I. Name, Address and Purpose

Article 1.

The association is called the Arthritis Association of Iceland, fta. Its registered office and principal place of business is in Reykjavík.

The Arthritis Association of Iceland (GÍ) operates in accordance with the Act No. 110/2021 on associations for public benefit.

Article 2.

The aim and purpose of the Arthritis Society is to combat arthritis and its effects and to work towards a sufficient supply of essential services for people with arthritis. The Society aims to achieve this goal, among other things, by:

1. To improve the social, cultural and economic conditions of people with rheumatic diseases.
2. To disseminate information about rheumatic diseases, their prevention, treatment and social impact.
3. to enhance the treatment and rehabilitation of rheumatic patients, as well as rheumatic research.
4. To promote increased education for healthcare professionals in the field of rheumatology.
5. Promote cooperation with domestic and international organisations with a similar scope of work.
6. to own and operate a rheumatology centre and/or necessary premises, which serve the above-mentioned purposes as appropriate.

Article 3.

The Arthritis Society of Iceland was founded on 9 October 1976 with irrevocable contributions from its founding members and voluntary contributions from the public. No one enjoys special privileges within the society, neither the founders nor anyone else.

II. Members

Article 4.

Any individual who so wishes and is interested in supporting the aims of the association may become a member.

Article 5.

The annual subscription shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting. The amount of the subscription shall be decided in advance for the next financial year and shall become payable at the beginning of the following year. The Board is authorised to waive the annual subscription for persons receiving disability or old-age pension.

The board is authorised to seek support from companies, institutions and individuals in accordance with rules it sets. A register of supporting members shall be kept. Members may be removed from the membership register if they have not paid their annual subscription for the last two years and have not applied for an exemption. The use of funds shall be in accordance with the aims and objectives of the association.

III. Annual General Meetings

Article 6.

The Annual General Meeting is the supreme authority of the association. The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than June each year and formal notice of it shall be given with at least two weeks' notice, together with an agenda.

Matters at the Annual General Meeting shall be decided by a majority vote, unless otherwise provided in these Articles of Association. Each member on the society's register who has paid the annual subscription for the previous financial year for the two preceding calendar years, or who has been granted an exemption by the board in accordance with Article 5, shall have one vote at a general meeting.

Approved at the Annual General Meeting of the association on 14 May 2024.