Savoir sans Frontières
Articles of association filed on December 11, 2005
The undersigned:
JEAN PIERRE PETIT – Research director at CNRS, retired; residing at Villa Jean-Christophe, 206 Chemin de la Montagnère, 84120 Pertuis; French nationality
GILLES D’AGOSTINI – Engineer; residing at 110 Route de Castellar, 06500 Menton; French nationality
By this document, they hereby form an association in accordance with the law of July 1, 1901, and establish its articles of association as follows:
Article 1: Name
An association governed by the law of July 1, 1901 and the decree of August 16, 1901 is hereby founded among the signatories of these articles, under the name: “SAVOIR SANS FRONTIERES”.
Article 2: Purpose
The purpose of this association is to promote the dissemination of knowledge, particularly scientific and technical knowledge, in all languages, for all audiences—from illiterate individuals to university students—using all possible techniques, including all forms of publishing and multimedia distribution. The Internet will be utilized whenever possible, given its wide reach and low cost.
The association wishes to emphasize that, from both a cultural and humanitarian standpoint, its mission is of great importance.
Furthermore, it does not align itself with any political system, ideology, church, religious denomination, belief, philosophy or sect.
To achieve its objectives, the association shall employ all lawful means it deems necessary.
Communication with its members shall occur exclusively via e-mail or through the association’s website.
Its activities shall include, but are not limited to:
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Creating a website to promote the association and its aims. This site shall serve as a permanent link between the association and its members as well as non-members.
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Using scientific comics as one of the preferred means of communication:
– Making albums available for free download on the website.
– Translating them into as many languages as possible.
– Making them more attractive (by adding color). -
Connecting individuals who might participate in activities aligned with the association’s goals.
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Collaborating with organizations working with youth to raise awareness about the association’s objectives.
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Promoting projects aimed at minimizing language barriers and participating in such efforts whenever possible.
Article 3: Headquarters
The headquarters is located at Jean-Pierre Petit’s residence: Villa Jean-Christophe, 206 Chemin de la Montagnère, 84120 Pertuis. It may be transferred upon a decision by the board of directors.
Article 4: Membership
The association comprises:
- Founding members
- Honorary members
- Sympathizing members
- Regular members
- Friends members
- Benefactors
The founding members are Jean-Pierre Petit and Gilles D’Agostini. They constitute both the board of directors and the executive committee. In accordance with current law, they receive no compensation.
Honorary members pay no fees but provide moral support to the association. Their names, titles and qualifications appear on the association’s website. They may at any time withdraw from this group by sending written notice to the headquarters; such withdrawal will be immediately posted on the website.
To make the association accessible to as many people as possible, including internationally, a status of “sympathizing members” has been created. For these members, the membership fee—below 10 €—is left to their discretion; it may even be waived if they cannot afford it.
Regular members also choose the amount of their contribution, which must be equal to or greater than 10 € and less than 150 € (figures set for 2006). They must possess a valid e-mail address.
Friends members likewise select their contribution amount, which must be equal to or greater than 150 € and less than 1200 € (figures set for 2006). As a reference, the standard price (2006) for translating a 45–80 page comic into a foreign language is 150 €. They must possess a valid e-mail address.
Benefactors pay the membership fee stipulated in the bylaws, set at 1200 € for 2006. This sum may correspond to the cost of translating a larger work, organizing a course, coloring an album, or producing educational materials... They must possess a valid e-mail address.
The amount of membership fees is determined annually by the executive committee during a general assembly.
Article 5: Admission
To join the association, one must send a membership application form to the headquarters, accompanied by the appropriate fee corresponding to the chosen category. The information provided will be entered into the association’s database (but kept confidential). The association bears no collection costs; these must be paid by the applicant. The simplest method is to send a letter requesting membership for the current year, along with a check payable to “Savoir Sans Frontières” for the selected amount. Other payment methods may later be established via the website.
Payment deadline is December 31 of the current year, regardless of the date of application.
The executive committee decides on applications during its meetings; it retains the right to reject any application, providing a reason to the applicant and returning any payment made.
To become a member, one must:
– Be up-to-date with membership fees
– Be approved by the executive committee, which evaluates all applications
– Unreservedly accept the association’s articles of association, particularly the use of e-mail or the website for communication
The association maintains a register of members’ contact details, which may never be shared with any other organization.
Article 6: Termination
Membership ends through:
a) Resignation
b) Death
c) At the member’s request
d) Expulsion by the board of directors for serious reasons (failure to pay fees, actions contrary to the association’s objectives, etc.)
In all cases, fees already paid for the current year remain non-refundable.
Article 7: Resources
The association’s resources include:
1° Membership fees
2° Income derived from services rendered by the association
3° Any other resources permitted by law, including state subsidies, ministerial grants, departmental and municipal funding, as well as aid from French or foreign institutions
Any grant application will be disclosed on the website to ensure transparency and clarity, in keeping with the association’s ethics.
Regardless of origin, the Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject any grant if it risks diverting the association from its objectives (political, religious, sectarian drift, etc.).
Article 8: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of:
– Jean-Pierre Petit, serving as President and Secretary
– Gilles D’Agostini, serving as Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Should one member be absent, his/her duties are assumed by the remaining member until his/her return or until the association is dissolved.
If one member dies or resigns, the other may dissolve the association or continue it by appointing a new board of directors and executive committee.
Article 9: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee comprises:
– Jean-Pierre Petit, President and Secretary
– Gilles D’Agostini, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
If one member is absent, his/her duties are assumed by the remaining member until his/her return, replacement or until the association is dissolved. In case of death or resignation, the Board of Directors ensures a replacement to complete the committee.
The primary duties of the Executive Committee are:
– Each December, compiling a summary of activities undertaken during the year; these can be followed daily by members and non-members on the website
– Summarizing receipts and expenditures, item by item, which can be tracked in real time on the website
– Describing ongoing and planned projects for the coming year
– Managing the association’s finances while ensuring transparency (via the website) and traceability. This management is permanently accessible online for both members and non-members. It is carried out by the President and Treasurer in close cooperation; both have signing authority over the association’s account. The Treasurer is responsible for archiving accounting data.
Article 10: Board Meetings
The Board of Directors meets at least once a year, convened by one of its members at least one month in advance.
Decisions are made by majority vote; in case of a tie, the President’s vote prevails.
Article 11: Bylaws
The Board of Directors may draft bylaws.
These rules are intended to cover matters not addressed in the articles of association, such as internal administration, annual fees, etc.
They will be made available to members via the association’s website.
Article 12: Dissolution
Should either founding member withdraw, or should there be dysfunction or deviation from the association’s objectives and operational principles, the association is automatically dissolved. Its bank assets are then donated to charitable organizations such as “Les Restaurants du Cœur”, “Médecins sans Frontières” or “La Croix Rouge”; the choice is made by both members if possible, otherwise by the President.
Withdrawal must be communicated via registered mail with proof of delivery.
Bylaws
Article 1: Membership
Membership covers the period from the month of application until December 31 of the same year.
Fees are due regardless of the date of application.
The membership fee, defined in the next article, applies to the current year and may be revised by the Executive Committee for the following year.
Article 2: Types of Members
Several ways of participating in the association exist; each entails different rights, obligations and fees.
Honorary Members:
– Pay no fees
– Provide moral support to the association
– Their names, titles and qualifications appear on the website
Sympathizing Members:
– Are interested in the association’s work and wish to join and offer support, possibly only moral
– Pay a fee that in 2006 is below ten euros or possibly zero
Regular Members:
– Are interested in the association’s work and wish to join to support its aims
– Choose the amount of their contribution, which must be equal to or greater than 10 € and less than 150 € (2006 figures)
– Receive e-mails with information about the association’s activities
Friends Members:
– Are interested in the association’s work and wish to join and help support its aims
– Choose the amount of their contribution, which must be equal to or greater than 150 € and less than 1200 € (2006 figures)
– Receive e-mails with information about the association’s activities
Benefactors:
– Are members wishing to foster the association’s development
– Enjoy the same benefits as regular members but pay a fixed fee of 1200 euros in 2006
Article 3: Application
To join the association, simply print the attached application form, fill it out and send it together with the corresponding membership fee cheque to:
Association “SAVOIR SANS FRONTIERE”
At Jean Pierre PETIT
Villa Jean-Christophe
Chemin de la Montagnère
84120 Pertuis
Article 4: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is composed of:
– Jean Pierre PETIT (President and Secretary)
– Gilles D’AGOSTINI (Treasurer and Assistant Secretary)
Article 5: Website
The association’s website can be found at:
http://www.Savoir-Sans-Frontieres.org
“We will compile a list of members, considering those who have sent donations as automatically enrolled. I intend to print numbered and signed membership cards to send to them. We can already register new members. All this involves considerable secretarial work; I only wish to finally find time to create new albums, which I’ve already begun. A few pages of a 12-year-old level album, meant to be colored, titled ‘Electricity for Dummies and Those Who Don’t Get It.’”
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