run an ngo in finland
TRANSCRIPT
Manoj Kr. BhusalSilver Lining Creation RyP.O. Box 1 4, 00271
HELSINKI , FINLAND
Phone: +358468478608,
E-mai l : [email protected]
How to Register & Run a Non-Profit Association inFinland - a Presentation (30 min)
Coffee break (15 min)
Group Work (30 min)Work in groups to create a dummy organization
Program Structure
Group work presentations (45 min)
World is full of non-profits40000 in the US, 3 million in India, 0.3 million in Russia
Philosophy behind non-profitsCriticisms: neo-colonialism, religious propoganda, corruption
INGOs, BINGOs, TANGOs, GONGOs, DONGOs
Today's Nonprofit world
Non-profits & Development aid
Registration is optionalRegistration requires for bank/financial transactions/legal capacityProperty ownership
Electronic NoticeNational Board of Patent and Registrations (www.prh.fi)
Regulated by the Associations Actwww.finlex.fi/www.phr.fi
Registering an Association in Finland
Chairperson should be residing in FinlandUnless a special exemption is not granted
Focus should be on non-profit workA non-profit association is an organisation, meant to be permanent,founded by several persons or several organisations having legalcapacity, for the realisation of a common non-profit purpose.
Needs at least 3 founding members/age 15 or above
Should be based in only one municipality in FinlandBranches are possible though
File for a business ID (Y-tunnus) when neededRequires for paying salaries, taxation etc.More info on www.ytj .fi (PRH & Tax admin joint business info. system)
Auditing & AccountingNeeds one ordinary auditor and one deputy auditorAccounting period must be 12 months
Should be drafted in Finnish or SwedishName should be unique & relevant to your work/objectivesShould fulfill the requirements of Associations Act Section 8
Purpose and activity must be well defined
Well-defined liabilities/responsibilities of membersLiability to pay fees must be included
Rights of membersRight to participate, vote, get electedAny restriction must be mentioned and justified in the rules
Executive committeeAt least 3, must be mentioned in the rules, bankrupt persons can't serveChairperson & vice-chairperson residing in Finland (exemption possible)
The Rules/Bylaws/Statute
Provision for regular meetingsWritten invitations (such as emails) required
Use of assets in case of dissolutionFor a non-profit cause
Authorized person to signChairperson, but could be shared with someone else as well, bank use & costs
Renewing an associationNot required, amendments must be notified, annual meeting held
Fees: 100€ to registerElectronic registration is 30% cheaper, each amendment costs money
The Rules/Bylaws/Statute
Non-profits & tax exemptionIf yearly transaction is below certain amount
Fundraising needs special permissionFrom the police
Allowed to sell products and services
Do not need an external auditorIf financial transaction is not too complicated
Fees: 100€ to registerElectronic registration is 30% cheaper, each amendment costs money
Other Practical Issues
Easy to register, difficult to runVoluntarism has limits, time management, consistency,funding etc.
A lot of paperworkYou have to have everything prepared even when you don't need tosubmit them anywhere
Businesses enjoy better protectionSuch as start-up grants, constant counselling
Career prospects are higherPersonal network expands, gain knowledge and skills
Keeping slow and steady helpsThings do not happen overnight, it takes time and consistent effort
My own experience
Make use of IT & Social Networking sitesBuild a webpage, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn help too
Work, but document them as well!Annual reports, audit reports, newsletters, photos, videos
Join organization networks, Evaluate yourselfFor instance, join KEPA & Moniheli, SWOT analysis
Study legislationImportant: Associations Act, Auditing Act, Social Welfare Act
Celebrate! Have fun!Organize events, gatherings, have fun and recharge your batteries!
Few tips
Change over time, evolutionary processThings change over time, be flexible to obey your intuition
Desire to do everythingBe realistic, have a focus, brand yourself
Financial hardships/hidden costsMaintaining website(s) , even a post box costs quite much
FailuresThey teach a lot, accept them and learn from them and move on
Opposition, criticism, manipulationCompetition, unrealistic expectations (from south), criticism of workmethods
What to expect?
2009 2012
Form a group4-6 persons in a group
Discuss and come up with an idea of an associationJustify the need, why do you want a new association? Name theorganization and design a logo.
Mention at least 5 objectivesi.e. what does the organization aim to achieve
Specify your beneficiaries, Map your partners/stakeholdersWho is the service for? Who will be your possible partners?
Specify at least 3 working methods/toolsFor instance, online campaign, a publication, services, advocacy, lobbying
Group Work
Come back and present!
Identify a few financial sourcesFor instance, membership fee, product sale, donations, service sale