CHARTER OF THE ASSOCIATION "BULGARIAN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION"
Name, Headquarters, Address
Art. 1. (1) The name of the Association is:
ASSOCIATION "BULGARIAN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION"
(2) The headquarters of the Association is in the city of Sofia.
(3) The address of the Association is: 1000 Sofia, 2 Hristo Belchev St., floor 5, office 16.
General Provisions
Art. 2. (1) The "Bulgarian Library and Information Association", hereinafter referred to as the "Association" in this Charter, is a non-profit legal entity representing a voluntary and independent professional organization operating in the public interest.
(2) The Association unites professionals, regardless of the departmental affiliation of the institution in which they work, who strive to improve library and information activities and to enhance the prestige of the profession.
(3) The Association has its own seal and emblem.
Art. 3. The Association is not limited by a term or any other condition for termination.
Art. 4. The Association expresses its will and performs legal actions through its governing bodies, which make decisions within the framework of this Charter and the law.
Objectives, Means, and Scope of Activity of the Association
Art. 5. The Objectives of the Association are:
1. To work toward elevating the social status of professions in the library and information sector and to provide professional protection for its members.
2. To raise public awareness about the role and importance of all types of libraries and to promote advocacy for libraries and professions in the library and information sector.
3. To support the development of libraries as democratic institutions that provide citizens with access to education, information, and culture.
4. To participate in the development of national library and information policies, regulations, and their implementation.
5. To stimulate research and applied activities in the field of library and information sciences and services.
6. To promote continuing education, professional training, and career development of specialists in the library and information sector.
7. To encourage the emergence of leaders among library and information professionals for the modernization of libraries and services.
8. To promote and support the use of innovative practices to enrich library collections and modernize services in both traditional and virtual environments, and to introduce modern information and communication technologies.
9. To assist members of the Association in developing entrepreneurial initiatives.
Art. 6. The Means by which the Association achieves its goals are:
1. Organizing various forms of professional education and training, as well as qualification improvement for specialists in the library and information sector.
2. Implementing strategies for leadership development and for sharing innovative practices among professionals in the library and information sector.
3. Developing partnerships with other sectors to provide advocacy and support for the library and information sector, including through donations.
4. Participates in national and international forums; uses various forms to keep its members informed about developments in the library and information sector.
5. Implements regional and national projects and participates as a partner in international ones.
6. Initiates and coordinates national campaigns.
7. Carries out publishing and information activities in support of the Association’s objectives.
8. Uses various forms to promote the Association’s activities and to facilitate exchange of opinions and discussions on professional topics.
9. Supports recruitment, development, and retention of highly qualified personnel in the library and information sector.
10. Honors outstanding members, as well as external individuals and organizations who contribute to the library and information sector.
Art. 7. The subject of the Association’s core activities:
1. Represents its members before third parties, including state and local authorities and non-governmental organizations.
2. Participates in the activities of international professional organizations, including the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), and others.
3. Establishes sections and clubs based on national and regional interests.
4. Establishes centers for professional education, training, and qualification.
5. Organizes conferences, seminars, “round tables,” exchange programs, internships, and others.
6. Provides expert and consulting services.
7. Publishes print and electronic publications and maintains the Association’s website.
8. Supports initiatives, coordinates, and organizes its members to carry out activities in pursuit of the Association’s objectives.
Art. 8. (1) The Association may carry out additional economic activities related to its main purpose, such as scientific research, expert opinions and methodological developments, consulting, publications and advertising, training, and others that do not conflict with the law.
(2) Revenues from such economic activities shall only be used for the purposes defined in the Charter.
(3) The Association does not distribute profits.
Membership
Art. 9. (1) Membership in the Association is voluntary.
(2) Any Bulgarian or foreign legal entity or competent natural person who shares the objectives of the Association, accepts its Charter, its core development and management principles, and contributes to the improvement of the library and information sector in the country may become a member.
(3) All members shall pay an annual membership fee, the amount of which is determined by the General Assembly of the Association.
Art. 10. (1) Members of the Association can be individual persons or legal entities.
(2) Individual members are competent natural persons.
(3) Legal entity members can be libraries, community centers, scientific information centers, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, unions, and others.
(4) Legal entity members are represented in the Association by their legal representative – director, dean, rector, president, chairman, manager, head, etc. – or a person expressly authorized.
(5) Membership is granted upon a written application to the Management Board.
(6) Members are liable for the Association's obligations only up to the amount of their financial contributions – i.e., membership fees. Members are not personally liable for the Association’s obligations.
(7) A register of members is maintained, containing names and addresses, dates of membership admission and termination, and other necessary information. The register is kept by the Secretary of the Management Board.
Art. 11. A member of the Association has the right to:
a/ participate in the governance and activities of the Association;
b/ be elected to its governing bodies;
c/ be informed about the Association’s activities;
d/ benefit from the property and the results of the Association’s activities.
Art. 12. A member of the Association is obliged to:
a/ comply with the Charter and the decisions of the Association’s bodies;
b/ contribute to the achievement of the Association’s objectives;
c/ pay the defined annual membership fee.
Art. 13. (1) Membership in the Association is terminated:
a/ by unilateral written notice to the Management Board of the Association;
b/ upon death or full legal incapacitation of a natural person or termination of a legal entity member;
c/ upon dissolution of the member legal entity;
d/ upon dissolution of the Association;
e/ by expulsion;
f/ by removal.
(2) Expulsion is decided by the Management Board in cases of conduct incompatible with membership. The decision may be appealed before the General Assembly.
(3) Removal applies in case of failure to pay the membership fee by December 31 of the current year or systematic non-participation in the Association’s activities. Removal is confirmed by documents and a formal decision of the Management Board and is announced at the next General Assembly.
Governance of the Association
Art. 14. The governing bodies of the Association are:
1. General Assembly (GA)
2. Management Board (MB)
3. Chairperson
General Assembly
Art. 15. The General Assembly is the collective supreme governing body of the Association.
Art. 16. (1) All members of the Association participate in the General Assembly, either personally or through a representative.
(2) One person may represent no more than three members of the General Assembly, based on an explicit written proxy issued for participation in a limited or unlimited number of sessions.
(3) Sub-delegation is not allowed.
Art. 17. The General Assembly:
1. amends and supplements the Statute;
2. adopts other internal acts;
3. elects and dismisses members of the Managing Board (MB) by secret ballot;
4. elects the Chairperson of the MB by secret ballot;
5. reviews complaints from expelled members;
6. decides on transformation or termination of the Association;
7. adopts the main guidelines and program of the Association's activities;
8. adopts the budget of the Association;
9. decides on the membership fee and its amount;
10. approves the activity report of the MB;
11. approves the financial and accounting report;
12. cancels decisions of other bodies of the Association that contradict the law, the Statute, or other internal regulations;
13. makes other decisions provided for in the Statute.
Art. 18. (1) The General Assembly can be regular or extraordinary.
1. A regular meeting is convened once a year.
2. An extraordinary meeting can be convened at any time.
(2) The General Assembly is convened by the MB at its own initiative or at the request of 1/3 of the members of the Association in the locality where its headquarters is located.
(3) The invitation to convene a General Assembly must include the agenda, date, time, venue, and who initiated it. The MB ensures access to all materials under discussion for all members.
(4) The invitation is posted on the Association’s website and in its electronic newsletter and on the notice board of the building housing the Association's management at least one month before the scheduled date.
(5) The General Assembly is valid if more than half of all members are present. If there is no quorum, the meeting is postponed by one hour and can proceed with any number of members present, with the same agenda and venue.
Art. 19. (1) Each member of the General Assembly has one vote in decision-making.
(2) A member does not have voting rights when decisions concern:
1. themselves, their spouse, or relatives in direct line — without limitation, in collateral line — up to the fourth degree, or by marriage — up to the second degree inclusive;
2. legal entities in which the member is a manager or has influence over decision-making.
Art. 20. (1) Decisions of the General Assembly are made by a simple majority of those present. Decisions under Art. 17, items 1 and 6, require a 2/3 majority of those present.
(2) The General Assembly cannot make decisions on issues not included in the announced agenda.
Art. 21. (1) Minutes are kept for meetings of the General Assembly.
(2) The minutes are signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of the meeting. A list of attendees and relevant documents are attached.
(3) A record book is kept for the minutes, maintained by the Secretary of the MB.
(4) Any member present at the General Assembly has the right to request and monitor the accurate recording of decisions in the minutes.
Managing Board (MB)
Art. 22. (1) The Association is managed and represented by a Managing Board.
(2) MB members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of 3 years.
(3) The MB consists of 11 individuals, members of the Association — either natural or legal persons.
(4) The Chairperson of the MB is elected by the General Assembly from among the MB members.
(5) The MB may create auxiliary bodies — permanent or temporary committees, councils, and others — as long as they do not usurp the powers of other bodies defined in Art. 14, to perform specific activities or support the MB.
Art. 23. The Managing Board:
1. represents the Association and defines the authority of individual representatives;
2. ensures the implementation of General Assembly decisions;
3. manages the Association’s assets in accordance with the Statute;
4. prepares and submits the budget and financial report to the General Assembly;
5. prepares and submits the activity report to the General Assembly;
6. organizes and oversees the Association’s activities, including public benefit work, and is responsible for them;
7. determines the registered address of the Association;
8. decides on all matters not reserved by law or statute to another body;
9. fulfills obligations under the Statute;
10. admits and expels members;
11. decides on opening and closing sections, interest clubs, and centers;
12. decides on participation in other organizations;
13. commissions reports, opinions, surveys, etc.;
14. oversees publishing and qualification activities;
15. maintains the record book of General Assembly decisions, MB meeting minutes, and the member register;
16. elects a Deputy Chairperson and a Secretary;
17. determines the type and size of annual awards, forms a nominations committee, and approves award recipients.
Art. 24. (1) The MB is convened by its Chairperson, who also chairs the meetings.
(2) In the Chairperson's absence, meetings are chaired by the Deputy Chairperson.
(3) The Chairperson must convene a meeting upon a written request by 1/3 of the MB members. If not convened within one week, any MB member may do so.
Art. 25. (1) The MB may make decisions if more than half of its members are present.
(2) Participation via telephone or other means guaranteeing identity and discussion rights is permitted. Such participation is recorded in the minutes.
(3) MB decisions are made by majority vote of those present. Decisions under Art. 23, items 3 and 6, require a majority of all MB members.
(4) Decisions may be taken in absentia if the protocol is signed without objections by all MB members.
(5) Minutes are kept for all MB meetings and signed by the Chairperson and Secretary.
Chairperson
Art. 26. The Chairperson of the MB is also the Chairperson of the Association.
Art. 27. The Chairperson:
1. represents the Association before all authorities, NGOs, and individuals in Bulgaria and abroad;
2. chairs the General Assembly meetings;
3. chairs MB meetings;
4. manages the Association between MB meetings;
5. submits the activity report and draft budget to the General Assembly.
Art. 28. The Secretary of the MB:
1. handles administrative and technical tasks for fulfilling the Association’s goals;
2. maintains and stores Association records;
3. records minutes of General Assembly and MB meetings;
4. creates and maintains the Association archive;
5. gathers and maintains necessary documentation and information.
Property and Financial Activity
Art. 29. (1) The Association’s property consists of ownership and other property rights over movable and immovable assets, funds, and other rights under applicable regulations.
(2) The assets for achieving the goals of the Association are gathered from:
a/ membership fees;
b/ donations, wills, and sponsorships from individuals and legal entities, from organizations in the country and abroad;
c/ targeted funds allocated by state and municipal bodies and organizations, enterprises, non-governmental organizations;
d/ revenue from charitable, public, and other events;
e/ revenue from economic activity;
f/ participation, independently or in partnership with other organizations, in national and international programs and projects;
g/ other activities permitted by law and not in contradiction with the Statute.
Art. 30. To achieve its goals, the Association may acquire, manage, and maintain the necessary movable and immovable property, create creative and other funds to support its activities, assist its members, maintain and upgrade its material base, and create scientific products.
Art. 31. (1) Every member of the Association, individual or collective, is obliged to make property contributions to the Association in the form of membership fees.
(2) The amount of the membership fee and the deadline for its payment are determined by a decision of the General Assembly of the Association.
Art. 32. The Association has the right to open bank accounts and conduct financial operations in accordance with the current legislation.
Art. 33. The Association uses its property for:
1. the modern development of library and scientific-information activities and ensuring the right of citizens to access information;
2. supporting activities and individuals in achieving the goals of the Association;
3. The Association may gratuitously spend property and carry out activities aimed at achieving its goals, in accordance with the law and the Statute. The selection of individuals and the manner of their support are carried out according to an announced procedure and rules approved by the Managing Board. The information about the procedure is publicly accessible and is entered in the Central Register.
4. Gratuitous expenditure of the Association’s property is decided by the General Assembly with a motivated resolution and a two-thirds majority of all its members, when it benefits, according to Art. 41, para. 3 and 4 of the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities.
Art. 34. (1) The Association prepares an annual activity report, which includes data on:
1. the activities carried out, the resources spent on them, their relation to the goals and programs of the organization, and the achieved results;
2. the amount of gratuitously received property and income from other fundraising activities;
3. the type, amount, value, and purposes of received and granted donations, as well as information about the donors;
4. the annual financial result from economic activity.
(2) The annual activity report and the financial statement of the Association are public. They are provided on paper or electronic media and are published in the bulletin and on the website of the Central Register under the Ministry of Justice.
Art. 35. (1) The financial-accounting activity of the Association is carried out in accordance with the current Accounting Act and secondary legislation.
(2) The annual financial statements of the Association are subject to independent financial audit and certification, under the conditions of the Accounting Act.
Transformation, Termination, and Liquidation
Art. 36. The Association may not be transformed into a non-profit legal entity for the purpose of carrying out activity in private interest.
Art. 37. The Association is terminated:
1. by decision of the General Assembly;
2. by decision of the District Court at the seat of the Association in the cases provided by law.
Art. 38. (1) Upon termination of the Association, liquidation is carried out by the Managing Board or a person appointed by it.
(2) The liquidator is obliged to satisfy creditors from the available monetary funds or the property of the Association.
(3) The property may not be transferred in any way to:
1. the founders and current or former members of the Association;
2. persons who have been part of its governing bodies and its employees;
3. the liquidators, except for their due remuneration;
4. spouses of persons under items 1–3;
5. relatives of persons under items 1–3 in a direct line – without limitation, in a collateral line – up to the fourth degree, or by marriage – up to the second degree inclusive;
6. legal entities in which the persons under items 1–5 are managers or can influence or block decision-making.
Final Provisions
§ 1. For matters not settled in this Statute, the provisions of the current national legislation apply.
This Statute was adopted and amended by General Assemblies of the Association "Bulgarian Library and Information Association" at meetings held on October 9, 2008, April 10, 2012, and April 19, 2018, in the city of Sofia.
