The Rules

1. Name and place

The name of association is "Satakunnan Monikulttuuriyhdistys" (Satakunta Multicultural Association).

The home of the association is the town of Pori, Finland

2. Aims and activities

The aims of the association are

to help Finnish people and immigrants to get know one another
to help them work together and enrich other's cultures
to help immigrants to integrate into Finnish society

To achieve its objectives, the association

Informs its members and foreigners living in its working area about Finnish society by arranging courses, schooling, information and publicity as well as telephone and personal information.
tries to disseminate understanding of cultural objectives represented by foreigners through publicity and information work, as well as arranging and taking part in international cultural events.
makes suggestions and initiates to other associations and authorities.
has connections and can become a member of other domestic and foreign associations that have similar aims and working principles.
arranges non-profit making camps, excursions, group- and leisure activities.
can work using similar means to achieve its main objectives.

To support its activities, the association can

arrange cultural activities with participation fees, as well as public activities on a commercial basis.
arrange sales and café activities.
arrange licensed fund-generating activities and lotteries.
own the necessary material goods and buildings necessary for its work.
accept funding, grants and testamentary gifts.

3. Members

As a regular member of the associations can be accepted a person that has accepted the associations' aims and rules.

As supporting member can be accepted a person or a legal body that wants to support the aims and activities of the associationRegular members and supporting members accept upon application the Board of the associationAs an honourable speaker or honourable member can be nominated, upon suggestion by the Board, a person that has greatly supported and developed the activities of the association.

4. Member resignation and dismissal

A member has the right to leave the association by written information to the Board or its chairman, or by informing at an association meeting to be mentioned in its minutes.
The Board may dismiss a member from the association if the member has failed to pay membership fees, or otherwise has not fulfilled the responsibilities he had promised fulfill upon joining the association, or has inside or outside the association disagreed or damaged the association, or otherwise does not anymore fulfill the legal requirements or the requirements of the association regarding membership.

5. Fees for joining association and annual membership fees

The fees for joining the association and annual membership fees for regular and supporting members are decided annually by the general meeting of the association, separately for each group of members.
The honourable chairman and honourable members are exempted from paying membership fees.

6.The Board

The activities of the association are decided by the Board, which consists of the chairman and 4-6 Board members as well as 2 members in waiting, all of which are elected at the annual meeting of the association.
Of the Members of the Board, more than half have to be persons that are born in a foreign country, or at least one his parents has to be born in a foreign country.

The Board works for a period of two years. Half of the board members resign from their post each year. If the members of the first Board are not unanimous about which of the members resigns in the half period of the Boards working term, a draw decides.

The Board shall nominate the vice-president, the secretary and the treasurer from among its members, and any other officers from among the Board members or other members.

The Board shall meet at the notice of the president or in his/her absence, at the notice of the vice president, whenever necessary or when no less than half of the Board members so demand.

No less than half of the members present including the president or the vice-president shall constitute a quorum.
Voting shall be decided by a simple majority. In the event of the votes being equal, the president shall have the casting vote, at elections lots shall be drawn.

7. Signing the name of the association

The name of the association may be signed by two of the following officers: president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer.

8. Finance and audit

The financial year shall be the calendar year.
The balance of accounts together with necessary documents and the annual report of the Board shall be given the auditors no later than two weeks before the annual general meeting.
The auditors shall give the Board a written report no later than a week before the annual general meeting.

9. Meetings of the association

The association shall hold one yearly meeting, the annual general meeting.
The annual general meeting shall be held in March-April and it shall be called by the Board.
A special meeting shall be held if a general meeting of the association so decides or if it is called by the board or if it is requested in writing for a specific purpose by not less than 10% of the members entitled to vote. The meeting shall be held in thirty days after the request was presented to the board.
At the meeting of the association every active member honorary president and honorary member has one vote. Supporting members have the right to be present and address the chair.
All motions shall be decided by a simple majority unless otherwise stated in the rules. The chairperson shall have the casting vote at elections lots shall be drawn.

10. Notification of Annual General Meeting

The Board shall notify of the annual general meeting at least seven days prior to the date by personal invitation as well as by announcement in local newspaper.

11. Annual general meeting

The agenda of the annual general meeting shall be as follows:Opening of the meeting.
Election of chairperson, secretary, two scrutinizers of the minutes and two tellers.
Meeting shall be declared officially legitimate.
Agenda of the meeting shall be approved.
Balanced of accounts, annual report of activities and audited statement of accounts shall be presented.
Balanced of accounts shall be confirmed and the Board members with other liable persons discharged from all personal liability.
Planned activities, budget and membership fees for the following calendar year shall be determined.
Election of chairman of the Board and other Board members to replace those resigning.
Election of two auditors and one vice-auditor.
Other business mentioned in the notification of meeting.In case a members of the association wants a matter to be discussed in the annual general meeting, he/she shall notify the board in writing not later than 14 days prior to the meeting so that the matter can be included in the notification.

12. Amendments to rules and disbandment of association

The decision of the amendments to the rules and disbandment of the association shall be made at a meeting of the association by resolution passed by majority of not less than three quarters (3/4) of the votes given.

Amendments to rules or disbandment of the association shall be mentioned in the notification of the meeting.

In case of disbandment, the funds of the association shall be spend on promoting the aims of the association in whatever way the meeting decides. In case of suppression the funds shall be given to the same purpose.

International Meeting Point
Satakunta Multicultural Association
Presidentinpuistokatu 3, 2nd floor
28130 PORI, FINLAND
Phone/Fax. (02) 621 2244
From abroad: +358 2 621 2244
Open as follows:
Mon, Thu, Fri at 9 am - 6 pm
Tue, Wed at 9 am - 7 pm

Projects' sites

A look at the future
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Ccoordinator Su Ran Kim is the person responsible for the multicultural affairs in Pori.
The City of Pori / The Centre of basic safety, Antinkatu 16 B, 28100 PORI
Tel. 044 - 701 1268
e-mail: suran.kim(at)pori.fi