Guild Rules

Rules

1. Name and Domicile of the Association

The name of the association is Suomen Kalastusopaskilta ry, Finlands Fiskeguidegille rf., and its domicile is Helsinki. In international contexts, the unofficial English name of the association is the Fishing Guide Guild of Finland.

2. Purpose and Nature of Activities

The purpose of the association is to raise the general appreciation of the profession of fishing guides, to develop cooperation among its members, and to improve the general conditions for fishing tourism.

To achieve its purpose, the association monitors the economic development and legislation related to the fishing tourism industry, makes proposals and initiatives related to these, and provides statements. The association guides and advises its members on issues related to fishing guiding and tourism by organizing meetings, study trips, consultation events, and training, and by preparing relevant reports. The association monitors domestic and international developments in the field and maintains contact with other organizations in the fisheries and tourism sectors, both in Finland and abroad.

To support its activities, the association may accept donations and bequests, own real estate necessary for its operations, and, with the appropriate permits, organize lotteries and fundraisers.

3. Members

A person or registered association that accepts the purpose of the association, engages in fishing guide activities, and is known to be honest and reliable may be accepted as a regular member of the association. A private person or legal entity that wishes to support the purpose and activities of the association may be accepted as a supporting member. Regular members and supporting members are accepted by the association’s board upon application. The title of Honorary Chairperson or Honorary Member may be conferred upon a member by the association’s meeting upon the board’s proposal, in recognition of their significant contributions to the association’s work. The right to use the title ends when membership is terminated.

4. Resignation and Expulsion of Members

A member has the right to resign from the association by notifying the board or its chairperson in writing or by announcing the resignation at a meeting of the association, which will then be recorded in the minutes.

The board may expel a member from the association if the member has failed to pay their membership fees or otherwise failed to fulfill the obligations to which they have committed by joining the association, or if their conduct within or outside the association has significantly harmed the association, or if they no longer meet the membership criteria set out by law or in the association’s rules.

5. Membership and Joining Fees

The annual membership fee and joining fee for regular members and supporting members are determined by the annual meeting. Honorary Chairpersons and Honorary Members are exempt from membership fees.

6. The Board

The affairs of the association are managed by a board, consisting of the chairperson elected at the annual meeting and eight other members. Board members are selected to reflect the regional distribution of the membership as much as possible.

The term of office for the chairperson and board members is the period between annual meetings. The board selects a vice-chairperson from among its members and appoints a secretary, treasurer, and other necessary officials either from among its members or from outside.

The board meets at the call of the chairperson or, if they are unavailable, the vice-chairperson, whenever they deem it necessary or when at least half of the board members request a meeting.

The board has a quorum when at least half of its members, including the chairperson or vice-chairperson, are present. Decisions are made by a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, the chairperson’s vote decides the matter, except in elections, where the result is decided by drawing lots. Board meetings can be held online via the internet.

7. Signing for the Association

The association’s name is signed by the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, or treasurer, two together.

8. Financial Year and Auditing

The financial year of the association is the calendar year. The financial statements, along with all necessary documents and the board’s annual report, must be submitted to the auditors at least three weeks before the annual meeting. The auditors must submit their written report to the board at least two weeks before the annual meeting.

9. Meetings of the Association

The annual meeting of the association is held annually on a day determined by the board between January and April.

An extraordinary meeting is held when decided by a meeting of the association or when the board deems it necessary, or when at least one-tenth (1/10) of the association’s voting members request it in writing from the board for a specifically stated matter. The meeting must be held within 30 days of the request being presented to the board.

At the meetings of the association, each regular member, honorary chairperson, and honorary member has one vote. Supporting members have the right to attend and speak at meetings. A regular member attending the meeting may represent up to two other regular members of the association with a proxy. Unless otherwise stated in the rules, decisions at the meeting are made by a simple majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the chairperson’s vote decides the matter, except in elections, where the result is decided by drawing lots.

10. Notice of Meetings

The board must convene the meetings of the association by email or letter sent at least 14 days before the meeting.

11. The Annual Meeting

The following matters are handled at the annual meeting:

  • Opening of the meeting
  • Election of the chairperson, secretary, two reviewers of the minutes, and, if necessary, vote counters
  • Verification of the legality and quorum of the meeting
  • Approval of the agenda
  • Presentation of the financial statements, annual report, and auditors’ report
  • Decision on the approval of the financial statements and discharge of liability for the board and other accountable parties
  • Approval of the action plan, budget, and membership fees for the coming year
  • Election of the chairperson and members of the board
  • Election of one or two auditors and their deputies
  • Discussion of other matters mentioned in the notice of the meeting

12. Other Matters

If a member of the association wishes to have a matter discussed at the annual meeting, they must notify the board in writing in sufficient time for it to be included in the notice of the meeting.

13. Amendment of the Rules and Dissolution of the Association

A decision to amend the rules or dissolve the association must be made by a meeting of the association with a majority of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. The notice of the meeting must mention the amendment of the rules or the dissolution of the association.

In the event of dissolution, the assets of the association will be used to promote the association’s purpose as determined by the meeting that decides on the dissolution. In the event that the association is terminated, its assets will be used for the same purpose.

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