About Fritt Ord – Articles of Association
Articles of Association for The Freedom of Expression Foundation, Oslo
Founded on 7 June 1974
§1
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO is non-commercial public utility foundation, cf. §2 below.
§2
The paramount object of THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is to protect and promote freedom of expression and the environment for freedom of expression in Norway, especially by encouraging lively debate and the courageous use of free speech.
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, can also support other aspects of Norwegian culture, primarily those which promote free speech.
In special cases, THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, can help promote freedom of expression in other countries.
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION’S contribution will be the awarding of THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION PRIZE and THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION TRIBUTE, and direct support for special projects in response to applications or on the Foundation's own initiative.
§3
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven members. The trustees are to be elected on a free basis, cf. §4, no. 1. The trustees must share the fundamental views on which THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is based.
The election of trustees will normally take place at the general meeting. The term of office is three years and will expire at the general meeting three years later. The term of office of trustees elected/re-elected outside the framework of the general meeting will be calculated as from the next general meeting.
The Board's decisions are taken by simple majority, notwithstanding see §6. The Board has a quorum when at least four trustees are present. In the event of a tie vote, the Chairman has the casting ballot. Board meetings will be convened when so requested by at least two trustees. Otherwise, the Chairman can convene meetings as required. Valid decisions can also be taken outside Board meetings, e.g. by telephone and/or written contact among the trustees. Such decisions must be unanimous to be valid.
Under certain conditions, the Board can entrust the director to take decisions on minor issues and to reject applications that obviously fall outside the Objects Clause of the Freedom of Expression Foundation, Oslo.
The Board will keep minutes of its discussions and decisions.
§4
Bearing in mind the Objects Clause of THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO,
the Board will:
1. appoint members to the Board pursuant to §3, third subsection;
2. elect the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board;
3. represent THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, externally and be responsible
for ensuring that the institution and its property are managed in a satisfactory manner;
4. appoint a business manager for THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, and decide
on instructions for the business manager;
5. elect an auditor, who shall be chartered or government-authorised;
6. present the annual report and financial statements,
7. stipulate the trustees' fee,
8. adopt the decisions otherwise required to run THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO.
§5
When a question is raised about whether a trustee should be recused during discussions of an issue, cf. §7, second subsection of the Foundation Act, the trustee is not to take part in the discussion about recusal.
If the trustee is deemed to be prejudiced in a case, the individual in question will leave the Board room. When a trustee is recused, decisions on whether to grant financial support, a tribute or a prize require unanimity on the part of the Board.
When the trustee is recused because the trustee or a closely related party has a prominent personal or financial interest in the outcome of a case, the trustee should place before the Board the question of whether the case should be discussed at all. When a case involves a direct financial contribution to a party closely related to a trustee, the case shall not be put before the trustees.
§6
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is obligated by the signature of Chairman of the Board, or in his absence, by the signatures of the Deputy Chairman and one other trustee or the business manager.
§7
These Articles of Association can be amended pursuant to the provisions of Norway's foundation legislation.
Originally adopted on 7 June 1974. Subsequently amended: 6 October 1982, 1 October 1987, 18 January 1989, 6 February 1990, 30 October 1997, 22 February 2001, 24 September 2003.
Articles of Association for The Freedom of Expression Foundation, Oslo
Founded on 7 June 1974
§1
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO is non-commercial public utility foundation, cf. §2 below.
§2
The paramount object of THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is to protect and promote freedom of expression and the environment for freedom of expression in Norway, especially by encouraging lively debate and the courageous use of free speech.
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, can also support other aspects of Norwegian culture, primarily those which promote free speech.
In special cases, THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, can help promote freedom of expression in other countries.
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION’S contribution will be the awarding of THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION PRIZE and THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION TRIBUTE, and direct support for special projects in response to applications or on the Foundation's own initiative.
§3
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven members. The trustees are to be elected on a free basis, cf. §4, no. 1. The trustees must share the fundamental views on which THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is based.
The election of trustees will normally take place at the general meeting. The term of office is three years and will expire at the general meeting three years later. The term of office of trustees elected/re-elected outside the framework of the general meeting will be calculated as from the next general meeting.
The Board's decisions are taken by simple majority, notwithstanding see §6. The Board has a quorum when at least four trustees are present. In the event of a tie vote, the Chairman has the casting ballot. Board meetings will be convened when so requested by at least two trustees. Otherwise, the Chairman can convene meetings as required. Valid decisions can also be taken outside Board meetings, e.g. by telephone and/or written contact among the trustees. Such decisions must be unanimous to be valid.
Under certain conditions, the Board can entrust the director to take decisions on minor issues and to reject applications that obviously fall outside the Objects Clause of the Freedom of Expression Foundation, Oslo.
The Board will keep minutes of its discussions and decisions.
§4
Bearing in mind the Objects Clause of THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO,
the Board will:
1. appoint members to the Board pursuant to §3, third subsection;
2. elect the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board;
3. represent THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, externally and be responsible
for ensuring that the institution and its property are managed in a satisfactory manner;
4. appoint a business manager for THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, and decide
on instructions for the business manager;
5. elect an auditor, who shall be chartered or government-authorised;
6. present the annual report and financial statements,
7. stipulate the trustees' fee,
8. adopt the decisions otherwise required to run THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO.
§5
When a question is raised about whether a trustee should be recused during discussions of an issue, cf. §7, second subsection of the Foundation Act, the trustee is not to take part in the discussion about recusal.
If the trustee is deemed to be prejudiced in a case, the individual in question will leave the Board room. When a trustee is recused, decisions on whether to grant financial support, a tribute or a prize require unanimity on the part of the Board.
When the trustee is recused because the trustee or a closely related party has a prominent personal or financial interest in the outcome of a case, the trustee should place before the Board the question of whether the case should be discussed at all. When a case involves a direct financial contribution to a party closely related to a trustee, the case shall not be put before the trustees.
§6
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOUNDATION, OSLO, is obligated by the signature of Chairman of the Board, or in his absence, by the signatures of the Deputy Chairman and one other trustee or the business manager.
§7
These Articles of Association can be amended pursuant to the provisions of Norway's foundation legislation.
Originally adopted on 7 June 1974. Subsequently amended: 6 October 1982, 1 October 1987, 18 January 1989, 6 February 1990, 30 October 1997, 22 February 2001, 24 September 2003.
About Fritt Ord