STATUTES

JUSTICE PESTICIDES
STATUTES
(application of the July 1st, 1901 law and the August 16th, 1901 decree)

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

It is founded between the members of the present statutes an organization ruled by the French law of July 1st 1901and the decree of August 16, 1901, having for name Justice Pesticides.

ARTICLE 2 – OBJECT

The purpose of this organization is to allow the networking and the organization of the defense of people against pesticides. Its first objective is the creation of a website with universal vocation available to the public, in particular to victims of pesticides and to all persons or communities and associations dealing with the impacts of pesticides and the means to avoid them, whatever their nationality and status (neighbors, farmers, local communities, scientists, etc.). This website will include a database as exhaustive as possible on legal cases and scientific studies on pesticides in order to give the means to have a legal and scientific basis that can be used in potential legal court cases against pesticides. It also aims to contribute to the elaboration of a global strategy against pesticides in the world and to obtain redress of the damage caused to the human beings, fauna, flora and natural resources by these toxic products. Its ultimate goal is the ban of pesticides that endanger human health and the environment. To achieve its objectives, the organization may act directly in courts and/or in support of actions undertaken by its members. It may engage in any useful action or activity, including of an economic nature, to reach its objective.

ARTICLE 3 – REGISTERD OFFICE

The registered office is located at 42 rue de Lisbonne, 75008, Paris, France. It may be transferred by simple decision of the Board.

ARTICLE 4 – DURATION

The duration of the organization is unlimited.

ARTICLE 5 – COMPOSITION

The organization is composed of:
a) Honorary members
b) Founding members
b) Benefactor members
c) Active or subscribing members
The organization can include natural persons and legal entities. For the latter, they may be represented on the board by the person they nominate or by their Chair.

ARTICLE 6 – ADMISSION

To be member of the organization, it is necessary to be approved by the board, which rules on the applications for admission during its meetings.

ARTICLE 7 – MEMBERS – FEES

Founding members are those who are at the origin of the constitution of the organization;
Active members are those who have undertaken to pay an annual fee of €50 € as a contribution;
Honorary members are those who have contributed outstanding services to the organization; they are exempt from contributions;
Benefactor members are those who commit themselves to make an annual donation of more than € 1.000.

ARTICLE 8 – TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership is lost by:
a) Resignation;
b) Death;
c) Removal from membership by the Board for non-payment of dues or for serious reason, the interested party having been invited by registered letter to provide explanations to the Bureau and/or in writing.

ARTICLE 9 – AFFILIATION

The organization may join other associations, unions or groups by decision of the Board.

ARTICLE 10 – RESOURCES

The resources of the organization include
1° The amount of entrance fees, donations and membership fees;
2° Subsidies from public authorities, States, community and international organizations;
3° Funds allocated by the benefactor members;
4° All resources authorized by the laws and regulations in force. In particular, the organization may engage in economic activities related to its social purpose.

ARTICLE 11 – ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The ordinary general assembly includes all the members of the organization.
It meets every year on a date fixed by the Board.
At least fifteen days before the date, the members of the organization are convened by the Secretary. The agenda is included in the invitations.
The Chair, assisted by the Board Members, leads the meeting and reports on the
activity of the organization.
The Treasurer reports on his management and submits the annual accounts (balance sheet, profit and loss accounts to the approval of the assembly.
Only the items on the agenda may be discussed.
After the agenda has been completed, the outgoing Board Members are replaced.
A quorum of 50% plus one vote of the members is required in the first round. If the quorum is not reached, a second meeting must be held without a quorum. It may be held on the same day as the initial general meeting, provided that it was mentioned in the invitation to the General Meeting.
Decisions are taken by a majority of the votes of the members present or represented.
All deliberations are taken by a show of hands, except for the election of the Board Members.
The decisions of the General Assemblies are binding on all members, including those who are absent or represented.

ARTICLE 12 – EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

If necessary, or at the request of half plus one of the registered members, the president must convene an Extraordinary General Assembly, according to the modalities provided for in the present statutes and only for a modification of the statutes or the dissolution of the association or for acts concerning real estate.
The modalities of convocation are the same as for the Ordinary General Assembly.
The deliberations are taken by a majority of the members present and represented under the conditions of quorum provided for in article 11.

ARTICLE 13 – BOARD

The organization is managed by a Board of Directors comprising 10 to 20 members, elected for 3 years by the General Assembly. The members can be re-elected. It is composed of three colleges, that of founding members, benefactors and active members.
The first Board of Directors is composed of founding members and benefactor members, appointed for three years. During these three years, they can co-opt additional members.
The board is renewed each year by thirds from the third year onwards, the outgoing members are designated by drawing lots.
In case of vacancy, the Board of Directors provides provisionally for the replacement of its members. The next general assembly will proceed to their definitive replacement. The powers of the members thus elected end at the expiration of the mandate of the replaced members.
The Board of Directors meets at least once every 3 months, upon convocation by the Chair, or at the request of a quarter of its members. Meetings may be held in person or by virtual means.
Decisions are taken by majority vote; in case of a tie, the Chair has the casting vote.
The Board of Directors manages the organization, sets the amount of membership fees, decides on the main direction for the organization under the control of the General Assembly.
Any Board Member who has not attended three consecutive meetings, without excuse, will be considered as resigning.
The Board of Directors endorses the choice proposed by the Chair of a General Delegate in charge of assisting the Chair, representing the organization and managing it on a daily basis. He/she attends the meetings of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 14 – BUREAU

The Board of Directors shall elect from among its members an Executive Committee (Bureau) composed of
1) A Chair and, if necessary, one or more vice-chairs;
2) A Secretary and, if necessary, an Assistant Secretary;
3) A Treasurer and, if necessary, an Assistant Treasurer.
The General Delegate attends the meetings of the Bureau and acts as its Secretariat.

ARTICLE 15 – ALLOWANCES

All functions, including those of the Board Members and the Executive Committee, with the exception of the General Delegate, are free and voluntary. Only the expenses incurred in the performance of their duties are reimbursed on the basis of receipts. The financial report presented to the Ordinary General Assembly shows, by beneficiary, the reimbursements of mission travel or representation expenses.

ARTICLE 16 – RULES OF PROCEDURE

The Board of Directors may draw up rules of procedure, which have to be approved by the General Assembly. These rules are intended to fix the various points not provided for in the present statutes, in particular those relating to the internal administration of the organization.

ARTICLE 17 – DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution pronounced in accordance with the terms of Article 12, one or more liquidators are appointed, and the net assets, if any, are devolved to a non-profit organization in accordance with the decisions of the Extraordinary General Assembly which decides on the dissolution. The net assets may not be transferred to a member of the organization, even partially, except for reimbursement of a contribution.

Article 18 – LIBERALITIES

The annual report and accounts, as defined in Article 11 (including those of the local committees) are sent each year to the Prefect of the department. The organization is committed to presenting its registers and accounting documents to the administrative authorities concerning the use of the donations it is authorized to receive, to allow visits to its establishments by the representatives of these competent authorities and to report to them on the management of the said establishments.