Statutes
The Statutes of Montessori Europe
Preamble
Montessori Europe is an organisation established in 2000 to enable and promote Montessori pedagogy in a political, social and educational context throughout Europe. Montessori pedagogy offers an education that respects the dignity of children and adolescents and is oriented toward their individual needs.
Its basic principle is to provide free choice in a structured learning environment.
Montessori pedagogy encompasses a differentiated offering for children and adolescents of both sexes and all ages, of differing abilities and for the gifted as well as the socially disadvantaged.
It supports and nurtures the development of a unique personality and is oriented toward an ideal of socially responsible, creative and responsible human beings.
1. Name, Domicile and Fiscal Year
The name of the Association is „MONTESSORI EUROPE“. After being placed into the official Association Register, it carries the suffix “registered Association – e.V. - domicile Bonn”.
The domicile of the Association is Bonn. Its fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the subsequent year.
2. Objectives/Non-profit nature
“MONTESSORI EUROPE“ is an association with the aim of establishing and promoting Montessori pedagogy throughout Europe in an educational, political, social and pedagogical context. The objectives of the Association are:
• To form educational-political policy positions and statements and support their representation throughout Europe, as well as supporting the UN Convention for Children’s Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
• To promote a European network of Montessori organisations and Montessori establishments in Europe.
• To promote co-operation and the unrestricted exchange of experiences for teachers/pedagogues, pupils, younger children and parents.
• To encourage the provision of Montessori education for all children and adolescents, regardless of their ability or circumstances.
• To co-operate with international organisations with similar aims, such as the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), European Forum for Freedom in Education (EFFE) and others.
• To establish guidelines for mutually agreed standards and quality assurance in Montessori training institutions, Montessori schools and Chrildren’ Houses.
The Association pursues exclusively and directly non-profit-making objectives in the sense of the chapter "Aims favoured by the tax law" of the German tax law (“Abgabenordnung”). The Association acts selflessly and does not primarily pursue its own business interests. Funds of the Association may only be used for purposes in accordance with its statutes. Funds of the Association are raised primarily through its members’ fees and public contributions. The members do not receive financial contributions from means of the Association. No person is allowed to be favoured by expenses that are not in accordance with the objectives of the Association, or by unusually high compensation.
3. Membership
Anyone who is interested in the achievement of the Association’s objectives can become a member. Members on the basis of these statutes are defined as single members, schools, institutions, organisations, establishments and Associations as well as all others interested parties who relate to and support the objectives of the Association and the content of the preamble of these statutes.
Joining the Association occurs by decision of the Executive Committee upon written application of the prospective member.
Members are obliged to promote the Association’s objectives. Membership requires the payment of the yearly membership fee. A Fee Schedule that is approved by the General Meeting regulates the particulars.
Membership ends by means of
a) death
b) resignation, which can occur at any time. There is no right to a refund of paid-in membership fees. Those who do not pay fees in spite of a reminder are no longer be regarded as members.
c) formal expulsion, which can occur by decision of the General Meeting, after prior hearing of the member, if the member transgresses the statutory regulations of the Association, ignores decisions of the General Meeting or disregards the goals and objectives of the Association.
Upon leaving the Association a member has no claim on the Association’s assets of any part thereof.
4. Decision-making Bodies of the Association
The decision-making bodies of the Association are
1. the General Meeting of the members
2. the Executive Committee.
5. General Meeting
The General Meeting is the highest decision making body of Montessori Europe. An Annual General Meeting of the members (AGM) is convened annually, in a different country each year. In particular, it decides on:
1. the election and recall of members of the Executive Committee
2. changes to the statues
3. the establishment of the yearly budget
4. the Fee Schedule
5. the acceptance of the business report and the exoneration of the Executive Committee
6. the expulsion of a member.
The Executive Committee convenes the General Meeting by written invitation of the members including its agenda. The invitation is sent to the last postal or electronic address known to the Executive Committee at least one month in advance. Motions for the Annual General Meeting must be received at the domicile of Montessori Europe in writing at least 14 days prior to the meeting date.
Relevant for adherence to the invitation time limit is the dispatching by postal mail or e-mail.
The General Meeting reaches a quorum independently of the number of members present, as long as a proper invitation was issued.
The General Meeting decides with the majority of the members present. Each member has one vote. In the case of a tie, the vote of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Executive Committee is decisive. Abstentions count as invalid votes.
Members can transfer their voting right to other members by means of a written authorization.
Decisions by which these statutes are changed and decisions regarding the dissolution of the Association require a majority of ¾ of the members present.
The yearly report and financial results are presented to the General Meeting for decisions on their approval and the exoneration of the Executive Committee.
The General Assembly elects two revisors who belong to neither the Executive Committee nor a body invoked by it and who may not be full employees of the Association.
Decisions of the General Meeting are documented in the meeting minutes, which are signed by the assembly leader and the meeting secretary.
Exceptional General Meetings are convened by the Executive Committee when required or on demand of at least one third of the members.
6. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee consists of six to eight members and is comprised of the Chairman/Chairwoman (President), two equal substitutes, a cashier, a secretary and up to 3 further members. The Executive Committee is elected by the members’ Annual General Meeting for two years and stays in office until the subsequent Annual General Meeting. A renewed election is possible. As a general rule, Executive Committee members stay in office until replacement members have been elected.
One member of the Executive Committee could represent the Association in court and always two outside of court.
Not more than two persons representing the same country should be represented. Full employees may not belong to the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee is responsible for all business, including the election and contracting of an Executive Manager. This excludes any business reserved for another decision-making body of the Association.
Convening meetings of the Executive Committee occurs in writing by the Chairman/Chairwoman with as minimum time limit of 14 days and simultaneous declaration of the agenda. A quorum of the Executive Committee is reached when at least 4 Executive Committee members are present. Decisions of the Association are made by simple majority.
7. Executive Management
The daily business and implementation of measures decided by the Executive Committee are transferred and carried out by the Executive Management, which consists of at least one person. The Executive Management is responsible for the annual updating of the Montessori Europe business plan, for ensuring that the Executive Committee approves this and for the implementation of its content. The Executive Management is allowed to make decisions within the approved framework of the business plan, according to the authority delegated it by the Executive Committee.
8. Advisory Councils
The Executive Committee is authorised to establish Advisory Councils, in order to support its activities and to improve the overall effectiveness of Montessori Europe.
The activities of an Advisory Council are governed by a set of Bylaws that the Executive Committee develops and agrees on.
The activities of Advisory Councils are reported to the General Meeting.
The members of Advisory Councils work in an honorary capacity, without compensation.
At least one Advisory Council must be established, namely a National Organisation Council of Montessori Europe (NOCME) that represents all institutional members of Montessori Europe.
9. Changes to the Statutes
A decision to change the statutes requires a ¾ majority of the members present at a General meeting. The decision can only be made after proper advance notice in the invitation to the General Meeting. The invitation must also contain the new wording of the planned change.
10. Dissolution of the Association
A decision to dissolve the Association requires a ¾ majority of the members present. The dissolution must be announced in the invitation to the General Meeting.
In case of the dissolution of the Association or in case of the Association ceasing its objectives the net worth of the Association falls to the ‘Deutschen Kinderschutzbund Bundesverband e.V.’ (German association for child protection), which must use it exclusively and directly for non-profit-making or charitable purposes.
Vienna, October 15th, 2006
