About

Section 1 Name and domicile of the association

The name of the association is The Free Science Institute of Finland. The domicile of the association is the municipality of Pyhtää.

Section 2 Purpose and characteristics of activities

The purpose of the association is

1. to promote and support free and independent science, education, critical thinking and

research in Finland in all scientific fields by maintaining a research institute, organizing events and pursuing publishing activities

2. to collect, invest and use funds to promote free science and research and to distribute these funds to the institute’s researchers for the purpose of promoting free science

3. to promote and support research in the national languages of Finland ​​(Finnish and Swedish) in all fields

4. to promote and support high-level international research in Finland in all fields

To achieve its purpose, the association maintains a research institute (in one or more locations) that promotes scientific research. The institute has a research residence, self-funded research positions and research positions funded by the institute. Researchers working at the institute are selected primarily based on the scientific quality of their research plans.

Section 3 Members

The board of directors shall select the members of the association by application. Each applicant must be recommended by an existing member.

Section 4 Members’ obligations and membership fees

The amount of the joining fee and annual membership fee charged to members shall be decided by

the annual meeting.

Section 5 Resignation and expulsion of a member; other sanctions

A member may resign from the association by notifying the association’s board or its chairman in writing or by notifying the association’s meeting in the records. In such a case, membership shall cease at the end of the financial year during which the notice of resignation was made.

If a member acts in violation of the association’s rules, s/he/they may be given a warning or reprimand or may be expelled from the association.

The association’s board shall decide on the warning and reprimand to be given to a member and on the expulsion of a member from the association. Before a decision is made, the member shall be given an opportunity to provide an explanation regarding the matter, except when the reason for expulsion is non-payment of the membership fee.

Section 6 Board

The association’s Board consists of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and at least three and at most five other members.

The Board is elected in two stages. Nominations are made at the first meeting, and the Board is elected from the nominated candidates at the second meeting. The term of office of the board members is three years, with one third of the board members on rotation annually. The first time the Board is elected, the board members who are on rotation will be determined by drawing lots. After this, the resignation of members will be determined by rotation.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected for two years at a time. If the Chairman or Vice-Chairman resigns in the middle of the term, a new person will be elected for the remaining term. The same person may be elected as Chairman or Vice-Chairman for a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms.

The term of office of the Board is the period between annual meetings.

Section 7 Board meeting

The Board shall meet at the invitation of the Chairman or, in his/her/their absence, the Vice-Chairman.

The Board shall have a quorum when the Chairman or Vice-Chairman and at least half of the other elected members are present.

The Board’s decision shall be the opinion supported by more than half of the members present. In the event of a tie, the vote of the Chairman of the meeting shall be decisive.

Section 8 Duties of the Board

The Board shall supervise the interests of the association and its members and, for this purpose,

1. represent the association

2. decide on the admission of members

3. invite members to meetings of the association, prepare the matters to be discussed at them,

implement the decisions made by the meetings and appoint representatives of the association to external

tasks

4. may also assign an advisory board, which acts as an expert body

5. elect independent scientific experts who evaluate the research plans of researchers funded by the institute

6. decide on the salaries, scholarships or fees of the association’s employees and experts

7. ensure the proper organization of the association’s financial management, accounting, administration and operations,

8. issue statements on behalf of the association and present public statements on issues concerning free science

9. decide on the association’s financial commitments and on the sale, exchange and mortgage of assets

Section 9 Executive Director

The association may have an Executive Director, who is elected by the Board and whose tasks are defined by the Board.

Section 10 Signing on behalf of the association

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall have the right to sign on behalf of the association, both

together. The Board may authorize one or more persons to sign on behalf of the association together with another person.

Section 11 Financial period

The association’s financial period is 1 May–30 April.

Section 12 Annual meeting of the association

The annual meeting of the association shall be held annually in May or June on a date determined by the board. The annual meeting shall decide on the approval of the financial statements and on the granting of the discharge of liability to the board of directors and other responsible persons, the election of the Chairman and other board members, and the election of one or two auditors and a deputy auditor. If an auditing company has been chosen as the auditor, a deputy auditor does not need to be elected.

Section 13 Convening of meetings of the association

The board must convene meetings of the association at least seven days before the meeting by mailed letters or by email to the members.

Section 14 Use of funds upon dissolution of the association

The dissolution of the association shall be decided by the association meeting. Upon dissolution of the association, the association’s funds shall be used to further the purpose of the association in the manner determined by the association meeting that decides on the dissolution. Upon dissolution of the association, its funds shall be used for the purpose specified in the association’s rules. The decision on the use of funds shall be made by the association meeting.