GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Organization is structured on a territorial basis.

Regional branches (Regions) of the Organization are established at the initiative of their founders — no fewer than three individuals who meet the requirements of Russian legislation.

The Regions of the Organization are established in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and operate on the basis of these Articles of Association and the Regulations approved by the Conference. Their activities must be limited to the territory of the relevant constituent entity of the Russian Federation. No more than one regional branch of the Organization may be established in each constituent entity of the Russian Federation.

Regional branches of the Organization operate on the basis of these Articles of Association. State registration of a branch is carried out pursuant to Article 21 of the Federal Law of 19 May 1995 «On Public Associations». A branch acquires the rights of a legal entity from the date of its state registration.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The supreme governing body of a Region is the Regional Conference.

The following are delegated to the Regional Conference:
• members of the Regional Executive Committee;
• members of the Regional Audit and Revision Commission;
• delegates (representatives) in accordance with the representation quota approved by the Regional Executive Committee. The REC may also invite other persons to participate in the Conference without voting rights.

The Regional Conference is convened annually for reporting conferences and once every four years for reporting and election conferences.

The powers of the Regional Conference include:
• election of the Regional Executive Committee, President, Secretary, Treasurer and Regional Audit and Revision Commission, as well as early termination of their powers;
• determination of the priority areas of the Region’s activities and the principles for the formation and use of its property;
• approval of the annual reports of the REC and the RARC;
• approval of the annual balance sheet in the event of state registration of the Region;
• approval of the Region’s financial plan and amendments thereto.

REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The permanent governing body of the Region is the Regional Executive Committee (REC), which is elected by the Regional Conference for a term of four years and is accountable to it. The REC includes the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-Presidents and advisers. The number of REC members is determined by the Regional Conference.

The powers of the REC include:
• implementation of the decisions of the Regional Conferences;
• resolution of matters relating to organizational and material support for the Region’s activities;
• attraction of additional sources of financial and material resources for the implementation of activities;
• approval of the budget for the expenditure of the Region’s funds;
• approval of the Region’s work plans;
• management of other activities of the Region not prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

The REC meets as necessary, but no less than once per quarter. REC meetings are quorate if more than half of its members are present. Decisions of the REC are adopted by a simple majority vote of the REC members participating in the meeting. Meetings are chaired by the President of the Region or, on the President’s instructions, by one of the Vice-Presidents. The Secretary of the Region is responsible for keeping the minutes of REC meetings. The minutes are signed by the chairperson and the Secretary of the Region. REC members carry out their work on a voluntary basis.

PRESIDENT OF THE REGION

The President of the Region is elected by the Regional Conference for a term of four years and has the following powers:
• provides overall leadership of the Region and represents its interests, without a power of attorney, in relations with state and judicial authorities, organizations, institutions and enterprises;
• implements the decisions of the Regional Conferences and the REC;
• approves the staffing structure of the Region’s administrative office;
• approves the Region’s current work plan;
• manages the Region’s property rights and financial resources;
• enters into business and other agreements and has the right to sign financial and other documents.

SECRETARY OF THE REGION

The Secretary of the Region is elected by the Regional Conference for a term of four years and has the following powers:
• represents the Region in relations with state and judicial authorities, organizations, institutions and enterprises;
• performs executive and administrative functions and provides day-to-day management of the Region’s activities;
• develops, jointly with the President, the staffing structure of the Region’s administrative office;
• has the right to sign documents;
• registers newly admitted members of the Region.

TREASURER OF THE REGION AND FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

The Treasurer of the Region is elected by the Regional Conference for a term of four years and has the following powers:
• organizes the collection of membership fees in the Region;
• submits annual reports on the expenditure of membership fees;
• jointly with the President or another REC member, signs any financial documents relating to the movement of assets and liabilities.

The financial year of the Region coincides with the calendar year. The Treasurer of the Region conducts an annual audit of accounts, with the involvement of auditors (revisors), as of 31 December and, within one month, submits a financial report for consideration by the REC. The same report is submitted by the Treasurer at Regional Conferences.

REGIONAL AUDIT AND REVISION COMMISSION

The Regional Audit and Revision Commission (RARC) audits the financial and economic activities of the Region. The RARC is elected by the Regional Conference for a term of four years and consists of no fewer than three auditors.

EXPULSION OF A REGION FROM THE ORGANIZATION

A Region may be expelled in the event of a serious violation of these Articles of Association, including failure to meet obligations to the Organization for the period required for payment of membership fees, or repeated failure to comply with decisions of the Organization or the Central Executive Committee.

The decision on expulsion is adopted at the regular Conference of the Organization by a two-thirds majority of votes of all Regions represented at the Congress.

If a Region is expelled, members of the Organization from that Region may join other Regions.

AWARDS OF REGIONAL BRANCHES

The establishment by regional branches of any awards — medals, orders, commemorative or anniversary badges, and others — is permitted only by decision of the Central Executive Committee, upon the proposal of the Organization’s Internal Commission.