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Instructions on the provisions of association rules

On this page, you will find information on the following:

Also read the other instructions and model texts which you can find in the menu.

Please note that the association rules must be written in Finnish or in Swedish.

Mandatory provisions

This section contains information about the mandatory provisions described in the Associations Act, or, in other words, matters that must always be mentioned in association rules.

The name of the association

The name of the association must be distinctive enough from other associations already registered. The name must not be misleading or contrary to proper behaviour. A Finnish registered association must have the abbreviation “ry" at the end of its name.

Domicile

Only one municipality in Finland can be indicated as the domicile of the association.

Purpose and forms of activity

An association registered in the Register of Associations has a non-profit purpose, meaning a goal or a purpose for which it operates. The forms of activity are the practical ways in which the association implements its purpose. In addition, the association may have supporting activities to collect funds for its activity.

The PRH have written model texts for associations appropriate to the part in the rules in which the purpose and forms of activity are specified.

Please note that the rules must be written in Finnish or in Swedish, which is why our model texts are also provided only in these two languages.

Read the model texts about purpose and forms of activity in Finnish.

Read the model texts about purpose and forms of activity in Swedish.

Liabilities of members

Liability to pay fees must be included in the rules. Any other liabilities of members must also be stated in the rules.

Executive committee

The number of the members in the executive committee as well as its term of office must be stated in the rules. The minimum size of the committee is the chairperson and two members. In the rules, the association can provide for a larger executive committee.

The size of the executive committee can also be determined by indicating the minimum and maximum number of its members, for example the chairperson and 2 to 5 ordinary and 0 to 2 deputy members.

Operations inspectors or auditors

The number of operations inspectors or auditors and their term of office must be mentioned in the rules.

An auditing organisation can also serve as an auditor.

An association must have at least one ordinary operations inspector or ordinary auditor. If only one operations inspector has been appointed, a deputy operations inspector must also be appointed. If an association has been appointed only one auditor, who is not an auditing organisation, at least one deputy auditor must be appointed.

Accounting period

The accounting period is a 12-month period specified by the association rules.

When an association is starting its activity, its accounting period may be shorter or longer (maximum 18 months). However, the non-customary accounting period does not need to be mentioned in the association rules. The first accounting period begins as soon as the charter of association has been signed.

Date of ordinary meeting

The date of the ordinary meeting must be indicated in the association rules. In the ordinary meeting, the association decides on the executive committee, auditors and operations inspectors, the adoption of financial statements, and on the discharge from liability.

Manner of and period for convening meetings

The manner of and period for convening meetings stated in the rules must be chosen in a way that gives every member the possibility to get the information about the meeting. The manner of convening meetings must be specifically mentioned in the rules and the decision cannot be left for the executive committee or the association.

Use of assets in the case of dissolution (termination)

An association must mention in its rules how its assets must be used if the association is dissolved or terminated.

Provisions for the persons entitled to sign for the association

The persons entitled to sign for the association can act on its behalf, for example, by making agreements in the name of the association. The chairperson of the association’s executive committee is always entitled to sign for the association.

If the association wants some other person besides the chairperson to be able to act on behalf of the association, a provision about the persons entitled to sign for the association must be written in the rules. Read more about the persons entitled to sign for the association.

Related legislation

The mandatory provisions of the rules are based on section 8 in the Finnish Association Act.

Read more about the Associations Act in the reference database of Finnish legislation Finlex (in Finnish). Open link in a new tab

Read more about the Associations Act in the reference database of Finnish legislation Finlex (in Swedish). Open link in a new tab

See also our website for an unofficial English translation of the Associations Act.

Printable version Latest update 30.01.2023