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STATUTES – THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNICOLOGISTS

The Association of Communicologists was founded on 08.12.2025. The Association is domiciled in Ytre Enebakk in Norway.

PURPOSE

§ 1 The association’s purpose

Intention

Continuation of the meta-discipline Communicology. The Association of Communicologists shall work for the continuation of the meta-discipline Communicology, as defined, classified and named by Jorunn Sjøbakken and Truls Fleiner.

Activities

The Association of Communicologists functions as an umbrella organization for communicologists and communicologist students worldwide who work with the same intention.

Areas of work

§ 2 Decision-making bodies:

  1. The General Assembly is the association’s supreme authority.
  2. An Extraordinary General Assembly has the same authority as an ordinary General Assembly with respect to the matters listed in the notice.
  3. The Board is the association’s supreme authority between General Assemblys and manages the association in accordance with the statutes and resolutions of the General Assembly. The Board may delegate limited decision-making authority.
  4. Groups, committees and panels are established by the Board with a written mandate, budget and reporting routines, and always answer to the Board. The Board may overturn decisions that contravene the statutes or resolutions of the General Assembly, and may change or dissolve such entities. Groups, committees and panels may not commit the association financially without a resolution from the Board.
  5. In case of conflict, the following ranking applies: General Assembly → Extraordinary General Assembly in its matters → The Board → Groups/committees/panels.

§ 3 Signing authority

(1) The association is bound by the chair of the Board and one Board member jointly, or by two Board members jointly.

(2) The Board may by written resolution grant special procuration/authorization to named persons for limited transactions (e.g., bank payments), possibly with amount limits. Such authorization may be revoked at any time.

(3) Groups, committees and panels may not commit the association financially without an explicit Board resolution.

§ 4 Business and accounting year

The association’s business year and accounting year run from 1 January to 31 December.

§ 5 Interpretation of the statutes

In case of doubt about the interpretation of these statutes, or if situations arise that are not foreseen, the matter shall be referred to the next General Assembly. In urgent matters, the Board may decide the issue.

§ 6 Amendments to the statutes

(1) General. Amendments to the statutes (except § 1) require at least a 2/3 majority of votes cast at two consecutive General Assemblys, one of which may be extraordinary. There shall be at least three months between the meetings.

(2) The association’s purpose (§ 1) may not be amended.

§ 7 Dissolution of the association

(1) To dissolve the association requires a resolution with at least 2/3 of the votes cast at two consecutive General Assemblys, one of which may be extraordinary. The period between these meetings shall be at least three months.

(2) Upon a resolution to dissolve:

If the foundation Institute of Communicology does not exist or cannot receive the funds, the funds shall accrue to another non-profit organization with a similar public-benefit purpose, chosen by the General Assembly.

(3) Members have no claim to a share of the association’s funds or property upon dissolution. Paid membership fees are not refunded.

MEMBERSHIP

§ 8 Membership

(1) Membership is for communicologists and communicologist students. By becoming a member, members confirm that they support the association’s intention.

(2) The annual membership fee is determined by the General Assembly.

(3) The General Assembly decides annually what percentage of collected fees will go to the foundation Institute of Communicology.

§ 9 Members’ rights and duties

§ 10 Resignation

(1) Members who wish to resign must notify the Board in writing and are considered immediately resigned. Paid fees for the current year are not refunded upon resignation.

(2) Members who have not paid fees for two consecutive years are considered resigned.

(3) Rights in case of non-payment. A member who has not paid the set fee by the due date has no voting rights and cannot be elected to offices until the fee is paid. Other membership rights may be limited by the Board until payment is made.

§ 11 Exclusion and sanctions

(1) The Board may by a 2/3 majority decide to exclude a member who significantly breaches the statutes or seriously harms the association’s interests.

(2) Procedure: Before a decision is made, the member shall receive written prior notice with reasons and a deadline of at least 14 days to respond. The member has the right to see relevant documents.

(3) The decision shall be in writing, reasoned, and inform about the right to appeal.

(4) Appeal: The member may appeal the decision to the next General Assembly within 30 days. The appeal has suspensive effect unless special reasons indicate suspension.

(5) In special cases, the Board may by simple majority decide on temporary suspension pending final consideration.

(6) The General Assembly may overturn, confirm or mitigate the sanction.

§ 12 Honorary membership

(1) Purpose and basis. Honorary membership may be awarded to a person who has particularly and over time contributed to promoting the association’s purpose (§ 1), including especially the continuation of the meta-discipline Communicology.

(2) Proposals may be submitted by any member. Proposals shall be in writing and reasoned and be in the hands of the Board no later than 31 August each year. Practical procedure is determined in the Board’s guidelines.

(3) Consideration and decision. The Board assesses honorary membership annually. Up to two honorary memberships may be awarded per calendar year, but the Board may also decide not to award any. Decisions are made by simple majority.

(4) Disqualification and who cannot receive it. Sitting Board members, deputy members and the institute’s representative may not be awarded honorary membership while they hold office. Board members who are proposed, or have a close connection to a proposed candidate, are disqualified and shall withdraw from the consideration, cf. § 24.

(5) Rights. An honorary member has the right to attend, speak and propose. An honorary member is exempt from fees. An honorary member has voting rights on an equal footing with an ordinary member.

(6) Revocation. Honorary membership may be revoked by the Board by a 2/3 majority in case of gross breach of trust or matters that seriously harm the association’s interests, after the person has been given the opportunity to state their case.

(7) Marking. The award is marked with a diploma/certificate of honor and is published with a brief justification.

§ 13 Honorary award

(1) The association may annually award an Honorary Award for particularly outstanding efforts that promote the association’s purpose (§ 1), with special emphasis on the continuation of the meta-discipline Communicology.

(2) Proposals may be submitted by any member. Proposals shall be in writing and reasoned and be in the hands of the Board no later than 31 August each year. Practical procedure is determined in the Board’s guidelines.

(3) Consideration and decision. The Board assesses the Honorary Award annually. Up to two awards may be given per calendar year, but the Board may also decide not to give any. Decisions are made by simple majority.

(4) Disqualification and who cannot receive it. Sitting Board members, deputy members and the institute’s representative may not receive the Honorary Award while they hold office. Board members who are proposed, or have a close connection to a proposed candidate, are disqualified and shall withdraw from the consideration, cf. § 24.

(5) The award’s content and budget. The award consists of a diploma/certificate of honor. Any gift or monetary prize is determined by the Board within the limits of the adopted annual budget.

(6) Publication. Awards are published with a brief justification.

General Assembly

§ 14 Time and notice

(1) The ordinary General Assembly is held annually, no later than April. The Board decides whether the meeting is held physically or digitally.

(2) Notice shall be sent/published no later than three weeks before the meeting and shall include a proposed agenda and information on where the meeting documents are available.

(3) The following documents shall be available no later than three weeks before the meeting: annual report, financial statements, budget/operational plan, incoming proposals with the Board’s recommendation and the report from elected auditors/controllers.

(4) For an extraordinary General Assembly, the deadline is 14 days before the meeting, with the agenda limited to what prompted the meeting.

§ 15 Proposals to the General Assembly

(1) Proposals from members that are to be considered at the ordinary General Assembly must be in the hands of the Board no later than 31 December.

(2) The Board may submit matters within the notice deadline in § 14.

§ 16 Voting rights

(1) Voting rights are held by a member who, 30 days before the meeting date, is registered as a member and has paid the fee for the current year, as well as prior membership requirements set out in the statutes.

(2) Each member has one vote. Proxy is not permitted.

(3) For digital meetings, the Board shall ensure secure identification and voting.

(4) A member without voting rights has the right to attend, speak and propose, unless the matter concerns their own disciplinary case under § 11 (where the member in any case has the right to state their case) or other matters where statutory confidentiality prevents it.

§ 17 Quorum

The General Assembly is quorate when at least 10% of voting members, but at least 10 members, are present (physically or digitally). If quorum is not met, the Board may call a new meeting with the same agenda; that meeting is quorate regardless of attendance.

§ 18 Decisions and voting

(1) Voting is open by show of hands/acclamation or in writing/digitally. A secret ballot is conducted when one voting member requests it.

(2) Elections are decided by relative majority. In the event of a tie in an election, the outcome is decided by lot.

(3) Other matters are decided by simple (absolute) majority – more than half of the votes cast, unless the statutes require a qualified majority. In the event of a tie, the meeting chair has the casting vote.

§ 19 Eligibility for election

Eligible for election to the Board and the election committee are members of the association nominated by a voting member or the election committee.

§ 20 Agenda for the General Assembly

At the General Assembly the following matters shall be dealt with and recorded in the minutes:

  1. Opening of the meeting.
  2. Determination of the list of voters for the meeting.
  3. Election of meeting chair and secretary for the meeting.
  4. Election of two signatories of the minutes, who also act as vote counters.
  5. Question of whether the meeting has been lawfully convened.
  6. Determination of the agenda.
  7. The Board’s annual report as well as balance sheet and income statement for the last business year.
  8. The report of the elected auditors (controllers).
  9. Question of discharge (release from liability) for the Board for the period covered by the audit.
  10. Determination of budget and operational plan for the current business year.
  11. Determination of membership fees for the next business year, as well as the percentage to be allocated to the foundation Institute of Communicology.
  12. Consideration of incoming proposals (received no later than 31 December).
  13. Election of the chair and Board members in turn, as well as two auditors.
  14. Election of the election committee.
  15. Closing.

§ 21 Extraordinary General Assembly

The Board may call members to an Extraordinary General Assembly.

The Board is obliged to call an Extraordinary General Assembly when an elected auditor (controller) or at least one tenth of the association’s voting members request it. Such a request must be in writing and contain the reasons for the request.

When the Board has received a request for an Extraordinary General Assembly, it shall convene such a meeting within 14 days to be held within two months of receipt of the request. Notice with a proposed agenda for the Extraordinary General Assembly shall be communicated to members no later than 14 days before the meeting and announced on the website within the same deadline.

If the Board fails to announce or convene the Extraordinary General Assembly, those who submitted the request may themselves convene it in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

At an Extraordinary General Assembly only the matter that prompted the meeting may be considered.

Regarding voting rights at an Extraordinary General Assembly and quorum at such a meeting, the provisions in § 16 and § 17 apply.

ELECTION COMMITTEE

§ 22 Composition and tasks

The election committee consists of a chair and two additional members. No later than three weeks before the General Assembly, the election committee shall make its proposal known to the voting members.

AUDITORS

§ 23 Audit

(1) The association’s accounts and the Board’s dispositions are inspected annually by two elected auditors (controllers) who are not members of the Board.

(2) The elected auditors have the right to ongoing insight into accounts, vouchers, agreements and minutes.

(3) Accounts and other documents shall be sent to the elected auditors no later than six weeks before the ordinary General Assembly. The audit/control report shall be submitted to the Board no later than three weeks before the meeting.

(4) If the association becomes subject to statutory audit, a registered/state-authorized auditor shall be selected. The above provisions shall apply as far as they are applicable.

THE BOARD

§ 24 Composition of the Board

(1) The Board consists of five members: chair, deputy chair, treasurer, secretary and one Board member. The term of office is two years, with staggered new/re-election so that approximately half are up for election each year. The General Assembly may in addition elect up to two deputy members. Deputy members are called in in case of absence and have full rights when they attend.

(2) The chair is elected by the General Assembly. The Board constitutes itself for the other offices at its first meeting after the election.

(3) A Board member may step down before the end of the term by written notice. The Board may then supplement with a deputy/make a supplementary election until the next General Assembly.

(4) Removal:

a) The General Assembly may by a 2/3 majority remove a Board member after the person has been given the opportunity to state their case.

b) The Board may by a 2/3 majority suspend a Board member in case of serious breach of trust or gross breach of duty until the next General Assembly, where the matter is presented for final decision.

(5) One adjunct representative from the Management Council of the foundation Institute of Communicology shall always be invited to Board meetings. The representative has the right to attend, speak and make proposals, but not to vote. The Board may also appoint other adjuncts as needed with the same rights.

§ 25 The Board’s tasks and authority

(1) The Board manages the association between General Assemblys and shall ensure that operations are conducted in accordance with the statutes, budget, operational plan and resolutions.

(2) The Board shall in particular:

a) prepare an annual operational plan and budget and present these to the General Assembly,

b) maintain proper financial management and internal control, including instructions for payments and attestations,

c) manage the association’s funds and assets and ensure reliable accounting,

d) follow up elected auditors and ensure they receive necessary documentation,

e) appoint and follow up groups/committees with a written mandate, budget and reporting lines,

f) ensure privacy and proper handling of member data,

g) prepare matters for the General Assembly and implement its resolutions.

(3) Representation is exercised in accordance with § 3.

§ 26 Board meetings, decision-making and minutes

(1) The chair calls meetings as needed or when at least two Board members request it. Meetings may be held digitally.

(2) The Board is quorate when all Board members have been summoned and at least three are present. Decisions are made by simple majority among those present. In the event of a tie, the chair has a double vote.

(3) The Board may make circulation decisions (in writing/digitally) when no Board member objects to this decision-making form. Such decisions shall be recorded in the minutes afterwards.

(4) Minutes shall be kept of the meetings, signed by the meeting chair and one minute signer. Disqualification is assessed and recorded according to association law principles; disqualified persons do not participate in the consideration and this is recorded in the minutes.

DISPUTES

§ 27 Dispute resolution

(1) A dispute between a member and the association shall first be sought settled amicably. The dispute may be decided by arbitration under the Arbitration Act if the parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen. If the member does not want arbitration, the dispute may be brought before the ordinary courts. The agreed venue is Oslo District Court.

(2) A dispute between members of the association may not be brought before the ordinary courts. Such a dispute shall be decided by arbitration under the Arbitration Act. The following shall apply to the costs of the arbitration: Each party bears its own costs as well as the costs for the arbitrator the party has appointed. The arbitration tribunal’s fees and expenses are shared equally between the parties.

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

§ 28 Transitional provision – establishment and interim Board

(1) Interim Board at establishment. At establishment, an interim Board of 2 members is elected. The interim Board has the same authority as the Board under these statutes, cf. §§ 2, 3 and 25–26.

(2) Supplementing to 5 members. Within 30 days of establishment, the interim Board shall supplement itself to a total of 5 members by appointing up to 3 additional interim Board members. The supplementation shall be recorded in the minutes, and the interim Board shall constitute itself (chair, deputy chair, treasurer, secretary).

(3) First ordinary General Assembly – continuity and staggering. As a one-time exception to § 24 (1), the following applies at the first ordinary General Assembly:

a) A completely new Board shall not be elected. Three (3) Board seats are put up for election for a term of two (2) years.

b) Two (2) of the sitting interim Board members continue without election until the next ordinary General Assembly, where these two seats are put up for election for two (2) years. Which two continue is determined by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the election committee/Board; if no agreement is reached, this is decided by lot among the interim Board members.

c) If fewer than two interim Board members wish to continue, the corresponding number of members are elected for a short term of one (1) year so that the rotation pattern (3/2) is established.

(4) Representation and signing authority. Signing authority under § 3 applies correspondingly to the interim Board.

(5) The institute’s representative. The provision in § 22 (5) on inviting a representative from the Management Council of the foundation Institute of Communicology applies correspondingly to the interim Board.

(6) When the ordinary rotation pattern is established under no. 3, this transitional provision § 28 lapses without a separate resolution.

These statutes have been presented and unanimously adopted at the founding meeting.

The Association of Communicologists was founded on 08.12.2025

The Association is domiciled in Ytre Enebakk in Norway.