The KIMO Constitution
The spine of our organisation
Article 1
The name of the organisation is:
Kommunenes Internationale Miljøorganisasjon (KIMO)
Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation
Article 2
The objectives of KIMO are to:
(a) Provide a viable and financially sustainable organisation.
(b) Increase the influence of the organisation both nationally and internationally.
(c) Exchange information on effective pollution prevention and cleaning up operations and sustainable development.
(d) Lobby national Governments, the European Commission and others to take effective actions on issues affecting Northern Seas.
e) Lead by example by improving regional marine environments.
(f) Make joint representations against threatening proposals.
(g) Develop best practice on coastal issues
(h) Undertake demonstrative environmental projects.
(i) Disseminate information.
Article 3
Each member of the organisation shall undertake to meet the objectives outlined in Article (2).
Article 4
Full "Membership" of the organisation shall be;
local governments in the Northern Seas countries, whether or not their areas have a Northern Seas coastline. "The Northern Seas Countries" are as defined in Article (5). Local governments are as defined by national law in each of the member countries;
organisations whose main objectives are in sympathy to those of KIMO can affiliate as associate members subject to the Board’s approval.
Article 5
Membership will be extended to organisations as outlined in ‘Article 4’ in the following countries (areas hereafter referred to as "member countries"):
Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Norway, Faeroes, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Portugal.
Article 6
The highest authority of the organisation shall be "The Assembly of Delegates" which shall be convened once a year.
Article 7
Full Members of KIMO in each "member country" as defined in Article 5 will, subject to Article 21, be entitled to elect up to 3 delegates and their substitutes from their Local Authority to (The Assembly). These delegates and their substitutes shall have voting rights at (The Assembly) and national business meetings. Members of organisations who have associated membership of KIMO will be members of KIMO but without voting rights. The Association that represents them will be entitled to elect one delegate to (The Assembly) with voting rights.
Article 8
A delegate need not be an elected member of a Local Authority or an organisation, but on ceasing to be an elected member of their respective organisation, they shall resign from KIMO within one calendar month of leaving office.
Article 9
That the International Board of Directors will consist of 1 (one) member appointed from each "member country" who will be elected for 2 (two) years, a President and two Vice Presidents who will be elected by (The Assembly) and a representative or member from the authority who holds the International Secretariat. The President will be Chairman of the International Board of Directors and (The Assembly). The Senior Vice President will assume these responsibilities in his/her absence. Directors can be re-elected.
Article 10
(The Assembly) will elect a President for a period of two years. The President can be re-elected but only after an absence of two years, but can be re-elected as a Director.
Article 10.1
(The Assembly) will elect two Vice Presidents for a period of two years. The Senior Vice President should be the retiring President. The Junior Vice President should become President after two years. Both appointments are subject to the agreement of (The Assembly).
Article 10.2
The Vice Presidents should be members of the International Board of Directors.
Article 10.3
The Vice Presidents can be re-elected but only after an absence of two years, but can be re-elected as a Director.
Article 11
The Board of Directors shall co-opt to the Board up to 3 individuals, who will give specialist advice when required but who will have no voting rights.
Article 12
The Board of Directors shall meet whenever requested by the President or the Secretary, or as determined by a majority of Directors.
Article 13
The responsibilities and duties of the President of the Board, the Board of Directors, and the Secretary shall be governed as determined by these articles.
Article 14
The Assembly of Delegates shall at its annual meeting:
(i) Deal with the audited accounts for the last year.
(ii) Approve the budget and the international and national membership subscription for the following year.
(iii) Appoint an auditor.
(iv) Elect the President, Vice Presidents and/or Directors as required.
(v) Deal with such other matters as required.
(vi) Discuss and approve the Action Plan.
Article 15
The Secretariat of the Organisation shall be appointed and dismissed by the Board of Directors, who shall also decide the location of the Secretary. A period of six months’ notice shall be required should the Secretariat be changed.
The Secretary shall have voice but no vote at:
(i) Meetings of The Assembly of Delegates;
(ii) Meetings of The Board of Directors;
(iii) National Conventions and Meetings.
Article 16.1
The national co-ordinators shall arrange a national convention once a year to promote and discuss KIMO.
Article 16.2
The national co-ordinators shall be responsible for collecting and administering membership for their respective "member countries" and ensuring that the international subscription is forwarded to the Secretariat yearly.
Article 16.3
The national co-ordinators shall organise a minimum of three business meetings of their members per year. Minutes of these meetings should be forwarded to the Board of Directors and all members by the Secretariat.
Article 17.1
The organisation’s International financial year will run from 1st April to 31st March of the following year, however, the financial years within each member country may vary and shall operate according to local accepted practice.
Article 17.2
The Secretariat is authorised to hold and operate any Bank Accounts which are required with authorised signatories as approved by the Board of Directors.
Article 17.3
The national co-ordinators will be authorised to hold and operate a Bank Account in their respective "member countries" and will be required to submit audited accounts as required by law in each member country to the Board of Directors once a year.
Article 18
Amendment of Constitution - This Constitution once adopted may be changed only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting of The Assembly of Delegates and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the voters present and entitled to vote. Notice of any proposed amendment must be given to the Secretary not less than 21 days before the Annual Meeting.
Article 19
Any local authority member may give 3 months notice to the National Co-ordinator of their intention to cease membership of the Organisation. Cessation of membership during the financial year should not entitle the member to a refund for the remainder of that year.
Article 20
In the event of the Organisation being dissolved any funds remaining after its debts and liabilities have been settled will be applied to some purpose or Organisation whose objects correspond with those of the Organisation.
Article 21
Vagsøy Kommune, Esbjerg Kommune, Shetland Islands Council and Grampian Regional Council, and its three immediate successors, in recognition of their status as founder members of the Organisation will at all times be entitled to appoint one representative each to The Assembly of Delegates in addition to the three delegates as described in Article 7.
Article 22
Every member has the right to approach the International Board of Directors directly.
Article 23
The travel and accommodation expenses required for The President of the International Board to undertake his/her duties will be reimbursed by the International Board. Board of Director expenses will be the responsibility of their own Local Authority.