Laws
LAWS OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF ICELANDIC STUDENTS
Chapter I: Title and role
Article 1. Title
The union is called Landssamtök íslenskra stúdenta, abbreviated LÍS. The name of the union in English is the National Union of Icelandic Students, but the abbreviation LÍS should also be used abroad. The home and venue of the union is in Reykjavik.
Article 2. The role of the union
The role of LÍS is to:
i. Create a collaborative forum for Icelandic student unions.
ii. Protect the interests of university students in Iceland as well as the interests of Icelandic university students abroad.
iii. Work on coordination of the quality work in Icelandic universities.
iv. Encourage equal access to university education.
v. Participate in international collaboration of university students and work for their interests on an international level.
LÍS can, under the joint mandate of all it’s local unions, negotiate and act on behalf of them towards the government, the media and other parties.
Article 3. policies of LÍS
The National Union of Icelandic Students, hereafter LÍS, operates according to the policies which have been formulated and revised at the National Assembly of LÍS, cf. Article 40. Each policy shall be reviewed at least every three years. The Executive Committee (EC) shall propose to the National Assembly which policy should be revised at any given time.
Amendments of the policies proposed by the EC at the National Assembly shall beforehand be approved at the EC’s meeting and presented to the Representative Council. Amendments shall be submitted to the local unions no later than 30 days before the National Assembly.
Article 4. Definitions
1. Delegate: A member of a local union who tends the National Assembly. The representative can not be a part of the EC.
2. Representative in the Board of Representatives (BR): Representative of a local union which has a position in the BR.
3. An official: Elected member of the EC.
3. Active votes in the National Assembly: Votes of present delegates and votes which absent members have delegated to those present.
4. Local union: An association with LÍS membership.
5. Board meeting (BM): A meeting of the BR.
Chapter II: Membership and local unions
Article 5. Qualifications for membership
The local unions of LÍS are associations of university students who work in favor of the interests of students in Iceland, increased quality of university education in Iceland or the interests of Icelandic students abroad. The local unions are the general associations of university students in Icelandic universities or the general associations of Icelandic university students abroad.
Article 6. Enrollment
Applications for LÍS membership are addressed at the National Assembly, but they are only valid if the EC receives them in writing at least 30 days before the National Assembly. An application for membership shall be signed by the board of the applicant union and shall be accompanied by a copy of its law. In order for a union to be admitted the majority of the votes at the National Assembly must go in favor of their application.
The annual fees of a new local union shall be determined in the same manner as provided for in Article 61.
If the local union is admitted the union shall nominate two of its members to become a part of the BR. This shall happen at the National Assembly where the local union is admitted, cf. article 11. One representative from the union will then take his/hers/its place in the BR for two years and the other for one year.
Article 7. Observer
A union of university students, cf. Article 5, may apply for a observation membership of LÍS for a term of one year, but Article 6 shall apply to applications of such membership, as applicable. An observer has the right to sit and speak at the National Assembly, work congresses and the BM’s of LÍS. The observer bears the cost of all of its participation in the work of LÍS and does not have the right to vote in the union.
One year after the observation membership has been approved or renewed it shall be addressed at the National Assembly. Then the observer can terminate it’s membership and thereby withdraw from LÍS. Alternatively, the National Assembly may extend the observation membership if requested, terminate the membership or approve the association as a local union of LÍS if the association has formally applied for such membership, cf. Article 6.
Article 8. Withdrawal of a local union
The withdrawal of a local union from LÍS shall only be valid if the BR receives the withdrawal in writing, signed by the board of the local union, at least 30 days before the National Assembly. Paid annual fees are then considered irrevocable.
The withdrawal shall be discussed at the National Assembly and the members of the union who intend to withdraw from LÍS shall state the withdrawal if they are present. The withdrawal takes effect as soon as the National Assembly is adjourned.
Article 9. Suspension of an inactive member
If a local union is not an active member of the National Assembly for two consecutive years, the BR shall submit a statement of no confidence to the National Assembly because of the local union in question. The National Assembly may then take the membership of the local union for consideration and suspend it from LÍS with the majority of active votes.
When a local union is suspended from LÍS the union immediately loses all of its rights in LÍS and the unions representatives lose their confidentiality position within LÍS.
Article 10. LÍS's membership of associations and unions
The BR may apply for membership of other organizations and associations if the majority of the active votes of the National Assembly is in favor of such proposals. A proposal for such an application shall be submitted to the National Assembly.
The EC, the BR and the local unions have the right to propose an application. The proposal shall be submitted to the BR at least 30 days before the National Assembly.
Chapter III: The Board of Representatives
Article 11. Arrangement of the Board of Representatives
The BR shall be composed of two representatives from each local union and the president of LÍS. The representatives are nominated in the National Assembly. Each local union appoints a member for the BR each year, who will be a member of the council for two years.
In addition, local unions shall also appoint two deputies for one year period, cf. Article 17.
However the local unions have room to maneuver between the national assembly and the exchange meeting, cf. Article 15, to appoint a representative and a deputy if this is not possible at the time of the National Assembly. The representative shall then be nominated in writing. The nomination shall be sent to the BR and all local unions of LÍS.
Article 12. Board Meetings
The BR shall meet at least every six weeks and the meetings shall be open to students unless otherwise stated.
Meetings shall be convened in a secure manner, in accordance with the decision of the BR at the beginning of each operating year, at least one week before the scheduled meeting date. Meeting documents shall be submitted to representatives by the means of a meeting invitation.
When necessary, a meeting may be called with at least three days notice. Such an invitation to attend shall be accompanied by argumentation, agenda and meeting documents.
Article 13. Legitimacy of meetings and voting
A BM shall be considered lawful if legally convened. Voting at a BM is considered legal if 2/3 of the BR are present.
Article 14. Roles and duties of the BR
The BR exercises supreme authority in the affairs of LÍS, in accordance with the laws of LÍS, the policies and this Act.
Article 15. Exchange meeting
An exchange meeting shall be held no later than the 1st of June each year. Representatives of local unions which were appointed at the National Assembly formally take their place in the BR at the exchange meeting.
If the EC is not fully elected in the National Assembly, the BM shall elect officials, cf. Article 52.
Retiring representatives in the BR and those in the EC shall make every effort to disseminate all information which may be relevant to the work of a new BR.
Article 16. Duties and Rights of Representatives
Members of the BR are responsible for disseminating information to their affiliates. When votes are casted at BM’s, each member has one vote. A proposal is considered approved if a simple majority of votes is reached.
The BR elects a secretary at the first meeting who records the minutes of the BM’s.
Article 17. Duties and rights of deputies
Deputies have the right to sit, speak and vote at all BM’s. In the case of the absence of a representative in the council, his deputy has the same rights and duties as the representative.
Article 18. Withdrawal or suspension of a representative or deputy
If a representative or a deputy wants to resign, that person shall submit a written notification to the BR and its affiliates. The resignation will take effect as soon as it has been resolved at the next BM.
If a representative of a local union is not present, or a deputy on his behalf, at a BM, in person or in conference equipment, twice in succession, that representative shall receive a warning from the President of LÍS. The representative’s local union shall also be notified. The representative shall be given the opportunity to respond to the warning. The BR shall evaluate at each time whether the response is considered sufficient or not. If the response of a representative is considered insufficient, the BR may decide to suspend the representative from the BR by a qualified majority of votes. A deputy shall fill in the place of the representative until the position is reappointed.
If a member of the EC violates the laws or regulations of the union and where applicable national law, the EC may declare mistrust of the person concerned. The EC shall send the President a proposal in writing concerning the mistrust. The proposal shall be addressed at the next BM. In order to approve the act of no confidence, 3/4 of the votes of the BR are needed. The motion of no confidence can be anonymous if requested.
The BR shall request that a local union appoints a new representative or deputy as soon as possible.
Chapter IV(The Executive committee)
Article 19. Appointment of the Executive Committee
The EC consists of a: President, Vice-President, Secretary, International Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Marketing Officer og Equal Rights Officer. They are all elected at the National Assembly, cf. Article 50. The EC seeks its mandate to the BR.
Article 20. The role and duties of the Executive Committee
The EC manages the daily buisness of LÍS in accordance with this Act, the policies and the resolutions of LÍS. In addition, the EC undertakes other tasks that might arise in connection to students' interests.
Article 21. The Duties and Rights of the Executive Committee
Members of the EC are responsible for disseminating information to the BR. Each member of the EC has one vote and a simple majority of votes is needed to approve proposals.
Members of the EC have the right to sit, speak and vote at BM’s and at the National Assembly.
Article 22. The President of LÍS
The President of LÍS is also the president of the EC and the BR. He is also the head of the National Assembly committee.
The president is responsible for convening meetings of both the EC and the BR, submitting agendas and chairing meetings. The President acts on behalf of the union both inside LÍS and on the public venue. The President is responsible for disseminating information to the BR and the EC regarding all activities of LÍS. The President shall take care of the interests of all members of LÍS and shall be impartial in all respects. The President also oversees the collective data of the union - that they are organized and can easily be found. The President does not have the right to vote at meetings of the BR.
Article 23. International Officer
The International Officer oversees the international activities of LÍS, relations with student organizations of other countries and umbrella organizations of students in Europe and elsewhere. The International Officer chooses representatives which represent LÍS overases in consultation with the President. The International Officer is responsible for the work of these representatives at international meetings and conferences. The International Officer shall inform the BR and the EC of the international activities of LÍS. The International Officer shall ensure that the international policy of the union is implemented. The International Officer is the head of the International Committee.
Article 24. Quality Assurance Officer
The Quality Assurance Officer is responsible for ensuring that knowledge of quality considerations is adequate within LÍS. The role of the Quality Assurance Office is also to promote the knowledge and interest of the general university student on quality issues. The Quality Assurance Officer is the contact of the Quality Council of Icelandic universities to LÍS. The Quality Assurance Office shall ensure that the quality policy of the union is followed. The Quality Assurance Officer is the head of the Quality Committee.
Article 25. Vice-President
The Vice-President shall stand in for the President in his absence. The Vice-President shall assist the President in making agendas for meetings. The Vice-President oversees the legislative amendments of the union and is responsible for the Legislative Committee. The committee shall review the law of LÍS each year. The Vice-President is responsible for relations with the local unions and work between LÍS and the local unions which regards the structure of the internal work of LÍS as well as the local unions, upon request.
Article 26. Secretary
The Secretary shall record minutes for each EC meeting, at workshops and BM’s. The Secretary shall oversee the attendance of members of the board at each meeting and is responsible for the preservation and storage of the meeting documentation. The Secretary shall supervise the published content of LÍS.
Article 27. Marketing Officer
The Marketing Officer is responsible for promoting LÍS and shall draw up a marketing plan at the beginning of each operating year. The Marketing Officer should draw attention to LÍS in the community, especially among college and university students. The Marketing Officer supervises the Marketing Committee.
Article 28. Equal Rights Officer
The Equal Rights Officer shall ensure that equality prevails within LÍS. He shall endeavor to ensure equal rights and status for all students and shall have a strong emphasis on ensuring that all members of the community have equal opportunities in education. The Equal Rights Officer shall ensure that the LÍS's equality policy is adhered to. The Equal Rights Officer supervises the Equality Committee.
Article 29. Terms of employment and wages
The Council of Representatives determines the terms of employment and salaries of officials and contractors who are hired temporarily to carry out certain tasks. Those who are paid wages should count the hours they have worked for LÍS. Time recordings must be accessible to the local unions.
Article 30. Meetings of the EC
The EC shall meet at least once every three weeks. Meetings shall be convened securely, in accordance with the decision of the EC at the beginning of each operating year. Meeting documents shall be sent by invitation at least five days before the scheduled meeting date.
Article 31. Legitimacy of meetings
A meeting of the EC is considered legitimate if it is lawfully convened and the qualified majority is present. When handling cases, each member of the EC shall have one vote and a simple majority shall decide the outcome of the vote. If the vote is equal, the vote of the President shall be doubled.
Article 32. Exchange meeting
The newly elected EC takes a formal seat on the EC at an exchange meeting. The exchange meeting is held in other respects, cf. Article 15.
Article 33. Resignation or dismissal of officials
When an official wants to resign the official submits a notification about his resignation in writing to the BR. The resignation will come to effect as soon as it has been resolved at the next BM.
If an official violates the law or regulations of LÍS or, where applicable, the national laws the EC or the BR may declare mistrust of the official. A written proposal to that effect shall be submitted to the BR and adopted at the next BM where the vice president addresses the issue. To approve a motion of no confidence, ¾ of votes are needed in favor of the motion. The motion of no confidence can be anonymous if requested.
If a motion of mistrust is declared against the President, the Vice President shall submit the motion at a meeting of the BR, which shall be convened by the Vice President within ten days of the motion being presented.
If mistrust of the President of LÍS is accepted, his position shall be announced open as soon as possible. At a meeting of the BR, which approves the motion of no confidence, the Council shall vote on whether an additional National Assembly is required for the election of the President, cf. Article 57.
If it is the intention of the BR to convene an additional National Assembly, the Vice President shall convene an additional National Assembly which shall be held no later than 30 days after the vote of no confidence. There, the election of a new president shall take place.
If the BR does not wish to hold an additional National Assembly, the President shall be elected at a meeting of the BR at most three weeks after the vote of no confidence. If there are less than 30 days until the national assembly, the new president shall be elected by conventional means, cf. Article 21. The Vice President shall hold the office of the President until the additional assembly, national assembly or election.
If a motion of no confidence against other officials is approved, the official shall immediately resign from the organization.
Exceptions are made for the resignations and dismissals of the officials who receive salary, ie. those officials who fall under the category of staff of the association, cf. Article 37.
The BR shall advertise the open slots in the EC as soon as possible. Election will then take place at the next BM.
Chapter V: Staff of LÍS
Article 34. Staff of LÍS
The staff of LÍS consists of those individuals, both professionally hired individuals and elected officials, who make contracts of employment with LÍS and receive wages from the organization.
They must keep a record of the time they spend working for the organization. Contractors who take car og temporary activities or projects are not a part of LÍS’s staff.
Article 35. Professional hiring
If the EC, the BR or committees of LÍS think it’s necessary to hire staff the BR shall take decisions of such activities. This may be temporary or for an undefined period of time.
The process of professional hiring should be clarified in the LÍS’s code of practice.
Article 36. Executive Director
The BR may hire an Executive Director to conduct day-to-day operations and oversee the finances of LÍS. The Executive Director is responsible for paying the fees the association shall pay and collecting claims. The Executive Director is responsible for the preparation of the budget and shall be responsible for the accounts of LÍS. He is also responsible for fundraising and oversees the preparation of sponsorship and trade arrangements.
The Executive Director is responsible for the organization, funding and implementation of events organized by LÍS. The Executive Director is the president of the finance committee.
The Executive Director does not play a political role within the organization and therefore does not express himself on their behalf in the public domain.
If the BR decides not to hire a Executive Director the President of LÍS shall assume his duties and assign the tasks of the Executive Director to other officials as needed.
The Executive Director has the right to attend, speak and propose at all meetings of the BR and the EC, but not the right to vote. The terms of employment and remuneration of the Executive Director are determined by the BR.
Article 37. Dismissal of staff
If a employee of LÍS chooses to quit or the BR takes a decision to suspend the staff member he shall be dismissed or suspended in the next BR. Subsequently the dismissal it will take effect and the person concerned shall stop working for the organization in the public domain.
In the event of suspension the employee and the Executive Director shall make an
agreement on how to handle the term of notice. Both LÍS and the employee shall act in accordance with wage contracts.
Chapter VI: Committees and tasks
Article 38. Committees of LÍS
Six permanent committees shall work per pro the EC, The: Law Amendment Committee, Finance Committee, International Committee, Quality Committee, Market Committee, and Equality Committee. The EC advertises open slots in the committees within the local unions of LÍS, in consultation with the BR, no later than on the 30th of August each year. Each committee shall typically meet on a monthly basis during its period of appointment.
The BR shall have one permanent committee; the National Assembly committee. It shall include the President, the Vice President, the Marketing Officer and the Executive Director. Each local union may also appoint one member for the committee. The president will request those nominations.
The BR shall be informed about the work of the National Assembly Committee and its decisions. The Committee shall operate from the first of September until the next National Assembly. The location of the next National Assembly shall be decided each year.
The BR may also establish other subcommittees.
Article 39. Confidentiality representative
At the beginning of each operating year, the BR shall appoint two confidentiality representatives of two genders from the EC and/or the BR. Confidentiality representatives shall be present at the National Assembly, the New Year's Assembly, the Summer Assembly, the Autumn Assembly and at other occasional venues. If one of the representatives is absent, the BR shall appoint another representative.
The role of confidentiality representatives is to determine whether LÍS's laws and/or regulations have been violated. They receive submissions from parties inside and outside the union but do not address cases on their own initiative. Confidential representatives do not prescribe penalties for violations but take a stand on the seriousness of the violation and whether there have been repeated violations. When a confidentiality officer's decision indicates that there has been a violation of work within LÍS's laws and regulations, the confidentiality officer shall refer the matter to the BR, which shall take appropriate measures under this Act.
If a dispute or violation of holdings which are not covered by LÍS's laws and regulations has occurred, the confidentiality representative shall refer the matter to appropriate parties.
Confidentiality representatives must sign a confidentiality and a secrecy statement when they take up their duties.
A confidentiality carries out his / hers / it’s duties with integrity and diligence.
Chapter VI: National Assembly
Article 40: The National Assembly of LÍS
The National Assembly has supreme authority in all matters of LÍS.
The National Assembly is organized by the National Assembly Committee.
At the National Assembly all matters which are deemed necessary and concern the local unions and LÍS shall be voted upon. The matters and proposals which the local unions request to be addressed at the Assembly shall be submitted to the BR no later than 14 days before the National Assembly. The BR shall ensure that these matters and proposals are addressed at the assembly.
The National Assembly shall be held in the spring. The BR shall convene it with at least eight weeks notice. Simultaneously it shall advertise positions in the EC, cf. article 19.
The National Assembly is legitimate if it has been convened in accordance with this Act and if the majority of the local unions are registered and attend the Assembly. The active votes at the assembly, cf. Article 4, must be at least half of the total number of the total number of delegates according to this Act, cf. Article 45.
An affiliate is considered to be registered at the National Assembly if it has confirmed it’s attendance with the BR at least two weeks prior to the initial day of the assembly.
Article 41: Rules of Procedure
The Chair and Secretary of the National Assembly shall be nominated by the BR and elected by the National Assembly. The President of LÍS presides over the election of the Chair and the Secretary. Those individuals do not have the right to vote in the National Assembly and can not be delegates at the assembly. The chair of the meeting shall ensure that the National Assembly is legitimate, cf. Article 45, when the National Assembly is opened and when a meeting assembles after a break.
Article 42: Rights of delegates in national assembly
The delegates of the National Assembly have the right to vote, speak and propose at the National Assembly.
Article 43: Numbers and division of delegates
The number and division of congress representatives should be reviewed each year according to a calculation formula based on the Webster/Sainte-Lague method.
The total number of students or members from the previous year shall be sent to the Vice President 30 days before the National Assembly meeting.
Explanation with Article 43: The following equation is used: the total number of students/4n + 1 (n = number of delegates) and consequently the number series 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, etc. The total number of delegates is 39. The minimum number of delegates from each local union is two and no local union shall have more delegates than ⅔ of the total number of delegates.
Article 44: Rights and number of committee members at the National Assembly
Members of committees have the right to speak and propose at the National Assembly. The number of committee members shall be determined each year by the BR.
Article 45: Legitimacy of sessions at the National Assembly
At the beginning of the National Assembly the secretary shall record the number of active votes at the National Assembly. Subsequently, the chair shall inform delegates of the registered number. A session of the National Assembly shall be considered legitimate if a majority of the active votes of a National Assembly are present when the chair convenes a meeting, both at the beginning of the day and after adjournments.
Article 46: Schedule of the National Assembly
At the National Assembly, the following issues must be addressed or submitted:
1. Opening of the National Assembly and the speech of the President.
2. Election of chair and secretary. Election of representatives for Electoral Committee if necessary due to absence of some representatives.
3. Minutes of the last National Assembly submitted for approval.
4. Confidential representatives announced or appointed if necessary due to absence.
5. Report of the EC for the past year of operation.
6. The union’s accounts submitted for approval.
7. Amendments to the law of LÍS.
8. Revision of LÍS’s policies.
9. Processing of membership applications and membership of observers.
10. The work and budget for the next operating year is presented.
11. Matters the local unions, their delegates or LÍS wish to address.
12. Appointment of new members of the BR.
13. Elections to the EC.
14. Strategy of LÍS.
15. Other matters.
Meeting documents must be sent to assembly delegates no later than 30 days before the National Assembly, with the exception of the annual report and annual financial statement, cf. Article 59.
Article 47: LÍS Electoral Committee
The BR shall appoint an Electoral Committee, which shall consist of three members, before the 1st of February each year. The Committee operates for a full year. Affiliates shall be given the opportunity to nominate one student. If more than three nominations are received, they must be selected at random.
The election to the Commission shall be submitted to the electoral committee and shall ensure that the candidates are eligible. Electoral committee members are not eligible.
Article 48. Elections at the National Assembly
Each delegate has one vote.
A simple majority determines the outcome of matters and elections unless otherwise is stated in this Act.
If a delegate is unable to attend a session of the National Assembly, that delegate may mandate a delegate from the same local union to vote on their behalf.
If a delegate cannot mandate his own vote, his union is authorized to mandate his vote to another member of the same union on the delegate’s behalf. An Ombudsman shall inform the National Assembly of the mandate.
If no delegate of a certain local union can make it to the National Assembly the union may mandate another local union to cast its votes.
In order to mandate it’s votes to another local union the board of the mandating union must send the signed proxy electronically to the BR.
The election is conducted with the show of hands. However, it is possible to request a secret election and then vote by ballots. When voting by secret ballot, the Electoral Committee shall oversee the counting of votes.
Article 49. Candidates for the Executive Committee
Students who are, or have been in the past two years, members of LÍS’s local unions, the BR, EC or committees are eligible for the EC.
The candidacy shall be sent to the Electoral Committee as a formal email no later than 14 days before the National Assembly. The Electoral Committee shall publish the candidacies which it has received within 24 hours after the candidacy deadline has passed. If no candidate has stepped forward when the deadline passes, candidates will be requested at the beginning of the National Assembly. Candidacies shall be submitted to the electoral commission no later than point 13, cf. Article 46.
If a candidate is not elected, that particular candidate may apply for another position if no candidacies for that position were submitted.
Article 50. Election of the EC
Each local union shall have one vote in an election for the positions within the EC and shall vote by secret ballot. The majority of votes determines the results of the election. If the votes are equal between the candidates who recieved the most votes, they shall be re-elected. In the second round, each local union has one vote. If in round two the candidates are still unable to reach a majority there shall be a third round. In that round voting shall be carried out between those who were equal in the preceding round and all delegates of the assembly shall vote. If a conclusion is not yet reached, the final solution is to flip a coin.
Each candidate has the right to nominate one member who monitors the work of the Electoral Committeein the election.
Article 51. Representatives from the BR elected to the EC
If a member of the BR, who still has a year left of his/hers/its period of appointment is elected to the EC, his/hers/its local union shall nominate two of its members to the BR, cf. Article 11. One representative then has a two year appointment time and the other one a one year appointment time.
Article 52. When the positions in the EC aren’t fully occupied
If the positions of the EC aren’t filled at the National Assembly, the President of LÍS shall announce the open positions no later than one month before the exchange meeting. At the exchange meeting, the newly elected BR shall elect new members of the EC if their positions weren’t filled at the National Assembly, cf. Article 15. If the EC is not fully-formed following the exchange meeting, the Representative Council shall re-announce the vacancy or vacancies.
Article 53. Statements and resolutions
Resolutions and statements shall be addressed under part 11, cf. Article 46. They shall be received no later than at that point.
Article 54. Amendments
The law of LÍS can only be amended at the National Assembly. Amendments shall be submitted to the Vice-President no later than 14 days before the National Assembly.
Amendments which the EC submits to the National Assembly shall be approved on the EC’s meeting before they are submitted and presented to the BR. Amendments shall be submitted to the local unions no later than 30 days before the National Assembly.
In order to approve an amendment the majority of active votes are required. Once all legislative amendments have been decided upon, the law must be submitted for approval in its entirety. New laws are considered to be passed by a majority of active votes at the National Assembly.
Article 55. Distribution of approved legislative amendments
Approved amendments, together with an updated version of the association's law, shall be distributed electronically to the local unions within seven days of the dissolution of the National Assembly.
Article 56. Special exceptions
If a National Assembly wishes to exempt individual provisions of this Act, the unanimous approval of all delegates is necessary. The exemption only applies to the National Assembly which she is approved in.
Article 57. Additional National Assembly
An additional National Assembly shall be convened when at least 2/3 of the members of the BR so request. The additional Assembly shall have the same authority as the National Assembly and the same rules shall apply in other respects. However, the invitation to an additional conference is considered satisfactory if it is called with three weeks' notice.
Chapter VIII: Work Congresses
Article 58: About work congresses
The purpose of work congresses is to promote collaboration and create a forum for discussion and co-operation of those working for LÍS. The EC and members of LÍS’s committees shall take part in the congresses.. The BR and/or their deputies are also allowed to attend the congresses.
Article 59. Proclamation of the Assembly
Work congresses shall be convened with 30 days notice.
Chapter IV: Finance
Article 60. Annual accounts and audits
The fiscal year of LÍS shall commence on 1st of January each year and end on the last day of December.
The Executive Director shall prepare annual accounts for each fiscal year. The annual accounts shall be approved by an auditor and subsequently submitted to the National Assembly each year for approval. The annual accounts shall be sent to the local unions no later than 14 days before the National Assembly.
Article 61. Funding of LÍS and budget
The Executive Director and the finance committee are responsible for funding LÍS. Accounts must always be accessible to all members of LÍS and it’s local unions. The BR shall seek more ways of financing than only gathering annual fees. Any excess capital that may accumulate during the operating year shall flow directly to the next operating year.
The Executive Director will prepare a budget for the coming financial year and submit to the National Assembly for approval.
Article 62. Annual fee
By joining LÍS, local unions undertake to pay an annual fee to the union. The local unions shall pay a total annual fee of ISK 1,100,000. The amount is divided between local unions as follows:
The amount shall be divided by the total number of delegates at the National Assembly each year. Each local union then pays an amount in accordance with the number of delegates at the National Assembly to whom it is entitled according to Article 42 of this Act.
The amount of total annual fees shall change every year and be in line with the consumer price index with the January 2019 index as the base index (462.0). An invoice shall be sent out for collection on October 1 of each year, using the index of September of the same year. However, the change in total annual fees between years must never exceed 4%.
Amendments to the total annual fees require at least ¾ active votes in the National Assembly if the proposal is tabled by one of the local unions, but only ½ if submitted by the EC.
A request for an exemption from the payment of annual fees shall be addressed by the BR. The examption is subject to its approval.
Article 63. Appointment of an examinor of accounts
Notwithstanding Article 59 on the annual accounts and audits, the BR may elect an examiner of accounts, who shall approve the annual accounts of the union instead of an accountant.
The Executive Director shall seek bids from certified accountants and submit them for approval at a meeting of the BR. If the BR refuses the bids, the Executive Director shall designate an examiner of accounts and submit it for approval by the BR. The examiner of accounts shall be elected before the end of the financial year of LÍS, cf. Article 50.
Article 63. Signature of Notice of Procurement
The President and the Secretary may sign a Notice of Attorney if approved at a meeting of the Representative Council.
Chapter IX: Various Provisions
Article 64. Counting of ballots
When casting ballots, only votes in favor and against are counted. The votes of the representatives who abstain do then lapse.
Article 65. Procedures
The work of the union shall be governed by procedures which shall be adopted at the BR’s meetings. The BR and the EC may propose amendments to the procedures, then the amendments shall be voted on at a meeting of the BR.
Article 66. Winding up of the union
If a proposal is made for the union to be dissolved, such a proposal shall proceed in the same manner as proposals for legislative amendments pursuant to this Act, cf. Article 54, except that 3/4 of active votes are needed. Upon termination of LÍS, the assets of the union shall be transferred to the local unions in proportion to the total payments of each union to LÍS from its inception.
Article 67. Entry into force
This Act shall enter into force immediately.
This Act was passed at the LÍS National Assembly 2015, 27.03.2015.
Amendments were made to the Act at the LÍS National Assembly 2016, 19.03.2016. The amendments then entered into force immediately outside the provisions regarding the election of the quality manager and international president, cf. Article 18 which took effect December 31, 2016.
Amendments were made to the Act at LÍS’s National Assembly 2017, 18.03.2017. The changes took effect immediately.
Amendments were made to the Act at the LÍS National Assembly 2018, 24.03.2018. The changes took effect immediately.
Amendments were made to the Act at the LÍS National Assembly 2019, 29.03.2019. The changes took effect immediately.
Amendments were made to the Act at the LÍS National Assembly 2020, 06.03.2020. The changes took effect immediately.
If there is any discrepancy between the English translation and the original Icelandic text the laws shall be followed as they appear in the original text.