “SB Associations”) present in mainland French departments and overseas territories (DROM-COM), whose common purpose is to promote benevolence and provide assistance and support to people in difficulty, without discrimination based on origin, religion, or opinions, relying on universal humanist values.

The purpose of the Union is to support and facilitate the implementation of projects undertaken by departmental Buddhist Relief organizations, particularly through the exchange of expertise and all forms of resource-sharing.

The Union also provides a space for national representation for all these SB Associations.

Article 4: Duration

The Association “Union of Buddhist Relief Organizations” is established for an indefinite period.

The financial year runs from January 1 to December 31.

Article 5: Registered Office

The headquarters of the Union is established at:

La Galerie, 03160 Ygrande, France

It may be transferred anywhere else in France by decision of the Board of Directors, which is authorized to amend these statutes accordingly without requiring an Extraordinary General Assembly.

Article 6: Resources

The Union’s resources consist of:

• Membership fees and donations from its members
• Public subsidies
• Private fundraising
• Any other resources authorized by current laws and regulations

Article 7: Statutory Framework Documents

In addition to these Statutes, the functioning and principles to which active members of the Union adhere are governed by:

• The “Social Project”, which defines the social positioning to which an SB Association agrees to affiliate
• The “Ethical Charter”, which defines the ethical framework to which an SB Association agrees to affiliate and specifies the commitments binding it to the Union

Ratification of these statutory framework documents allows an Association to become an affiliated member of the Union and to use the title “Buddhist Relief Association.”

7.1 Social Project and Ethical Charter

7.1.a Purpose

The Social Project and the Ethical Charter attached to these statutes were drafted by the members of the Union’s Board of Directors.
The Social Project is a document expressing the key objectives of the Union and the SB Associations, as well as their methods. The evolution or modification of the Social Project falls under the authority of the “Social Project Committee.”
The Ethical Charter is a reference document expressing all the ethical principles that the Union and its member “SB Associations” must respect in all circumstances.
Any evolution or modification of the Ethical Charter falls under the authority of the Ordinary General Assembly.

7.1.b Evolution and Modification of the Social Project

At least every three years, and whenever necessary, the Union’s Board of Directors — established in accordance with Article 12: Board of Directors — examines whether the Union’s Social Project should evolve or be modified.

If the Board of Directors considers that a modification of the statutory framework documents is necessary, it convenes the “Social Project Committee” (see Article 18) to consult the Presidents or delegates of the SB Associations, consider their suggestions, and ratify the changes.

TITLE II – MEMBERS

Article 8: Composition

The Union consists of:

• Founding members
• Affiliated members
• Partner members
• Benefactor members
• Active members
• Honorary members

The Union undertakes to respect freedom of conscience and the principle of non-discrimination. It guarantees equal access to the Board of Directors regardless of age or gender. Only minors may not become members of the Union.

Founding Members

These are those who were present at the constituent meeting of the Union and are named in Article 1.

They are automatically and permanently members of the Board of Directors. They pay a membership fee determined by the Board and are invited to and vote at Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies.

Affiliated Members

These are SB Associations that contribute to the Social Project and accept the commitments specified in the Statutes and other statutory framework documents.

They pay a membership fee determined by the Board and are invited to and vote at Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies.

SB Associations are represented by their President or by a delegated member chosen from among their Board members.

Partner Members

These are companies, associations, and other entities that support the Union’s Social Project and the SB Associations through skills-based sponsorship or financial sponsorship.

They pay a membership fee determined by the Board and may attend Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies in an advisory capacity. Voting rights may be granted by the Board upon request.

Partner members are represented by a delegate of their choice.

Benefactor Members

These are individuals who make a donation or bequest to the Association.

They pay a membership fee determined by the Board and may attend Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies in an advisory capacity. Voting rights may be granted by the Board upon request.

Active Members

These are individuals who wish to actively engage in the Union’s mission or contribute their expertise.

They pay a membership fee determined by the Board and are invited to and vote at Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies.

Honorary Members

These are individuals who grant their moral sponsorship to the Association and may serve as ambassadors to promote the activities of the Union and all SB Associations throughout France.

They do not pay membership fees and may attend Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies in an advisory capacity. Voting rights may be granted by the Board upon request.

Article 9: Resignation and Removal

Membership is lost:

1. By death
2. By resignation submitted in writing to the President of the Union
3. By non-payment of membership fees
4. By expulsion for serious reasons decided by the Board of Directors after the member concerned has been heard

For the expulsion of an SB Association, see Article 11.

Article 10: Membership as an SB Association

10.1 Membership Procedure

10.1.a Membership of a New SB Association

Any group wishing to create an SB Association within the Union must submit a written request to a member of the Executive Office.

Acceptance of membership falls under the authority of the Union’s Board of Directors, which is not required to disclose the reasons for refusal.

A non-negotiable condition for admission is full adherence to all the Union’s statutory framework documents and to the designation “Buddhist Relief.”

If the Board approves the application, model statutes for a “Buddhist Relief” Association will be provided, including the statutory clauses specified in Appendix 1 of these Statutes. Modifications to this model may be authorized at the request of the members of the new SB Association.

The Board will keep a copy of the Declaration Receipt issued by the Prefecture and send it by email, together with the statutes of the new SB Association, to all members of the Union.

The Board ensures compliance with the statutory framework documents by the new Association and may use Union resources to facilitate its creation.

10.1.b Membership of a Previously Independent Association

In the case of an already existing association registered with the Prefecture wishing to affiliate with the Union, the membership conditions are the same as those specified in paragraph 10.1.a above.

If the Union’s Board approves the application, it assists in amending the statutes of the existing Association to include the statutory clauses specified in Appendix 1 of these Statutes.

The Board of the concerned Association must validate the amendments to its statutes by convening an Extraordinary General Assembly.

10.2 Rights of SB Associations

In compliance with the Union’s Social Project and according to the terms of the Affiliation Regulations, SB Associations are entitled, without compensation and insofar as the Union has the necessary resources, to:

• Be represented as “affiliated members” by their President or delegate at Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies
• Use and refer to the name “SB Association”
• Use and refer to the Social Project
• Benefit from any official accreditation obtained by the Union on their behalf
• Benefit from all shared tools implemented within the Union

Subject to the Union’s available resources, the Board of Directors may provide SB Associations with:

• Assistance in promoting their projects
• Support for the development of their activities
• Communication tools
• Training for their members, both in management and methodology as well as on substantive issues
• Administrative, accounting, and legal assistance
• Financial support for development
• Emergency financial assistance

10.3 Commitments of SB Associations

10.3.a Authority of the Union

Each SB Association undertakes to comply with:

• The Union’s Statutes
• The Social Project
• The Ethical Charter
• Decisions made by the Union’s Board of Directors

To claim affiliated membership within the Union and use the title “Buddhist Relief,” the Association must include in its statutes the clauses relating to the Union (see Appendix 1) specifying these commitments.

However, SB Associations remain free to make any decisions within their activities that do not conflict with the statutory framework documents to which they are affiliated.

10.3.b Financial Contribution to the Union

SB Associations pay an annual membership fee proportional to their level of activity, as defined in the Affiliation Regulations.

Difficulties in paying all or part of the membership fee are not, in themselves, grounds for automatic expulsion. The SB Association must submit a justified request for an extension or reduction to the Union’s Board of Directors before defaulting on payment, or failing that, as soon as possible.

10.4 Mediation of Conflicts Between SB Associations

Any unresolved conflict between one or more SB Associations shall be subject to mediation by the Union.

The Union’s Board of Directors may appoint a mediator to seek a solution to the conflict between SB Associations or allocate funds to organize mediation operations.

If mediation is impossible or unsuccessful, any conflict between SB Associations must be submitted to the arbitration of the Union’s Board of Directors.

The Union’s Board of Directors shall then act as an arbitration tribunal. It may adopt arbitration rules and specify any matter it deems necessary, particularly concerning arbitration procedures, submission of documents, provisional measures, and consolidation of cases.

No statute of limitations may be invoked against the Union’s Board of Directors. It may also choose to broaden the scope of the matter submitted to arbitration by taking up, on its own initiative, any facts or actions it considers relevant.

Members of the Board of Directors originating from SB Associations involved in the conflict may not vote within the arbitration tribunal nor on arbitration rules or decisions. However, they may be responsible for defending the SB Association from which they originate.

When acting as an arbitration tribunal, the Union’s Board of Directors shall rule exceptionally by a two-thirds majority of the directors present.

No arbitration fees shall be charged to SB Associations.

10.5 Mediation of Conflicts Between an SB Association and the Union

In the event of a conflict between an SB Association and the Union, the Union shall organize, at its own expense and in good faith, a mediation procedure.

The Union’s Board of Directors may be referred to by the SB Association involved in the conflict, or may take up the matter on its own initiative.

The Board of Directors shall appoint a mediator to seek a resolution to the conflict. The Board may also allocate funds for mediation operations conducted by an external mediator.

10.6 Monitoring Compliance with the Union’s Common Rules

10.6.a Grounds and Referral

The Union’s Board of Directors may initiate sanction proceedings on its own initiative.

Grounds that may justify sanctions against an SB Association include:

• Any breach of the Union’s rules or decisions adopted by the Union and its Board of Directors
• Repeated and/or abusive failure to pay membership fees
• Failure to comply with the statutory framework documents
• Any other serious grounds

10.6.b Warning and Injunction

When a breach of the common rules has been identified, the Union’s Board of Directors shall summon the directors of the SB Association concerned to hear their explanations regarding the alleged facts.

If the allegations are confirmed, the Board shall record an official warning in the minutes, together with an injunction to rectify the situation. The minutes shall be sent by email to all Presidents of SB Associations.

If, after two warnings, the SB Association has not rectified the situation and continues to fail to comply with the Union’s common rules, the Board of Directors may proceed with the expulsion of the SB Association.

Article 11: Expulsion of an SB Association

11.1 Voluntary Withdrawal from the Union

Any SB Association may submit a reasoned decision from its competent Assembly to the Board of Directors requesting termination of its affiliation with the Union.

The Board may propose mediation measures to the competent Assembly of the SB Association aimed at addressing the reasons for the withdrawal request.

If no satisfactory compromise is reached, the Union’s Board of Directors shall formally record the expulsion of the SB Association from the Union and ensure that all consequences of this expulsion are implemented.

11.2 Expulsion by Decision of the Union

If the Union’s Board of Directors initiates expulsion proceedings against an SB Association, it shall issue an initial opinion regarding expulsion for misconduct, detailing the reasons.

This initial opinion shall be transmitted to the concerned SB Association together with a summons for a meeting with its Board of Directors. During this meeting, the representative of the SB Association may present observations and arguments.

Following the meeting, the Union’s Board of Directors shall decide whether to continue the procedure. The representative of the accused SB Association may not participate in the vote.

If the procedure continues, the Union’s Board shall convene an Ordinary General Assembly and send, with the notice of meeting, a complete summary of the facts invoked, the procedure and prior decisions taken, the defense presented by the Association, the Board’s responses, recommendations, and any other relevant information.

During the Ordinary General Assembly, the SB Association concerned may submit any documents it considers necessary and present its arguments. The Union’s Board of Directors shall delegate one or two members to present the case and arguments before the Assembly.

If the General Assembly decides on expulsion, implementation shall be carried out by the Union’s Board of Directors, which must ensure compliance with all consequences arising from the expulsion.

If the General Assembly does not decide on expulsion, it must rule on whether sanctions previously adopted by the Union’s Board of Directors should be maintained or withdrawn.

The Union’s Board of Directors may not impose sanctions based on facts already ruled upon by an Ordinary General Assembly under the preceding paragraph.

11.3 Consequences of Expulsion

Any expelled Association must amend its name to remove any reference to Buddhist Relief or to the Social Project that could mislead others regarding its affiliation with the Union.

An expelled Association undertakes to announce, by any appropriate means, its expulsion from the Union and the reasons for this expulsion. In particular, it undertakes to notify each of its members by letter.

An expelled Association undertakes, at all times, to act in such a way that no doubt may remain regarding its non-membership in the Union.

An expelled Association loses all rights previously enjoyed as an SB Association member of the Union and may no longer use any works owned by an SB Association or by the Union.

No financial compensation shall be imposed on an expelled Association because of its expulsion. However, the membership fee for the current financial year shall remain due to the Union and must continue to be paid according to the scheduled deadlines, unless an exemption is granted by the Board of Directors.

An expelled Association undertakes not to transfer, make available, exploit, or otherwise use or permit the use of works maintained for the benefit of the Union and SB Associations under statutory obligations, unless prior authorization has been obtained from the Union’s Board of Directors.

An expelled Association, regardless of the reason for expulsion, may later apply to regain the status of SB Association. During the affiliation procedure, the Board of Directors shall examine all elements relating to the prior expulsion.