Our NPO articles are the written rules for running the school.
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1Prepare
The board makes a plan.
It prepares a budget: a plan for the school’s money.
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2Decide
Voting members decide.
NPO full members meet and decide whether to approve it.
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3Put into action
Directors put decisions into action.
The board decides how to act on the general assembly’s decisions. Directors carry out the work.
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4Check
Who checks the money?
After each year, auditors check the accounts. Full members then decide whether to approve them.
Read the rule
Articles 15(4), 48 and 49: the representative director prepares the annual report and accounts. Auditors examine the directors’ work and the NPO’s finances. The audited accounts go to the general assembly for approval. The financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March.
A little closer look
Tap a questionWho gets a vote?
People are the voting members.
Being a parent does not automatically make someone an NPO full member. The school’s membership register tells us who is a member.
Read the rule
Articles 6, 22 and 29: the general assembly consists of full members, with an equal vote for each. Voting restrictions can apply to a member with a special interest in a decision.
How many people must say yes?
Enough members to begin?
Enough yes votes?
Joining can include permitted written, electronic or proxy participation. Members who attend but abstain still count toward attendance.
Read the rule
Article 27: at least two-thirds of all full members must participate. Article 28: ordinary decisions need more than half of attending full members in favour; a tie fails. Article 51: changing the articles needs at least two-thirds of attending full members in favour. This example uses imaginary member counts.
Can we change the rulebook?
Yes. Changing the rules takes more agreement.
Read the rule
Article 51: at least two-thirds of attending full members must approve a change to the articles. Changes requiring certification take effect after approval by the Governor of Aichi Prefecture; other changes require notification. Procedure contact: Aichi NPO Plaza.
Aichi Prefecture’s procedure guide ↗Who approves new loans or budget changes?
The full-member assembly approves changes to the budget. New borrowing has approval rules too.
Change the budget
The revised plan goes to the full-member assembly for approval.
Take a new loan
Check the approved budget and borrowing rules first. The articles include a short-term loan exception.
Read the rule
Articles 23(8) and 50: borrowing is a general-assembly matter, except short-term loans repaid from income within that same financial year. Article 50 requires an assembly decision for borrowing, other new obligations or giving up rights not already provided for in the budget.
Article 47: unavoidable circumstances may lead to budget additions or changes, with assembly approval. Article 46: using a contingency allowance already included in the budget requires a board decision.
How can full members get involved?
Full members vote on plans and elect the directors and auditors. They can also request an extra general meeting.
Read the rule
Article 14: the general assembly elects directors and auditors. Articles 24(2)(2) and 25(2): at least one-quarter of all full members can request an extraordinary general assembly in writing, stating its purpose. The representative director must convene it within 30 days of the request.
Articles 25(3) and 28(1): the time, place, purpose and agenda must be notified at least five days ahead. Decisions are limited to matters notified in advance.