ARTICLES
UKRAINIAN HUNTING AND
FISHING ASSOCIATION
(UHFA)

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. The Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association (UHFA), hereinafter the Association, is an all-Ukrainian public organization uniting hunters and fishermen in the pursuit and development of amateur hunting, trapshooting,  and sport-fishing and dedicated to the protection, sustainable use of animal and fish populations, and the conservation of the natural environment. The Association is a non-profit organization with private property rights to its own property and funds.

The Associations activities are based on voluntary membership, election to the governing body which reports to the members of the Association and compliance with the provisions of the Articles created by the Association. The Association’s activities apply to the whole of the Ukraine and are performed in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, the Laws of Ukraine pertaining to “citizens’ associations”, other existing legislation, and these Articles, in close cooperation with governmental bodies and other public organizations.

1.2. The Association  is comprised of Vinnytsa, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Zakarpatje, Zaporizhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Kirovograd, Lugansk, Lviv, Mykolayiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskiy, Cherkassy, Chernivtsi, Chernigiv regional, Kyiv, Sebastopol regional, district, city and primary organizations of the UHFA.

1.3. The Association, regional, Kyiv, and Sebastopol regional organizations of the UHFA are legal entities with their own property and are financially independent and have their own stamps and seals. These organizations perform their activities in accordance with these Articles or the articles of the organizations mentioned above, complying with the Articles of the Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association, which are adopted by their superior governing body and approved by the UHFA all-Ukrainian council, and are therefore eligible for registration in accordance with the existing legislation of Ukraine.

Structural divisions of the Association maintain hunting and fishing entities in accordance with the existing legislation of Ukraine.

To fulfil the tasks set in the Articles of the Association, district, inter-district, and city organizations, acting in accordance with their own articles may be legal entities. Registration is based on the decisions of regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional organization councils or the board, these Articles or the articles of the regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional organizations in compliance with the existing legislation of Ukraine.

UHFA regional, Kyiv city, and Sebastopol regional councils are entitled to make decisions on recalling the status of a legal entity of the district, inter-district, or city organizations of the UHFA and established self-supporting enterprises due to violation of the requirements set in the Articles, misuse of funds, failure to fulfil financial obligations to superior organizations in accordance with defined standards, and unsatisfactory performance in the field of hunting and fishing activities.

UHFA regional, district, inter-district, city organizations, not having the status of legal entities, become legalized in compliance with the procedures defined in the existing legislature.

The Association, establishments and organizations of the UHFA founded by it as legal entities under the decisions of respective councils may cooperate with political parties, public unions, and associations exercising their rights as associate members, for the purpose of fulfilling the tasks and objectives set in the Articles, become founders and co-founders of business organizations under the agreement with the board of the UHFA all-Ukrainian council.

The Association has a flag, emblem, unified membership card, badge, and other symbols, samples of which are approved by the UHFA all-Ukrainian council. The symbols are registered in accordance with the procedure set by Ukrainian law.

1.4. The supervision of the Association in compliance with the legislation is carried out by respective governmental bodies according to the procedure, established by the legislature of Ukraine.

1.5 Full name: Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association UHFA

1.6 Legal address: 7-9 Side-street Nestorivskiy, 04053 Kyiv-53.

II. TASKS AND ACTIVITIES

2.1. Main tasks of the Association are as follows:

a) Education with respect to protection and management of nature and natural resources among members of the Association
b) Assistance in keeping hunting and fishing on an ecologically sustainable basis
c) Support of compliance with hunting and fishing regulations, prevention of violations of hunting and fishing regulations, and assisting the authorities in the struggle against poaching
d) Advance environmental protection, cultivate a love of nature among members of the Association, protect natural resources,  and foster environmentally sound and rational use of fauna
e) Encourage development of progressive experiences in hunting, fishing, amateur hunting, shooting, trapshooting, sport-fishing, and assistance in the breeding of hunting dogs
f) Assist in setting up the setting and collecting of dues for hunting, amateur fishing, trapshooting training, and sports and fitness events for members of the Association
g) Support direct contacts and relationships with foreign organizations and creation of cooperation and mutual aid agreements on the basis of the existing legislation of Ukraine
h) Protect the interests of the members of the Association

2.2.   The Association according to the tasks defined in the Articles establishes procedures:

a) Participate with governmental bodies in taking measures to maximize game and fish resources and to improve the productivity of the hunting grounds in use
b) Use the hunting and fishing grounds, assist in taking measures to protect wild animal and fish resources, improve feeding, nesting, and protective conditions for wild animals, achieve and sustain optimal numbers of selected species of wild animals, birds, and fish populations by stocking of fish
c) Artificially breed and stock game and fish in the established economic entities
d) Provide access to members of the Association with hunting and fishing equipment, firearms, and ammunition through its own chain of outlets;
e) Send selected groups of Association members of the abroad to share experiences in hunting, fishing, and trapshooting training, and host similar groups from foreign countries
f) Assist in organizing sport hunting and amateur fishing for the  members of the Association as well as for foreign hunters and  individuals on the grounds in use
g) Cooperate with scientific research and assist in carrying out research efforts to advance sustainable and environmentally sound hunting and fishing
h) Assist in establishing a game warden service to protect fauna in accordance with legislation;  Ensure game warden staff have uniforms approved by the Association.  
i) Build hunting and fishing centres, shooting ranges, sport shooting stands, and other installations necessary for fulfilling the tasks set in the Articles of the Association
j) Assists in skills development, safety, and legal training of the members and experts of the Association, schedule meetings, seminars, other training events as needed
k) Take part in organizing and hosting competitions in trap-shooting, hunting, and sport-fishing for the members of the Association organize instructional, demonstrative, and special hunting and fishing events, as well as the culling of harmful animals and birds
l) Carry out events to develop the breeding of hunting dogs, encourage establishment of hunting dog kennels, the keeping and issuing of pedigree records and permits for hunting, conduct exhibitions, hold field studies and competitions for hunting dogs
m) With Association funds, outfit houses, rooms, hunting and  fishing blinds, and stations for hunting dogs; arrange public  promotions regarding the issues of protection, reproduction and management of game and fish resources
n) As required, order and create visual aids, reference books, information bulletins, posters and leaflets regarding the Association activities with respect to protection of nature and the development of the hunting and fishing economy
o) Holds contests among the members of the Association for the best hunting and fishing farm, best photographs and posters related to hunting and fishing, and the best souvenir and hunting trophies;
p) Provide assistance to self-supporting entities of the Association in storing and processing hunting material and items and carrying out other economic activities
q) Encourage the development of  bow and crossbow hunting of game and issue permits for their use

2.3. To fulfil the tasks of the Articles of the Association, the UHFA regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional organizations perform necessary economic and business activities by founding  establishments and organizations with the status of legal entities,   which act on the basis of these Articles as well as their own articles and in compliance with the existing legislation of Ukraine.

III. MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1. To become members of the Association persons must at a minimum be age 18 for hunters and 16 for fishermen, recognize the Articles of the Association, be registered in one of the primary organizations of the UHFA and pay membership fees in a timely manner. The Association may include on a contractual basis collective members – public organizations, establishments and enterprise staff teams. The Provisions on Collective members of the Association are approved by the board of the UHFA all-Ukrainian council.

The Association has youth divisions, admitting boys and girls aged 14 and older, who are entitled to take part in the activities of the UHFA organization divisions, sport competitions, and fitness events.

3.2. Admission to members of the Association is carried out through general meetings of the primary organization on the basis of a written application from a person requesting to be admitted to the Association with approval by the board of the Association district (inter-district) or city organization council.

3.3. The members of the Association youth divisions, who have reached the age of 18 and successfully passed the training required under the program, and approved by the UHFA organization council, are admitted to the Association on the reference of the division bureau according to the established procedure set out in section 3.2 of these Articles.

3.4. The members of other hunting and fishing associations of Ukraine, and foreign countries are admitted to the Association according to the established procedure set out in p. 3.2 of these Articles without paying entrance fees and preserving their general hunting and fishing affiliations.

3.5. The members of the Association are entitled to:

a) Engage in amateur sport hunting and fishing in accordance with Association procedures
b) Hunt and fish on preferred terms on the grounds, provided they have a UHFA membership card and other required documents
c) Use hunting and fishing farms, centres, workshops, shooting ranges, clubs, and libraries of the Association
d) Take part in meetings of primary organizations with voting rights and to submit proposals to any body of the Association
e) Voting and election to governing and auditing bodies of the Association  in accordance with the procedure established in the Provisions which are approved by the UHFA all-Ukrainian council
f) Take part in competitions, exhibitions, contests, and other events, held by the Association
g) Purchase and keep hunting weapons and ammunition in accordance with the established procedures
h) Exercise the right to purchase hunting and fishing goods at Association outlets
³)  Terminate membership in the Association

3.6. The members of the Association must:

à) Comply with the requirements of the Articles, adhere to decisions of the     meetings, conferences, and other superior bodies of the Association
b) Be registered with one of the primary organizations and take an active        role in the organization
c) Follow hunting and fishing rules, the established procedure of purchasing, keeping, using, registering, and selling fire-arms and ammunition
d) Assist in the struggle against poaching and other violations of hunting and          fishing regulations
e) Enrich their knowledge of nature protection, hunting, and fishing, advance the environmental management of game, birds and fish resources
f) Encourage the use of biotechnical and economic activities in hunting and     fish farms in accordance with the standards, established by the boards of      the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, or      councils and due to the donations of the members of the UHFA for these      activities
g) In the event of a change in residency or place of work, removing oneself      from the register of the current Association and within one month after      relocation to        a new residence a place of work, register with the new          Association primary organization
h) Behave in an proper and ethical manner while hunting, as well as refrain    from causing any moral or material damage to the Association
i) Treat the property of the Association with care

3.7. For active participation in the activities of the Association, and       achievements in          amateur hunting and sport-fishing, its members can be        rewarded with the various incentives in accordance with established procedures:

• Formal expression of gratitude;
• Award of a diploma;
• Entry to an honorary board;
• Award of a bonus or gift;
• Award of the title “Honorary member of the Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association”

3.8. For breach of the Articles, members of the Association may undergo the following measures:

• Reprimand
• Suspension of the right to hunt and fish on the grounds in use of the UHFA or to take part in competitions of the Association  for a period of two years
• Recall from the senior bodies of the Association
• Loss of the title of an “Honorary member of the Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association”

Exclusion from membership in the Association; The decision on the exclusion of members of the Association is made at the general meeting of a primary organization and is approved by the board of a district, inter-district, city, or regional council of the UHFA. In case a decision on the exclusion is taken by the superior body of a district, inter-district, city, regional organization of the UHFA, by the board of the UHFA all-Ukrainian council, the primary, district, inter-district, regional organizations of the UHFA are to be informed respectively.

3.9. Those expelled from membership in the UHFA cannot take up governing positions.
3.10. Those expelled from the Association for the poaching may be admitted to the UHFA on general terms but not earlier than three years after the fact.
3.11. The decision on taking measures of public influence may be contested at a higher level of the Association.
3.12. In the case of applying measures of public influence to a member of the Association by the superior body of the UHFA, the primary organization is to be notified.

IV. STRUCTURE, AUTHORITY, AND CONTROL BODIES
OF THE ASSOCIATION

Primary Organizations of the Association

 4.1. A basic unit of the Association is a primary organization, which is responsible for organizational consolidation of its members and exercises its rights in accordance with these Articles.Primary organizations require at least seven members of the Association from enterprises, establishments, organizations, farms, educational institutions, or villages according to the decision of the council of the    Association district, inter-district, or city organization.
Primary organizations are grouped to form the Association district, inter-district, and city organizations.
Retirees - members of the Association are registered with the closest primary organizations at their previous work location or place of residence.

4.2. The key tasks of the primary organizations are:

a) Cultivating in members of the Association a love and appreciation  of nature, an understanding of the value of belonging to the Association, and the need for compliance with the Articles of the Association
b) Carrying out promotional and educational activities by members of the Association along with the local population on issues of protection of the natural environment, efficient use of hunting and fishing resources, and the goals and tasks of the Association
c) Encouraging the advancement of amateur sport hunting, trap-shooting, and sport-fishing
d) Organizing the participation of members of the UHFA in carrying out biotechnical activities on the grounds and taking actions aimed at protecting and enlarging game and fish populations
e) Arranging shooting and amateur fishing competitions, and the culling of animals and birds as necessary
f) Participating actively in the protection of hunting and fishing grounds,  assisting in the fight against poaching and other violations of hunting and fishing regulations

General meeting

4.3. Calling a general meeting by the council of primary organizations as required and at a minimum quarterly 

à) Hold elections for 5 year terms for Association head, council of the primary organization, auditing commission, as well as delegates to the district, inter-district, and city conferences. The head of the primary    organization is approved by the board of the UHFA district and city councils. In case of inactivity or gross violations of the Articles, the board may dismiss an office holder.
b) Create and approve work schedules and budgets for the various organizations, hear reports of the council and auditing commission, and make decisions based on these activities
c) Admit persons to the Association and expel as required
d) Consider issues related to the primary organization’s activities with respect to performing the tasks defined in the Articles;
e) Analyze the state of work on the grounds and water reservoirs with regard to the protection and management of the game and fish populations and determine the participation of each member of the Association in the biotechnical and protection activities and events

Primary organization council

4.4 Meetings of primary organizations are considered valid, if the majority     of registered UHFA members are present. The decisions of these meetings  are made by majority vote. Between general meetings, activities of the primary organization are governed by the council whose meetings are called at a minimum quarterly.

a) Assists in providing a quality hunting experience on the respective    grounds; ensure member participation in activities for the protection and   reproduction of game and fish populations, and the carrying out of  biotechnical and other related economic activities
b)  Registers members of the organization, hunting dogs, as well as assist in   estimating game populations in the hunting grounds
c)  Receives membership fees from members of the Association
d) Works with members of the organization to popularize amateur hunting and fishing, and educate on the protection of the environment
e) Arranges hunting and fishing events, encourages participation of UHFA     members in biotechnical activities, holds in-house competitions in shooting   and amateur sport-fishing, protects hunting and fishing grounds, and assists    in the struggle against poaching
f) Performs training for new members of the Association and submits    applications for admission to the Association for consideration at general    meetings
g) Arranges member participation in shows and contests held by regional,  city councils of the Association, exhibitions of hunting trophies, souvenirs, hunting and fishing equipment and facilities
h) Carries out activities regarding compliance with existing legislation in        accordance with the requirements of hunting and fishing rules
i) Works out organizational activities and submits them for consideration at   general meetings of the Association

Regional, city, district, and inter-district organizations

4.5. Regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, and city          organizations are founded respectively in the corresponding regions, Kyiv,          Sebastopol, districts, and cities.

4.6. The superior governing body of a regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol   regional, district, inter-district, or city organization of the Association in a     regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, or city   conference, will be called every 5 years. Special or unscheduled      conferences, if appropriate, may be called at the discretion of the UHFA all-Ukrainian, regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district,    city council or by the initiative of at least 1/3 of  the primary or district organizations.

Standards of representation, time, location, and agenda of report-and-  election conferences are set by the respective councils a minimum of two   months in advance. A conference is valid provided 2/3 of elected delegates   are present.

The conference delegates’ powers remain in force until the next report- and-election conference.

4.7. Regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, city conference:

a) Approves the articles of respective regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol    regional, district, inter-district, and city organizations in accordance with the Articles of the Association as well as changes or amendments
b) Elects a regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district or   city council and its chairperson and the auditing commission for a term of 5   years, its size being established by the conference. A regional, Kyiv city,    Sebastopol regional conference elects delegates to the Association congress,      and a district, inter-district, city conference – delegates to the regional    conference
c)  Hears and approves reports of the respective councils and auditing commissions
d)  Determines regular tasks and considers other issues of the organization     activities regarding the performance of the requirements of the Articles.
4.8. Elections to all governing bodies and auditing commissions as well as      selection of delegates to the congress and conferences of the Association are   held by voting, open or secret ballot, according to the decision of the conference or congress.  Candidates are considered to be elected if they have   received more than half of the votes of attending members

4.9. Councils of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, or city organizations govern operations of these organizations during the period between conferences. The superior governing body of the    Association has the right to revoke decisions of subordinate organizations, if they contradict the requirements of        the Articles, decisions of a superior       organization of the UHFA, or legal regulations.

The number of members of the board of the all-Ukrainian, regional and  district councils of the UHFA cannot exceed 1/3 of the number of the  UHFA respective councils. Meetings of councils and their boards are valid provided 2/3 of members are present. The decisions of these meetings are        taken by majority vote of members present.

4.10. To manage the current work of the Association, the organization council elects members to the board for a term of 5 years to the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, city councils. Deputy     Chairpersons and the secretary are elected by the board.

Chairpersons, members of the councils, boards, and of other elected bodies that have compromised themselves or have been inactive, may be expelled.
In exceptional cases, councils of all levels and auditing commissions have the right to co-opt the members of the Association and elect them to governing bodies. Board meetings are called at least once per quarter.

4.11. District, inter-district, and city council of the Association

A district, inter-district, or a city council of the Association establishes the   primary organizations of the UHFA. It will manage and assist in their  activities. It considers general directions in the development of the UHFA district, inter-district, city organizations. It arranges and engages members of the Association in organizing nature-protection hunting and fishing events. It    regularly hears reports of the Association regional city council chairpersons     on the performance of general tasks set in the articles and makes decisions    accordingly. It hears reports of auditing commissions on the results of   inspections and audits of the UHFA district and subordinate organizations, as well as schedules conferences. It considers other issues on performing the    tasks set in the articles.

Meetings of district, inter-district, city councils of the Association are held at least once a year.

Boards of the Association district, inter-district, and city council:

a) Arrange activities of the Association’s hunting groups to perform the tasks set in the articles
b) Hear reports on the work of primary organizations, sport sections,   shops, and other subordinate organizations
c)  Arrange sections, groups of hunters, fishermen and trap shooters; hold and conducts competitions including hunting dogs exhibitions, field studies and shows for members of the UHFA; Form teams for participation in      sporting events held by the Association
d) Set and approve annual budgets for the internal financial and   economic activities of the Association regional, city and primary organizations
e) Assist public hunting and fishing inspectors in their activities to protect grounds assigned to the Association organizations, and to further the fight against poaching
f) Hold contests for the best primary organization, fishing sport centres, exhibitions of hunting and fishing trophies, as well as photography, video, and other contests related to hunting and fishing
g) Provide comprehensive assistance to governmental nature-protection bodies with control over reproduction, protection, and use of fauna; carry out biotechnical and other hunting and fishing activities in accordance with established procedures
h) Register members of the Association, receive membership fees from primary organizations and in exceptional cases, from members of the Association
i) Inspect periodically the condition and storage of hunting weapons     belonging to members of the UHFA in cooperation with the internal affairs authorities
j)  Submit suggestions to local bodies as to regulation and  management of  the hunting and fishing economy
k)  Consider and approve decisions of primary organizations with regard to   admission to the UHFA
l)  Develop plans for nature-protection events and activities
m) Register game populations at the hunting grounds in use, and the game obtained by members of the Association
n) Consider proposals of UHFA organizations to award the title of an “Honorary member of the Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association”
o)  Call meetings of councils, conferences, holds seminars, and contests
p) Approve chairpersons of the UHFA primary organizations and dismiss  them from their offices in case of a violation of responsibilities and requirements of the articles

Regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional council

4.12. The Association regional, Kyiv city or Sebastopol regional councils governing district, inter-district, and city organizations of the UHFA and established self-supporting structural subdivisions, control and assist in their activities. Call conferences and consider general directions in the development of the Association respective organization.

These councils regularly hear reports from chairs of regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional council of the Association regarding the status of general tasks and make decisions and hear reports from the auditing commission on the results of inspections and audits of the UHFA regional organization and its subordinate organizations. As necessary, they may establish UHFA primary organizations. They consider other issues with respect to performing the tasks set in the Articles.

Meetings of the Association regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional council are held at least once a year.

Board of the Association regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional councils:

The chairperson of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional council is at the same time the chairperson of the board of the UHFA respective councils:

Chairperson

Governing bodies

4.13. The superior governing body of the Ukrainian hunting and fishing association is a congress, called by the Association All-Ukrainian council every five years.

Special congresses may be called by initiative of the Association All-Ukrainian council or on request of at least one third of regional organizations.

A congress is considered to be valid in the case two-thirds of the elected delegates are present.

Standards of representation, time, location, and the agenda of the congress are announced by the Association All-Ukrainian council at least three months in advance.

The congress delegates are elected at conferences of regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional organizations of the Association.

In the case of congresses and conferences, which do not meet the above standards, the delegates’ powers are kept for the period between the congresses and conferences. Determining the quorum of a scheduled congress or conference, the delegates who quit the Association, are not counted, if there are no relevant decisions as to their substitution.

4.14. The Congress of the Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association:

a) Approves and amends the Articles of the Association
b) Elects a member, for a term of 5 years, to be simultaneously the chairperson of the all-Ukrainian council, the chairperson of the board of the all-Ukrainian council, the All-Ukrainian council, and the Association        auditing commission
c) Hears and approves the reports of the All-Ukrainian council and the auditing commission, and decides the general direction of Association  activities
d) Considers issues related to Association activities indicated in the Articles;
e) Makes decisions on termination of Association activities

A decision is considered to be valid provided more than a half of the  delegates present have voted for it.

4.15. The Association all-Ukrainian council manages the activities of the Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association during the period between congresses.

The Association All-Ukrainian council:

a) Elects the board of the all-Ukrainian council for a term of 5 years. Deputy   chairpersons and the secretary are elected by the board. The size of the board  is established by the council
b) Manages the implementation of the congress’s decisions with respect to requirements of the Articles of the Association
c) Holds meetings at minimum yearly. The council meetings are considered to be valid, if two thirds of members of the council take part.  Decisions are   made by majority vote of the members present
d) Considers and approves major activities of the Association and the reports  of the all-Ukrainian council board
e) Calls congresses of the Association and prepares reports
f) Considers other issues submitted by the board of the all-Ukrainian council and the auditing commission of the Association
g) Makes amendments to the Articles of the UHFA after approval of the   congress delegates

4.16. The executive body of the All-Ukrainian council of the Association and its board are required to hold meetings at least once per quarter.

The board of the all-Ukrainian council of the Association:

The Chairperson of the Association All-Ukrainian council also heads the board of the UHFA All-Ukrainian council.

The chairperson controls the major activities of the Association in compliance with the UHFA Articles, elaboration of events to perform regulations hunting and fishing submitted to the consideration of the UHFA all-Ukrainian council, and cooperates with other institutions, ministries, and departments.

4.17. For the purpose of improving management and allowing members of the council perform important work, the all-Ukrainian, regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, and city councils of the Association may form groups or committees to manage activities as required.

Schedules of group and committee work are correlated with the schedules of the council board. Group meetings are held as appropriate.

Groups and commissions carry out their activities in accordance with the provisions on the Association groups and approved by the all-Ukrainian council board.

Supervising bodies

4.18. The Association’s Supervising bodies are the Association’s auditing commission and the UHFA local organizations’ auditing commissions.  In a primary organization with fewer than 50 persons, an inspector is elected.

The Association’s auditing commission carries out the general management of the auditing commissions of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district, inter-district, city, and primary organizations. Provisions for activities are approved by the UHFA congress.

4.19. Auditing commissions

Requirements of the auditing commissions are determined by the respective provisions for auditing commissions.

4.20. Auditing commissions report to the bodies which elected them and must comply with existing legislation: the Articles of the Association, provisions of the Association’s auditing commissions, congresses, conferences, and general meeting decisions, as well as with recommendations of public authorities and superior auditing commissions.

V.  ASSOCIATION ASSETS AND PROPERTY

5.1. The Association property consists of:

à) Funds consisting of entrance fees and annual membership fees, voluntary          contributions, receipts, rent, deductions from established self-supporting        entities, organizations, and institutions’ economic activities as well as other       receipts not prohibited law
b) Property necessary for performing activities in accordance with the   Articles obtained from entrance and membership fees, donated by citizens,     enterprises, institutions and organizations, as well as purchased with funds received from economic activities of the self-supporting enterprises or       provided by the state

The Association independently owns and operates its property.

Fixed assets are on the balance of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, and Sebastopol regional organizations under supervision of the all-Ukrainian board of the Association.

According to the decision of boards of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, and Sebastopol regional councils, the above assets may be used by the UHFA local and district organizations, either transferring them to their control or not.

The boards of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, and Sebastopol regional, district, and city councils are liable for decisions regarding the property use and management.

The ownership rights for funds, property, and fixed assets of the Association are executed by the congress, and during the period between the Association congresses – by the UHFA All-Ukrainian council.

5.2. Entrance fees for members of the Association is established by the UHFA All-Ukrainian council board.

Members of youth groups entering as members of the Association are exempt from the payment of entrance fees.

Members of the Association – fishermen being admitted as hunters pay the difference between their entrance and membership fees and that for hunters. Additionally, fishermen pay annual state duties.

5.3. Annual membership fees for members of the Association as well as for the members of youth groups are established by the UHFA’s regional councils or their boards.

Members of the Association having the right to hunt and fish in addition to the membership fees must pay the state duty in accordance with the procedures established in the legislation.

Membership fees are required to paid in-full by July 1st for the current calendar year.  According to the decisions of the board of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional councils, membership fees may be paid in instalments during the year depending on the financial condition of the organization and its members. Persons admitted to the Association in the current year pay membership fees for the whole year regardless of the time of their admission.

The essential documents for proof of payment of fees is the membership card, insert to the membership card, and the receipt for payment of membership fees. The membership card is not valid without the insert.

Members of the Association, without valid reasons for non-payment, are considered to have quit the Association, and may be readmitted in compliance with general terms.

Entrance and membership fees are not refunded to the members of the Association who have quit or been expelled.

5.4. Honorary members of the UHFA, members of the Association on active military service, veterans of the Great Patriotic War (WW-II), and disabled veterans are exempt from paying membership fees.

The UHFA regional, district, inter-district, and city councils may set individual privileges regarding membership fees for other categories of members for the Association depending on the financial situation.

Privileges for hunting and fishing on the grounds in use by the economic subdivisions of the UHFA are given to members of the UHFA, collective members of the Association under the decision of the board of UHFA regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional councils.          

5.5. The receipts for the economic activities of institutions, organizations, and enterprises established by the Association, are controlled based on the provisions of their activities, Association activities, or special funds creation.

Expenses for Association personnel and tasks required by the Articles are covered by deductions from entrance fees, membership fees, voluntary contributions, sponsorship, and receipts from economic activities of the self-supporting organizations of the Association system in accordance with the decision of the boards of the UHFA all-Ukrainian, regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional councils.

Regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district (inter-district), city organizations of the Association may provide financial assistance taken from deductions for membership fees for the establishment of self-supporting organizations, which perform their major activities on the basis of these Articles.

5.6. The Association funds are kept in accounts at banking institutions and spent according to the budgets approved by the boards of respective organizations for the tasks of the Articles, charity purposes, and personnel expenses.

5.7. By the decision of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional, district inter-district, and city councils, having the status of legal entities, a portion of receipts from entrance and membership fees may be directed to financing primary organizations’ events to perform the requirements of the Articles.

5.8. Compensation  for labour in the Association is carried out in compliance with the personnel list, and provided the availability of incentives in the form of bonuses, allowances, etc. may be paid to employees and independent contractors for their personal contribution to the development of the Association.

5.9. The Association’s assets and property are not subject to distribution among the members of the UHFA .

VI. ASSOCIATION ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

6.1. Accounting is in compliance with existing legislation.

Self-supporting institutions and organizations with the status of legal entities, operating enterprises submitting accounting statements to the respective superior councils and controlling authorities

Consolidated annual accounting statements of the Association are approved by the board of the all-Ukrainian council.

VII. TERMINATION OF ASSOCIATION

7.1. The Ukrainian Hunting and Fishing Association may terminate its activities by reorganization and liquidation:

à)   An Association reorganization is to be carried out by the decision of the   UHFA congress attended by two-thirds of its elected delegates.
b) In the case of Association liquidation, funds and property may not be  redistributed among the members and used for charitable purposes.

The Association’s funds, assets, and property are to be transferred to the assignee or other institution in accordance with the congress’s decision. In cases set out in the legislation of Ukraine or under a court decision, they are to be placed under the control of the courts.

7.2. Reorganization of the Association regional, Kyiv city, Sebastopol regional,  district, city organizations, and its primary organizations is carried out in compliance with the decision of the congress,  conferences, general meeting, or of the Association superior council.

A UHFA organization, which is reorganized into a new organization under the rules of the UHFA or by merger with another organization, is considered to be liquidated. Its assets and funds remain at the disposal of the Association. The issue of transition or succession of rights and obligations of the liquidated organization is to be determined by the UHFA all-Ukrainian council.
7.3. In case of liquidating an Association non-profit organization, the assets are to be transferred to other respective non-profit UHFA organizations or to the state.

VIII. MODIFICATIONS TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 8.1. Modifications to the Articles of Association are made with approval of the Congress by the majority vote of delegates present.

During the period between congresses, alterations and additions related to complying with these Articles and conforming to adopted state regulations are made by the all-Ukrainian council and followed with the approval of the delegates to the congress.

8.2. Alterations and additions to the Articles of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional organizations, are made by conference decision and approved by the majority vote of delegates present.

During the period between conferences, modifications to the Articles of the UHFA regional, Kyiv city and Sebastopol regional organizations are submitted by respective councils with further approval of the conference delegates.