Statues

1. OBJECTIVE:

The Nordic Alcohol- and Drug Policy Network (NordAN) gathers groups/organisations who work to promote restrictive alcohol and drug policies in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The goals and tasks of the organisation are described in an action programme. Policy statements are adopted when appropriate.

2. STRUCTURE:

2.1 Membership
a) Membership in NordAN can be granted to Nordic and Baltic national organisations, who work to prevent and reduce the use of alcohol and/or drugs and the negative effects of such use. Membership can also be granted to local and regional organisations in cases where no national organisation is a member of NordAN. When a national organisation applies for membership in NordAN, the membership of its local or regional bodies will be transferred into associated membership of NordAN at the next assembly of representatives.

b) Membership is available to organisations which build their activities on voluntary work. Associated membership can also be granted to other bodies than described above, if suggested by the Board and approved by the assembly.

c) Membership or associated membership can not be granted to organisations which accept financial support from the commercial alcohol industry or from other private actors who profit from alcohol sales.
d) Applications for membership are decided on by the board. The decisions by the board are to be confirmed by the next meeting of the assembly.

2.2 Assembly of representatives
a) The assembly of representatives is the highest decision-making body of the network.

b) The assembly meets annually during the political conference of NordAN.

c) The assembly is composed of one person from each of the member organisations.

d) In voting each member organisation has one vote. Associated member organisations are not entitled to vote.

e) The representative assembly can dissolve the network. To dissolve the network there is needed a ¾ majority of the number of votes at the assembly.

f) Matters to be decided by the assembly shall be submitted to the board at least two months before the meeting. They shall be sent to the members of the assembly at least one month before the meeting.

g) The working languages at conferences and at the assembly are English and Scandinavian.

2.3 The board
a) The board consists of the president of NordAN and one representative from each member country (Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Island, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden)

b) The president is elected by the NordAN assembly of representatives.
Each national representative is elected by the members of the assembly coming     from that country.

c) The board is responsible for the daily management of the network.
     The board appoints the secretary and decides on the terms of employment.

d) Decisions are made in consensus. If consensus cannot be reached the matter is referred to the assembly.

e) The board can decide on procuration.

f) The working language is English or Scandinavian

2.4 Secretariat
a)  The secretary is subordinate to the Board.

b)  The secretariat is located in Copenhagen.

c)  The secretary shall each year organise a Nordic conference on alcohol and drug  policy.

d)  The secretariat can accept trainees.

3. FINANCING:

3.1 Management costs
The work of the secretariat is financed through the interest from the basic capital, extra contributions, gifts and income from services. The members of NordAN pay an annual due. The due is decided by the annual meeting of the assembly. Besides the compulsory due, the members are encouraged to give voluntary contributions.

3.2 Basic capital
The basic capital comprises of loans from IIAP and some member organisations. Only the interest of the basic capital can be used. If an organisation wishes to leave the network, the loan can be repaid at one years notice in writing.

3.3 Dissolving the network
If the network is dissolved:
a) The accumulated loan capital will be returned to the lenders in shares equal to the original contribution percentage.

b) The IIAP share of the accumulated basic capital shall be used for research projects in accordance with the statutes of IIAP.

c) If the capital in paragraph 3.4.a cannot be returned to any of the member organisations, the funds will be distributed to activities in the respective
countries coherent with the objectives of NordAN and in shares according to 3.4.a.

3.4 Distsribution of costs
The costs for the president and the secretary are covered by NordAN. The costs for the national board members are covered by the member organisations from each country. The costs for taking part in the assembly of representatives are covered by each member organisation. If needed, the board can decide on subsidies for board members and assembly representatives.

4. AUDITING:

a) Audit of the accounts is co-ordinated with the audit of the member organisation where the secretariat is located.

b) The audit report is submitted to the assembly.

5. CHANGING THE STATUTES:

The statutes can be changed by the assembly by 2/3 majority. Proposals on changes shall be submitted to the Board at the latest 2 months prior to the meeting of the assembly, enabling the Board to make proper considerations and to send it to the members one month prior to the meeting of the assembly.