Chapter III: Members¶
Art. 5 – Membership¶
5.1 The Association is made up of full members.
5.2 The minimum number of full members cannot be less than two and their maximum number is unrestricted.
Art. 6 – Members and admission¶
6.1 The full members are:
a. the founding members;
b. any natural person of age, who:
requested to be admitted as a full member of the Association by demonstrating their commitment to the Association via an online form,
received an endorsement of two existing full members,
and agrees to respect the Association’s statutes,
and this, provided they are admitted in this capacity by the general assembly.
6.2 The admission of a full member is granted automatically, providing no existing full member raises an objection within the two weeks following the admission request, or it is immediately pronounced by the general assembly by a simple majority of the votes of the members present or validly represented, provided that at least one quarter of the members are present or validly represented.
6.3 Each membership is granted for a duration of two years and expires automatically.
6.4 Membership is renewable indefinitely.
6.5 To renew the full membership, a former member must each time:
reassert commitment and show past contributions to the Association via an online form, and
receive a new endorsement of two existing full members.
6.6 The membership renewal of a full member is granted automatically, providing no existing full member raises an objection within the two weeks following the renewal request, or it is immediately pronounced by the general assembly by a simple majority of the votes of the members present or validly represented, provided that at least one quarter of the members are present or validly represented.
6.7 Any person wishing to become a full member of the Association must send a written request to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors can create a template of the written request through which the membership applications are made.
Art. 7 – Member register¶
7.1 The Association maintains a register of full members under the responsibility of the Board of Directors. This register contains the last names, first names and [permanent residency] addresses of the full members, as well as the dates of the start and end of their membership.
7.2 Any decision of admission, resignation or exclusion of a full member shall be entered in the register at the behest of the Board of Directors within eight days of the knowledge of the change(s) occurring.
7.3 All full members can consult the register of members at the registered office of the Association, without moving the register, on a simple written request addressed to the Board of Directors of the Association.
Art. 8 – Rights and obligations of the members¶
8.1 Full members enjoy all the rights of membership granted by law or these statutes.
8.2 Full members are obliged to respect the statutes and regulations of the Association.
Art. 9 – Resignation¶
9.1 Members are free to withdraw from the Association by sending a written resignation to the Board of Directors.
Art. 10 – Exclusion and suspension of full members¶
10.1 A full member can be excluded from the Association ipso jure, as a result of death or incapacity.
10.2 A full member can be proposed for exclusion by the Board of Directors on the following grounds:
a. having committed a repeated and serious breach of the Association’s statutes or the internal rules, or decisions adopted by the general assembly or the Board of Directors,
b. having been convicted by a court of law for a criminal offence that is incompatible with the ethical values, public-interest objectives, or reputation of the Association,
c. being subject to a final court judgment or legal sentence (in Belgium or abroad) that prevents the member from exercising civil rights or participating in the Association’s activities in good standing,
d. engaging in behaviour or activities, either publicly or privately, that seriously harm the reputation, integrity, or operational interests of the Association or its members,
e. having not participated for a prolonged and unjustified time in the activities of the Association, including absence from General Assemblies.
10.3 The exclusion of a full member is within the competence of the general assembly deciding by secret ballot and by a majority of two-thirds of the votes of the members present or validly represented, provided that at least two-thirds of the members are present or validly represented.
10.4 If this latter condition is not met, a second convocation notice will be necessary and the new assembly will deliberate and validly rule regardless of the number of members present or validly represented. The second assembly cannot be held within fifteen days after the first assembly.
10.5 The general assembly can validly deliberate and rule on the exclusion of the full member only if the proposed exclusion is indicated precisely in the convocation notice.
10.6 The full member proposed for exclusion is invited to present her/his/its explanations to the general assembly before the latter takes the decision. He/she/it may, if he/she/it so desires, be assisted by the counsel of his/her/its choice.
10.7 A full member is notified of the exclusion sanction taken against her/him/it by a registered letter. The sanction must be duly justified.
10.8 Pending the decision of the general assembly concerning the exclusion of a full member, the Board of Directors may suspend this member. The suspension of a full member can be pronounced by the Board of Directors by a majority of two-thirds of the votes of the Board Directors present and provided that at least two-thirds of the Board Directors are present.
10.9 The full member whose suspension is envisaged will have a hearing in front of the Board of Directors before the vote. He/she/it may, if he/she/it so desires, be assisted by the counsel of his/her/its choice.
10.10 During the period of suspension temporarily declared by the Board of Directors, the rights of the full member are suspended, except for her/his/its statutory rights.
Art. 11 – Cessation of rights¶
11.1 The member who resigned, was excluded, or whose membership expired, has no claim on the Association’s assets.