Regulations for the Hamsun-Society

Approved by the constituent general meeting august 11th, 1988; revised by the general meeting august 8th, 1992; the general meeting august 10th, 2002 and the general meeting august 4th 2004.

§ 1 Objects
The objects of the Society is to promote the interest in Knut Hamsun’s poetry and to increase the knowledge about his works and the cultural and historical situation associated. The Hamsun Society shall further try to improve the animating effect of Knut Hamsun’s poetry. The Society shall also support the preservation of the visible relics of the poet, and the environments associated with his works.

§ 2 Domicile
The domicile of the Hamsun-Society is Hamarøy. Local branches can be established. The founding of local branches shall be done in accordance with the Society’s objects and after decision by the committee. The founding of local branches shall be approved by the general meeting.

§ 3 Membership
The Society may be joined by individuals, fylkeskommuner - local administrative areas, municipalities, organisations, institutions, clubs, firms and others. Applications for membership can be refused by the committee. Members are given preference in connection with all benefits of the Society.

§ 4 Committee
The committee is elected by the general meeting and must consist of 5 to 7 members and up to 4 substitutes in succession. One member is elected by the municipality of
Hamarøy. The members of the committee are elected for a term of 4 years. Four members shall constitute a quorum for decision-making. In case of an equality of votes, the vote of the chairman will count double. The committee is responsible for the administration of the Society’s assets and liabilities in accordance with decisions taken by the general meeting.

§ 5 General meeting
The general meeting is the highest body of the Society and the general meeting is held at least bi-annually. The general meeting is called through Hamsun-Nytt with the agenda. The announcement of the general meeting must be done with at least 6 weeks notice.

The general meeting shall take up the following matters:
1. Adoption of the summons
2. Elections of a chairman of the meeting, reporter and 2 witnesses for the minutes
3. Discussion of the committee's statement and plans for the activities in the following __period.
4. Adoption of accounts.
5. Election of chairman of the Society, members of the committee and substitutes.
6. Election of an auditor.
7. Election of a nominating committee.
8. Matters for discussion by the general meeting
__a. Proposals from the committee
__b. Proposals from the Society's members, accompanied by the committee's __recommendations/commentaries

Matters which are to be discussed at the general meeting, must have reached the committee at least two weeks before the general meeting.

§ 6 Extraordinary general meeting
An extraordinary general meeting may be called when demanded by at least 3 members of the committee or by at least 10 % of the Society's members. The announcement must be done with at least 3 weeks notice.

§ 7 Right of voting
Each member has one vote at the general meeting. A member can be represented by proxy if a power of attorney is presented to the committee at the general meeting

§ 8 Membership fee
Membership fees in the categories:

individuals
couples
others

are determined by the general meeting after suggestion of the committee

§ 9 Amendments to the regulations
Amendments to the Society's regulations can only be effected by the general meeting. Decisions on amendments can be made by a two-third majority of the members present at the meeting. Proposals on amendments must have reached the committee at least one month before the general meeting.

§ 10 Dissolution
The Society can be dissolved solely by the annual meeting after a proposal about this has been included in the announcement of the general meeting. Dissolution requires a 3/4 majority among the members present, who at the same time must represent at least 50 % of all members or a 3/4 majority among the members present at two consecutive general meetings/extraordinary general meetings. In the case of dissolution the general meeting decides on the use of the Society’s remaining funds.