Rules of the association
The Finnish Association for Humane Drug Policy (HPP).
1. Name and Domicile of the Association
The name of the association is The Finnish Association for Humane Drug Policy (HPP), and its domicile is Helsinki.
2. Purpose and Nature of Activities
The purpose of the association is to:
- reduce the harms caused by substance use to individuals and society
- influence the development of preventive substance-related work and treatment options for people with substance use problems
- promote drug policy based on the best available evidence
- promote an open climate for discussion on issues related to drug policy
The political positions of the association are defined by theses approved at meetings of the association.
In order to fulfill its purpose, the association may engage in research, information dissemination, and publishing activities; provide funding; carry out development projects; and organize campaigns, discussion events, and other similar activities. The association seeks to bring together experts in the field and cooperates with individuals and organizations whose objectives align with those of the association. The association monitors international developments in drug policy and seeks to introduce experiences gained elsewhere into the domestic drug policy debate. The association participates in public discussion, issues statements and position papers, and seeks to influence public opinion.
To support its activities, the association may receive grants, donations, and bequests; own real estate and movable property necessary for its activities; and organize fundraising campaigns and receive bequests.
3. Members
The members of the association are regular members, supporting members, or honorary members. At meetings of the association, each regular member has one vote. Supporting members and honorary members have the right to attend meetings and to speak, but not to vote.
A person who accepts the purpose and rules of the association may be accepted as a regular member.
A private individual or a legally competent organization wishing to support the purpose and activities of the association may be accepted as a supporting member.
An honorary member may be invited by a decision of the association meeting upon proposal by the Board, if the person has supported the objectives of the association through their activities.
Regular members and supporting members are approved by the Board.
A member has the right to resign from the association by submitting written notice to the Board or its Chair, or by announcing their resignation at a meeting of the association to be recorded in the minutes. The Board may expel a member if the member has failed to pay overdue membership fees, has significantly harmed the association through their conduct within or outside the association, or no longer fulfills the statutory or rule-based requirements for membership.
The amount of the joining fee and annual membership fee for regular members and supporting members is decided separately for each membership category by the autumn meeting. Honorary members are not required to pay membership fees.
4. The Board
The affairs of the association are managed by a Board consisting of a Chair elected at the autumn meeting, at least two (2) and no more than eleven (11) other regular members, and zero to four (0–4) deputy members.
The Board elects from among its members a Vice Chair and appoints a Treasurer and other necessary officers either from among its members or from outside the Board.
The Board convenes at the invitation of the Chair, or in the Chair’s absence the Vice Chair, when deemed necessary or when at least half of the Board members so request. The Board has a quorum when at least half of its members, including the Chair or Vice Chair, are present. Decisions are made by a simple majority of votes. In the event of a tie, the Chair’s vote decides; in elections, the decision is made by lot.
The term of office of the Board is one calendar year.
5. Signing on Behalf of the Association
The association is legally represented by the Chair of the Board, the Vice Chair, or the Treasurer, each acting independently. The Board may authorize an officer or a Board member to sign on behalf of the association alone.
6. Financial Year
The financial year of the association is the calendar year.
7. Meetings of the Association
The association holds two ordinary meetings annually. The spring meeting is held between January and June, and the autumn meeting between August and December, on a date determined by the Board.
An extraordinary meeting shall be held if decided by a meeting of the association, if the Board deems it necessary, or if at least one tenth (1/10) of the voting members of the association submit a written request to the Board for a specifically stated matter. The meeting must be held within thirty (30) days of the request being submitted to the Board.
Unless otherwise provided in these rules, decisions of the association are made by a simple majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Chair of the meeting decides; in elections, the decision is made by lot.
8. Convening Meetings of the Association
The Board shall convene meetings of the association by email notice to members at least fourteen (14) days before the meeting.
9. Ordinary Meetings
Matters to be addressed at the Spring Meeting
- opening of the meeting
- election of the Chair of the meeting, Secretary, two examiners of the minutes, and, if necessary, two vote counters
- confirmation of the legality and quorum of the meeting
- approval of the agenda
- presentation of the financial statements, annual report, and the report of the operations inspector(s) or auditor(s)
- decision on the adoption of the financial statements and granting of discharge from liability to the Board and other accountable parties
- consideration of other matters stated in the meeting notice
Matters to be addressed at the Autumn Meeting
- opening of the meeting
- election of the Chair of the meeting, Secretary, two examiners of the minutes, and, if necessary, two vote counters
- confirmation of the legality and quorum of the meeting
- approval of the agenda
- approval of the action plan, budget, and joining and membership fees for the following calendar year
- decision on remuneration for Board members and operations inspectors
- election of the Chair of the Board and other Board members
- election of one or two operations inspectors and deputy operations inspectors, or one or two auditors and deputy auditors
- consideration of other matters stated in the meeting notice
If a member of the association wishes to have a matter considered at the spring or autumn meeting, the member must submit a written proposal to the Board sufficiently early for the matter to be included in the meeting notice.
10. Amendment of the Rules and Dissolution of the Association
A decision to amend these rules must be made at a meeting of the association by a majority of at least three quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The meeting notice must state that an amendment of the rules will be considered.
A decision to dissolve the association must be made at two consecutive meetings of the association held at least three weeks apart, by a majority of at least three quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The meeting notice must state that dissolution of the association will be considered.
Upon dissolution of the association, its assets shall be used to promote the purpose of the association in a manner determined by the meeting deciding on the dissolution.
If the association is terminated, the assets shall be disposed of in the same manner.