NORGE-AMERIKA FORENINGEN (NORAM)
THE NORWAY – AMERICA ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS​

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with amendments adopted at the annual meeting on June 8, 2020,on the occasion of the merger of
Norwegians Worldwide (est. 1907) and Norway–America Association (est. 1919)

ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association is to promote and strengthen transatlantic cooperation between Norway and the United States and Canada, and everything related to this—including efforts to promote the relations between Norway and other countries.

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ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
The Association can accept individuals, companies, organizations, and institutions as members. Persons who have contributed with exceptional distinction to the Association or its cause may be elected as honorary members. Proposals for an honorary member must be sent in writing to the Board. If the Board recommends the proposal, this will be submitted to the annual meeting where the matter will be decided. Honorary members have the same rights as the other members of the Association, but they do not pay annual dues. The membership dues are determined at the annual meeting. Members who have not paid their dues cannot exercise their Association rights.

The Association maintains its relations with the American–Scandinavian Foundation, the corresponding organizations in the Nordic countries, the Norwegian Emigrant Museum Foundation–by way of a board representative—and other possible institutions in the USA, Canada, and Norway that the Board or annual meeting believe promote the Association’s mission.

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ARTICLE III
BOARD
The Association is directed by a board consisting of at least five members. Four of the board members constitute a quorum. In the event of a tie vote, the chairperson’s vote will be tie-breaking. The Board is responsible for the Association’s strategy and supervision and makes all decisions not assigned to other bodies in these bylaws. The Board employs a paid secretary general, who prepares matters that need attention by the Board and manages the day-to-day business.

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The power of attorney rests jointly with two appointed board members.

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The Board can establish and dissolve committees as needed.

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ARTICLE IV
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
The Association shall have a Scholarship Committee consisting of at least five members. The chair and members of the committee are appointed by the Board. The Committee will award scholarships from the Norway–America Foundation (Norge-Amerika Stiftelsen) (org. no. 977 130 972) and shall, upon request, make recommendations on the distribution of scholarships from other cooperating institutions. Each year, by the end of June, the committee reports in writing on the awards and recommendations that have taken place

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ARTICLE V
FUNDRAISING GROUP
The Association shall have a resource group for fundraising consisting of at least three members. The group’s chair and members are appointed by the Board. The committee will work to strengthen the Association’s finances through fundraising and other initiatives.

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ARTICLE VI
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Association shall have a school committee consisting of at least two members. The chair and members of the committee are appointed by the Board. The committee will assist the administration in developing Norgesskolen and strengthening the school’s finances.

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ARTICLE VII
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The nominating committee shall consist of at least two members appointed by the annual meeting based on a proposal from the Board. The Secretary General is the secretary of the nominating committee.

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ARTICLE VIII
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting must be held every year by June 30. The Board determines the time and place of the annual meeting. Each member is given notice at least 21 days prior to the meeting. The annual meeting consists only of members who have paid membership dues by April 1 of the voting year. The meeting is chaired by the chair of the Board. The purpose of the annual meeting is to:
1. Go through and approve the annual report and audited accounts of the Association’s previous year’s activities.
2. Determine membership dues for the following year.
3. Elect the chair and board members. Members of the Board are elected for two years at a time.
4. Elect an auditor and decide upon remuneration.
5. Elect a nominating committee recommended by the Board. Members of the nominating committee are elected for two years at a time.
6. Address other issues submitted by the Board.

Proposals that the Association’s members wish to be considered must be submitted to the Board by April 1. Elections and decisions shall be made by a simple majority unless otherwise provided in these bylaws.

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ARTICLE IX
EXTRAORDINARY ANNUAL MEETING
The Board convenes an extraordinary annual meeting when it deems it necessary or when 1/10 of the Association’s members requests so in writing. It is convened by notice as provided for in Article VIII and is meant solely for the transaction of business mentioned in the notice.

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ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
Proposals to amend the Association’s bylaws may be submitted by the Board itself and by the members. Proposals from members must be submitted in writing to the Association’s Board and will be presented by it. Bylaws can only be amended at an ordinary or extraordinary annual meeting with a 2/3 majority of the attendees.

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ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
Proposals for the dissolution of the Association are presented and treated in the same way as proposals for the amendment of the Association’s bylaws, but the dissolution cannot take place unless at least 3/4 of the votes are in favor. If the Association dissolves, the assets it has at its disposal should go to the Norway-America Foundation and the Norwegian Emigrant Museum, in equal shares.