Norwegian Safety Forum
(Norwegian name: Skadeforebyggende forum)
Articles of Association
Approved in extraordinary annual meeting 26.5.1992
Revised in annual meetings of 20.4.94, 24.4.97, 15.4.98, 22.4.99 and 27.4.00
§ 1 Object clause
The Norwegian Safety Forum (NSF) is a national centre designed to provide information on safety and enhance co-operation between public bodies, non-governmental organisations and trade and industry, in order to promote safety efforts in Norway.
§ 2 Tasks
· NSF is to monitor and disseminate knowledge on the total development of harm, injuries and accidents in the Norwegian society.
· NSF is continuously to assess the injury prevention activities in the society, and propose concrete preventive measures.
· NSF is to contribute to the development of calculations of the societal costs of injuries and to cost-benefit assessments of injury prevention activities.
· NSF is to work for that injury preventative assessments in a social economic perspective is to be implemented in public and non-public budgeting.
· NSF is to acquire and disseminate knowledge of injury prevention activities and the results obtained.
· NSF is to be well informed about Nordic and international injury prevention activities as well as to contribute to increased contact and exchange experiences.
· NSF is at least once per year to notify its view of the situation and its activities.
§ 3 Organisation
NSF is an independent legal body. It is a non-profit organisation supported by public funds, trade and industry, the insurance trade, and non-governmental organisations.
§ 4 Members
Organisations, institutions, public authorities, businesses, shops, limited companies, etc. that are in the injury prevention business might be members of NSF. The membership fee is determined by the annual meeting. The secretariat will in consultation with the board decide on membership.
§ 5 Annual meeting
The annual meeting is the supreme authority of NSF, and gather before the end of April. The annual meeting is convened by the board, at least one month before. Proposals to revise the articles of association has to be the board in hand at least one month before, other businesses two weeks before the annual meeting.
Every member has one vote. Absent members can not vote by proxy.
The annual meeting elects the chairperson of the meeting. Resolutions are approved with ordinary majority. Revision of articles of association requires a 2/3 majority.
The annual meeting is to:
a) Approve the annual report and the accounts.
b) Approve goals, action plans and budget.
c) Elect chairperson of the board for a period of one year, and members and co-opted members of the board for a period of two years.
d) Elect an electoral committee with three members.
e) Decide on other matters presented by the board or presented by writing on beforehand by members of NSF.
§ 6 Electoral committee
At least six weeks before the annual meeting the electoral committee should give their proposals in writing to the board. Proposals for election have to be sent the electoral committee at least two months before the annual meeting.
§ 7 Extraordinarily annual meeting
Extraordinarily annual meeting is convened with a two weeks notice when wanted by the board or at least 1/3 of the members. Only matters listed in the summons can be considered in the extraordinarily annual meeting.
§ 8 The board
The board consists of chairperson, deputy chairperson, 4 members and 3 co-opted members. Together they shall represent the different sectors and subject areas within the field of injury prevention.
The term of office for members and co-opted members is two years, half of the board is elected each year. The board elects the deputy chairperson.
If a member of the board leaves the position/organisation that was a basis for the election to the board during his/her term of office, the organisation might appoint a new representative for the rest of the period.
The board meets periodically, at least sex times per year. The necessary quorum is present when at least three of the members of the board are present, and one of these is either chairperson or the deputy chairperson. Resolutions are approved with ordinary majority. With equality of votes, the vote of the chairperson is decisive.
The board directs the activities of NSF, among the following activities:
a) Strengthen and develop further the NSF.
b) Present to the annual meeting the annual report and accounts as well as targets and action plan together with the budget for the next year.
c) Engage the employees of the secretariat and formulate their job instructions.
§ 9 Working committee
The working committee consists of the board’s chairperson and deputy chairperson and the head of the secretariat. The working committee prepares the meetings of the board and the annual meetings, and the matters to be put forward.
§ 10 The secretariat
The secretariat reports to the board.
§ 11 Economy
The economy of NSF is funded on annual contributions from The Norwegian Financial Services Association, public authorities and others, in addition to membership fee.
§12 Accounting and auditing
The Norwegian Financial Services Association is accountant for NSF. The auditor for The Norwegian Financial Services Association is also auditor for NSF.
§ 13 Liquidation
A proposal about liquidation of NSF can only be handled in the annual meeting after recommendation from the board. A decision requires a 2/3 majority.