Statutes

1. Name and location of association

The name of the association is Moniheli ry. In an international context the unofficial name Moniheli - Network of Multicultural Associations can also be used.

The association is registered in Helsinki.

In these statutes below the association will be referred to as “the network”.

2. Purpose and forms of operation

The purpose of the network is

1. To function as an advocate of the multicultural society and its members
2. To promote the interaction and cooperation between migrant associations, other civil society actors, and state actors
3. To influence questions related to immigration, multiculturalism, and integration
4. To promote the participation of immigrants and their communities within society, in order to advance equality and non-discrimination within the Finnish society
5. To advance equality and non-discrimination in the Finnish society
6. To promote the wellbeing and integration of immigrants, and to provide support for education, employment, entrepreneurship, and housing.

The network is a politically and religiously independent non-profit association.

The aim of the network is:

1. To plan and implement projects that advance the network’s purpose.
2. To support the integration of migrants into Finnish society.
3. To encourage interaction and cooperation between its member associations and other social actors.
4. To promote the employment and entrepreneurship of migrant-background populations and their communities
5. To advise, guide, and support its member associations and increase their capacity in association work
6. To organise events, seminars, and trainings.
7. To participate actively in public discussions.
8. To communicate publicly and release publications in an understandable and accessible way through the use of multiple languages.
9. To collaborate with actors supporting its objectives internationally.

To support its operations, the network may:

1. Apply for and accept aids from national and international actors
2. Acquire movable and immovable assets necessary for its operations
3. Sell their own promotional products, and engage in printing and publishing activities.
4. Organise fundraising and raffles with proper permission
5. Accept donations and bequests

3. Members

Registered associations which accept the purpose of the network and support its values of a diverse and equal Finland, undertake to observe the network’s statutes, ethical guidelines and values, and operates mainly in Finland may be accepted as full members of the network

Private individuals, registered associations or incorporated societies wishing to support the aims and operations of the network may be accepted as supporting members. Applications for full or supporting membership will be processed and approved by the association’s board, which may request the appointment of a working group to assist it in processing applications and issuing recommendations on them to the board.

Individuals who have greatly contributed to the network and supported its endeavours may be invited to become chairperson of honour or board member of honour upon suggestion by the board. Member associations can make suggestions for members of honour to the board. Members of honour are exempt from paying the membership fee.

4. Joining and membership fees

Each full member and supporting member will be charged a joining fee and an annual membership fee the amount of which will be determined for each membership category separately at the autumn general assembly.

5. Members leaving and being expelled

A member is entitled to leave the network by notifying the board or its chairperson of this in writing or by announcing they are leaving at the network’s meeting for this to be noted in the minutes.

The board may expel a member from the network if the member has failed to pay the membership fee due or has otherwise failed to fulfil the obligations which he or she has undertaken to perform by joining the network or by his or her behaviour in the network or outside it has significantly damaged the network or no longer meets the membership criteria laid down in the network’s statutes or by law.

The network will approve administrative guidelines for its operations (johtosääntö) as well as any other necessary guidelines and statutes, which may be presented to the general assembly for approval. Failure to comply with these may lead to the member being given a written warning and, if breach of the guidelines continues, will lead to expulsion.

Before expulsion the person or body to be expelled is to be given an opportunity to present its side apart from where the reason for dismissal is failure to pay the membership fee. The expulsion decision must be issued in writing and must state the reason for expulsion.

6. The network’s board

The network’s affairs are run by the network’s board. At the autumn general assembly members elect a chairperson of the board and eight to twelve (8-12) full members. In addition, a maximum of four (4) deputy members are elected. Deputy members act in place of full members in the order set out in a list of deputies approved by the network’s meeting.

Persons nominated as candidates for the General elections have to be reputable /irreproachable and have their main residence in Finland. When electing board members, diverse expertise and a balanced representation shall be taken into consideration.

The term of office of the Chairperson and the full members of the Board is two (2) calendar years. Deputy members serve for one (1) calendar year. A member may be elected to the board for a maximum total of four (4) consecutive years. Half of the members of the Board are due to retire each year.

The board elects a vice chairperson and, if required, a second vice-chairperson from among its members. It also elects, either from among its members or externally, a secretary, a treasurer, and the other necessary functionaries.

The board meets at the invitation of the chairperson or, where the chairperson is prevented from so doing, the vice chairperson, when considered necessary or when at least 1/3 of the board’s members so demand.

However, the board must meet at least seven (7) times a year. The board may also convene online and determines the practices for online decision-making in its administrative guidelines.

The board is quorate when at least half of its members are present, including the chairperson or the vice chairpersons. When a full member is absent from a meeting, or in an instance of online decisionmaking, a deputy member (in the order of election) takes the place of the absent full member. Votes are decided by a simple majority. Where votes are equal, the chairperson has the deciding vote. However, for elections, a tie will be decided via draw.

The board may appoint the necessary working groups required to assist it and determine their composition and term of service. The board may name from among itself a work committee and accept their task list.

7. Signing on behalf of the Network

The board’s chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, treasurer may sign on behalf of the network, where two such signatures are always required. 

8. Financial year and accounts

The network’s financial year is the calendar year.

The accounts with the necessary documents and the board’s annual report must be given to the auditors no later than a month before the spring general assembly.

The auditors must submit their written statement to the board no later than two weeks before the spring general assembly.

9. The network’s assemblies

The network must hold two general assemblies each year.

The network’s spring general assembly is held in January-May and the autumn general assembly in September-December on a day determined by the board. Network meetings can be attended either on location or online. A meeting of the Network may, if the Board or the General Assembly so decides, be held entirely by remote meeting without a physical meeting place. 

An additional meeting shall be held when the Network's Assembly so decides or when the Board of Directors considers it necessary or when at least one tenth (1/10) of the members of the Network with voting rights request it in writing from the Board of Directors for a specifically notified matter. The meeting shall be held within thirty (30) days of the date on which the request for a meeting is submitted to the Governing Board.

Additional meetings are held when the network’s meeting so decides or when the board considers it necessary or when at least a tenth (1/10) of the network’s members entitled to vote demand in writing that a meeting be held regarding a matter especially notified.

Supporting members have no right to vote but do have a right to be present and to speak. Where votes are equal, the chairperson of the meeting has the deciding vote, however for elections by drawing lots. The right to vote and to attend network meetings are conditional upon membership fees having been paid.

10. Voting and election order

The voting and election rules of Moniheli provide for the conduct of voting and elections and for the election committee to be elected at the Spring General Assembly. The voting and election regulations are approved by the association's General Assembly.

11. Calling network assemblies

The board is to announce network meetings at least twenty-one (21) days before the meeting by email sent to the addresses notified by members, or if necessary, via post or the network’s webpage.

12. General assemblies

The agenda of the network’s spring general assembly will be as follows:

1. Meeting declared open
2. Election of the meeting’s chairperson, secretary, two people to check the minutes and where necessary two vote counters
3. Declaring the meeting legal and quorate
4. Approval of the agenda
5. Approval of the voting and election order for the meeting
6. Presentation of the accounts, annual report and the auditors’ statement
7. Decision to approve the accounts and release the board and other responsible people from liability
8. Other issues mentioned in the invitation to the assembly

The agenda of the network’s autumn general assembly will be as follows:

1. Meeting declared open
2. Election of the meeting’s chairperson, secretary, two people to check the minutes and where necessary two vote counters
3. Declaring the meeting legal and quorate
4. Approval of the agenda
5. Approval of the voting and election order for the meeting
6. Approval of the operating plan, estimated income and expenditure and the joining and membership fees for the following calendar year
7. Every other year election of the chairperson of the board for a term of two years, who also is also called the chairperson of the association, and other full members of the board to replace those at the end of their two-year term, and election of deputy members for a one-year term
8. Election of one or more auditors and their deputies
9. Other issues mentioned in the invitation to the assembly

If a member of network wishes to have a matter addressed at the network’s spring or autumn general assembly, the person must notify the board of this in writing at least 5 weeks before the assembly.

13. Amending statutes and disbanding the association

A decision to amend the statutes or to disband the association must be made at a network meeting by a majority of at least three quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The invitation to the meeting must mention amending the statutes or disbanding the association.

When the network is disbanded, the network’s funds are to be used to promote the aims of the network in a manner as set out by the meeting that decides to disband the network. When the network is terminated its funds are used for the same purpose.