Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s Articles of Association

§ 1 The organization’s name and structure

The organization’s name is Animal Protection Norway (DN). The name of the local branches shall be Animal Protection Norway (DN) ……………………… (place name/area). The organization’s name in English is Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals (NSPA).

The organization is structured as follows:

• The national convention
• The central board
• Executive Committee (EC)
• Local branches
• Contact persons

The national convention is the organization’s highest body. The central board is subordinate to the national convention and is the highest body between national conventions.

The local branches and contact persons are subordinate to the Central Board. The local branches and contact persons shall cooperate with the Central Board to promote the organization’s purpose.

The organization shall have a democratic structure at all levels.

Contact persons can be affiliated in places without an existing local association and where they possess special expertise. The Central Board of DN assesses this in each individual case. Contact persons do not have voting rights.

§ 2 Purpose

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s purpose is to promote and ensure animal rights and welfare.

Through information, influence and direct help to animals in need, the organization works to ensure that animals achieve respect and recognition as equivalent individuals with intrinsic value – regardless of their utility value to humans.

Animal Protection Norway works to ensure animals are granted the following fundamental rights, which secure them a life in accordance with their species-specific needs and provide them with the opportunity for a positive quality of life.

List of rights:

• Right to life, as long as this is in the animal’s own interest.
• Right to move freely and unfold in the environment that is natural for the species, in accordance with its species-specific needs. Animals that have been made dependent on humans have the right to have their altered, but species-specific needs met.
• Right not to be subjected to pain and suffering, either physical or mental, other than when this is done for the sake of the animal itself.
• Right to a legal status as living beings with a value in themselves, and not be defined as things or property.

This list is not exhaustive. Animal Protection Norway pursues its statutory objectives through a well-founded and professional approach and profile.

§ 3 Membership and fees

Animal Protection Norway is a nationwide organization with individual members who are organized into local branches. Anyone who wishes to support the work of Animal Protection Norway and its objectives may be admitted as a member. Persons deemed not to meet these requirements, or who have acted disloyally or to the clear detriment of the organization, may be denied membership. Membership is only valid once the fee has been paid.

The different memberships are as follows:

• Adult member: Persons who pay an annually determined amount, or a fixed minimum amount each month. The member will receive a membership magazine.
• Youth/student member (13-26 years): Persons who pay a reduced annual fee. The member will receive a membership magazine.
• Child member (0-12 years): Persons who pay a fixed amount per year. The member will receive a membership magazine.
• Supporting members: Legal entities, businesses, organizations, and institutions that do not fall under the other membership groups may, at their own request, be affiliated as supporting members and will then be members of Animal Protection Norway centrally. Supporting members do not have voting rights in the organization.
• Honorary Member: Persons who have made an extraordinary effort for animals or for the organization Animal Protection Norway. Honorary members are appointed by the national assembly upon recommendation from the central board. Honorary members receive membership magazines.

If a member does not renew their membership by paying the outstanding fee within the deadline set by the secretariat, they will be unsubscribed. The national convention determines the size of the membership fee for the national convention period.

The national convention determines further guidelines for supporting membership. The national convention determines the distribution key for fees between the organizational units.

The members are registered with the secretariat. The secretariat collects the fee from the members and distributes it between the organizational units according to the distribution key determined by the national convention. The fee share to the local branches is paid out every month.

§ 4 Tasks and areas of work for the organizational units

All organizational units within Animal Protection Norway share the same purpose, cf. § 2. Principle programs, strategy, and activity plans are used to work collectively, purposefully, and effectively in selected areas of focus.

§ 4-1 Organizational forms

The organizational units must comply with Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s Articles of Association, as well as decisions and guidelines given by superior bodies, but can and should use varied working and organizational forms to engage the members in active participation in the organization’s work. The organizational units are obliged to implement annual meeting and national convention decisions.

§ 4-2 The central board and the secretariat’s work

The central board and the secretariat are responsible for the national interest policy work. The secretariat shall assist the local branches in their work, as well as contribute with service offers to the members. The central board shall, together with the secretariat, assist the local branches in their work. The central board can provide practical and financial assistance when needed. The local branches can, among other things, apply to the central board for financial funds.

§ 4-3 The local branch’s work

The local branches shall, in cooperation with the secretariat and the central board, work to promote Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s purpose. The local branches shall, among other things, work practically to help animals in need, and then especially homeless animals. The local branch shall cooperate with the secretariat to participate in the interest policy activities. In addition to practical work with homeless animals and interest policy tasks, the local branches shall work to recruit new members.

The local branch shall, as far as possible, inform its members about its work via website, Facebook page, media, mailings, etc., as this is considered important in animal welfare work in the short and long term.

§ 5 Annual meetings in the local branches

§ 5-1 Annual meeting period, announcement, invitation and notification of cases to the annual meeting

The annual meeting is the local branch’s highest authority. The local branch shall hold an annual meeting before the national convention, once a year and no later than the end of March. The local branch’s board determines the time and place for the annual meeting.

The local branch shall notify the members and Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s central board in writing at least three -3- weeks before the annual meeting, either by post or e-mail. Cases that the members want to be processed at the annual meeting must be brought to the board no later than 14 days before the annual meeting. The local branch announces a final invitation with an agenda for all members and Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s central board at least 1 week before the annual meeting. This can happen either by sending it to the members by post, e-mail or by posting the agenda and case papers on the local branch’s website. The first notification shall state which solution is chosen.

§ 5-2 Voting rights and delegates at the annual meeting

Only members have access to the annual general meeting. Exceptions are invited speakers and any observers. All individual members of Animal Protection Norway who have reached 15 years of age, and who have paid their membership fee for both the preceding year and the current year, no later than 2 weeks before the annual general meeting, have voting rights at the annual general meeting.

At the annual meeting, no votes can be cast according to proxy and the eligible voters must attend in person.

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s central board or its representatives have the right but not the obligation to attend any annual meeting in the local branches.

§ 5-3 The annual meeting’s negotiations

• The annual meeting shall approve the invitation and agenda. The annual meeting has a quorum when lawfully convened.
• The annual meeting elects a chairperson, secretary and counting committee, and members who shall sign the minutes. The board can make suggestions.
• The annual meeting deals with cases that are related to the operation of the local branch and other matters of principle. The board assesses whether incoming proposals are suitable as annual meeting cases.
• The annual meeting only deals with the cases that are expressly mentioned in the invitation.
• Annual meeting decisions are decided by a simple majority, i.e. with more than half of the votes cast, unless the Articles of Association state otherwise.
• If the board finds it necessary, the board can also submit cases for consideration outside the set agenda, this only if the case has been updated after the agenda has been sent out and when no more than 1/3 of those entitled to vote at the annual meeting object to this.
• Excepted from this are cases that are of significant importance for all members of the organizational unit, such as dissolution of the organizational unit.
• If the annual meeting is stopped due to formal errors and a new, extraordinary annual meeting is to be held, the sitting board functions until the extraordinary annual meeting is held.

§ 5-4 The annual meeting’s ordinary cases:

Ordinary annual meetings shall deal with:

• Annual report(s) for the annual meeting period
• Audited accounts(s)
• Budget
• Incoming cases
• Action plan
• Election of trustees
  • The annual meeting elects a leader, board and deputy members
  • The annual meeting elects an election committee consisting of 3 members who shall prepare the elections for the next annual meeting.
  • The annual meeting elects an auditor

§ 5-5 Trustees

All elected representatives must be members of Animal Protection Norway and affiliated with a local branch, as well as meet the criteria for voting rights at the annual general meetings. Elected representatives must be aware of and remain loyal to the organization’s statutes, ethical platform, and ethical guidelines. Persons who are not members of Animal Protection Norway may stand for election on the condition that they immediately, and no later than 1 – one – week after the election, join the organization. Persons nominated by the election committee, but who are not members of the organization at that time, are granted access to the branch’s annual general meeting. All personal elections shall be conducted in writing if there is more than one candidate or if any of the voting delegates demand it. Candidates must be personally present during the election, or confirm their candidacy in writing. Any attendee may propose alternative candidates to the election committee’s nomination. All elections are decided by a simple majority.

Candidates standing for election must inform the election committee in advance and the national assembly at the time of election if they hold positions of trust in other organizations that may be relevant to the position in Animal Protection Norway. All elected representatives must have completed step 1 of the Animal Protection Norway training program. Persons who have not completed step 1 before the election must do so within four weeks after the election.

Ballot papers with names that have not been proposed before voting takes place shall be rejected. In the event of a tie in the election of trustees, a re-election is carried out among those who have the same number of votes. If there is still a tie, a draw is made.

§ 5-6 Election committee

The election committee shall submit its recommendation to the annual meeting, which shall include proposals for new members and deputy members to the local board. In its work with the recommendation, the election committee shall, as far as possible, contact all of the board’s members and ask for input to the recommendation. The local board submits a proposal for a new election committee. The election committee’s members are elected for one year. The election committee shall constitute itself and elect its leader immediately after the annual meeting is completed. The election committee has a quorum when the leader and at least half of the members are present.

§ 5-7 Extraordinary annual meeting

An extraordinary annual meeting in a local branch can be convened with 14 days’ notice after a decision in the local branch’s board, after a decision in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s central board or when more than 1/3 of the members in the local branches require it.

At an extraordinary annual meeting, only the cases that are expressly mentioned in the invitation are dealt with.

For meeting and voting rights, as well as eligibility, the same rules apply as for ordinary annual meetings.

§ 6 The board in the local branches

The local branch’s board is the highest authority between the annual meetings and is responsible to the annual meeting. All board members undertake to follow Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s Articles of Association, applicable guidelines and decisions made by superior bodies and work in consultation with Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s ethical platform as far as practically possible.

The board is elected at the annual meeting and consists of a leader and, 4-6 board members and 2-4 deputy members.

The Central Board can be applied to for dispensation from the board’s composition. The board’s leader sits for one year at a time. The board members sit for two years at a time, but half of the board members shall be up for election at each annual meeting. Deputy members are elected for one year. The board elects internally a deputy leader, treasurer and secretary.

The board leads the local branch’s work according to § 4-3 and decisions made by superior bodies. The board shall keep minutes from its meetings, adopt a budget and hold the local branch’s right of signature, see § 12.

The board prepares cases for the annual meeting. It presents an annual report, audited annual accounts and budget for the annual meeting. cf. § 8 on annual report and accounts.

The board shall work to establish informal groups, build networks and engage individual members in cases that the board is working on.

The board is convened as often as the leader or at least half of the board’s members find it necessary. The board has a quorum when all members have received an invitation and at least half of its members or deputy members meet, as well as the leader or deputy leader. In the event of absence, deputy members move up in the order they are elected. Decisions require a simple majority unless otherwise stipulated in the Articles of Association. In the event of a tie, the leader, or the deputy leader in his place, has a double vote. At the board meeting, no votes can be cast according to proxy.

The board can grant board members reasonable remuneration after effort beyond what can be expected and if the department’s finances allow it.

§ 7 The central board

The central board is Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s highest executive authority between the national conventions. Where the Articles of Association are silent or there is doubt about the interpretation, the central board has the task of providing a legal clarification, if the central board considers it necessary. The central board consists of a leader and 6 board members, as well as 3 deputy members, all of whom are elected at the national convention. The board elects internally a deputy leader.

The leader should preferably have experience from running a local board. Experience from other types of animal welfare work and/or organizational work is relevant. Half of the board should have experience from the organization previously.

The central board shall work in accordance with Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s purpose and principles and safeguard the organization’s interests. The central board shall deal with annual reports and accounts, budgets, strategies, annual business plans, as well as other major matters of principle. The central board shall further deal with cases submitted by the local branches and implement national convention decisions.

The organization should strive to get central board members with professional competence in various areas that can benefit the organization.

§ 7-2 National convention

The central board shall arrange and prepare the national convention. The central board shall present an action plan, budget, cases submitted by the local branches, other major matters of principle, as well as an annual report and audited accounts for the national convention. The central board submits a proposal for a new election committee for the national convention.

§ 7-3 Meeting of trustees

The central board can arrange trustee meetings in connection with the national convention, or in other relevant contexts. Representatives from all local branches, as well as any contact persons, shall then be invited.

§ 7-4 The central board’s meetings

The chairman leads the central board’s meetings and work. Meetings are held as often as necessary due to the amount of cases and when the chairman or at least half of the central board’s members find it necessary. The central board has a quorum when all members have received an invitation and at least half of the central board’s members are present, including the chairman or deputy chairman. Decisions require a simple majority unless otherwise stipulated in the Articles of Association. In the event of absence, the deputy members move up in the order they are elected. In the event of a tie, the chairman, or the deputy chairman in his place, has a double vote. At the board meeting, no votes can be cast according to proxy.

The central board may grant board members reasonable remuneration based on their efforts.

The central board also serves as the board for the Animal Protection Norway Foundation.

The central board may appoint an executive committee (AU) consisting of 3 people, including the chair and deputy chair. The chair of the board leads the executive committee’s meetings and work. The executive committee shall prepare matters for the central board and, if necessary, make decisions in matters that the central board has authorized it to do.

The central board may appoint special committees. These remain in place during the board term unless otherwise decided.

The central board shall maintain a secretariat, preferably located in Oslo. The board is responsible for the secretariat’s function and instructions.

The head of the secretariat is the secretary of the central board. The head of the secretariat has the right to speak and make proposals in the central board. The head of the secretariat keeps minutes of the central board’s meetings.

§ 7-5 Requirements for seniority for central board members and the central board chair

Persons standing for election as central board chair must have a minimum of 2 years of seniority from board positions in a local branch or in the central board. Persons standing for election as central board member must have a minimum of 1 year of seniority from board positions in a local branch.

Up to two seats on the central board may be used for external persons who possess experience, background, or competence that will benefit DN.

§ 8 Annual report and accounts

All organizational units shall submit an annual report and present accounts and other information about their activities.

The annual report and accounts shall follow the calendar year. The local branches are obliged to send a signed annual meeting protocol with approved annual report, accounts, and budget to the central board c/o the secretariat no later than two -2- weeks after the annual meeting is held. The central board may, without further justification, demand a copy of all vouchers and sub-vouchers for the accounting period.

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s and the local branches’ accounts shall be kept in accordance with the provisions of the Accounting Act with regulations and good accounting practice in Norway. The annual accounts shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting Act’s rules and good accounting practice in Norway.

The central board shall present Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s annual report and accounts to the national meeting. The local associations have the right to access Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s accounts.

§ 9 Establishment of local branches and contact persons

Applications to establish a local branch or become a contact person affiliated with Animal Protection Norway are sent to the central board. Local branches wishing to be admitted to Animal Protection Norway are closely monitored by the central administration from application to admission. They must demonstrate a willingness to comply with the statutes and ethical platform of Animal Protection Norway. The establishment of new local branches is approved by the national assembly. To be admitted as a new local branch, an application must be submitted at least three months before the national assembly.

§ 9-1 Interim board

After admission, the local branch arranges a founding meeting. At the founding meeting, the local branch elects an interim board. This interim board will remain in office until the next annual meeting, where the annual meeting elects a new board. Then, half of the board members shall be elected for 2 years, and the rest shall be elected for 1 year.

§ 10 National Meeting

§ 10-1 Authority and convocation

The national meeting is the organization’s highest authority. It makes decisions in all organizational matters that have not been assigned to the organization’s other bodies with final decision-making authority. The national meeting’s decisions are final.

Ordinary national meetings are held every year, by the end of May. The central board determines the time and place for the meeting and informs the local branches of the time at least three months in advance.

The convocation and agenda papers for the national meeting are sent out by the central board no later than three weeks before the national meeting is held.

§ 10-2 National Meeting Negotiations

At national meetings, normally only those matters that are expressly mentioned in the convocation are discussed. However, the central board has the right, when circumstances make it necessary and the matter has been updated after the agenda has been sent out, to raise special matters that are not mentioned in the convocation, unless at least 2/3 of those entitled to vote object to this. The matter shall be ready for the delegates the evening before the national meeting opens and the matter is not discussed until the last day of the national meeting, so that the delegates have the opportunity to consider the matter.

Matters that the local branches wish to be discussed at the national meeting must be reported to the central board within six -6- weeks before the national meeting is held.

Ordinary national meetings shall address:

• Annual reports for the national meeting period
• Audited accounts
• Budget
• Incoming proposals
• Action plan for prioritized areas of effort in the national meeting period
• Elections

§ 10-3 Elections

The national meeting elects a chair for the meeting. The central board may propose a candidate for chair of the meeting. The central board appoints in advance two secretaries to keep minutes of the national meeting’s negotiations.

The national meeting elects a chair, six board members and three deputy members and an election committee of three members and one deputy member. The national meeting also elects an auditor. The chair is elected separately with a term of office of one year. Permanent board members are elected together for two years. Half of the permanent board members are up for election each year and are elected together. Three deputy members are elected together. Deputy members are elected for one year.

All personal elections are held in writing if there is more than one candidate or if any of the delegates entitled to vote require it. Those entitled to vote must attend in person. Ballot papers containing a different number of names than the number of members to be elected shall be rejected. Ballot papers with names that have not been proposed before voting takes place shall be rejected.

All candidates standing for election as elected representatives must be over 15 years of age and attend in person, or confirm their candidacy in writing. Elected representatives must be aware of and remain loyal to the organization’s statutes, ethical platform, and ethical guidelines. Candidates standing for election must inform the election committee in advance and the national assembly at the time of election if they hold positions of trust in other organizations that may be relevant to the position in Animal Protection Norway.

All elections are decided by a simple majority. In the event of a tie in the election of trustees, a re-election is held among those who have the same number of votes. If there is still a tie, a draw is made

§ 10-4 Election Committee

The election committee shall submit its recommendation to the national meeting, which shall include proposals for new members and deputy members to the central board. Before submitting its recommendation, the election committee shall contact the local branches, as well as the central board and the general manager, and ask for proposals for members and deputy members to the central board.

The central board submits a proposal for a new election committee. The election committee’s members are elected for one year. The election committee shall constitute itself and elect its chair immediately after the national meeting is concluded. The election committee has a quorum when the chair and at least half of the members are present.

§ 10-5 Right to vote and eligibility

All individual members of Animal Protection Norway who are elected representatives by a local branch’s annual general meeting may be chosen as delegates for the branch to the national assembly.

The distribution of votes to the national meeting shall take place in accordance with the number of members without outstanding dues per 31. December of the previous year. Each member can only be counted once. All members, regardless of membership, count equally.

The number of votes is calculated as follows:

Number of members Number of votes at the National Meeting

0-100 1 vote

101-200 2 votes

201-300 3 votes

301-1000 4 votes

Over 1000 members 5 votes

The local branch must, by written authorization, within a deadline given by the central board, give notice of who disposes of the local branch’s votes at the national meeting. Those entitled to vote shall sit as a board or deputy member in the local branch. A local branch cannot transfer its votes to another local branch.

New local branches that are approved at the national meeting immediately receive the right to vote, on the condition that the branch has been a temporary member for a minimum of three -3- months prior to the national meeting.

Eligible as elected representatives are those who meet the voting requirements and who cannot influence their own employment situation within Animal Protection Norway through their board position. The requirement not to be able to influence one’s own employment situation applies equally to both central positions and positions in local branches. Elected representatives who are not of legal age cannot hold positions with signing or signature authority. Persons who are not members of Animal Protection Norway may stand for election on the condition that they immediately, and no later than 1 – one – week after the election, join the association. No elected representatives may be employed by the organization. No more than two representatives from a local branch shall be elected to the central board of Animal Protection Norway.

In the event of suspension, exclusion, resignation or outstanding dues, the person in question immediately resigns from their elected position of trust.

Delegates entitled to vote have the right to speak. In addition to the local branches’ delegates entitled to vote, the central board’s members, as well as the head of the secretariat, attend with the right to speak and make proposals. In addition, the secretariat’s employees can attend with the right to speak.

Contact persons and the secretariat’s employees do not have the right to vote.

The national meeting has a quorum even if not all delegates have attended

§ 10-6 Extraordinary national meeting formerly § 13

An extraordinary national meeting shall be convened with one month’s notice when one or more of the following circumstances occur:

• The central board adopts an extraordinary national meeting with a qualified majority.
• 1/3 of the total number of local branches require an extraordinary national meeting, after a decision made by the local branches’ boards.
• A local branch or local branches with a membership base that together constitutes more than 1/3 of the total membership base require an extraordinary national meeting, after a decision made by the local branch’s board.

An extraordinary national meeting shall only deal with matters that appear in the convocation.

For the right to attend and vote, as well as eligibility, the same rules apply as for ordinary national meetings.

§ 11 The Secretariat.

The organization’s administrative and business work is carried out by the secretariat, which shall preferably have its office in Oslo. The secretariat’s work is led by the head of the secretariat according to guidelines drawn up by the central board. The secretariat’s employees are employed by the central board, which determines salary and other working conditions. The secretariat, in cooperation with the central board, is responsible for the national interest policy work. The secretariat shall assist the local branches in their work, as well as contribute with service offers to the members.

§ 12 Right of signature and power of attorney

§ 12-1 Signature and power of attorney

The central board holds the organization’s right of signature.

The signature includes, among other things, the right to sign agreements, promissory notes, mortgage bonds, deeds, purchase and sale of real estate, lease contracts, etc. on behalf of Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge.

The central board may delegate the right of signature in financial matters to the following persons jointly:

• Chair and head of the secretariat.

The head of the secretariat is granted a power of attorney. The central board may set a limit on the amount for the power of attorney.

The local branch’s board holds the local branch’s right of signature.

§ 13 Sanctions

§ 13-1 Suspension or exclusion of individuals

Suspension
In the event of suspicion of a serious breach of Norwegian law, the organization’s articles of association, ethical guidelines, or decisions determined by superior bodies, a volunteer may be suspended with immediate effect. The same applies if one acts disloyally and is to obvious detriment to the organization’s operation or working environment.

Suspension shall be understood in the same way as under aml § 15-13 – suspension 3

Exclusion
In the event of demonstrable, and serious, breach of Norwegian law, the organization’s articles of association, ethical guidelines or decisions determined by superior bodies, a member may be excluded with immediate effect. The same applies if one acts disloyally and is to obvious detriment to the organization’s operation or working environment.

Exclusion shall be understood in the same way as under aml § 15-14 – dismissal

The decision on suspension and exclusion of a member is made by the local branch’s board or Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s central board. The decision shall be communicated in writing.

Before communication about suspension or exclusion is made to the person concerned, a complete local board shall present a description of the case investigation and protocol with a decision to the central board. The decision shall be signed by all board members.
Decisions on suspension or exclusion can be appealed to both local and central levels. For decisions on suspension, an appeal will not automatically lift the suspension decision.

An excluded member may apply to have their membership reinstated if the basis for exclusion is no longer present. This can take place at the earliest after 3 years.

§ 13-2 Suspension of the local branch’s board

In the event of suspicion of a serious breach of Norwegian law, the organization’s articles of association, ethical guidelines, or decisions determined by superior bodies, a local board may be suspended with immediate effect. The same applies if the local board acts disloyally and is to obvious detriment to the organization’s operation or working environment.

The central board shall announce a new election to the board and send a convocation to an extraordinary annual meeting to the local branch’s members. This convocation shall be sent out within two weeks after a decision on suspension of a local board.

At the extraordinary annual meeting, a new local board is elected.
Upon a decision on suspension of a local board, the local board’s authorities, rights, and right of representation cease with immediate effect. The central board is appointed as an interim board for the local branch from the decision on suspension until an extraordinary annual meeting is carried out. Motions of no confidence against the central board and its members are put forward by local branches and decided by the national meeting/extraordinary national meeting.

§ 13-3 Compulsory dissolution

If the newly elected board, cf. § 13-2, also does not comply with Norwegian law, the organization’s articles of association, ethical guidelines, or decisions determined by superior bodies, or acts disloyally and is to obvious detriment to the organization or the working environment, the central board may decide on a temporary takeover of the local branch. The central board will then enter as an interim board and gradually wind down the local branch’s ordinary operations. Compulsory dissolution of a local branch shall be finally decided by the national meeting.

§ 14 Dissolution

§ 14-1 Dissolution of Animal Protection Norway

The decision to dissolve Animal Protection Norway can only be made with a 2/3 majority at two consecutive ordinary national assemblies. The affiliated branches must be notified of the proposal at least one month before the first national assembly deliberation. Before the question of dissolution is presented to the national assembly, the annual general meetings of the local branches must be given the opportunity to comment on the matter.

The vote shall be in writing. The national meeting elects a liquidation board.

Upon dissolution, the national meeting decides with a qualified majority how Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s funds shall be disposed of. This also applies to the Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge foundation’s funds. The funds shall be used in accordance with Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s purpose and ethical principles.

§ 14- 2 Dissolution of Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s local branches

Dissolution of a local branch can only take place after a decision in the local branch’s annual meeting. The vote shall be in writing and the decision shall have a 2/3 majority. The matter shall be expressly mentioned in the convocation to the annual meeting. Dissolution requires prior consent from Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s central board.

Upon dissolution of a local branch, or forced dissolution cf. § 13-3, the local branch’s name, funds, assets, and rights shall immediately accrue to Animal Protection Norway and be transferred to the central board, which will manage the funds for the benefit of the target group until a new local branch is potentially formed.

Remaining members of the local branch will remain individual members of Animal Protection Norway until a new local branch is formed. Members may temporarily be affiliated with the nearest local branch until a new local branch is established in the area.

Local branches responsible for animals, either through Animal Protection Norway’s animal shelters or other boarding facilities, are responsible for the safe rehoming of the animals located at the animal shelters. The local branch may seek assistance from Animal Protection Norway for this work.

§14-3 Withdrawal of Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s local branches

Local branches cannot withdraw from Animal Protection Norway. A decision to withdraw is considered a decision to dissolve if it has occurred in the forms required for a valid decision to dissolve. If the local branch’s board finds itself unable to operate within the framework of Animal Protection Norway, the board must resign.

§ 15 Articles of association and amendments to articles of association

All levels of the organization shall follow Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s articles of association and adhere to the ethical platform. The local branch shall regulate its activities through Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s articles of association and Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s articles of association for local branches.

Supplementary guidelines may also be developed within the framework of the articles of association for the organization’s various levels.

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s articles of association can only be amended by the national assembly with a 2/3 majority. Proposals for amendments to the articles of association can only be submitted by the central board and the boards of local branches. Proposals for amendments to the articles of association that are not part of the agenda or are not a consequence thereof cannot be submitted at the national assembly.