Village Scribe Association
From SiyaWiki
Association for the Advancement of Innovative Information and Communication Technologies for Rural Development
Initial brainstorming for this association >>
Deutsche Version der Village Scribe Association (Dorfschreiber Verein) >>
Our Vision
Why bringing computer technology to marginalised rural areas is necessary, and what we are doing to help.
To combat poverty on our planet, hunger, disease and lack of education (ignorance) have to be eradicated. The biggest problem facing this task is that rigid social structures, promoting poverty, have to be changed on national, regional and local levels. Often it is fear of the unknown that keeps these structures in place despite their damaging effects. On the other hand, curiosity, creativity and pride in one’s own achievements are natural impulses that must be harnessed to promote development. Such development is one of the few real chances of improving living standards of communities in marginalised rural areas (MRAs), as these communities have to combat unemployment and massive lack of infrastructure.
New, innovative computing technologies, and creative ways of using the Internet provide MRAs with opportunities to greatly speed up the development processes. Besides offering community members unlimited access to information and communication, these technologies allow them to present themselves to the world as they would like to be seen. With this new found knowledge comes the ability to solve their own problems, self-confidence and an awareness of responsibility. This enables nothing less than the demarginalisation of these areas: children can be assisted in their learning and people can be motivated to remain in their communities and improve them, thus preventing the brain drain of these areas; integration of these areas in the governmental processes of the country can occur; access to services and access to broader markets for their produce and goods is enabled; unemployment is reduced, and living standards rise with increasing income levels. The communities are thus empowered to initiate projects that address their own needs. They have the tools to obtain the means to carry these projects out successfully.
The Village Scribe Association advocates the responsible and practical use of ICTs. We therefore wish to support carefully selected practical projects and activities of various agencies that bring MRAs into the knowledge society, which meet our criteria and make use of synergy effects among each other to maximise results.
More details about the Village Scribe Association and the ICT4D Concepts >>
Our Goal
Our Intention
To envisage, conceive of, use, and support modern, innovative information and communication technologies to help people in the developing world to become autonomous and financially independent. It is of particular importance for us that all our projects that we are going to support are sustainable (see chapter Sustainability, Politics and Education in the Developmental Work).
Background
This Association is currently in its start-up phase. The aim of this website is draw attention to ourselves and to arouse public interest. We are a group of people who want to broaden the perspectives of, and increase the possibilities for, people who have very little. Our focus lies in advancing education of underprivileged people so that they will not only be able to help themselves, but also develop an awareness of their uniqueness and their own possibilities.
Our Assignment
Our Association will supervise and support existing projects. In the future, new projects may be initiated and developed using the operating experience gained from past projects.
There are various assignments to be supervised: the first major project we are planning to carry out is the compilation of an international support network for our Projects The ECSPIRT Project and the eponymous The Village Scribe Project. This network includes schools (teachers, learners, parents), university students, donors (individuals, companies, organisations), and members and representative members who promote and support our association. The Association also undertakes administration, management of donations and membership fees, and serves to function as a link between donors and active project participants as well as in between project partners and school partners. Further, it serves as an initiator for events (presentations, work shops etc.) and as a contact point for questions and problems.
The Association will establish a platform to allow all parties of the network to communicate between each other, e.g. on our Village Scribe website. Thus the main aim of the Association will be the management and propagation of ideas and constructive criticism. In this respect, all chairpersons will be on a par with all other members, and may criticise or promote ideas likewise.
Sustainability, Politics and Education in the Developmental Work
The Three-Column-Model of sustainable development postulates that sustainable development can only be achieved when environmental, social and economic goals are implemented simultaneously and with equal priority as this is the only way to secure and enhance the ecological, economical and social efficiency of a society. These three aspects are therefore closely intertwined. The educational aspect of the social Column is a strong priority in German policy. The Three Columns of sustainable development are often supplemented by a fourth one – the Column or field of political implementation or leadership. This last Column is particularly important in South Africa: Empowerment of communities or individuals for purposes of sustainable development is only possible when leadership is able to be assumed by any individual, which is not traditionally the case in South African society .
The Village Scribe Association emphasises sustainability of its projects for the simple reason that nothing else will bring lasting value to a community. A sustainable project is one that has addressed all four Columns of sustainable development within the community so that it becomes part of that society and lives as part of that society, bringing value and improvement for many generations. Our credo coincides to a large extent with the view of the German Federal Government. Sustainability can only function when education is given particular attention. Education is the key to a self-determined, responsible way of living, to an understanding of the value, and therefore finally to the success of the project, and an independent continuation of the project beyond its original planned extent.
One indication of education is a reflective relationship to oneself, to others and to the world. We believe that our approach to developmental work is particularly suitable to educating community members. We strive to give communities the opportunities to find their own way to educate themselves, with our help, our investments and the resulting possibilities, to inform and present themselves as well as to communicate. We want the people to develop a deeper understanding of their problems and to find solutions that fit with their culture, economic status, ecological requirements and social network, so that a stable socio-political system can evolve and be maintained.
Our approach to sustainable developmental work
The installation of modern, innovative computer technologies in marginalised rural areas (MRAs), coupled with the necessary education, embedded in a system of training, simplification of services and provision of an economic advantage, is the basis of our approach to sustainable developmental work. This approach strongly addresses three of the Columns of sustainability, namely the social, economic and leadership columns. The Village Scribe Association has several concrete, prospective, interconnected developmental projects to support that will be set up in succession to achieve this ambitious goal. These projects follow up on their successful predecessor, The Zwelenqaba School Project. We strive to use renewable energy sources as far as possible in all of our projects, in order to minimise the impact of our activities on the environment.
The Predecessor: The Zwelenqaba School Project
Description of Project, Participants, Goals
The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a U.S.-based NGO working in conjunction with the South African company eKhaya ICT] , was implementing a solar school computer lab at the Zwelenqaba Senior Secondary School in Tafelahash in the former Transkei (South Africa). Several sponsors supported this project, e.g. the Kellogg Foundation, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and the Dell South Africa Development Fund. The planning and construction phases of this project are complete and the solar school computer lab was inaugurated at the Grand Opening on the 1st of August 2008. Presently teachers and learners are being trained to use and apply computer technologies so that in the future the system of training and transmission of knowledge will pay for itself. The special focus of this project is on researching the usage of the Internet for innovative methods of establishing rural connectivity and implementing distance learning that can be replicated throughout South Africa in the MRAs.
More details about the Zwelenqaba School Project and current progress >>
The first Project: The ECSPIRT Project
Eastern Cape Schools Participatory Internet Research and Training Project
Background, Goals and Methods
A major problem in African schools is the lack of qualified teachers. In the Eastern Cape alone, 900 Maths and Science teachers are currently being sought. Part of the problem is the large number of rural schools in the province that are relatively isolated and have very bad infrastructure (no power, water or facilities). Such conditions prevail across Africa. Educated people migrate; the teachers do not live in the area and therefore have a long journey to work, which further hinders their reliable continuous presence at school.
The ECSPIRT project attempts to introduce a two-pronged solution against this complex problem in situations where computers and Internet access are available (in this case they have been provided by The Zwelenqaba School Project). Firstly, an ongoing, sustainable and independent training structure will be set up. This will ensure that generations of scholars will receive appropriate training and that the computer lab will be used to full capacity. Secondly and parallel to the training programme, a new innovative software awareNet will be used to assist the scholars. awareNet is an educational software that is currently being developed by eKhaya ICT.
To set up a sustainable training structure is not trivial. One has to ensure that everyone involved in the training wins, and avoid the trap of demotivating people because funds eventually run out. Hence, payment for the teachers is restricted to bonuses and involves making the learners independent. After an initial phase of additional teacher work and training, the computer lab can effectively be run by the self-organised learners. Instead of focusing the reward on money, the value of the activity itself is promoted, which makes it much more sustainable and this will hopefully have short- and long-term benefits for all the learners in the programme.
Current Progress in the ECSPIRT Project in 2010 >>
Current Progress in the ECSPIRT Project in 2009 >>
The Initiation of the ECSPIRT Project in 2008 >>
More details of the ECSPIRT Training Program and awareNet >>
A New Phase of Projects: Empowering the People and Improving Sustainability with the aid of the Village Scribe Project
Once the ECSPIRT Project is up and running successfully, and teachers and learners are able to work independently, we will be in a position to expand the Project to further schools that meet our requirements. At this point, the next project will be introduced. Since the project is taking place in an impoverished marginalised rural area, and since the majority of work and training will take place with school children, it is imperative that the parents of the children also be exposed to the technology about which their children are learning. Not including the entire community weakens the sustainability of the project and excludes many potential possibilities of the computer lab resource. Further, through participation and understanding, we expect the community to come to value the resource and thus to help in its upkeep and protection. Parents should not impede their children from using the newly introduced technology; rather it should be something that can be discussed at home by all members of the family.
Computing facilities and the Internet open a whole number of new avenues for literate community members to improve their economic situation by reaching out and interacting with the South African and global Internet communities. Additionally, these resources present an important way for the government to interact with rural communities, which have currently been disenfranchised by distance. These two activities, namely eCommerce and eGovernment, bring the most immediate and tangible benefits to the community. The problem lies in unlocking their potential for the community. As it stands, the community cannot make use of the opportunities being offered on the Internet because they lack sufficient awareness and understanding of the multiplicity of concepts required to master the tool. Only a person who is part of the community but also understands the Internet is able to make the resource available to everyone. It is this concept that gives our Association its name: the village scribe is someone who brings digital services to the community to improve their lives. Such a concept is comparable to the situation in many parts of Europe in the 19th century and earlier, when the village scribe established the connection to the world for the people in the village who were not able to read and write.
More details about the Village Scribe Project incl. eGovernment and eCommerce >>
Current Progress in the Village Scribe Project >>
Conclusion: The Advantage of the Conjunction of these Projects
The Village Scribe Association is convinced of the practical conjunction of these Projects. On the one hand, resources (solar power, electricity, Internet, hard- and software) can be shared to keep costs low. Reusable software will be available to easily enable activities. On the other hand, the acceptance of the projects in the community will be much higher when many inhabitants of the community perceive an advantage to them. Such advantages include jobs, economic benefits and the feeling of empowerment. The community will understand that it is their resource and they will take steps to safeguard it. The social network will be strengthened through open communication and broadened awareness. Finally, the road to social improvement of the whole region will be open: active communities will be able to access information to understand and take part in the development of their region, becoming the driving force behind change to their own benefit.
Organisation of the Village Scribe Association
Status and Representation
Several apparent reasons lead us to the decision to found an international association or a non-profit/governmental organisation instead of a German Verein. Our chairperson, Amanda McPhail, is currently doing some research on available options and will take care of the foundation and registration administration. Belgium, Amanda's place of residence, is very convenient for the domicile of an international association. This does not mean that we no longer need all the German members. Members' meetings and passing of resolutions are allowed to happen virtually. We still need and look for members, schools, donors and helpful voluntary expertise in Germany and other European countries.
A further consequence of this decision is that information exchange and communication will take place bilingually (German and English), or in English. When recruiting new members or considering people who may be of interest to us, please note that the newsletter, the website and the wiki will now be published in both languages: Village Scribe Association Website and Dorfschreiber Verein Website for the English and German versions respectively. A German version of the wiki is also available Village Scribe Association (Dorfschreiber Verein).
On Route to Foundation
The Village Scribe Association has been founded. Congratulations! The Foundation of the Village Scribe Association took place on the 3rd of December 2008 at 'Huis van Rooi' in Sint-Agatha-Rode, Belgium. The three board members, Dr. Anna Wertlen, Amanda McPhail and Jan Baekelandt, and two of the founder members, Ronald Wertlen and Christoph Flügge, attended the foundation meeting. The documents were then sent to the the absent founder members, Robert Tolksdorf in Berlin and Antonino Gulli' in Pisa, for signatures. The documents will be submitted to the Belgian legal authorities by Amanda McPhail and Jan Baekelandt for registration in January 2009.
A big step has been taken after a year's preparation. A huge thank-you goes to Ronald Wertlen for the vision of the VSA and important networking, to Anna Wertlen for implementing the vision and making it public through the website, the wiki and the newsletter, to Amanda McPhail and Jan Baekelandt for designing the statutes, lots of translations and other administrative work, and to Robert Tolksdorf, Antonino Gulli' and Christoph Flügge, for being our founder members and agreeing to contribute name, ideas and network to our joint cause.
Founding members are:
- Ronald Wertlen, Grahamstown, IT Specialist, CEO of eKhaya ICT and Centre of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator at the Computer Science Department, Rhodes University
- Prof. Robert Tolksdorf, Berlin, IT Specialist, Professor for Computer Science and Head of the Group on Networked Informationsystems, Free University of Berlin
- Christoph Flügge, Berlin, The Hague, Lawyer, Judge in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
- Antonino Gulli', Pisa, IT Specialist, CTO Ask.com Europe and UK.
Board members are:
- Dr. Anna Wertlen, Grahamstown, Biologist, COO of eKhaya ICT (Chairperson)
- Amanda McPhail, Boortmeerbeek (Belgium), Biologist, Research Database Specialist (Secretary)
- Jan Baekelandt, Boortmeerbeek (Belgium), Gynaecologic Oncologic Surgeon (Treasurer)
The Village Scribe Association vzw. has been registered with the Belgian Authorities in June 2009.
Managing Board
Initially, the managing board will consist of three persons:
Anna Wertlen was born in Berlin. She studied Biology in Berlin, South Africa (Diploma) and Argentina (PhD). At present she lives in Grahamstown, South Africa and is COO of eKhaya ICT. Together with Ronald Wertlen, CEO of eKhaya ICT, she advocates for better education conditions in rural African areas. In her opinion, the right of education is a fundamental human right and requirement for a dignified and promising life. This conviction led to the idea to found - together with her husband - the Village Scribe Association.
Amanda McPhail was born in Zimbabwe, studied in South Africa (she holds a Masters in Science - Fisheries Management), and is currently living in Belgium. Her profession is Research Database Specialist. Whilst on a motorbike journey from South Africa to Egypt, including Sudan, in 2006, Amanda was struck by the plight of children in some of the poorest regions on the continent. Without the possibility of an education and no access to modern knowledge, children such as these might well always be waiting at the roadside with their plastic bottles begging for water. In addition, recent parenthood has been an immense motivation for her to want to help other children. Amanda has represented Great Britain three times for Underwater Hockey. She is enthusiastic about our plans and intentions, and very motivated to work. She is also a Professional Mother, works part time for a South African information service (NISC), and has spent almost a year studying Dutch. Despite this, she has already done extensive groundwork for the foundation of the Village Scribe Association. During a skype meeting on 22/04/08 she agreed to become the chairperson or vice chairperson of the Association. The minutes of the meeting can be found here.
Jan Baekelandt was born in Belgium, where he works as a gynaecologic oncologic surgeon. As part of his medical training he worked for two and a half years in South Africa. His love for the country, and his gratitude for the experience and opportunities it gave him, motivates him to work for the VSA. He is further stimulated to help try and make a difference in Africa by the plight of the people in his wife's home country, and of the many people he encountered on his travels through Africa. Hoping to promote sports in South Africa, he competed in the 2005 World Championship double ironman triathlon in Lithuania under the South African flag, attaining tenth position.
Minutes of board meetings can be found here.
List of official members
- Dr. Anna Wertlen, Grahamstown, Biologist, COO of eKhaya ICT (chair person)
- Amanda McPhail, Boortmeerbeek (Belgium), Biologist, Research Database Specialist (secretary)
- Jan Baekelandt, Boortmeerbeek (Belgium), Gynaecologic Oncologic Surgeon (treasurer)
- Ronald Wertlen, Grahamstown, IT Specialist, CEO of eKhaya ICT, Centre of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator at the Computer Science Department, Rhodes University (founder member)
- Prof. Robert Tolksdorf, Berlin, IT Specialist, Professor for Computer Science and Head of the Group on Networked Informationsystems, Free University of Berlin (founder member)
- Dr. Antonino Gulli', London, Principal Developement Manager, Head of Engineering Development for UX and Verticals at the Microsoft Search Technology Centre (STC) (founder member)
- Christoph Flügge, Berlin, The Hague, Lawyer, Judge in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) (founder member)
- Thomas Tesche, Berlin, freelance IT Specialist (passive member)
- Richard Strickland, Grahamstown, freelance IT Specialist (active member)
- Julia Kouchaki Shalmani, Bonn, Translator, Secretary, Belly Dancer (passive member)
- Anna Vogel, Hamburg, Insurance Salesman, Press Officer, Corporate Communications (passive member)
- Dr. Eva Hert, Munich, Biologist, freelance Press Officer and Marketing Communicator (active member)
- Dr. Judith Flügge, Brunswick, Hydro Geologist, GIS and Environmental Expert (passive member)
- Dr. Wolfgang Abel, Neustadt (Lower Saxony), Gynecologist (passive member)
- Silke Doepke, Bad Homburg, Geographer, Application Supporter at the Thomas Cook Corporation (passive member)
- Katharina Romahn, Dresden, Medical Doctor (passive member)
- Matthias Jamet, Dresden, Teacher (passive member)
- Dr. Björn Brembs, Berlin, Neurobiologist, independent researcher at the Institute of Neurobiology, FU Berlin (passive member)
- Sibylle Schultz zur Wiesch, Berlin, Music and Sports Teacher at the Primary School Hasengrund (passive member)
- Hedda Bahr, Berlin, Human Resources Management in the Office for Operational Management Integration, FU Berlin (passive member)
- Anna Kellner, Berlin, Political Scientist, Rwanda Specialist, Employee at the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation (passive member)
- Sabine Wiekenberg, Berlin, retired Publisher’s Sales Representative (passive member)
- Heinrich Wiekenberg, Berlin, retired Jugde (passive member)
- Nikola Rass, Bonn, Social Geographer, Pastoralism Specialist, Employee at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (passive member)
- Sandra Hoffer von Ankershoffen, Berlin, Product and Quality Manager (active member)
- Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen, Berlin, CEO of the neofonie Company (active member)
- Nurhan Yildrim, Berlin, CEO of the neofonie Company (active member)
- Stephan Flügge, Munich, Teacher and former Director of the Waldorf-School in Munich (passive member)
- Elisabeth Beringer, Munich, Quality Management Agent in the Service Sector (passive member)
- Craig Renaud, Grahamstown, Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and Lecturer at the Rhodes University Grahamstown (active member)
Thank you very much for your membership fee, active and additional contributions!
List of potential members
The persons listed below are interested in becoming members of the Village Scribe Association and taking part in our projects.
- Martin Rast, Luzern, Art and Computer Science Teacher, Documentary Filmmaker
- Patrick Paulisch, Berlin, Entrepreneurlin
- Jens Gehrich Schröter, Hamburg, German and English Teacher at the Margaretha Rothe Secondary School
- Karen Hunter, Berlin, Musician and Arts Manager
- Henry Holland, Grahamstown, Geographer, GIS specialist
- Andreas Spinner, Leipzig, Structural Engineer
- Kristina Spinner, Leipzig, Physiotherapist
- Dr. Werner Kreisch, Berlin, Biologist, Specialist for Pollination Ecology
- Franziska Flügge, Homburg (Saar), Nurse, Student
- Dominik Schmidt-Philipp, Graz, Student
- Alexandra Holland, Grahamstown, Biologist, PhD-Student, Senior Technical Officer at the Institute of Water Research
- Uwe-Gernod Fasold, Berlin, CFO of the neofonie Companyt
- Claas Duwe, Berlin, Secretary in the neighbourhood centre "Alte Feuerwache e.V."
- Gerald Kleser, Nice, Software Developer at SAP
- Dr. Silke Sachse, Jena, Neurobiologist at the Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology
- Dr. Regina Moritz, Bochum, Biologist
- Robert Freling, Washington DC, Executive Director and Board Member of SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund)
- Martin Wertlen, East London, Hotel Manager, Estate Agent at Sotheby's Realty
- Dr. Alicia Sèrsic, Còrdoba (Argentina), Biologist, Specialist for Pollination Ecology
- Daniel Isherwood, London, Medical Doctor
- Anja Froese, Berlin, Biologist, PhD-Student at the Institute of Neurobiology, FU Berlin
- Johannes Flügge, Überlingen, Chauffeur at the Psychiatric Community Centre in Überlingen
- Kerry Peter, Grahamstown, Journalist
- Alexandra Guillaume, Munich, Dental Billing Service, Surgery Management
- Dr. Nicola Stollhoff, Berlin, Biologist
- Kagiso Komane, Grahamstown, Computer Science Student, Software Developer at eKhaya ICT
- Britt Coles, Grahamstown, PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology, UF
- Dr. Alexander Löser, Berlin, Computer Science Senior Researcher, TU Berlin
- Virginia David-Engelbrecht, Grahamstown, Agricultural Engineer, Generalist
- Tilman Franke, Berlin, Biologist, PhD-Student at the Institute of Neurobiology, FU Berlin
- Jan von Sassen, Hamburg, Quality Management, Software and IT Purchase
- Dr. Natalie Hempel de Ibarra, Exeter (UK), Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter
- James Turner, Guildford (UK), Finance Systems Manager
- Christine Nesbitt Hills, Grahamstown, Photographer, Movie Maker
- Benedicte Vansina, Sint-Aghata-Rode (Belgium), independent midwife
- Hugo Baert, Sint-Aghata-Rode (Belgium), employee
- Kia Teymourian, Berlin, Computer Scientist at the Free University of Berlin
We kindly ask all further potential members of the VSA to pay their first membership fee (for the period July 2009 until June 2010) in order to become an official member of the Village Scribe Association. As an official member you will have the right to vote, and you will further receive the monthly newsletter.
Please, choose your type of membership (see below) and transfer the fee to our bank account stating your full name, period and type of membership as reason for payment (EU transfer - not international transfer!). As soon as we have received the fee, we will send you a receipt of payment and your membership proof.
We have recently been sending out individual reminders about membership fees. If you are not interested in being a full member of the Village Scribe Association, kindly let us know and we will not send you any more reminders. You will however remain on the newsletter list.
African members: We will soon open an African bank account. Please, wait with the transfer of your membership fee until we publish the African banking details.
Different types of memberships and fees
We are probably looking at five different types of members:
- Founder members: Representatives of the Association. They will stand for the VSA with their famous name, their opinion and/or profession. They will have to sign the statute and advertise the VSA. Minimum number required: 3. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
- Board members: Administrators of the Association. They will do the administrative work, i.e. chair person, vice chair person, treasurer, recording secretary and other functions. Minimum number required: 3. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
- Passive members: Regular members of the Association. They want to support us with a membership fee and their opinion. Minimum number required: as many as possible. Membership fee: 50 € per year. Reduced membership fee for persons under 18 years old, students, retirees, unemployed and handicapped persons: 25 € per year. Reduced membership fee for persons living in the developing countries: 5 € per year. Membership fee for companies and other organisations: individually adapted.
- Active members: The driving force of the Association. They will actively participate in projects, e.g. teachers, a school or one grade of school, or people that donate their time in some other way, e.g. programmers, lawyers, accountants, advertisers etc. Minimum number required: as many as possible. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
- Honorary members: The pride of the Association. They will be elected and honoured for their work for the VSA or for ICT4D in general by the members in the members meetings. Minimum number required: a nice number eventually. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
Information, Communication and Discussion in the Village Scribe Association
There are several ways for members and project participants to communicate and discuss different topics:
The Village Scribe Association Website and Dorfschreiber Verein Website (German version) presents the Association, offers information and will soon provide a communication platform (guest book, chat room etc.). Suggestions for improvement are welcome and can be sent to to info[at]villagescribe.org.
The Village Scribe mailing list can be used for information exchange and discussion between members. If you are interested in being included in the mailing list, please send an email stating your name, place of residence, postal address and profession to info[at]villagescribe.org. So far, all potential members (see below) are included in the mailing list.
The newsletter is being sent monthly. It provides information about new members, members' meetings, upcoming events, progress of our Projects, new project partners and donors, and new projects. It is published in German and in English by the managing board of the Village Scribe Association. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter, please send an email to info[at]villagescribe.org stating your name, place of residence, postal address, profession and whether you would like to receive the newsletter in English or German.
Banking Details
- Account name: Village Scribe Assoc
- Account number IBAN: BE75 9794 2617 4151
- BIC code: ARSPB22E (In case of three empty spaces in the form, please fill with "XXX".)
- Bank name: Argenta
- Bank address: Dorpplaats 9, B-3190, Boortmeerbeek, Belgium
(EU transfer - not international transfer!)
African members: We will soon open an African bank account. Please, wait with the transfer of your membership fee until we publish the African banking details.
Provisional Statutes
Statuten van de Village Scribe Association vereniging zonder winstoogmerk VSA vzw
De ondergetekende eerste en stichtende leden hebben op datum van (datum oprichting) unaniem besloten tot de oprichting van een vereniging zonder winstoogmerk, waarvan de Statuen als volgt luiden:
- The undersigned first and founding members have on (date of foundation meeting) unanimously decided to setup a not for profit organisation (vzw), according to the following Statutes:
§ I. Benaming, Maatschappelijke zetel, Duur, Doel en Activiteiten
Artikel 1 Rechtsvorm
De vereniging wordt opgericht als een entiteit met rechtspersoonlijkheid, meer in het bijzonder als een vereniging zonder winstoogmerk (hierna vzw genaamd) op grond van de wet van 27 juni 1921 betreffende de verenigingen zonder winstoogmerk zoals gewijzigd door de wet van 2 mei 2002 (hierna genoemd de VZW-wet).
- The Association is set up as a legal entity, in particular as a non-profit Association on the basis of the law of ..... concerning non-profit Associations and changed by the law of .....
Artikel 2 Naam
De vzw draagt de naam “Village Scribe Association” afgekort tot "VSA vzw" Al de akten, facturen, aankondigingen, uitgaven en andere stukken uitgaande van de vereniging moeten haar naam vermelden, onmiddellijk voorafgegaan of gevolgd door de woorden “vereniging zonder winstoogmerk.”.
- The Association is called “Village Scribe Association”and all documents to do with the Association must include the name Village Scribe Associaiton and vzw
Artikel 3 Zetel
De maatschappelijke zetel is gevestigd te 3190 Boortmeerbeek, Maenrot 29 gelegen in het gerechtelijk arrondissement (plaats).
- The chair is at 3190 Boortmeerbeek, Maenrot 29 in the legal district of ....
De zetel van de vereniging mag overgebracht worden naar een andere plaats in dezelfde agglomeratie bij besluit van de Raad van Bestuur. Dit besluit moet binnen de maand bekendgemaakt worden in de Bijlagen tot het Belgisch Staatsblad.
- The chair of the Association may be moved to another place in the same greater area by a decision of the RV. This decision must be announced in the Government Gazette within a month of the relocation.
De Raad van Bestuur kan kantoren en centra van werkzaamheden oprichten waar hij dit nuttig zou achten.
- RV can set up offices and centres that it needs for its activities.
Artikel 4 Duur
De vzw is opgericht voor onbepaald duur.
- The Association will exist for an unspecified period of time.
Artikel 5 Doel en Activiteiten
De vzw heeft tot doel:
- The goal of the Association:
Moderne en innovatieve informatie en communicatie technologieën te voorzien, ontwikkelen, gebruiken en ondersteunen om mensen te helpen om zelfstandig en financieel onafhankelijk te worden. Het is vooral van belang dat al onze projecten blijvend kunnen onderhouden worden.
- To envisage, conceive of, use, and support modern, innovative information and communication technologies to help people become autonomous and financially independent. It is of particular importance for us that all the projects that we are going to support are sustainable.
De vzw mag alle handelingen verrichten die rechtstreeks of onrechtstreeks met de verwezenlijking van voormelde ideële niet-winstgevende doelstellingen, met inbegrip van bijkomstige commerciële en winstgevende activiteiten binnen de grenzen van wat wettelijk toegelaten is en waarvan de opbrengsten ten allen tijde volledig zullen worden bestemd voor de verwezenlijking van de ideële niet-winstgevende doelstellingen.
- The Association can do all things which directly or indirectly contribute to the aforementioned goal, including incidental commercial and profitable activities within what is allowed by law and of which all profits are intended entirely for the realistaion of the goal of the not for profit Association.
Om het doel te verwezenlijken of te bevorderen kan de vereniging alle middelen aanwenden.
- The Association can apply all resources to realise and promote its goal.
Zij is bevoegd om alle roerende en onroerende goederen, die nodig of nuttig kunnen zijn voor het verwezenlijken van haar doel, in eigendom te houden of er het gebruik van te hebben.
- The Association is allowed to have in its possession any movable and immovable assets which are necessary or useful for achieving its goal.
Activiteiten
To support carefully selected practical projects and activities of various agencies that bring marginalised rural areas (MRAs) into the knowledge society, which meet our criteria and make use of synergy effects amoung each other to maximise results.
- De financiële administratie van lidgelden en schenkingen voor ontwikkelingshulpprojekten die nieuwe en innovatieve computer technologieën naar marginale Afrikaanse landelijke gebieden brengen.
- Financial administration of membership fees and donations for specific projects for developmental assistance by means of new, innovative computer technologies in marginalised rural areas in Africa.
- Sammeln, Entgegennahme, Verwaltung und Weiterleitung von Mitgliedsbeiträgen und Spendengeldern für Projekte zur Entwicklungshilfe mit Hilfe von neuen, innovativen Rechnertechnologien in marginalisierten ländlichen Gebieten in Afrika.
- Financial administration of membership fees and donations for specific projects for developmental assistance by means of new, innovative computer technologies in marginalised rural areas in Africa.
- Een netwerk ontwikkelen van actieve en passieve leden, schenkers, partner scholen en deelnemers aan andere projekten door deze aan te werven en te ondersteunen in ontwikkelde landen (Europa). De vereniging verbindt de deelnemers, leden en schenkers.
- Creation of a network of passive and active members, donors, partner schools and other project participants by recruiting and supervising schools and other project participants in developed countries (Europe). The Association acts as a link between project particiants, members and donors.
- Bildung eines Netzwerkes von passiven und aktiven Vereinsmitgliedern, Spendern, Partnerschaftsschulen und anderen Projektteilnehmern. Zu diesem Zweck müssen Schulen und andere Projektteilnehmer in Deutschland (oder anderen entwickelten Ländern) gefunden und betreut werden. Der Verein fungiert als Bindeglied zwischen den Projektteilnehmern sowie zu den Vereinsmitgliedern und Spendern.
- Creation of a network of passive and active members, donors, partner schools and other project participants by recruiting and supervising schools and other project participants in developed countries (Europe). The Association acts as a link between project particiants, members and donors.
- Het onwikkelen en onderhouden van een website om de vereniging en haar projekten bekend te maken, en om nieuws te verspreiden en informatie uit te wisselen tussen leden, schenkers en deelnemers.
- Creation and maintanance of a website for advertising the Association and its projects, for notification of news, and for information exchange between members, donors and project participants.
- Betrieb einer Website zur Bekanntmachung des Vereins und seiner zu unterstützenden Projekte, zum Informationsaustausch von Mitgliedern, Spendern und Projektteilnehmern.
- Creation and maintanance of a website for advertising the Association and its projects, for notification of news, and for information exchange between members, donors and project participants.
- Activiteiten en evenementen organiseren, bijvoorbeeld ledenvergaderingen, voorstellingen, workshops, ...
- Initiation of activities and events, e.g. organisation of members meetings, presentations, workshops etc.
- Initiation von Veranstaltungen, z.B. Organisation von Teilnehmer- und Mitgliedertreffen, Präsentationen, Workshops u.a.
- Initiation of activities and events, e.g. organisation of members meetings, presentations, workshops etc.
- Het verdelen en uitvoeren van de verschillende taken van de vereniging. Een aanspreekpunt vormen voor vragen en problemen.
- Administration of general duties and tasks of an Association, and to act as a contact point for questions and problems.
- Verwaltung von allgemeinen Vereinsaufgaben und Funktion als Anlaufstelle für Fragen und Probleme.
- Administration of general duties and tasks of an Association, and to act as a contact point for questions and problems.
§ II. Leden, bijdrage
Artikel 6
De vzw bestaat uit effectieve en toegetreden leden.
- The Association is made up of active and passive members.
Het getal van de leden is niet beperkt.
- The number of members is not limited.
Het aantal van de effectieve leden mag evenwel niet minder bedragen dan drie.
- The number of active members cannot be less than 3.
Enkel de effectieve leden maken deel uit van de Algemene Vergadering.
- Only active members can attend the AG.
De toegetreden leden betalen een lidmaatschapsbijdrage volgens de groep waartoe ze ingedeeld zijn. Door het betalen van deze bijdrage kunnen zij deelnemen aan de activiteiten van de groep waartoe ze behoren, volgens de bepalingen in het huishoudelijk reglement.
- The passive members pay a membership fee according to the group to which they belong. Via this payment they are entitled to take part in the activities of their group, but within any restrictions placed by the day to day running rules.
De Algemene Vergadering kan, op de door haar te bepalen voorwaarden, aan bepaalde personen de titel van erelid van de vereniging toekennen.
- The AG can bestow the title of honorary member upon persons they see fit to be called so.
Artikel 7: Effectieve leden
Er zijn minstens drie effectieve leden met alle rechten en plichten zoals omschreven in de VZW-wet.
- There must be at least 3 active members who have all the rights and obligations as described in the vzw law.
De effectieve leden zijn:
- Effective member are:
a. de ondertekenaars van onderhavige akte;
- The persons who signed this act
b. de personen die op voorstel van ten minste twee effectieve leden, als effectief lid worden aanvaard bij besluit van de algemene vergadering genomen met een meerderheid van twee derde van de aanwezige effectieve leden.
- People who have been nominated by at least 2 other active members and approved by 2/3 majority at AG.
De volgende oprichters zijn de eerste effectieve leden: ……………………………………………………………………. (vul in: naam, voornamen, woonplaats + adres, geboortedatum, geboorteplaats en rijksregisternummer) ……………………………………………………………………. (vul in: naam, voornamen, woonplaats + adres, geboortedatum, geboorteplaats en rijksregisternummer) ……………………………………………………………………. (vul in: naam, voornamen, woonplaats + adres, geboortedatum, geboorteplaats en rijksregisternummer)
Artikel 8
De kandidaat-leden richten hun kandidaatstelling aan de Raad van Bestuur. Om effectief lid te kunnen worden moet het kandidaat-lid voorgedragen worden door 2 leden van de Raad van Bestuur.
- Candidate members lay their application before the RV. In order to become an active member the candidate member must be nominated by two RV members.
De Raad van Bestuur zal beslissen over de aanvaarding van de kandidaat op haar eerstvolgende vergadering bij gewone meerderheid van de stemmen. De beslissing is zonder beroep en moet niet gemotiveerd worden en wordt schriftelijk (per email of brief) ter kennis van de kandidaat gebracht.
- The RV will decide about acceptance of the candidate at their next meeting by a vote of usual majority. The decision does not have to be justified but must be announced to the candidate either by email or letter.
Diegene die niet werd aangenomen, kan zich slechts één jaar na de datum van de beslissing, opnieuw kandidaat stellen.
- The person who is not accepted must wait at least a year after the refusal to apply again to be a member.
Artikel 9: Bijdrage
Effectieve leden en de toegetreden leden betalen een lidmaatschapsbijdrage die door de Raad van Bestuur wordt vastgelegd en die maximum (€ 5000) bedraagt.
- Active and passive members pay a membership, of which a record is kept by the RV, and which is a maximum amount of €5000.
Artikel 10 : Ontslag
De effectieve en de toegetreden leden kunnen op ieder ogenblik uittreden uit de vereniging, mits schriftelijk ontslag gericht aan de Raad van Bestuur.
- Active and passive members can resign from the Association at any moment, by written notice to the RV.
Het ontslag zal een maand na dit schrijven ingaan.
- The resignation will take effect one month after the written notificaftion.
Het effectief of toegetreden lid dat de door hem verschuldigde bijdrage niet heeft betaald binnen de maand na de herinnering die hem bij ter email of post werd toegezonden, wordt geacht ontslag te nemen.
- Active and passive members who do not pay their membership fees within a month of being reminded either via email or post, will be forced to resign.
De uitsluiting van een effectief of toegetreden lid kan slechts door de Algemene Vergadering worden uitgesproken met een meerderheid van twee derden van de aanwezige of vertegenwoordigde effectieve leden.
- The exclusion of an active or passive member can only be pronounced by the AV with a two thirds majority of the present or represented active members.
De Raad van Bestuur kan de leden die zich aan een zware overtreding van de Statuen of van de normen van eer en welvoeglijkheid schuldig hebben gemaakt, schorsen tot aan de beslissing van de Algemene Vergadering.
- The RV has the right to suspend any members who are guilty of going against the Statute or breaching the normal codes of conduct of honour and propriety, until a decision is made by the AG.
Het lid dat ontslag neemt of dat uitgesloten wordt, heeft geen aanspraak op het maatschappelijk bezit, en kan geen teruggave vorderen van de betaalde bijdragen, of vergoeding eisen voor geleverde prestaties.
- The member who resigns or is excluded is not entitled to any refund of membership contributions nor can he demand compensation for any of his actions within the Association.
Hetzelfde geldt ten aanzien van de rechthebbenden van een overleden lid.
- The same applies to a deceased member.
Een ontslagnemend of uitgesloten lid, of de rechthebbenden van een overleden lid, kunnen geen inzage vorderen van de rekeningen van de vereniging noch zegels laten leggen of een boedelbeschrijving vorderen.
- A resigned or excluded member, or the claimants of a deceased member, may not examine the Association accounts nor demand the estate inventory.
Artikel 11: Beëindiging van het lidmaatschap
De uitsluiting van een effectief lid kan slechts door de Algemene Vergadering en met meerderheid van twee derden van de stemmen uitgesproken worden.
- The exclusion of an active member can only be taken at an AG by pronounced majority of two thirds.
De uitsluiting van een toegetreden lid is een bevoegdheid van de Raad van Bestuur, die dit uitspreekt met een gewone meerderheid van de stemmen.
- The exclusion of a passive member is the jurisdiction of the RV, which pronounces it by an ordinary majority vote.
Artikel 12: Rechten
Geen enkel effectief of toegetreden lid kan enige aanspraak laten gelden of uitoefenen op de activa van de vzw op grond van de enkele hoedanigheid van lid. Deze uitsluiting van rechten op de activa geldt ten allen tijde: tijdens het lidmaatschap, bij beëindiging van het lidmaatschap om wat voor reden dan ook, bij ontbinding van de vzw, enz.
- No one can ever claim back money from vzw: e.g. if a member decides to leave Association they cannot claim to be paid out a certain sum of money, like a share.
§ III De Algemene Vergadering
Artikel 13: Samenstelling
De Algemene Vergadering wordt samengesteld uit de effectieve leden. Deze kunnen zich laten vertegenwoordigen door een ander effectief lid. Eén lid kan echter maximaal 3 stemmen uitbrengen.
- The AG is made up of active members. Active members can be represented by other active members. An active member make a maximum of 3 votes on behalf of other active members.
Artikel 14: Bevoegdheden
De algemene vergadering is het hoogste orgaan van de vereniging. Zij bezit de machten die haar zijn toegekend door de wet en door de onderhavige Statuen. De Algemene Vergadering is uitsluitend bevoegd voor:
- De wijzigen van de Statue - Changes to the Statue
- De benoeming en afzetting /ontslaan van bestuurders - Nomination and dismissal of managers /governers
- De benoeming en afzetting van de commissaris en het bepalen van diens bezoldiging - Nomination and dismissal of leaders (e.g. of task groups), and determining his salary, if any
- De kwijting geven aan de bestuurders en commissarissen - Firing of managers /directors and leaders
- De goedkeuring van de begrotingen en van de rekeningen - Approval of accounts /growth
- De vrijwillige ontbinding van de vereniging - Voluntary dissolution of Association
- De uitsluiting van leden - Exclusion of members
- De omzetting van de vereniging in een vennootschap met een sociaal oogmerk - Changing Association into a business
Artikel 15: Vergaderingen
De Algemene Vergadering, genaamd jaarvergadering, wordt bijeengeroepen door de Raad van Bestuur telkens als het doel of het belang van de vereniging dit vereist en tenminste één maal per jaar, in het vierde kwartaal van het kalenderjaar.
- The AG is called for by the RV. They need to announce when it will be - we have chosen sometime in the last quarter of the calendar year.
Op ieder ogenblik kan een buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van de vereniging worden bijeengeroepen door een beslissing van de Raad van Bestuur of op vraag van minstens één vijfde van de effectieve leden.
- An extraordinary AG can be called by RV or if requested by at least 1/5 of the active members.
Ieder effectief lid heeft het recht de vergadering bij te wonen. Hij kan zich laten vertegenwoordigen door een lasthebber die ook een effectief lid moet zijn van de vereniging. Ieder effectief lid kan slechts twee andere leden vertegenwoordigen.
- Each active member has the right to attend the AG. He can be represented by another active member at the AG. Each active member can represent maximum two other active members.
De lasthebber moet voor de stemming een geschreven volmacht (brief of email) voorleggen. Alle volmachten dienen bij het begin van de vergadering aan de voorzitter overhandigd te worden, en zij worden gehecht aan de notulen van de Algemene Vergadering.
- The representative must have written consent if he is to vote for the person he is representing. The consent must be given to the chairperson before the meeting starts and be attached to the minutes.
De uitnodiging wordt minstens 8 dagen voorafgaand aan de datum van de Algemene Vergadering naar alle effectieve leden verstuurd per gewone post of per E-mail.
- The announcement must go out at least 8 days before the AG to all active members by post or email.
Iedere vergadering wordt gehouden op de dag, het uur en de plaats vermeld in de oproeping. De oproeping bevat de agendapunten. Na de kenbaarmaking van de dagorde kunnen punten worden toegevoegd mits akkoord van 2/3 van de aanwezige leden.
- The meeting must take place on the day, time and place stipulated in the announcement. The announcement must include the agenda. Once the agenda has been announced, new points can only be added if 2/3 of the present members agree.
De vergadering kan niet geldig beraadslagen en besluiten over de punten die niet op de agenda vermeld zijn, behalve wanneer alle effectieve leden aanwezig zijn of vertegenwoordigd zijn en zij met eenparigheid akkoord gaan de agenda uit te breiden.
- The meeting cannot decide on points not on the agenda except if all present active members agree to extend the agenda.
De algemene vergadering wordt voorgezeten door de voorzitter van de Raad van Bestuur of bij ontstentenis door de oudste van de aanwezige leden van de raad van bestuur.
- The AG is presided over by the chairperson of the RV or if he is absent, the oldest member.
In de algemene vergadering hebben alle effectieve leden een gelijk stemrecht.
- All active members have equal voting rights at the AG.
De besluiten worden genomen bij eenvoudige meerderheid van stemmen van de tegenwoordige of vertegenwoordigde effectieve leden, behoudens andersluidende bepaling in de wet of in onderhavige Statuen.
- Decisions are taken by simple majority of votes of effective or represented active members, or in accordance with the law or Statue.
Bij staking van stemmen is het voorstel verworpen.
- An equal number of votes means no approval of the motion.
De algemene vergadering kan slechts geldig besluiten over de ontbinding van de vereniging of de wijziging in de Statuen indien de bepalingen van de artikelen 8 en 20 van de Wet van zevenentwintig juni negentienhonderd éénentwintig, gewijzigd door de Wet van twee mei tweeduizend en twee betreffende de verenigingen zonder winstgevend doel worden nageleefd.
- The AG can only decide on the dissolution of the Association or changing the Statue in accordance with law ....
De besluiten van de algemene vergadering worden ingeschreven in het register van de notulen en worden ondertekend door de voorzitter. Dit register wordt bewaard in de zetel van de vereniging waar alle leden er ter plaatse inzage kunnen van nemen.
- Decisions taken at the AG must be noted in a register and signed by the chairperson. This register must become available to all members.
Alle leden of derden, die van een belang doen blijken, kunnen uittreksels vragen die worden ondertekend door de voorzitter van de raad van bestuur en door een bestuurder.
- All members can request a copy of the register.
Artikel 16: Quorum en stemming
Beslissingen worden genomen bij gewone meerderheid van de aanwezige of vertegenwoordigde leden.
- Decisions are taken by normal majority of present or represented members.
De wijziging van de Statuen vereist een beraadslaging in een vergadering die voldoet aan een quorum van 2/3 van de aanwezige of vertegenwoordigde leden. Ingeval op de eerste vergadering minder dan 2/3 van de leden aanwezig of vertegenwoordigd zijn kan een tweede vergadering bijeengeroepen worden die geldig kan beraadslagen, ongeacht het aantal aanwezige of vertegenwoordigde leden. De tweede vergadering mag niet binnen de 15 dagen volgend op de eerste vergadering gehouden worden. De beslissing wordt geacht aanvaard te zijn indien ze wordt goedgekeurd door 2/3 van de stemmen van de aanwezige of vertegenwoordigde leden. Enkel wanneer de Statuenwijziging betrekking heeft op het doel of de doeleinden vereist ze een meerderheid van 4/5 van de stemmen van de aanwezige of vertegenwoordigde leden.
- Changes to the Statue can only be done by 2/3 majority vote of present or represented active members. If less than 2/3 of the active members are present or represented then a second AG must be held, at least 15 days after the first one. The decision is made regardless of whether 2/3 of the members are present or not. Only if the change in Statue has to do with changing the goals and aims of the Association must the vote be 4/5 majority of present or represented members.
Artikel 17: Inzagerecht
De besluiten van de Algemene Vergadering worden gebundeld en bewaard op de maatschappelijke zetel van de vereniging. Zij zijn voor de leden ter inzage beschikbaar en de leden kunnen op aanvraag een afschrift ontvangen.
- Minutes of the AG must be kept together at the official seat of the Association. They are available for the members to look at and members can request copies.
§ IV De Raad van Bestuur
Artikel 18: Samenstelling
De vereniging wordt bestuurd door een Raad van Bestuur van ten minste drie personen, lid van de vereniging gekozen onder de effectieve leden door de Algemene Vergadering voor een termijn van 4 jaar, en aangeduid door de Algemene Vergadering.
- The Association is led /directed by the RV of at least 3 people, members of the Association chosen at the AG for a period of 4 years and approved of by the AG.
Het aantal bestuurders moet in elk geval steeds lager zijn dan het aantal personen dat effectief lid is van de vereniging.
- The numbers of directors must always be lower than the number of effecitive members.
Als slechts drie personen lid zijn van de vereniging, bestaat de raad van bestuur uit twee personen.
- If there are only 3 members in the Association then the RV is made up of 2 people.
De Raad van Bestuur kiest onder zijn leden een voorzitter, en eventueel een ondervoorzitter, een penningmeester en een secretaris.
- The RV chooses from amongst themselves a chairperson and if necessary a secretary and a treasurer.
Ingeval een voorzitter verhinderd is, wordt zijn taak waargenomen door de ondervoorzitter of door de oudste der aanwezige bestuurders.
- If the chairperson is absent he is represented by vice chairperson or the oldest member present.
Artikel 19: Voorwaarden
De kandidaat-bestuurders dienen hun kandidatuur minimum 7 dagen voor de datum van de Algemene Vergadering in te richten aan de Raad van Bestuur.
- Candidates for the RV must submit their applications at least 7 days before AG to the RV.
Om tot bestuurder te kunnen verkozen worden moet men voldoen aan volgende voorwaarden:
a. Minimum 18 jaar zijn b. Effectief lid zijn
Artikel 20: Benoeming, ontslag
De bestuurders worden benoemd door een Algemene Vergadering voor termijn van 4 jaar. De uittredende bestuurders zijn herverkiesbaar en ten alle tijde afzetbaar door de Algemene Vergadering.
- Outgoing directors /managers are re-electable and at all times get-ridable of by the AG.
Ieder lid van de Raad van Bestuur kan zelf ook ontslag nemen door schriftelijke kennisgeving aan de Raad van Bestuur.
- An RV member can resign by putting his resignation in writing to RV.
Bij ontslag, schorsing of overlijden van een bestuurder zal de eerstvolgende Algemene Vergadering in zijn vervanging voorzien, voor de nog lopende periode. Intussentijd kan de Raad van Bestuur onder zich een bestuurder aanduiden die tijdelijk de opengevallen functie waarneemt.
- If a member of the RV resigns, is fired, or dies, a replacement to continue his /her duties for the rest of the time that he /she would have been active is arranged at the next general meeting. In the meantime the RV can appoint an RV member to fulfil these duties.
In geval van vacature tijdens een mandaat, wordt een voorlopige bestuurder door de algemene vergadering benoemd. Hij voltooit het mandaat van de bestuurder die hij vervangt.
- If someone leaves during his term of office, his duties are fulfilled by a temporary manager /director nominated at the AG.
Artikel 21: Bekendmakingsvereisten /Vergaderingen, beraadslaging, beslissing
De Raad wordt bijeengeroepen door de voorzitter of de secretaris.
- The RV can be called together by the chairperson or secretary.
De Raad van Bestuur kan slechts geldig beslissen indien de meerderheid van de bestuurders aanwezig is of per volmacht vertegenwoordigd zijn.
- RV can only make decisions if a majority of its members are present or represented.
De besluiten worden genomen bij gewone meerderheid van stemmen. Bij staking van stemmen geeft de stem van de voorzitter, of van diegene die hem vervangt, de doorslag.
- Decisions are taken by normal majority voting. If the votes are equal the vote of the chairperson, or person representing him is the deciding vote.
Bij staking van stemmen wordt een tweede stemming gehouden. Geeft deze geen uitsluitsel dan worden de stemmen van de voorzitter, secretaris en penningmeester weerhouden.
- If the vote is equal then a second vote is held. If it is still equal then the votes of the chairperson, secretary and treasurer are the deciding votes.
Er worden notulen opgesteld en bewaard in een notulenregister dat ter inzage zal zijn van de effectieve leden.
- Minutes must be drawn up and kept in a register, which is available to all active members.
Van de besluiten worden notulen opgemaakt, die ondertekend worden door de voorzitter en die ingeschreven worden in een speciaal register. De uittreksels die moeten worden voorgelegd, worden door de voorzitter ondertekend.
- Decisions taken must be noted and signed by the chairperson and written up in a special register. Any excerpts muts be signed by the chairperson.
Wanneer ten aanzien van één van de leden van de raad van bestuur een belangenconflict zou rijzen, zal deze zich onthouden van deelname aan de beraadslaging en de stemming. Hij zal dit voorafgaandelijk melden aan de overige leden van de vergadering die een ander persoon dan de betrokken bestuurder zullen aanstellen om hem te vertegenwoordigen.
- If an RV member has a conflict of interest, he must announce it to the other members before RV meeting.
De benoeming van de leden van de Raad van Bestuur en hun ambtsbeëindiging wordt openbaar gemaakt door neerlegging in het verenigingsdossier ter griffie van de rechtbank van koophandel, en van een uittreksel daarvan bestemd om in de bijlagen bij het Belgisch Staatsblad te worden bekendgemaakt.
- Nomination of members of RV and their ending of office must be made public by presenting it in an Association dossier at the local court, and an extract of that published in the Government Gazette.
Uit de stukken moet blijken of de personen die de vzw vertegenwoordigen, de vzw ieder afzonderlijk, gezamenlijk, dan wel als college verbinden.
- It must be clear from the Statue that the people who represent the Association do so either together as a group, as individuals or as a body.
Artikel 22: Bevoegdheden
De Raad van Bestuur leidt de zaken van de vereniging.
- The RV is in charge of running the Association.
Hij kan alle rechtshandelingen stellen en alle daden verrichten die hij nuttig acht voor de verwezenlijking van het doel der vereniging, met uitzondering van de handelingen die voorbehouden zijn aan de algemene vergadering of die strijdig zijn met de Statuen of de wet.
- It can do anything that it thinks is necessary to achieve the goals and aims of the Association, with the exception of those things limited to the AG, or things that go against the law or the Statue.
Deze bestuurders zijn afzonderlijk gemachtigd om poststukken, postassignaties, aangetekende brieven en dergelijke, gericht aan de vereniging in ontvangst te nemen.
- These managers /directors are responsible for carrying out all the duties and daily runnings of the Association.
Artikel 23: Vertegenwoordiging
De Raad van Bestuur kan onder zijn verantwoordelijkheid, zijn bevoegdheden gedeeltelijk of volledig overdragen aan een van zijn leden en zelfs aan derden.
- The RV can, under its responsibility, partly or fully hand over jurisdiction to one of it’s members or to a third party.
Alle akten die de vereniging verbinden, worden in naam van de vereniging geldig ondertekend door de voorzitter van de Raad van Bestuur. Deze moet ten aanzien van derden geen blijk geven van enig besluit van de raad of van enige machtiging.
- The chairperson of the Association can act in the name of the Association without having to prove to a third party that he has had prior approval from the RV.
Dezelfde wijze van vertegenwoordiging geldt voor het optreden in rechte.
- The same as above applies for legal matters.
Door de bestuurders wordt geen persoonlijke verplichting aangegaan betreffende de verbintenissen van de vereniging. Hun aansprakelijkheid is beperkt tot de vervulling van de hun gegeven opdracht.
- The managers /directors are only legally responsible for their given tasks. They are not personally legally responsible for commitments of the Association.
§ V. Begroting en rekeningen
Artikel 24
Leder jaar op het einde van het boekjaar invullen wordt de jaarrekening van het verlopen jaar afgesloten en wordt de begroting voor het volgend jaar opgemaakt.
- Every year at the end of the book year the books of the previous year are closed and the budget for the following year submitted.
De Raad van Bestuur legt de jaarrekening en de begroting ter goedkeuring voor aan de Algemene Vergadering.
- The RV submits the year end accounts and budget for approval at the AG.
De rekeningen en begroting worden ten minste een week vóór de jaarvergadering ter kennis gebracht van de effectieve leden, die alsdan inzage kunnen vragen, zonder verplaatsing, van al de bescheiden waarop deze rekeningen en begroting gesteund zijn.
- The accounts and budget must be made available to the active members at least 8 days before the AG, who are allowed to query them.
De boekhouding wordt gevoerd overeenkomstig het bepaalde in artikel 17 VZW-wet en daarop toepasselijke uitvoeringsbesluiten.
- The accounts are carried out in accordance with Article 17 of vzw law.
De jaarrekening wordt neergelegd in het dossier gehouden op de griffie van de rechtbank van koophandel.
- Yearly accounts must be laid in the Association dossier held at the local court.
§ VI. Ontbinding en vereffening
Artikel 25
De vereniging wordt niet ontbonden door het overlijden of het uittreden van een lid, in zover het aantal effectieve leden daardoor niet minder dan drie bedraagt.
- The Association cannot be dissolved upon the death or resignation of a member, as long as the number of active members is less than 3.
De vereniging kan vóór het verstrijken van haar duur ontbonden worden door een besluit van de algemene vergadering overeenkomstig artikel 20 van de Wet van zevenentwintig juni negentienhonderd éénentwintig of door een gerechtelijke beslissing.
- Dissolution of the Association can only take place at an AG in accordance with law .... or through legal decision.
In geval van vrijwillige ontbinding worden door de algemene vergadering, en bij gebreke daarvan door de rechtbank, een of meer vereffenaars benoemd, hun bevoegdheid bepaald en de wijze van vereffening der schulden en van de tegeldemaking der goederen vastgesteld.
- In the event of a voluntary dissolution of the Association (legally or by the AG) one or more liquidators are nominated, because of their competence, to settle the finances and assets of the Association.
In geval van ontbinding zal het actief, na aanzuivering der schulden, overgedragen worden aan een vereniging, stichting of instituut die hetzelfde doel als de heden opgerichte vereniging nastreeft. Indien er verschillende dergelijke instellingen zijn, zal de algemene vergadering een keuze maken, of naar haar goedvinden de goederen verdelen onder de instellingen die in aanmerking komen. Indien geen instelling gekend is met een gelijkaardig doel, zal de algemene vergadering de goederen toewijzen aan één of meerdere verenigingen, stichtingen of instituten die een doel nastreven dat in enige mate verwant is met het doel van onderhavige vereniging.
- In the event of dissolution, all remaining assets /finances will be transferred to another association, foundation or institute, with the same aims as the current Associaiton. If there are several such bodies then the AG will decide whether to hand the assets over to a single body or to divide the assets between the bodies. If no body exists with the same aims then the AG will choose a body with similar aims.
Voor alles waarin hier niet uitdrukkelijk is voorzien, blijven de Wet van zevenentwintig juni negentienhonderd éénentwintig, gewijzigd door de Wet van twee mei tweeduizend en twee en de gebruiken inzake verenigingen van overeenkomstige toepassing.
- For everything that is not made clear here, refer to law ...
§ VII. Varia
Worden benoemd als eerste bestuurders door de algemene vergadering hier bijeen:
- Nominated as the first directors by the AG are:
- “#” (vul in: naam, voornamen, geboortedatum, geboorteplaats en rijksregisternummer)
- “#” (tot zolang alle bestuurders zijn vernoemd)
- “#” (Vermeld datum en plaats!)
Deze akte is opgemaakt te .................... (plaats invullen) in “#” (vul in) originele exemplaren. Volgen nu de handtekeningen, gevolgd door naam en voornaam van de ondertekenaar; en dit tot alle handtekeningen een plaats hebben gekregen. Voor het geval ook volmachten werden verleend door oprichters die niet aanwezig konden zijn, moet ook melding gemaakt worden van het volgende:
- For founders who cannot be present and have given power of attorney to someone else, must note also be made of the following
Volmacht van oprichter “#” (vul in: naam, voornaam, geboortedatum, geboorteplaats) voor “#” (vul in: naam, voornaam van een oprichter); en dit tot alle volmachten een plaats hebben gekregen.
(naam en handtekening van de stichters)
- “#”
- “#”
- “#”
(Raad van Bestuur = Board of Directors /Governers /Executive Board)
Fundings
Financial aid for the VSA through the Schulengel
Schulengel (School Angel) is an internet portal where online shoppers can support schools or education projects. With the help of more than 140 partner shops, Schulengel turns your everyday online shopping into donations for the Village Scribe Association (Dorfschreiber Verein) - without extra cost or effort! This is mainly of use for those of our members living in Germany and who often use Internet shopping.
Register now for the Schulengel
Status update 22/01/2010: The VSA has already 3 supporters that donated 2.41 Euro on the website Schulengel.
Donations
Status update 22/01/2010: Members and friends of the VSA donated 850.00 Euro, 6 used digital cameras and one used computer. We are very grateful and thank you very much!
Satzung (link to the out-dated German version of the statute)
Setting up a not-for-profit association (in Belgium): English Summary
