Bylaws

Purpose

§1  The club’s name is “Studentenes Fotoklubb”

§2  Studentenes Fotoklubb aims to gather and establish contact between photography-interested students, inspire young photographers, and document events and activities organized by the Norwegian Students’ Society (DNS) associations and committees, through a documentation group.

§2.2  The Golden Waving Cat is the club’s mascot and patron.

Membership

§3.1  Everyone has the opportunity to be members of the club. The membership lasts from when the membership fee in the current semester has been paid.

§3.2  The General Assembly determines the membership prices. Student prices are distinct from non-student membership prices. A student refers to anyone attending higher education that qualifies for a scholarship from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

§3.3  In order to get access to the club’s facility the member are obliged to become a member of The Norwegian Student’s Society (DNS).

§3.4  Every member is required for each semester, to at least complete one task on behalf of the club such as documentation assignments, or collective voluntary work for DNS.
When a member has completed an assignment, they will be given an active membership that last for the current semester. What constitutes an active membership is specified by DNS. Should a member not complete an assignment for the club during a semester without a valid reason, the board may sanction the person in question. The board shall decide which sanctions are appropriate.

§3.5  The board will appoint the “Studentenes Fotoklubb ribbon” to members that has during at least one year has been particularly active in the clubs’ events and has demonstrated good working spirit and commitment to the clubs’ activities. The design of the ribbon will be crafted by the board and carried with gala outfits on separate occasions.

§3.6  The general assembly appoints ‘Studentenes Fotoklubb honorary members’ to current and former members that has through more than three -3- years has demonstrated great working spirit and involvement towards the clubs’ activities. In these particular occasions, the general assembly can choose to set aside the seniority requirement. Honorary members are awarded the honours certificate “Den Gyldne Kattunge” (The Golden Kitten), a ribbon, and is given free membership in the club for lifetime. The board, or members can nominate candidates to this honour, and present these to the general assembly. Members of the board cannot be awarded. Honorary members are exempt from mandatory duties, and attendances in the club.

§3.7  The board members, are granted a free active membership, and access to the club’s premises.

§4  One type of membership provides access to the club’s darkroom facilities and premises. Members are responsible for damages caused to the club’s equipment and premises, including damages caused by people they may have brought with them. The board may establish restrictions on the use of premises and equipment.

§5  Enrollment occurs upon payment of the membership fee. Payments are made to the club’s account, or [in cash] at membership meetings.

§6  Memberships are valid for the current semester. The spring semester begins on January 1st. The fall semester begins on August 1. Members who pay the fee by December 1 or June 1 are granted membership for the following semester.

§7  If a member, through his or her personal actions, disparages the club’s reputation, violates the club’s statutes or, through negligence, inflicts damage on the club’s possessions, the person in question may be excluded for a specified period of time. In cases concerning damaged property, the board may demand replacements. In serious cases, the member may be excluded from the club. Decisions regarding exclusion may be appealed in the General Assembly.

Organization of the Club

§8  The General Assembly is the club’s highest authority.

§9  All members of DNS are entitled to vote, as well as being eligible for election to positions in the board.

§10  The Ordinary General Assembly is held twice a year, at the end of each semester. (MISSING UPDATED TRANSLATION).

§11.1  Members are summoned to the Ordinary General Assembly with at least eight -8- days’ notice. Notices containing the agenda are to be e-mailed to members, as well as being publicly posted. Changes or additions to the agenda must be presented to the board no later than 48 hours before the meeting. The General Assembly has a quorum when a fifth of the members are present. However, it is required that at least ten members are  present. In cases where there is an insufficient number of members present, the board  will schedule a new General Assembly. This assembly will always have quorum.

§11.2  The Ordinary General Assembly processes:   

  • The board’s annual report
  • The accounts and budget
  • Election of a new board for the next semester

§11.3  Trust positions in the board last for one semester, with the possibility of reelection for additional terms. Board members who are not standing for reelection serve as the election committee.  

§11.4  Upon resignations from the board during an election period, the board complements itself. Upon the resignation of the chairman or treasurer, members are to be summoned to an election in an Extraordinary General Assembly.  

§11.5  All statutes are settled by a simple majority, unless specified otherwise by These bylaws. Voting may be done in writing, if such is requested by a member.

§12  Extraordinary General Assemblies are convened if the Board or at least ten -10- members require this. Members are to be given notice in the same manner as with the Annual General Meeting, but with four -4- days’ notice.

§13  Changes to the bylaws are decided by the General Assembly and requires a two-thirds majority among the attendees. Any amendment must be submitted in writing to the board at least one week before the General Assembly and presented to the General Assembly together with the applicable bylaws. Additions or changes to the proposed amendments, including counterproposals, are to be submitted in writing at the Assembly and recorded in the minutes.

§14.1 The core board members carry out the daily management and administration of the club. The core board members have joint responsibility for the club’s premises and equipment.

§14.2 The core board members consist of a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary, but additional board members may also be appointed. The core board members may delegate tasks to other board members and club members, but are still responsible for these tasks being carried out.

§14.3 The club’s Chairman shall have the following responsibilities:

  • to chair General Assemblies, board meetings and lead social activities
  • to continuously monitor the club’s activities and administration
  • to ensure that tasks and responsibilities are carried out as described in the club’s bylaws
  • to ensure that all other tasks necessary for the running of the club are carried out properly
  • to ensure that the coming semester is planned
  • to be the club’s official spokesperson and representative

§14.4 The club’s Treasurer shall have the following responsibilities:

  • to monitor and handle the clubs’ economy
    budgeting
  • to keep accounts in accordance with §17
  • to ensure that the club follows the approved budget
  • to be responsible for the running of the darkroom, including the purchase of equipment, film and chemicals, as well as furnishings
  • to secure financial support for the club
  • to ensure that the Chairman’s responsibilities according to §14.3 are carried out if the club is without a Chairman

§14.5 The club’s Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:

  • to book rooms at Chateau Neuf for the semester
  • to ensure that minutes are kept of board meetings and Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies
  • to ensure that the notices of both the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies are distributed to the club members in accordance with §11.1 and §12
  • to monitor correspondence and answer inquiries via the club’s email addresses and social media
  • to ensure that the core board members meet relevant deadlines, such as applying for financial support or registering for events
  • to organize board meetings and events
  • to ensure that the time and place of meetings and events are announced
  • to ensure that the membership list is updated for the current semester
  • to ensure that the information on the club’s website is correct

§15  The board determines its own agenda and keeps minutes of its deliberations. The board manages the club’s funds according to the budget adopted by the General Assembly.

§16  The board has a quorum when half the members are present.

§17  Accounts are to be kept for all of the club’s operations.

§18  The chairman and a board member combined has the right to sign.


Dissolution

§19  Proposals for dissolution of the club must be submitted to the board at least one month before the General Assembly and may only be passed at the meeting having been listed in the summoning notice. Dissolution must be presented at two General Assemblies with at least three -3- month intervals in order for the proposal to be passed. If at least five -5- members opposes the dissolution the proposal will be dropped. This section cannot be changed if at least five -5- members oppose it.

§20  After the dissolution, a fund containing the club’s assets will be established. The Student Organization in Oslo and Akershus (SiO) will manage this fund. These means will be allocated to the later establishment of a similar association.

§21  No one can plead ignorance of these bylaws.

These statutes apply from November 13th 1968

Revised:

28th January 1988
8th February 2005
22nd March 2006
8th December 2014
31st of August 2015
12th of December 2017
28th of May 2018
10th of December 2018
6th of September 2021

Current edition approved at the Ordinary General Assembly
at the 6th of September 2021