Laws
Constitution of The Organization of Disabled in Iceland
Name
Art. 1
The name of the federation is THE ORGANIZATION OF DISABLED IN ICELAND, the umbrella organization of the handicapped, abbreviated ODI (in Icelandic ÖBÍ). The domicile and venue of the Organization is in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Objective
Art. 2
The objective of the Organization is:
A. to appear on behalf of the handicapped vis-à-vis public authorities in every kind of matter such as concerning the law and its execution and in court cases that touch on the rights of the handicapped.
B. to operate an information and counselling centre for the handicapped. To support establishment of associations throughout the country and to strengthen their interrelations.
C. to collaborate with or participate in enterprises that support the welfare of the handicapped.
D. to see to collaboration and relations with like associations in other countries that work on the same basis and to utilize their experience to the advantage of the Organization.
E. to work on other shared interests of the handicapped.
Membership
Art. 3
The Organization can accept for membership associations which work on the same basis and have as their main objective working on the concerns of the handicapped. Each association within the Organization shall operate completely separately. A request for membership shall be sent to the Board of Directors of the Organization, which shall then present the request at the General Meeting for disposition. The constitutions of the associations with membership in the Organization shall clearly state their objective and who shall enjoy their rights. The associations shall send the Organization a report yearly, together with their audited accounts.
Annual General Meeting
Art. 4
A. The Annual General Meeting of the Organization shall have the final jurisdiction over matters concerning the Organization. Three representatives appointed by each member association shall have the right to sit at the Annual General Meeting, one of whom shall be appointed to the Main Board of The Organization of Disabled in Iceland. Appointment of representatives by the associations shall maintain gender equality.
B. Agenda of the Annual General Meeting: 1. Opening of the meeting 2. Election of the chairperson and secretary of the meeting 3. Acceptance of new member associations 4. Reports introduced or presented 5. Accounts 6. Elections 7. Changes in the Constitution 8. Recommendations of the Annual General Meeting 9. Other matters.
C. The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year in October and shall be called in writing with advance notice of at least five weeks. The place and time of meeting shall be announced in the call to meeting.
D. Proposals for changes to the Constitution, which are requested after discussion, shall be presented in writing and shall be in the hands of the Board of Directors three weeks before the meeting. Proposals that have been presented and the report of the Board shall be sent to the member associations at least fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting.
E. Before the work of the meeting begins the representatives shall present their voting certification from their associations for acceptance. A simple majority shall decide the outcome of the vote. Changes to the Constitution shall however require 2/3 of the votes cast in order to be accepted. Voting shall be by secret ballot, if requested.
F. The Board of Directors shall present a report of its work at the meeting and shall present the audited accounts.
G. A three-member election committee shall be chosen at the Annual General Meeting, which shall propose representatives for the executive board at the next annual general meeting of the Organization.
Additional meetings between Annual General Meetings
Art. 5
If the Main Board feels it necessary or five member associations so request, an additional meeting shall be called where all who had the right to sit at the last annual general meeting shall have the right to attend. The meeting shall be called with at least one week’s advance notice that shall specify the matter for discussion.
Main Board and Executive Board
Art. 6
A. Before the Annual General Meeting each member association shall appoint its representative to the Main Board and one alternate. If the representative of the association is elected to the Executive Board at the Annual General Meeting, he/she shall sit on the board until the end of the term of office. The Annual General Meeting shall elect, from the group of those comprising the Main Board, a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary and 3 board members and these shall constitute the Executive Board of the Organization. The term of office shall be for two years – though such that the chairperson and the treasurer shall be elected in alternate years, with 2 board members, and on the alternate years a vice-chairperson, secretary and 1 board member. In addition 3 alternates to the Executive Board shall be elected for one-year terms.
B. The Executive Board shall see to matters between Annual General Meetings and shall turn over major concerns to the Main Board. The Main Board may also refer matters to the Executive Board for handling.
C. The meetings of the Main Board shall be held at least four times a year. If the Executive Board considers it necessary, or 5 or more member associations so request, a meeting of the Main Board shall be held between their regular meetings and the meeting agenda shall then be specifically stated and the call to meeting given with at least three days’ notice.
Operation and management
Art. 7
The operation of the Organization shall be based on income from the Icelandic Lotto and support payments from the public authorities. The membership fees for the member associations may be decided at the Annual General Meeting; however, the fees shall not be higher than 1% of the total income of the associations.
Art. 8
A. The Main Board and the Executive Board shall see to the interests of the Organization and take care of its operation and management in accordance with this Constitution and resolutions agreed at the Annual General Meeting. Financial obligations shall be approved by the Main Board.
B. The Executive Board shall hire the Managing Director of the Organization and enter into a contract with him/her that shall be confirmed by the Main Board of the Organization. The Managing Director shall be responsible for the daily operation of the Organization, answering to the Main and Executive Boards.
C. The Managing Director shall hire other employees of the Organization and enter into an employment contract with each, which shall be confirmed by the Executive Board.
D. The employment contracts shall further specify the area of operations of the employees of the Organization.
Art. 9
The financial year shall be the calendar year.
The accounts shall be audited by a certified accountant together with two auditors from the association members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Organization.
The audited accounts shall be available not later than 1 June of each year.
Resignation from the Organization
Art. 10
The Annual General Meeting can terminate the membership in The Organization of Disabled in Iceland of a member association should that association not fulfil its obligations according to the Constitution and resolutions of ODI or work against the interests of the Organization. Such a termination shall require a 2/3 vote of those attending the meeting.
Other provisions
Art. 11
The Main Board of the Organization is hereby authorized to set further rules and regulations concerning the implementation of specific Articles in the Constitution and these shall be made known to the member associations.
Art. 12
The Organization of Disabled in Iceland shall only be disbanded should a resolution to this effect be presented which is agreed by the majority of the Main Board. Such a proposal shall be introduced with the call to the next Annual General Meeting. The proposal shall require the acceptance of 2/3 of the representatives at the Annual General Meeting. It shall also be possible to call a special extra meeting, cf. Art. 5. Should the Organization be disbanded its assets shall be used for the handicapped in Iceland in accordance with the decision at the last Annual General Meeting.
Accepted at the Annual General Meeting of ODI, 18 October 2006
Translated by Terry G. Lacy, Ph.D.
Department of English (Ret.)
University of Iceland
2 May 2007
