Statutes
Volt Norge Amended Statutes 2025
§ 1 Name of the Association
The name of the association is “Volt Norge” (Volt Norway). Volt Norge is registered in Søgne, Norway with the organization number 835685772. The association is a legally recognized association/non-profit in Norway, operating in accordance with Norwegian law and the principles of Volt Europa.
§ 2 Purpose and Activities
2.1 The purpose of the association is to:
work for Norway's participation in the common European project, the European Union;
unite Volt Norge's members to participate in the development of a democratic Europe based on the separation of powers, the rule of law, and international cooperation; and
disseminate information and knowledge about the European Union and participate in public debates and discussions on this topic.
2.2 The association’s values are based on the same values as those on which the European Union was founded, as expressed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union:
respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights: These are the pillars on which the EU is built;
including the rights of persons belonging to minorities: This underlines the importance of inclusion and the protection of minority rights in the Union.
2.3 The purpose will be realized through:
organizing grassroots initiatives; and
facilitating discussion platforms to disseminate Volt Norge’s and Volt Europa’s message.
§ 3 Organizational Form
3.1 The association is an independent legal entity with members and is self-owned. This means that no one, neither members nor others, has a claim to the association’s assets or is liable for its debts or obligations.
3.2 The association has no fixed duration. It is expected that the association will evolve with changes in the political landscape.
§ 4 Membership
4.1 Any natural person who can reasonably be expected to support the objectives of Volt Norway, as laid down in these statutes and the policies of Volt, may become a member of Volt Norway.
4.2 The board of Volt Norway decides on the admission of members. In case of non-admission, the person concerned may appeal to an ad hoc arbitral committee created by neutral parties within Volt Europa. Further rules regarding the commencement of membership, admission, and the submission of appeals shall be laid down in or pursuant to the internal regulations.
4.3 Except in cases where the board of Volt Norway grants an exemption, the following persons may not be members of the association:
anyone who, on their own behalf or on behalf of another party not being Volt, holds a seat in a representative body obtained through placement on the candidate list of Volt Norway or a coalition in which Volt Norway participates;
anyone who, on their own behalf or on behalf of another party not being Volt, holds a seat in a representative body or holds a political office; and
anyone who is a member of a political party that does not significantly align with the objectives of Volt Norway.
4.4 Membership, as well as the rights arising from it, is personal and non-transferable.
4.5 During the period before membership is approved, as defined in the internal regulations, one is not considered a member.
§ 5 Members' Rights and Obligations
5.1 Subject to the provisions of these statutes and the internal regulations, each member has the right:
to exercise voting rights;
to exercise meeting rights, such as the right to speak, to propose agenda items, amendments, and motions;
to participate (online) in political debate through the channels provided by Volt;
to run as a candidate on behalf of Volt for a position on an electoral list for a representative body; and
to run for an elected position within Volt Norway.
5.2 Members are required to pay the annual membership fee. The rights associated with membership can only be exercised if the membership fee has been paid. The amount of the fee is determined by the General Assembly of Volt Norway.
5.3 The board of Volt Norway has the authority to grant full or partial exemption from the obligation to pay the membership fee, according to internal regulations.
5.4 Members are personally responsible for the accuracy of their information as recorded in the membership administration.
5.5 Members are obligated to comply with resolutions adopted by the General Assembly.
5.6 Members who owe membership fees for more than one year lose their membership rights, and the board may remove them as members. The Board may, following written notice, remove such individuals from the membership register if payment is not received within one month of the notification.
5.7 Members are required to be guided in their (political) actions by the core values and standards of conduct of Volt. These standards are described in the Volt Norway Code of Conduct and the rules of Volt Europa. The Code of Conduct is adopted by the General Assembly of Volt Norway. In case of non-compliance punitive measures can be taken in accordance with the statutes and other internal regulations of Volt Norge.
§ 6 Volunteer engagement
6.1 A volunteer shall be defined as any natural person who is not a registered member of Volt Norge, but who provides substantial or continuous support to the operational activities of the association.
6.2 Individuals meeting the criteria outlined in paragraph 1 shall be formally recognized as volunteers of Volt Norge. Recognition does not have to be granted by the Board or a designated representative.
6.3 Volunteers may contribute to administrative, operational, outreach, event-related, or other activities aligned with the objectives of Volt Norge.
6.4 Volunteers shall not hold voting rights or any other rights reserved for members of the association. However, they are expected to adhere to the Statutes, Code of Conduct, and any internal guidelines applicable to their role.
6.5 Volt Norge shall not be held liable for actions taken independently by volunteers outside the scope of their assigned activities or in violation of the association’s statutes or policies.
§ 7 Elective positions
7.1 Members have the right to stand as candidates for all elective positions within Volt Norway and, on behalf of Volt, for all candidate lists for representative bodies. Conditions for exercising this right may be set out in the statutes and in or pursuant to the internal regulations.
7.2 Further rules regarding the procedure for candidacy and the evaluation of candidates shall be laid down in or pursuant to the internal regulations.
7.3 No one may simultaneously:
be a member of more than one representative body;
hold more than one political office;
be a member of more than one political board;
be a member of a representative body and a member of a board, or hold political office;
hold political office and be a member of a board, or a representative body;
be a candidate for a representative body and a member of a board;
be a candidate on a Volt Norge candidate list or for an elected position within Volt Norge and be a member of another political party;
hold political office on behalf of Volt Norge and be a member of another political party; or
apply for more than one internal vacancy or be on more than one candidate list for representative bodies.
7.4 In addition to the previous paragraph, the internal regulations may further specify which positions within or outside Volt Norge are incompatible with each other.
7.5 If a member applies for a place on a candidate for a representative office list, their current duties within the Volt Norway association are suspended. If the member does not obtain a place on the candidate list, their duties are resumed. If the member does obtain a place on the list, any incompatibility must be resolved by relinquishing one or more roles or positions.
7.6 Volt Norway promotes proportional representation as a reflection of a diverse society in the appointment of all positions within and on behalf of Volt Norway that are fulfilled by its members.
§ 8 Ending of membership
8.1 Membership ends by:
written resignation by the member;
termination by Volt Norway, in accordance with the rules of Volt Norway;
expulsion from membership; or
death of the member.
§ 9 Termination by Volt Norway
9.1 The board of Volt Norway may terminate the membership of Volt Norway members. The board of Volt Norway may decide to do so when:
a member no longer meets the requirements set out in the statutes;
member fails to fulfill their obligations to Volt Norway; or
it can no longer reasonably be expected of Volt Norway to allow the membership to continue.
§ 10 Expulsion from Membership
10.1 A member may only be expelled from membership by the board of Volt Norway if the member:
acts in violation of the statutes, regulations, or decisions of Volt Norway;
harms Volt Norway in an unreasonable manner; or
harms Volt Europa in an reasonable manner.
10.2 The board of Volt Norway may proceed with expulsion on the basis of a substantiated written proposal, which may be submitted by the members and/ or volunteers of Volt Norway or by the board of Volt Europa.
10.3 A member may appeal an expulsion decision to an ad hoc arbitral committee created by neutral parties within Volt Europa. The rules governing such an appeal are set out in the Procedure of the Code of Conduct. During the appeal period, the member is suspended.
§ 11 The General Assembly
11.1 The General Assembly, held annually, is the association’s highest authority.
11.2 It is validly constituted with the number of voting members present (online or in person), and each member has one vote.
11.3 A meeting chair is elected by the General Assembly.
11.4 Unless otherwise stated, decisions require a simple majority of votes cast.
11.5 In the event of a tie, a new vote shall be conducted at an Extraordinary Assembly to be convened no later than four weeks following the date of the General Assembly.
11.6 The General Assembly is convened by the board with at least one month's notice, either directly to members or by public notice.
11.7 Proposals to be considered must be submitted to the board at least two weeks before the meeting.
11.8 A complete agenda must be available to members at least one week before the meeting.
11.9 The meeting may not address matters not listed on the agenda unless ¾ of those present (online or in person) demand it.
§ 12 Duties of the General Assembly
12.1 The General Assembly shall:
review the annual report;
review the audited financial statement;
consider incoming proposals;
set the membership fee;
approve the budget;
elect the board.
§ 13 Extraordinary General Assembly
13.1 An extraordinary General Assembly may be held if:
decided by the board; or
requested in writing by at least ⅓ of the members.
13.2 An extraordinary General Assembly may be called with two weeks' notice to all members. Only matters listed in the notice may be addressed.
§ 14 The Board
14.1 The board of Volt Norway consists of a number of board members to be determined by the General or Extraordinary Assembly of Volt Norway, with a minimum of two members and a maximum of five members. The board members will be chosen by a favourable vote of ¾ of the voting members.
14.2 The board is the highest decision-making body between General Assemblies.
14.3 Board meetings are convened by a majority of board members.
14.4 At its first meeting after the General Assembly the board shall appoint a chairperson, who may be appointed for a temporary period within the official term of the board. This temporary appointment may be extended without restriction. The chairperson shall be elected by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the entire board.
14.5 The chairperson shall be responsible for signing legal documents on behalf of Volt Norge. This responsibility may be delegated to another member of the board at the chairperson’s discretion.
14.6 At its first meeting after the General Assembly the board shall appoint a treasurer, who may be appointed for a temporary period within the official term of the board. This temporary appointment may be extended without restriction. The treasurer shall be elected by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the entire board.
14.6 The board shall:
implement decisions from the General Assembly;
appoint committees, working groups, or individuals for specific tasks and prepare instructions for them;
manage and oversee the association's finances in accordance with applicable rules and regulations; and
represent Volt Norge.
14.7 The board may make decisions when a majority of its members are present. Decisions are made by a majority of votes cast.
14.8 The board consists of a gender diversity with a minimum of two people of the same gender, unless the lack of applicants cannot provide for a diversity of genders.
14.9 In the event that a board member has not participated in board meetings for a cumulative period of two months, the remaining board members may suspend the duties and powers of the absent board member by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote.
14.10 All board votes shall be deemed valid and legally binding when a quorum of at least three board members is present.
§ 15 Duties and Powers of the Board of Volt Norway
15.1 The board of Volt Norway is responsible for managing the association. In carrying out their duties, board members shall act in the interest of the association.
15.2 The board of Volt Norway is authorized, under its responsibility, to delegate specific parts of its duties to others.
15.3 The board of Volt Norway is authorized to suspend a member or to partially suspend membership rights. Further rules regarding the grounds and procedures for such actions are set out in or pursuant to the Code of Conduct and the Procedure of the Code of Conduct.
15.4 The board of Volt Norway is authorized to appoint a working group to assist in the evaluation of applicants for a candidate list for a representative body. This working group may carry out part or all of the selection procedure.
15.5 The board of Volt Norway is authorized to appoint a registered accountant who, instead of the financial audit committee, shall verify the accuracy of the annual financial statements and report on them to the General Assembly of Volt Norway.
15.6 The board of Volt Norway represents the association.
15.7 In addition to its role in leading Volt Norway and implementing the decisions of the Assembly of Volt Norway, the board also has the task, among others, of:
making proposals to the Assembly of Volt Norway regarding the association’s budget;
making proposals to the Assembly of Volt Norway regarding the internal regulations or other regulations;
making proposals to the Assembly of Volt Norway regarding the statutes;
making proposals to the Assembly of Volt Norway regarding the political policy program of Volt Norway;
preparing the budget, annual accounts, and annual reports and present them to the assembly of Volt Norway;
maintaining contacts with the local chapters and affiliated subsidiary organizations of the association;
making proposals to the Assembly of Volt Norway for the establishment of a committee;
appointing working groups; and
ensuring that decisions and actions are recorded in the minutes of the Assembly of Volt Norway and the board meetings.
§ 16 Amendments to the Statutes
16.1 Amendments to the statutes can only be made at a duly convened Ordinary or Extraordinary General Assembly and require at least a ⅔ majority of voting members.
§ 17 Dissolution of Volt Norge
17.1 Dissolution of Volt Norge requires a ⅔ majority at a General or Extraordinary Assembly.
17.2 Any available funds, after debts have been paid, must be donated to a non-profit organization with similar or equivalent objectives.
17.3 No member has any claim to the assets of Volt Norge.