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 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, or has completed a professional qualification as a fishing guide 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 6–10 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 3 years. One-third of the members are up for election each year. The board will draw lots to determine which members will be up for election in 2026, 2027, and 2028. 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.

7. Signing for the Association

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

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 operational auditors at least three weeks before the annual meeting. The operational 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. The association’s meeting may be held as a remote or hybrid meeting.

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.

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

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.

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