1. Name, location and bylaws

The Association´s name is Think Africa ry and it is located in Helsinki. Association bylaws are written in Finnish and in English. The Finnish version is the official one.

These bylaws have been approved in the Association´s setup in 2014.

2. Objective and activities

The purpose of the association is to inspire African-oriented activities, entrepreneurship and networking. The association encourages entrepreneurship, the development of services and the promotion of employment as a student, through organizational activities and research. In this way the association can also strive for endurance and to solve development issues. In addition, the association acts as a liaison body for its members and between students.

To accomplish its purpose, the association organizes meetings, trainings, seminars, events, informative panel discussions and takes initiative in publishing industry-relevant material, supporting relevant initiatives and carrying out presentations to respective authorities. In addition, the association publishes magazines, guides, or other, as appropriate publications and bulletins related to their activities.

The association maintains contacts with universities and polytechnics, companies, NGOs, student organizations, research organizations and other stakeholders.

To support its activity, the association may

• Receive donations, grants and testamentary funds
• organize events, money collections, trips, volunteering, lotteries and after obtaining permission from the relevant authority
• own relevant assets, property and companies
• seek external support

3. Members

Anyone who accepts the purpose and the rules of the association may join as a member. The association may have individual members and community members as members. Members are approved, upon application, by the association's Board of Directors.

The association can also have supporting members. Anyone wanting to support the purpose and activities of the association can be accepted as a support member. Supporting members are required to pay membership fees. They do not have voting rights.

4. Resignation and dismissal of a member

A member has the right to resign from the association by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the chairman, or by announcing a separation at the meeting of the association for a record in the minutes. The Board of Directors may dismiss a member if a member has failed to pay any outstanding dues or otherwise failed to fulfill the obligations to which he or she has committed to, or, if by the course of their conduct within or outside the association, has significantly damaged the association or no longer fulfill the terms of membership mentioned in the law or in the rules of the association.

5. Membership fee

The amount of the membership fee and the annual membership fee to be charged to the person and members of the community shall be decided

6. Annual meeting

The invitation to the annual general meeting should be submitted, along with the meeting’s agenda and other relevant documents, must be submitted to Members at least 21 days before the meeting.

The annual general meeting of the association deals with the following issues:

1. Opening of the 1st meeting
2. The following are elected for the meeting: chairperson of the meeting, the Secretary-General, two Probation Officers and, where applicable, two persons to check the minutes
3. Establish the legality and quorum of the meeting
4. Adopt the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting
5. Present the financial statements, the annual report and the statement of the inspectors / auditors
6. Accept the financial statements and the discharge the Board of Directors and others accountable
7. Establish the action plan, revenue and expenditure estimate, and the amount of the membership fee
8. Elect the chairman and other members of the Board of Directors
9. Elect one or two function inspectors and one or two auditors auditors
10. Discuss other matters mentioned in the notice of the meeting.

If a member of the association wishes to have an issue addressed at the annual general meeting, he/she should do so in such time that it can be added to the agenda which is sent out with the notice of the meeting.

7. The Board of Directors

The association's affairs are managed by the Board of Directors which includes all of the following members elected in the annual general meeting: the chairman, vice chairman, general secretary, treasurer, and one to six regular board members as well as two to six alternates. The term of office of the board is one calendar year. The board chooses 1-2 vice-chairmen from its amongst its members. It also chooses a Secretary-General, treasurer and other necessary staff either from among its members or externally.

The board meets by invitation of the chairman, or in his / her absence, by a vice chairman's invitation, or when at least half of the board members require it. The board can make decisions when at least half of its members, the chairman or vice chairman, is present. In case of a tie in voting, the decisive vote is that of the chairman. However, in case of board election, a random draw is needed (eg. toss a coin).

8. Election of the chairman

In the election of the chairman, an absolute majority of the votes cast must be obtained. If nobody gets an absolute majority, a second vote will carried out amongst the two with the most votes. In case of a tie in voting, a random draw is needed.

9. Signatory rights

Signatory rights are held by the chairman, vice - chairman, secretary general or treasurer, however, always by two of the aforementioned.

10. Accounting period and auditing

The financial year of the association is based on the calendar year. Financial Statements with the necessary documents, and the Board of Directors the annual report, must be submitted to the function inspectors / auditors at least one month before the annual general meeting. Audit examiners / auditors must give their written statement no later than two weeks before the annual meeting for the government.

11. Meetings of the association

A meeting of the association can be attended online if the Board of Directors so decides either during the meeting or prior to it. The annual meeting of the association is held annually on a date set by the Board of Directors

Between January to May. An additional meeting can be held when the Board of Directors decides or when at least a tenth (1/10) of the association’s members with voting rights so request in writing. The meeting must be held within thirty days from the date of the request. Each member of the association has one vote. For a decision to be validated in such a meeting, it must be backed by the votes of over half of the members present. In case of a tie in voting, the chairman’s vote is decisive. However, in case of board election, a random draw is needed (eg. toss a coin).

12. Quorum of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has a quorum when at least half of the members of the Board of Directors, including the Chairman or the Vice Chairman is present at the Board meeting.

13. Requesting a meeting

The Board of Directors must request meetings of the association at least seven days in advance by a method that can reach all.

14. Changing the bylaws and dissolving/closing down of the association

The decision to change the bylaws or to dissolve/close down the association must be made at a meeting of the association by a majority of at least three quarters (3/4) of the votes cast. Such a change must be mentioned in the meeting agenda sent out with the meeting invite. In case of dissolving/closing down, the association's assets should be used to promote the purpose of the association.

15. Rules of Procedure

The Rules of Procedure supplementing these rules may provide additional rules which are important for the operation of the association.

Rules and modifications to these rules must be approved in an official meeting by at least two thirds (2/3) of the votes cast. These rules step into immediate effect from the moment they have been approved in the meeting.

Rules of Procedure

1. Joining fees

Individuals

• Individual membership: 15€

Associations

• Small NGO’s 20€
• Medium sized NGO’s 100€
• Large international NGO’s 400€

Companies

• Startups (max. 3 years old) 40€
• Small companies 150€
• Medium sized companies 450€
• Large companies 800€

2. Languages of the association

The official languages are Finnish and English. Meetings and minutes should be in English but discussion can be held in Finnish and notes may be done to minutes in Finnish.