Association Statute

Association Statute PL - .pdf

Statute of the Association of Relational Trauma Therapists

Chapter I. General Provisions

§ 1

The Association of Relational Trauma Therapists, hereinafter referred to as the Association, operates based on the Law on Associations and the provisions of this statute.

§ 2

The seat of the Association is the city of Wrocław.

§ 3

  1. The area of operation of the Association is the territory of the Republic of Poland.
  2. To achieve its statutory objectives, the Association may conduct activities outside the country’s borders in other states, respecting their laws.

§ 4

The Association has legal personality and is established for an indefinite period.

§ 5

The Association cooperates with national, foreign, and international non-governmental organizations and other institutions. It may be a member of these organizations on the basis of full autonomy.

§ 6

The Association bases its activities on the social work of its members. To conduct its activities, it may employ staff and establish offices.

Chapter II. Objectives and Methods of Implementation

§ 7

The objectives of the Association are:

  1. To unite specialists from various fields of psychotherapy specifically interested in the topic of complex trauma (C-PTSD) and relational trauma.
  2. To support practitioners—psychologists and psychotherapists working with adults, youth, or children—in developing competencies to effectively assist clients in the healing process.

§ 8

The Association achieves its objectives through:

  1. Professional development, education, and exchange of experiences among specialists.
  2. Organizing training, workshops, and supervision conducted by recognized experts in the field of complex and relational trauma, as well as conferences that provide opportunities for knowledge and experience exchange and establishing cooperation among specialists.
  3. Activities aimed at raising public awareness about complex and relational trauma.

Chapter III. Members of the Association

§ 9

  1. Members of the Association can be natural and legal persons. A legal person can only be a supporting member of the Association.
  2. The Association has the following members:
    a. regular,
    b. supporting,
    c. honorary.

§ 10

A regular member of the Association can be any natural person who submits a written declaration and a recommendation from three members of the Association, including a board member. The Board admits new members by resolution no later than two months from the date of submission of the declaration.

§ 11

A supporting member of the Association can be a natural or legal person who declares in writing financial, material, or substantive assistance in achieving the Association’s objectives. Supporting membership is granted based on a Board resolution adopted no later than two months from the date of submission of the written declaration.

§ 12

An honorary member of the Association can be a natural person who has made an outstanding contribution to the activities of the Association or the development of the field the Association deals with. Honorary membership is granted upon the adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly at the request of the Board or at least five members of the Association.

§ 13

Regular members have the right to:

  • actively and passively participate in elections to the Association’s authorities,
  • use the achievements and all forms of the Association’s activities,
  • participate in meetings, lectures, and events organized by the Association,
  • submit motions regarding the Association’s activities.

§ 14

Regular members are obliged to:

  • participate in the Association’s activities and in achieving its objectives,
  • attend general assemblies of members,
  • comply with the statute and resolutions of the Association’s authorities,
  • regularly pay membership fees.

§ 15

  1. Supporting and honorary members do not have active or passive voting rights but may participate with an advisory vote in the statutory authorities of the Association.
  2. Supporting members are obliged to fulfill declared contributions, including regular payment of dues, and to comply with the statute and resolutions of the Association’s authorities.
  3. Honorary members are obliged to comply with the statute and resolutions of the Association’s authorities. They are exempt from membership fees.
  4. Supporting and honorary members do not have the right to access the Association’s financial documents, including financial statements, unless the Board decides otherwise.

§ 16

  1. Membership in the Association ceases as a result of:
    • voluntary written resignation from membership submitted to the Board,
    • death of a member or loss of legal personality by a supporting member,
    • loss of civil rights by a final court judgment,
    • exclusion by the Board:
      • due to unjustified arrears in paying membership fees for six months,
      • due to gross violation of statutory principles, non-compliance with the provisions and resolutions of the Association’s authorities,
      • due to lack of active participation in the Association’s activities for six months.
  2. An appeal against the Board’s resolution on deprivation of membership in the Association may be lodged with the General Assembly of Members within 14 days from the date of delivery of the relevant resolution. The appeal is considered at the next General Assembly of Members. The resolution of the General Assembly is final.

Chapter IV. Authorities of the Association

§ 17

The authorities of the Association are:

a. General Assembly of Members,
b. Board,
c. Audit Committee.

§ 18

  1. The authorities of the Association are elected by the General Assembly of Members in an open vote by a simple majority. The General Assembly may decide to hold a secret ballot.
  2. If the composition of the Association’s authorities is reduced during a term, the remaining members of the respective body may co-opt replacements. No more than half of the body may be appointed in this manner.

§ 19

All resolutions of the Association’s authorities are passed by an open vote with a simple majority, with at least half of voting members present at the first call, or regardless of the number of attendees at the second call, unless otherwise specified in the Statute.

§ 20

The term of all elected authorities of the Association is three years.

General Assembly of Members

§ 21

  1. The General Assembly of Members is the highest authority of the Association.
  2. General Assemblies may be ordinary or extraordinary.
  3. Ordinary General Assemblies are convened by the Board once a year (as reporting assemblies) and every three years (as reporting and electoral assemblies). Members must be informed of the date, location, and proposed agenda at least 14 days in advance. If quorum is not met, a second meeting must be convened within one month, regardless of the number of attendees.
  4. Extraordinary General Assemblies may be convened by the Board:
    • on its own initiative,
    • at the request of the Audit Committee,
    • upon written request of at least one-third of all ordinary members.
  5. In case of Board inaction, the Audit Committee may also convene an Extraordinary General Assembly.
  6. An Extraordinary Assembly must be convened within 21 days of receiving the request and may only address matters for which it was called.
  7. The General Assembly may be held remotely using electronic communication tools allowing real-time communication and voting.
  8. In the case of remote meetings, participants use a designated online platform; technical details must be provided to members at least 7 days before the meeting.
  9. Remote meetings are equivalent to in-person meetings, provided mechanisms for voting and verifying attendance are ensured.

§ 22

The competences of the General Assembly include:

  • determining the main directions of the Association’s activity and development,
  • adopting amendments to the Statute,
  • electing and dismissing all authorities of the Association,
  • granting discharge to the Board upon request of the Audit Committee,
  • reviewing and approving financial and substantive reports and reports from the Association’s authorities,
  • reviewing appeals against resolutions of the Board,
  • passing resolutions on dissolving the Association and distributing its assets,
  • passing resolutions to grant honorary membership.

Board

§ 23

  1. The Board manages the overall activities of the Association in accordance with General Assembly resolutions and represents the Association externally.
  2. The Board consists of 2 members, including the President, elected at the Board’s first meeting.
  3. Board members may receive remuneration for their duties.
  4. Board meetings are held as needed, but at least once per quarter, and are convened by the President.

§ 24

The responsibilities of the Board include:

  • managing the Association’s day-to-day operations,
  • implementing General Assembly resolutions,
  • managing the Association’s assets,
  • planning and overseeing the financial management,
  • representing the Association externally and acting on its behalf,
  • admitting and expelling members,
  • convening the General Assembly,
  • setting the amount of membership fees.

Audit Committee

§ 25

  1. The Audit Committee is established to supervise the activities of the Association.
  2. It consists of 2 members, including the Chairperson elected during the first meeting of the Committee.
  3. Committee meetings are held as needed, but at least once per year. Meetings are convened by the Chairperson.

§ 26

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:

  • auditing the overall operations of the Association,
  • evaluating the Board’s work, including annual reports and balance sheets,
  • presenting reports at the General Assembly along with an evaluation of the Association’s and Board’s activities,
  • submitting motions to the General Assembly regarding discharge of the Board,
  • submitting motions for dismissal of the entire Board or any inactive Board member,
  • submitting motions to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly,
  • convening the General Assembly in the event the Board fails to do so within the designated timeframe.

Chapter V. Property and Financial Management

§ 27

  1. The Association’s sources of funding include:
    • membership fees,
    • donations, bequests, inheritances, and public fundraising,
    • grants, subsidies, shares, deposits,
    • income from the Association’s assets and own activities.

Economic Activity of the Association

§ 28

  1. The Association may conduct business activities that support the fulfillment of its statutory goals.
  2. The Association’s business activities include:
    • 85.59.B – Non-formal education courses and training for acquiring knowledge, skills, and professional qualifications.
    • 82.30.Z – Activities related to the organization of trade fairs, exhibitions, and congresses.
  3. The Association’s business activities are subject to legal regulations, particularly in terms of accounting and financial reporting for non-governmental organizations.
  4. Decisions regarding the acquisition, disposal, or encumbrance of the Association’s assets are made by the Board.
  5. The Association’s fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31.

Method of Representation

§ 29

Each Board member is individually authorized to make declarations of will on behalf of the Association, including financial matters, or persons holding written authorization from all Board members.

Chapter VI. Final Provisions

§ 30

Amendments to the Statute are made by resolution of the General Assembly by a simple majority, with at least half of eligible members present.

§ 31

  1. A resolution to dissolve the Association must be adopted by the General Assembly by a simple majority, with at least half of eligible members present.
  2. When deciding to dissolve the Association, the General Assembly shall appoint a liquidator and determine how the Association’s assets are to be allocated.