(This is a translation. In case of contradictions, the original version in Finnish will be applied)

1§ Name of the association

The name of the association is Suomen kauppakorkeakoulut – Föreningen för Handelshögskolorna i Finland – Association of Business Schools Finland (ABS) ry.

2§ Place of residence

The association is based in Helsinki, Finland.

3§ Languages

The languages of the association are Finnish, Swedish and English. Language of minutes and official registrations is Finnish.

4§ Purpose and activities

The purpose of the association is to:

– promote cooperation between the business schools, and between the business schools and higher education institutions and their units from other disciplines,

– disseminate good practice,

– promote the interests of the business schools,

– participate in national and international discussion and to

– promote the dissemination of business and economics know-how and research in society.

The association can within its purpose adopt guidelines, policies and declarations and statements. The association can also perform other tasks given to it by the higher education institutions or the State.

In order to fulfil its purpose, the association can:

– organize events, meetings, trainings and seminars,

– participate in national and international discussion via different media

– publish articles and other writings via different media.

To support its activities, the association can accept donations, gifts and wills, own tangible and intangible assets and organize fundraisers after obtaining the necessary permits. The association is a non-profit organization, which is not seeking financial gains of any sort.

5§ Members

A Finnish university, which has education and research in business and economics disciplines, is eligible for membership. If the university in question is multidisciplinary, the representation in ABS must be delegated to the business and economics unit (department, school etc.) within the university.

The university is represented in ABS decision-making by the head (rector, dean, director etc.) of afore mentioned unit or by a person to whom he/she has delegated the representation.

6§ Associate / supporting members

Organizations that share the aims of ABS can join as associate / supporting members. Associate / supporting members have the right to be present and speak at meetings of ABS and meetings of ABS Board, but they do not have voting rights. Associate / supporting members are represented in the meetings by a person named by the associate / supporting member.

7§ Honorary members

ABS can invite individuals as honorary members. The decision is taken unanimously by the ABS Meeting, after a proposal from the ABS Board. A person can be invited as honorary member, if he/she has in an extraordinary way promoted the aims of ABS. Honorary members are exempted from all fees related to membership. Honorary members have the right to be present and speak at meetings of ABS and meetings of ABS Board, but they do not have voting rights.

8§ Accepting new members

The ABS Board accepts new full members and associate / supporting members based on their applications. New members must be accepted unanimously.

9§ Resigning and dismissing membership

A member has the right to resign from ABS by notifying in writing the Board or the Chair, or by announcing it during an ABS Meeting.

The Board can dismiss a member if a member has failed to pay their membership fee, or in some other way failed to comply with the obligations they have agreed to when joining ABS. Or if a member has by their conduct significantly damaged ABS, or does not anymore fulfil the membership criteria as set out in these statutes or in the law

10§ Finances

Costs of ABS are covered from funds from inscription fees, annual membership fees, participation fees, revenues from sale of publications and comparable products, and donations.

Members’ inscription fee and membership fee are decided by the ABS Meeting in fall. The fall ABS Meeting decides the inscription fees and membership fees separately. The fall ABS Meeting also decides the minimum membership fee for associate / support members.

11§ The Board

There are an equal number of seats in the ABS Board to the number of members, however the number of seats must be between 5 and 15. The aim shall be that all member universities are represented in the Board.

The Chair, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chair, calls the Board meeting when ever he/she deems it as necessary, or when at least half of the Board members so demand.

The quorum of a Board meeting shall be at least half of its members, including the Chair or one of the Vice-Chairs.

Decisions are taken by a simple majority, if not otherwise specified in these statutes.

If there is an even vote, the Chair of the meeting will have the deciding vote in all other matters, except elections, when the outcome is decided by a toss of a coin.

If ABS publishes a series or a journal, the ABS Board elects the editor.

12§ The Chairing team

ABS has a Chair and two Vice-Chairs who are elected from the members of the Board by the fall ABS Meeting. The Vice-Chairs are elected separately as the first and second Vice-Chair. In the Chair’s absence, the first Vice-Chair shall be the acting Chair.

The Chairing team’s mandate is two years.

13§ Secretary General

The Board can hire a Secretary General and decide his/her terms of employment.

The Secretary General acts as the secretary to the Board and represents ABS together with the Chairing team.

14§ Committees and working groups

The Board can create committees and working groups when needed. These can have as members persons or organizations who are not members of ABS.

15§ Writing the name of the association

The Chair or one or the Vice-Chairs writes the name of ABS. The Board can also give the Secretary General the right to sign for ABS.

16§ Auditors

ABS has one ordinary auditor and one deputy auditor to audit the activities of ABS. ABS has to elect a KHT- or HTM-accredited auditors, if the limits defined in the Auditing Act are crossed.

Auditors are elected each year in the fall ABS Meeting.

17§ Accounting period

The accounting period of ABS is calendar year.

Financial statement and annual report has to be submitted to the auditors at least a month before the spring ABS Meeting. The auditors must submit their written statement to the Board at least two weeks before the ABS spring Meeting.

18§ Meetings

If the Board or ABS Meeting so decides, the meetings can be participated in via mail or other technical media.

The spring ABS Meeting shall be held between January and May, and the fall ABS Meeting shall be held between September and December on dates set by the Board.

An extra ABS Meeting will be held, if an ABS Meeting so decides, or if the Board deems it as necessary, or when at least one tenth (1/10) of members with voting rights requests it from the Board in a written document. The extra ABS Meeting must be held within thirty days after the request is given to the Board.

Each member has one vote in meetings of ABS.

Decisions are taken by a simple majority, if not otherwise specified in these statutes. If there is an even vote, the Chair of the meeting will have the deciding vote in all other matters, except elections, when the outcome is decided by a toss of a coin.

19§ ABS Meetings

In the spring ABS Meeting at least the following issues will be on the agenda:

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Elections for the Chair, the minute taker, two examiner of the minutes and, if needed, two election officers of the meeting

3. Legality and quorum of the meeting

4. Adopting the agenda of the meeting

5. Financial statement, annual report and statement of the auditors

6. Adopting the financial statement and granting freedom from liability to the Board and other persons concerned

7. Any other issues named in the agenda

In the fall ABS Meeting at least the following issues will be on the agenda:

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Elections for the Chair, the minute taker, two examiner of the minutes and, if needed, two election officers of the meeting

3. Legality and quorum of the meeting

4. Adopting the agenda of the meeting

5. Adopting the plan of work, budget, and fees related to membership as well as the deadlines for payment. Inscription fee and membership fee shall be decided separately for full members and associate / supporting members.

6. Number of seats in the Board

7. Election of the Board

8. Election of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons

9. Election of auditor and deputy auditor

10. Any other issues named in the agenda

If a member wishes to have an issue to the agenda, the member must notify the Board in writing at least thirty days prior to the Meeting.

20§ Invitation to Meetings of ABS and agenda

Invitations and agenda to ABS Meeting and Board meetings must be sent via post or email to all members at least 14 days prior to the Meeting. The Board calls the Meetings.

21§ Amending the statutes and dissolving the association

Changes to the statutes has to be decided in an ABS Meeting with two thirds (2/3) majority. Changing the statutes must be mentioned on the agenda and the invitation to the Meeting.

Dissolving the association must be decided in two separate ABS Meetings, held with at least a month between them, with two thirds (2/3) majority. Dissolving the association must be mentioned in the agenda and the invitation to the meeting.

When the association is dissolved, the funds shall be used to promote the purpose of the association in a way decided by the Meeting that dissolves the association.