Constitution

1.1. The name of the Association shall be “Non-Resident Nepali Association-National Coordination Council, Norway”. The abbreviated form is NRNA-NCC, Norway. Hereafter the Association is referred as “NRNA-NCC, Norway” or “Association”.

1.2. This constitution first became effective after the 1st National General Assembly held on 18th May 2008 in Oslo, Norway.

2.1. Unless and otherwise defined separately “Non-Resident Nepali in Norway” means foreign citizens of Nepali origin or Nepali citizens lived in Norway for more than two years: Citizens deputed in the diplomatic missions by the Government of Nepal. Foreign citizens of Nepali origin’’ as stated in this clause is the person who him/herself or his/her father or mother or grand-father or grand-mother, was originally the citizen of Nepal and later obtained citizenship of except the SAARC countries. (Definitions and Abbreviations) will be same as defined by NRNA-ICC.

2.2. “NRNA-NCC, Norway” refers to the organization of non-resident Nepali residing in Norway.

2.3. “NRNA” means the Non-Resident Nepali Association.

2.4. “NRN” means the Non-Resident Nepali.

2.5. “ICC” means the International Coordination Council of the Association.

2.6. “NCC, Norway” means the National Coordination Council of NRNA in Norway.

2.7. “AGM” means the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

2.8. “NGA” means the National General Assembly of the Association.

2.9. “SGA” means the Special General Assembly of the Association.

2.10. “Office Secretariate” means the Secretariat of the Association.

2.11. “President” means the President of the Association

2.12. “Vice-Presidents” means the Vice-Presidents of the Association.

2.13. “General Secretary” means the General Secretary of the Association.

2.14. “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Association.

2.15. “Treasurer” means the Treasurer of the Association.

2.16. “Joint Treasurer’’ means the Joint Treasurer of the Association.

2.17. Spokesperson’’ means Spokesperson of the Association.

2.18. “Women Coordinator” means the Women Coordinator of the Association.

2.19. “Youth Coordinator” means the Youth Coordinator of the Association.

2.20. “Executive Members” means the Executive Members of the Association.

2.21. “Registered Member” mean the Registered Member of the Association.

2.22. “General Member” means the General Member of the Association.

2.23. “Associate Member” means the Associate Member of the Association.

2.24. “Children Member” means the Children Member of the Association.

2.25. “Honorary Member” means the Honorary Member of the Association.

2.26. “Advisor” means the Advisor of the Association appointed by the NCC, Norway.

2.27. “Patron” means the Patron of the Association.

2.28. “Stamp” means the Stamp of the Association.

2.29. “Letterhead” means the Letterhead of the Association.

2.30. “Executive Committee (EC)” means the Executive Committee of the Association.

2.31. “Youth” means a person below 40 years to the date of the National General Assembly. 2.32. “Children” means a person below 18 years to the date of the National General Assembly.

2.33. “Person” means both natural and legal types of persons.

2.34. “Fiscal year” means a one-calendar-year period (1st January to 31 December) 2.35. “Regional Committee /(RC)” means a branch of NCC Norway in a Region. 2.36. “Region” means a County (Fylke) of Norway except Oslo/Akershus.

2.37. “RGA” means the Regional General Assembly of the region.

3.1. Scope

This constitution governs all the activities conducted by the NRNA-NCC, Norway, registered in Norway, and shall be operated in the territory of Norway as a non-profit making, non- political and non-religious organization. NRNA-NCC, Norway is also associated with the NRNA-ICC and aims to support its objectives.

3.2. Objectives

3.2.1. Main objectives of the Association are to create a common forum for Nepali and foreign citizens of Nepali origin living in Norway and help to the development of Nepal by uniting Nepali communities in Norway. The motto of the Association is “FOR NEPALI BY NEPALI”. The specific objectives of the Association are given below.

3.2.2. To promote Nepali cultures, traditions and languages in Norway and facilitate tourism development in Nepal working closely with Nepali organizations, the Nepali Embassy/Consular and Nepal related Norwegian organizations.

3.2.3. To facilitate and attract Nepali community, Norwegian people, and investors to invest in Nepal.

3.2.4. To create a conducive environment in Nepal for investment and utilization of the skills and expertise of the Nepali living in Norway.

3.2.5. To foster closer cooperation among Nepali communities and organizations established in Norway.

3.2.6. To serve as a common forum for the promotion and protection of the interests of

the Nepali both in Nepal and Norway.

3.2.7. To work as per the spirit of the NRNA-ICC by forging close cooperation.

3.2.8. To organize various activities to keep and attract second generation of the Nepalis.

3.2.9. To expand the association in the regions outside Oslo/Akershus by motivating the General Members to be Registered Member and unite them through the Regional Committees.

4.1. Details of membership

4.1.1. Nepali citizens residing abroad or the foreign citizens of Nepali origin.

4.1.2. Eligibility of the various types of the membership is defined in clause 4.2.

4.1.3. Membership rights, responsibilities, and payments are defined in clause 4.4.

4.1.4. The executive committee of the Association will have right to issue the membership to an applicant with the criteria for respective membership defined under clause 4.2.

4.2. Types of the membership

4.2.1. General Member: Norwegian/foreign citizens of Nepali origin or Nepali citizens lived in Norway more than two years, except Nepali students and citizens deputed in diplomatic missions in Norway, as defined in Clause 2.1, will be eligible for General Member of the association.

4.2.2. Registered Member: A General Member who wants to apply first time for Registered member, must submit MIS form including evidence and pays membership fee. The approved Registered Member in the previous term will only pay membership fee to renew his/her membership for the next term.

4.2.3. Associate Member: Nepali citizens who are engaged in various professions and have lived less than two years with temporary resident permit in Norway, students in Norwegian academic institutions can apply for Associate membership of the Association.

4.2.4. Children Member: Children between the age group 6-17 years can be provided Children membership of the Association.

4.2.5. Honorary Member: Norwegians or citizens of foreign origin, who have contributed significantly to promoting and helping Nepal, can be honored with an Honorary Membership. This membership shall be granted by the NRNA-NCC, Norway on the recommendation of the EC.

4.3. Termination of the membership

4.3.1. Registered membership of NRNA-NCC, Norway will automatically be terminated if the member leaves Norway permanently.

4.3.2. Individuals convicted in any criminal offences or illegal activities are not eligible for any kind of membership.

4.3.3. Registered membership of NRNA-NCC, Norway will be terminated if the member wishes to resign.

4.3.4. The Registered Member of NRNA-NCC, Norway will be terminated if he/she has provided false information while applying for registered membership of the Association.

4.4. Membership rights, responsibilities, and fees

4.4.1. Honorary, General, Children and Associate Members will be included in all the activities of NRNA Norway

4.4.2. Members defined in clause 4.4.1 will not have voting right and right to contest in the elections.

4.4.3. Registered Members defined in clause 4.2.2 will have right to vote and contest in the elections.

4.4.4. NRNA-NCC, Norway and Regional Committee in own County/Region will have the right and responsibility to verify and issue the Registered membership status to the eligible applicant according to clause 4.2.2.

4.4.5. NRNA-NCC, Norway shall report its membership status to NRNA-ICC. The ICC will maintain an integrated database of all the Registered Members of the NRNA.

4.4.6. The membership fees can be proposed by the EC and approved by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or National General Assembly (NGA) of the Association.

4.4.7. A General Member who lives in a region and is a member of Nepali Society, can apply for general Members in the Regional Committee by paying membership fee applicable to ICC.

4.4.8. Membership fee should be paid by himself/herself or by his/her family members as defined in clause.

4.4.9. Associate members, Child members and Registered members shall pay membership fee annually. Paid associate members will not be eligible for General and Registered Members.

4.4.10. Individual member’s right and accountability will not be transferable.

4.4.11. Prime responsibility of members is to accept and respect this constitution.

5.1. Sources of the fund

5.1.1. The funds received from donations,

5.1.2. Incomes generated from various fundraising activities,

5.1.3. Membership fees,

5.1.4. The voluntary contributions,

5.1.5. Basic support and subsidy by the local and central government of Norway

5.2. Management of the funds

5.2.1. Treasurer/Joint Treasurer shall maintain all records of incomes and expenditures. He/she shall prepare and present the audited financial statement of the incomes and expenditures in the AGM/ NGA of the Association.

5.2.2. Executive Committee shall have authority to allocate and approve the expenditures from the funds created by the Association in accordance with this constitution and in the best interest of the Association.

5.2.3. The fund of the Association shall be held in the bank account which will

be operated by the President and the Treasurer.

5.2.4. The Association shall comply with the accounting and auditing requirements as per the Norwegian law. The EC shall form an internal Auditing Committee (AC) before AGM/NGA. The AC shall send the auditing report to the EC which will be presented in the AGM/NGA.

5.2.5. A part of the membership fees and the internal funds decided by the NRNA-NCC, Norway will go to NRNA-ICC as per the rule of NRNA-ICC.

5.2.6. The amount of membership fee from the reginal members remained after paying to ICC will be utilized for the activities in that region.

5.2.7 The EC will prepare estimated budget and financial regulations that will be presented in the AGM/NGA for approval.

6.1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (EC) shall be formed in NGA which will be held every second year. Executive Committee shall have an odd number of members not exceeding 25 members. The formation and structure of the EC will be as follows:

1. President – 1

2. Vice-Presidents – 3 (including at least 1 female and 1 representative from outside Oslo/Akershus)

3. General Secretary – 1

4. Secretary – 3 (including at least 1 female and 1 representative from outside Oslo/Akershus)

5. Treasurer – 1

6. Joint Treasurer – 1

7. Women Coordinator – 1

8. Youth Coordinator – 1

9. Executive Members – maximum 13 (including Regional Coordinator/s)

The EC may nominate a Spokesperson from within the committee.

Out of the 13 Executive members, 3 members will be elected/nominated from the regions outside Oslo/Akershus and the remaining 10 members will be elected/nominated/represented from Oslo/Akershus and Regional Committee Coordinator/s. The Regional committee coordinators formed according to section 9, shall serve as EC members. Thus, the number of EC members representing from Oslo/Akershus will depend on the number of regional committees.

6.2. Representative from other Organizations and individuals

The EC can invite representatives from other Organizations and individuals to discuss important issues in the EC meetings. The invited representatives and individuals can give their suggestions to the EC, but they will not have voting right.

6.3. Duties of the Executive Committee

The EC will work to achieve the objectives of NRNA-NCC, Norway stated in the clause 3.2. Besides this, the EC will play a central role in developing and implementing plans, programs and projects that may be beneficial to the members and both countries Nepal and Norway.

6.4. Duties of members of the Executive Committee

6.4.1. President – The President shall work as the leader and chair the meetings of the Association. He/she shall maintain contact with external organizations/parties and advisors of the Association to achieve the objectives. He/she shall liaise with the ICC and Europe Coordinator of NRNA to conduct AGM/NGA, keep oversight of the functions of the EC members, sub-committees formed by the EC and the Reginal Committees.

6.4.2. Vice-Presidents – The main responsibility of the Vice-Presidents shall have to support the President in discharging his/her responsibilities, chair the meetings in the absence of the President and perform assigned tasks by the President and the EC meetings.

6.4.3. General Secretary – The General Secretary shall keep the records of all official documents of the Association including lists and contact addresses of members and shall perform other duties assigned by the EC or the President. He/she prepares the agenda for the

EC meetings in consultation with the President, conducts meetings, prepares meeting minutes, distributes the EC decisions to EC members and Registered members if found important. He/she shall also be responsible to prepare annual report and present to the EC as well as in the AGM/NGA. In coordination with the President, the General Secretary will carry out regular administrative works.

6.4.4. Secretary – The Secretary shall support to the General Secretary in discharging his/her responsibilities and shall perform other duties as assigned by the EC.

6.4.5. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall keep records of the incomes and expenditures of the Association and shall pay the bills as approved by the EC meetings. He/she shall be responsible to prepare and present financial report to EC as well as in the AGM and NGA. He/she shall maintain all funds of the association, maintain bank accounts, receipts and disbursement of funds.

6.4.6. Joint Treasurer – The Joint Treasurer shall support to the Treasurer in discharging his/her responsibilities.

6.4.7. Spokesperson – The Spokesperson will be nominated by the EC from within the committee. He/she will inform about the views of the Association and the activities of the Association as per the EC decisions. He/she shall coordinate with the NCC and

the media to release information about the activities of the Association.

6.4.8. Women Coordinator – The Women Coordinator shall lead to expand NRNA network among the women and children in Norway. In consultation with the EC, the Women Coordinator shall plan and organize various activities aimed for women and children.

6.4.9. Youth Coordinator – The Youth Coordinator shall lead to expand NRNA network among the youths in Norway. In consultation with the EC, he/she shall plan and organize various activities aimed for the youths.

6.4.10. Regional Coordinator(s) – They will lead the regional committees and coordinate with NCC Norway and play a vital role to expand NRNA Norway by organizing Nepali diaspora living in different counties of Norway except Oslo/Akershus. They will participate in the EC meetings, present their opinions, and will have their voting rights.

6.4.11. Executive Members – The Executive Members shall support in formulating and implementing the plans and programs of the Association, participate in the meetings and perform tasks assigned by the EC. They shall also perform other duties decided by the EC to achieve the objectives of the Association.

6.4.12. After formation of new EC from NGA, the EC will have right to nominate candidates to fulfill vacant posts not exceeding maximum EC members defined in clause 6.1. Priority will be given to gender, ethnicity, and regional participation in such nomination. The tenure of the nominated members will automatically end with the tenure of the EC.

6.5. Office Secretariate

From the EC meeting, an Office Secretariate will be formed to run the regular activities of the Association. The Secretariate will prepare meeting agenda and discuss briefly prior to the EC meetings. The Secretariat should also take emergency decisions and activities when the full EC meeting is not possible. All the decisions taken by the Secretariate must be presented in the EC meeting for approval. The Secretariate shall share information with the EC members in the meeting to avoid misunderstanding.

The Office Secretariat will consist of odd number of members and not exceeding 13.

The office secretariat will be as follows:

1. President –1

2. Vice-Presidents – 3 3. General Secretary – 1

4. Secretary: 3

5. Treasurer-1

6. Joint Treasurer -1

7. Spokesperson – 1

8. Women Coordinator – 1

9. Youth Coordinator – 1

6.6. Meetings

The EC meetings will be held every month. The General Secretary shall call regular meetings with a written notice and agenda in consultation with the President.

The EC shall plan the major annual activities and programs and allocate budget in the beginning of New Year (AD). The quorum for the first call of EC meeting must be 51 % of EC members, if that is not possible, there must be 40% of the EC members in the second call of the EC meeting. Meeting agenda will remain the same in the second call.

6.7. Auditor or Audition Committee

The EC will nominate an Auditor or form an Audition Committee (maximum three members) at least one month before AGM/NGA. The nominated Auditor or the Audition Committee audits the annual incomes and expenditures compiled by the Treasurer and submits the audited report which must be presented in the AGM/NGA.

6.8. Advisors

The EC can nominate advisors among the persons who have expertise in a particular field which can be valuable to the development of NRNA, Norway. They will be invited to attend the EC meetings, express their opinions and suggestions, but they will not have voting rights. The EC will nominate Advisors including Immediate Past President. The tenure of Advisors will automatically end with the tenure of the EC.

6.9. Patron Council

The EC shall form a patron council, comprising of past presidents of NRNA-NCC Norway and persons who have significantly contributed to the establishment and development of the Association. The minimum requirement to nominate as a Patron must be a Registered Member of the Association.

7.1 The EC shall summon the Annual General Meeting (AGM), National General Assembly (NGA) and Special General Assembly (SGA). At any general convention, the President shall take the chair, but in his/her absence, Vice-president will take the chair as designed by the EC.

7.2. AGM/NGA shall be summoned at least with 30 days’ notice. Any constitutional amendments proposed during the AGM/NGA require a 2/3 majority approval from the Registered Members present in the AGM/NGA.

7.3. The AGM/NGA will approve the annual activity report and financial report submitted by the General Secretary and Treasurer. The reports must be approved with or without amendments.

7.4. The NGA will approve NRNA-ICC country representatives/ICC member, (Norway) elected by the election who has/must attend the Global Assembly held in Nepal. Their tenure shall coincide with that of the NRNA-ICC.

7.5. The NGA shall be held prior to the NRNA-ICC Global Assembly. The time gap between the NGA and the Global Assembly shall not exceed six months. The AGM shall be conducted within one year of the NGA, with a permissible variation of up one month after the one-year mark.

7.6. An SGA shall be summoned if a written request is received from 51% of the Registered Members , specifying the agenda. Consultation with NRNA-ICC may be sought for organizing SGA. The assembly must be organized within one month of receiving the request. The SGA will only discuss and decide on the specified agenda, sent on the written request.

7.7. Formation of Election Committee:

7.7.1 The AGM shall nominate candidates for an Election Committee consisting of 3 to 5 members and present in the AGM for approval. The nominee must not be from the existing EC. Those who will contest for the new EC positions, cannot be the member of the Election Committee. If/Otherwise, EC retains the right to nominate the election committee.

7.7.2. The responsibility of the Election Committee shall be concluded after the first oath taking ceremony of the elected members for the new EC.

7.7.3. The Election committee shall establish rules and regulations to conduct a free and fair election as per the constitution of NRNA-NCC, Norway and NCC General Assembly bylaws from NRNA-ICC.

7.7.4. The President, the Vice-Presidents , General Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Treasurer, Youth Coordinator, Women Coordinator, Regional Coordinators, and ICC Member shall not be eligible to contest in the same position for more than two terms.

7.7.5 The election committee shall publish the voter’s list prior to the date of candidacy nomination.

7.7.6. The election of the EC positions shall take place on designated date(s) by voting of the Registered Members, either in person at designated location(s) or through chosen methods.

7.7.7. Voting methods or procedures will be decided by the Election Committee in consultation with the EC. This should be announced to the registered members before the date of candidacy nomination.

7.7.8. Candidates for any post in the EC must not be in the leading position of any political, religious, or ethnic organizations as per the regulation of NRNA-ICC. If they are in the leading position in such organizations, they must resign from their post and submit the proof to the Election Committee.

7.7.9. Candidates to President and ICC Member must have worked in the EC of NCC, Norway at least for one term.

8.1. Any member who is convicted guilty in Norway or in Nepal or proved guilty of any misconduct detrimental to the interests of the Association, as determined by the EC, shall lose their membership. If the member refuges to resign, they may be expelled or suspended for a period by a resolution of the EC, provided they are given an opportunity to present their clarification. Such a resolution must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the EC members.

9.1. Regional Committee of NRNA-NCC, Norway

9.1.1. If there are more than 15 Registered Members of the Association residing in a particular region of Norway (one county is considered one region except Oslo/Akershus), they have right to form a Regional Committee (RC) of the Association.

9.1.2. The Regional Committee will consist of 5 to 7 members. After formation of the Regional Committee, the meeting minute will be sent to NCC Norway for approval.

9.1.3. The Coordinator of the Regional Committee will automatically serve as the EC member of NCC Norway. He/she will have voting right in the EC meetings. If the Regional general assembly (RGA) is held after the NGA of NCC Norway, the regional coordinator will serve as invited member of EC without voting rights.

9.1.4. Formation of a Regional Committee will be facilitated either by the EC or a designated person by the EC.

9.1.5. Regional Committee will have right to use logo, letter head and stamp of NRNA- NCC, Norway indicating their branch name.

9.1.6. Regional Committee shall prepare report which will be submitted to the NCC Norway. This report will be included in the annual activity report by the NCC Norway and will be presented in the AGM/NGA.

9.1.7. Regional Committee shall make annual activity plan in the region. The duties of the Regional Committee will be same as NCC Norway defined in clause 6.4.

9.2. Formation of Regional Committee

Regional Committee (RC) shall be formed every second year by Regional General Assembly (RGA) prior to NGA. The structure of the RC will be as follows:

1. Coordinator – 1

2. Secretary – 1

3. Treasurer – 1

4. Executive Members 2 – 4

10.1. Logo

The Association shall have its own logo, letter head, stamp, and ID cards consistent with the constitution of NRNA-ICC as described in Annexes 1, 3, 4 and 5.

10.2. Power to resolve unforeseen issues

10.2.1. In case this statute did not address specific issue that may arise in the future, the EC shall have the authority to adopt appropriate procedure and policy in the interest of the Association.

10.2.2. Such matters shall be presented to forthcoming AGM/NGA/SGA for approval and if not approved shall be void and null.

10.3. Applicable Law

The governing law of Norway and Nepal shall apply to the matters relating to the NRNA- NCC, Norway in operating its program in Norway and Nepal, respectively.

10.4. Amendment of the constitution

The NGA shall form a Constitution Amendment Committee (CAC) consisting of an odd number of members. The CAC will request amendment proposals from the EC and the registered members, giving at least one month’s notice. The CAC will study and compile the collected suggestions. The CAC may propose amendments to the constitution in consultation with the EC and present it at the AGM/NGA/SGA for approval. Additionally, twenty-five percent (25%) of the Registered Members attending the AGM/NGA/SGA may table a proposal to amend, repeal, or alter any clause or sub-clause of the constitution. Such amendment proposals must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the Registered Members attending the NGA/AGM/SGA.

10.5. Dissolution

The Association may be dissolved or disbanded by a resolution at any NGA/AGM /SGA of the Association by the 2/3 majority of the Registered Members presented in the NGA/AGM/SGA. However, such resolution will not become effective until one year after the adoption of such a resolution. All the assets will be transferred either to the Government of Norway or Nepal as per the decision of the NGA/AGM/ SGA. In case of dissolution of NRNA-ICC, NRNA-NCC, Norway will exist as an independent organization and will conduct activities for the welfare of Nepali people living in Norway or in Nepal.