RULES
1. ASSOCIATION NAME AND LOCATION
The name of the association is the Rescue Swimmers Association - EURORSA and is registered in Finland.
2. PURPOSE AND TYPE OF ACTIVITY
The purpose of the organization is to enable SAR aircrew, who are working full-time as helicopter rescue swimmers, mutual and general benefits related to practicing the profession, improving the co-operation between the members, and improving the general conditions of the occupation. In order to execute the purpose, the association follows the professions economic development, legislation, and makes initiatives and gives opinions regarding the aforementioned matters. The association directs and guides the members by organizing meetings, advisory and education events, and creating statements on necessary issues. To support its activity, the association can accept donations and testaments, own necessary real assets, and arrange lotteries and fundraisers after gaining the required permissions from officials.
3. MEMBERS
Anyone working in an organisation referred to in paragraph 3.1 whom accepts the rules and the purpose of the association can apply to become a member. The board accepts new members after reviewing their application. As a guide, applicants should be an active full time, professional helicopter Rescue Swimmer working for an organisation, either military or civil with a focus of maritime helicopter Search and Rescue Operations. As successful applicants will be representing the association as a member, the Rescue Swimmers Association reserves the right to turn down applications at the discretion of the board.
3.1 RESCUE HELICOPTER ORGANISATIONS
The organisation should be:
3.1-1 Crewed in it’s entirety by full time professional crew, in which the operation of the Rescue Helicopter Service is their primary source of employment.
3.1- 2 Be manned and conduct operations 24 hours and 365 days a year.
3.1- 3 Have it’s own system internal system of check and training, i.e crewmembers are not checked by a third party.
3.1 RETIRED MEMBERS
Swimmers who are active members of the association are welcome to continue ongoing membership with the association upon their retirement or movement into other roles associated with the rescue swimmer role in which positive contributions can be made to the association (such as winch operator, sensor operator, paramedic or instructor).
However, on movement into retirement or associated roles they will no longer acre years of service as a Rescue Swimmer.
At this time the association is not in a position to openly accept applications from individuals who are not active, full time, professional rescue swimmers. In certain circumstances the board is open to reviewing specific applications on recommendation from country representatives
4. THE RESIGNATION AND DISMISSING OF A MEMBER
A member has the right to resign by announcing it in writing to the board or its president, or by announcing the resignation in the association meeting. The board can dismiss a member from the association, if the member has not paid the membership fee, has not fulfilled the duties that he or she has committed to, has externally damaged the association, or does not anymore meet the membership requirements stated in the rules.
5. JOINING AND MEMBERSHIP FEES
The amount of joining and membership fees collected from the members are decided by the board.
6. BOARD
All the subjects are taken care of by the board that consists of the president, five members and two vice members. The members of the board are elected in the annual meeting. Length of the term that is served by a board is the time between annual meetings.
The board chooses a vice-president from within, and either internally or externally a secretary, bookkeeper, and other necessary officers. The board meets upon the request of the president, or the vice-president if the president is unable to do so, when they see a reason for it or when at least a half of the board members request it.
The board has a quorum, when at least a half of the members, including the president and vice-president, are present. The vote is decided by a simple majority. When the votes are even president vote decides, except in the elections, in which the even result is decided by lottery.
7. WRITING THE ASSOCIATION NAME
The association name is written by the president, vice-president or secretary.
8. ACCOUNTING PERIOD AND AUDIT
The association accounting period is one calendar year.
Closing of the books with the required statements and board annual report has to be given to the auditors at least one month before the annual meeting. The auditors have to give a written statement to the board at least two weeks before the annual meeting.
9. ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Association annual meeting is held annually between January and May on a day determined by the board.
Additional meeting is held, when the association meeting decides so or when the board finds a reason for it, or when at least one-tenth (1/10) of the members with a suffrage require it in writing from the board. The meeting must be held within thirty days after the requirement has been presented to the board.
In the associations meetings, everyone has one vote.
The decision of the association meeting is what is supported by over one half of the votes, unless otherwise determined in the rules. In a case the votes are even, the president vote decides the result. In elections, the even result is decided by lottery.
10. CALLING TOGETHER THE ASSOCIATION MEETING
The board has to call the members together via a letter, local newspaper, or email at least seven days before the meeting.
11. ANNUAL MEETING
The following subjects are handled in the associations annual meeting:
Opening the meeting.
Choosing the chairman of the meeting, secretary, two minutes takers, and if needed, two counters of votes.
Stating the legality and quorum of the meeting.
Accepting the rules of procedure.
Motioning the closing of the books, annual report, and auditors statement.
Verification of closing the books and announcing the discharge from liability to the board
Verifying the work plan, profit-loss estimate, and the joining and membership fees
Electing the president and other members of the board.
Electing one or two auditors and vice-auditors for them.
Handling other subjects mentioned in the meeting invitation.
If a member wants to have any subject to be handled in the annual meeting, he or she has to announce it in writing to the board in time, so that the subject can be included in the meeting invitation.
12. CHANGING THE RULES AND DISSOLVING THE ASSOCIATION
A decision of changing the rules and dissolving the association has to be made in the association meeting by a majority of votes of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the members. Changing the rules or dissolving the association has to mentioned in the meeting invitation.
In a case of dissolving the association, the funds are used to advance the association purpose in a way that is determined in the meeting. If the association is closed the down, the funds are used for the same purpose.