Rules

Suomen Paluumuuttajayhdistys ry Rules

1. Name and Domicile

The name of the association is Suomen Paluumuuttajayhdistys ry (The Finnish Returnee Association), and its domicile is Helsinki, Finland (Associations Act §8). The association is registered in the Register of Associations maintained by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH).

2. Purpose and Activities

The purpose of the association is to support and promote the position of persons of Finnish descent who have obtained or intend to apply for a remigration permit (paluu-/takaisinmuuttolupa) through the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). The association promotes their successful integration into Finnish society and the protection and advancement of their rights.

To fulfill its purpose, the association may:

• provide information, counseling, and peer support to remigration permit holders and applicants,

• organize meetings, cultural events, and training sessions,

• promote fair and transparent residence permit processes and equal opportunities for returnees,

• advocate for timely processing of residence permit applications (first, extended, and permanent permits),

• promote a fair path to citizenship for returnees on equal footing with Nordic citizens,

• promote the possibility to apply electronically for extended and permanent residence permits via the EnterFinland service,

• publish materials and maintain online resources,

• engage with current and future immigration-related challenges,

• cooperate with authorities, other associations, and organizations, and

• receive donations and grants and acquire property to support its purpose.

The association is non-profit and shall not distribute financial gains to its members (Associations Act §8).

3. Members

Membership in the association is open to persons of Finnish descent who have obtained or intend to apply for a remigration permit to Finland under current immigration law (current returnees). 

The association does not cover historical or earlier migrant groups whose migration took place outside the framework of current legislation (Associations Act §11).

The board may also accept as members supporters of Finnish returnees and their families if it deems such membership to promote the association’s purpose.

A member may resign by notifying the board or the chairperson in writing. 

The board may expel a member who neglects their obligations or acts contrary to the association’s purpose (Associations Act §§13–15).

Members are not personally liable for the association’s commitments or debts. A member’s responsibility is limited to any membership fee, if applicable.

The board maintains a register of members (Associations Act §11).

4. Membership Fees

At present, no membership fee is collected.
The board may propose introducing a membership fee in the future, but this requires approval at the annual general meeting.

5. Voting Rights and Meetings

The association follows an annual process that ensures transparent and participatory decision-making.

Annual General Meeting

The annual meeting is the supreme decision-making body of the association (Associations Act §23).
It is held once per year, usually during the second quarter of the fiscal year, at a time determined by the board.

Members are given at least 14 days to provide feedback through the Returnee Survey and to vote using the annual voting form.

The annual meeting is held virtually, with at least 14 days’ advance notice, during which the results are presented and other relevant matters addressed.

Voting takes place electronically before the annual meeting. Electronic votes are equivalent to in-person votes and ensure equal participation for all members. Each member has one vote.

Electronic voting must follow the principles of equality, verifiability, and privacy (Associations Act §17).

At the annual meeting, the results are presented, discussed, and any remaining matters addressed.

At the discretion of the board, matters subject to vote may include, for example:

• election of board members,
  
  

• decisions on membership fees,
  
  

• approval of the financial statements and annual report,
  
  

• approval or amendment of the rules,
  
  

• review of advocacy priorities,
  
  

• significant financial or policy decisions, such as merging with another association or dissolving the association.

Notices for all meetings and votes must be sent at least 14 days in advance by email or another method decided by the board.

Announcements may also be published on the association’s website or official social media page.

Meetings may be held in person, online, or in hybrid format at the board’s discretion (Associations Act §20).

6. Board (Governing Body)

The association’s affairs are managed by a board consisting of a chairperson and two other members (Associations Act §35). 

The board’s term of office is one year, and it is elected at the annual general meeting (Associations Act §§23, 35).

The board represents the association, manages its finances and administration, and handles all matters not assigned to the general meeting under these rules or the Associations Act (Associations Act §36).

The board implements the decisions of the general meeting and prepares matters to be discussed (Associations Act §37).

The board may add up to two additional members through interviews and a unanimous decision of the existing members.

Officers

The board elects from among its members a vice chairperson and a secretary (Associations Act §38).

Right to Sign the Name

The association’s name is signed by any two of the following together: the chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, or another person specially authorized by the board (Associations Act §36 subsection 2).

7. Financial Year and Audit of Activities

The association’s financial year is the calendar year (Associations Act §37).

The association shall have an auditor of operations and a deputy auditor, elected annually at the general meeting (Associations Act §38a).

The auditor reviews the finances and administration of the association and submits a written statement to the general meeting (Associations Act §38b).

The auditor and deputy auditor must be independent of the board and may not hold any other position of trust in the association.

They must not be persons responsible for the association’s financial management, bookkeeping, or audit, nor their close relatives (Associations Act §38b).

The financial statements and annual report must be submitted to the board no later than two weeks before the annual meeting. 

At the annual meeting, the financial statements, annual report, and auditor’s statement are presented for approval (Associations Act §23).

8. Working Language

The association’s primary working language is English, as it is the native or primary language of most members and board members (Associations Act §8).
When dealing with authorities or Finnish organizations, official documents shall be provided, where possible, in both English and Finnish.

9. Amendment of the Rules

Amendments to these rules require approval by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at an association meeting (Associations Act §27).

10. Dissolution of the Association

If the association is dissolved, its assets shall be used to promote the well-being of persons residing in Finland who hold a remigration permit.

The specific use of the assets shall be decided at the meeting where dissolution is approved (Associations Act §43).

The association’s documents shall be archived in accordance with PRH guidelines.