Belgium Bearpride asbl – Statutes
Version approved by the General Assembly of March 3, 2025
As a French-speaking non-profit organization, our statutes are only officially available in French. This translation has been produced using a translation application.
TITLE 1 – Name, Registered Office, Duration
Article 1 – Name
The association is named BELGIUM BEARPRIDE
Article 2 – Registered Office
Its registered office is established in the Brussels-Capital Region, at Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42, 1000 Brussels, in the premises of Maison Arc en Ciel. Any change of the association’s registered office falls under the competence of the Board of Directors.
Article 3
The ASBL is established for an indefinite duration.
TITLE 2 – Social Purpose
Article 4 – Objects and Purpose of the ASBL
The association aims to:
- promote Bear and gay culture, and, by extension, the entire LGBTQIA community,
- organize events bringing together the homosexual community, particularly the Bear community,
- organize the selection and election of Mister Bear Belgium,
- represent the Bear scene with local, national, and international institutions.
This purpose will be achieved through the following activities:
- Organization of local, national, and international events,
- Website(s) and social media presence,
- Creation, printing, and distribution of documents,
- Fundraising to finance ASBL operations or to support the purposes it pursues and the commitments it defends.
The association may perform all acts directly or indirectly related to its purpose. It may lend its support and engage in any activity similar to its object.
TITLE 3 – Members
Article 5 – Composition
The association is composed of effective members and supporting members. The minimum number of effective members cannot be less than 10, and the maximum number is 25. The number of supporting members is unlimited.
Effective Members
Effective membership requires the payment of the annual effective member fee.
Effective members can be:
- Founding members, as listed during the Constituent General Assembly,
- Mister Bear of the year for which they are elected,
- Previous Mister Bears Belgium who request it,
- Other candidates for the election who submit a request to the President,
- Volunteers regularly participating in ASBL activities who submit a request to the President,
- Supporting members for at least one year, admitted as such by the General Assembly of Members upon proposal of the Board of Directors.
Supporting Members
Supporting membership requires the payment of the annual supporting member fee. Supporting members are invited to General Assemblies without voting rights.
Supporting members can be: any person who adheres to the values and undertakes to respect the statutes and decisions taken in accordance with them.
Article 6 – Transitional Provisions
At each General Assembly of Members, the Board of Directors may propose candidates for Observer status to the Board. These Observers will be elected by the General Assembly by simple majority. Candidates must be effective members for at least one year; applications must be sent to the President of the Board within 7 days of the General Assembly notice.
Article 7 – Membership
Anyone wishing to join the ASBL must apply to the President of the Board of Directors. Membership is recorded and reviewed by the Board, which decides – at its sole discretion – to grant Observer status until the next General Assembly.
Article 8 – Resignation
a) Effective members may withdraw from the ASBL at any time by submitting a written resignation to the President of the Board.
b) An effective member who does not regularly participate in ASBL activities or meetings, without valid justification and without responding to reminder messages, is considered resigned.
c) Failure to comply with the statutes, non-payment of the membership fee within the month after a reminder, violations of honor and decency laws, serious faults, actions or words that could harm the ASBL’s reputation, death, bankruptcy, or absence from two consecutive General Assemblies, can lead to considering a member resigned.
Article 9 – Exclusion and Suspension
Exclusion of an effective member can only be pronounced by the Assembly. The Board may suspend members until the General Assembly decides, in case of serious violations. Conditions for exclusion include proper notice, quorum, majority vote, and respect of the member’s defense rights.
Article 10
A resigning, suspended, or excluded member, as well as heirs or creditors, have no rights over the social fund and cannot claim reimbursements or accounts. However, members have a right to reclaim their contribution.
Article 11 – Register of Effective Members
The association must maintain a register of effective members, including name, surname, and address. All admissions, resignations, or exclusions must be recorded within eight days. Members can consult this register and related documents upon written request.
Article 12 – Membership Fees
Effective members pay an annual fee, reviewed each year, never exceeding €50. Supporting members pay a lower annual fee. Only members with up-to-date fees may vote at the General Assembly. Fees and related benefits are defined annually by the General Assembly.
TITLE 4 – General Assembly
Article 13 – Composition
The General Assembly consists of all effective members, presided over by the President of the Board, or in their absence, the Vice-President or the most senior present administrator. The Board may invite others as observers or consultants.
Article 14 – Competences
The General Assembly has powers expressly recognized by law or statutes, including amending statutes, electing Board members, approving activity reports and budgets, granting discharge, exclusions, and voluntary dissolution.
Article 15 – Convocation
At least one General Assembly is held annually during the first half of the year. Notices are sent at least 15 days in advance, with the agenda included. Proposals from 1/5 of members must be added to the agenda.
Article 16 – Extraordinary General Assembly
May be convened anytime by the Board or upon written request by at least one-fifth of members. Must meet within 21–40 days of the request.
Article 17 – Voting
Each effective member has one vote. Voting by proxy is allowed. Observers do not vote but may have consultative voice if invited.
Article 18 – Deliberations
The Assembly deliberates on agenda items. Decisions are taken by simple majority unless otherwise specified by law or statutes.
Article 19 – Specific Quorums
Certain decisions require specific presence and voting quorums. If quorum is not met, a second Assembly may be called.
Article 20 – Statute Modifications and Dissolution
Decisions follow the Companies and Associations Code of March 23, 2019. Any modifications or dissolution decisions must be filed within 30 days for publication.
Article 21 – Proxy and Mail Voting
Decisions may be taken in writing by effective members following annexed procedures.
Article 22 – Minutes
Minutes are signed by the President and another administrator, stored at the registered office, and accessible to Board members.
TITLE 5 – Board of Directors
Article 23 – Composition
The ASBL is managed by a Board of Directors elected for two years by the General Assembly. Candidates must have prior experience as observers or administrators.
Article 24 – Resignation, Suspension, and Revocation
Administrators may resign anytime in writing. They can be suspended or revoked by the Assembly. Absence from two consecutive meetings without justification is considered resignation.
Article 25 – Meetings
The Board meets at least once every two months. Decisions may be taken in writing in urgent cases, unanimously.
Article 26 – Votes
Decisions are by absolute majority. Observers have consultative votes. President has a casting vote in case of tie.
Article 27 – Distribution of Roles
The Board may designate President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Article 28 – Competence
The Board has the broadest powers for management and representation.
Article 29 – Representation
The association is validly represented by the President and one administrator jointly.
Article 30 – Delegation for Daily Management
The Board may delegate powers to one or more persons.
Article 31 – Publications
Acts regarding appointments or cessation of administrators must be filed for publication.
Article 32 – Mandate and Responsibility
Administrators do not incur personal obligations. The ASBL may take out directors’ liability insurance.
TITLE 6 – Internal Regulations
Article 33 – Internal Rules
Internal rules may be drafted and modified by the Board. Currently, there are no internal rules.
TITLE 7 – Miscellaneous
Article 34 – Financial Year
The financial year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.
Article 35 – Accounts and Budget
Reports, accounts, and budgets are submitted annually to the General Assembly.
Article 36 – Auditor
The General Assembly may appoint one or more auditors for one year.
Article 37 – Dissolution
Upon dissolution, assets are allocated to a similar non-profit organization.
Article 38 – Residual Competences
Anything not explicitly provided for in these statutes is governed by the Companies and Associations Code of March 23, 2019.
Done in Brussels in two copies, on 03/03/2025
Signature of all administrators
