Statutes

Article 1: Name – Duration – Headquarters

The trade union known as “Union Chamber of Printmaking, Drawing and Painting”, formerly “Chambre syndicale des Editeurs d’Estampes et des Marchands d’Estampes et Dessins Anciennes et Modernes” (1919-1952) and “Chambre Syndicale de l’Estampe et du Dessin “(1952-1969) clusters, in accordance with the provisions of Title I of Book I of Part II of the Labor Code, all members of the printing and publishing professions, drawing and painting that adhere to these statutes. The duration of the union is unlimited as well as the number of its members. The union has its headquarters at 11, rue Rameau, 75002 Paris. It may be transferred to another address by decision of the Board of Directors.

Article 2 : purposes

The union’s goals are:

– to defend the interests of publishing professions and printing, drawing and painting trade
– to create and maintain relationships of good confraternity and professional cohesion among all members
– to represent or defend economic and commercial interests of publishing professions, of printing, drawing and painting trade, with both courts and all representative administrations or groups, and disputes involving the CSEDT would therefore need to be submitted to arbitration.
–  to keep our professionnal development continuous and to defend it with both public authorities and competent administrations
– to create or adhere to all public bodies useful to the extension of these professions
– to organize or participate in any artistic or commercial exhibition that may serve the interests of its members, by encouraging training or research aimed at the development of their professional activities and by founding or assisting social security and welfare institutions
– to promote the establishment of a learning system.
– to participate or be represented in the various employers ‘and unions’ associations, that might be of interest to these professions
– to intervene directly or indirectly with public authorities and administrative services, whenever the profession’s interests are at stake .
– to centralize and provide all the information that would most likely interest its members, collected both in France and abroad.
– to create and administer a library, a discotheque, a film library and a documentary file
– to promote and assist research, inventions, discoveries and publications of a nature to be of use in publishing or print, drawing and painting trade.

This  list is intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive.

Article 3: Membership requirements

3.1. Membership members of the trade union may be any natural person engaged in publishing or printing, drawing and painting trade, excluding employees of public auction companies.
Any natural person who meets the following requirements can become a member:
– must have professional responsibilities as a principal in the profession for at least three (3) years and have performed them honorably;
– must be sponsored by two union members, at least one of whom is in the applicant’s specialty; both members must sign their membership application form and guarantee their “good repute” and professional knowledge and skills;
– agree :
– to sign the text of habits and customs of the profession established by the union.
– to pay the annual fee.

3.2. A member of the syndicate may be any legal entity engaged in publishing or in printing, drawing and painting trade excluding public auction companies.
This legal entity will be represented by a single natural person, holding a power of which form has been fixed by the Board of Directors and fulfilling the conditions listed in article 3.1.

3.3. The same person cannot be a member in a personal capacity and act as a representative of a legal person at once

3.4. On the assumption of a corporation or a natural person succeeding a member’s business, that corporation or individual successor will be required to apply for a new request. The Board of Directors decides on the admission of a new member. The Board’s decision doesn’t need to be reasoned and can not be appealed.

3.5. The Board of Directors may exceptionally approve the immediate admission of candidates who have worked for less than three years, subject to the sponsorship of two members of the Board of Directors.

Article 4 : categories of membership and affiliation

The trade union members are active traders who are up to date with their fees. Honorary members, upon the decision of the Board of Directors, shall be former traders who so request, provided that they have been members of the trade union for at least 10 years. Honorary members, by decision of the Board of Directors, are all members or persons who have rendered distinguished services or made a donation to the union or profession. These various honorary titles (honorary member, member of honor) do not confer any particular right, notably of voting.

Article 5 : Rights and obligations of members

Any person admitted as a member of the union shall comply with the statutes and all decisions made by the union. He /she must respect the provisions of the rules of procedure. He/she must behave with loyalty to the union and not perform any act that could harm the union directly or indirectly. She/he must pay the annual subscription as fixed by the Board of Directors. he/she must inform the union of any significant change in his/her professional status in the month of the modification. Members may appeal to the union for any difficulties they encounter in the exercise of their professional activity. Union membership itself does not allow its members to seek participation in events, ipso jure, organized by the union.

Article 6 : resignation or compulsory retirement of a member

Any member is free to resign when he/she wishes. Any resignation must be notified in writing to the President. It is noted by the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, the resigning person must fulfill all his/her obligations of any nature whatsoever to the union for the current calendar year. With regard to the contribution, the resigning member shall remain liable for the amount corresponding to the six months following the withdrawal of his/her membership. Failure to pay the membership fee by a member on 31 December of the year entails, one month after the sending of a formal notice that has not been successful, an automatic resignation from the union. In addition, any member is deemed to have resigned ex officio as soon as he/she no longer meets the conditions for admission provided for in Article 3. The automatic resignation is pronounced by the Board of Directors.

Article 7 : disciplinary penalties

Exclusion of a union member may be pronounced by the Board of Directors in case of serious breaches. The Board is authorized to pronounce, under the conditions provided for in the internal regulations, a disciplinary sanction for any member who has committed an act prejudicial to the interests of the union or who has contravened the Internal Regulations. The disciplinary sanction pronounced may be:

– a warning
– either a temporary or permanent exclusion.

Article 8 : running of the union

The union bodies are:
– the general Assembly
– the board of directors
– The office.

Article 9 : General meetings, notice and agenda

The General Assembly is made up of all members of the union in activity, being up to date with their subscription. It is chaired by the President of the union or, in his absence, by one of the Vice-Presidents. The convocation letters must mention the agenda and must be sent at least fifteen days before the meeting. The agenda is set by the Board of Directors, which may include proposals received up to one month before the General Meeting. The General Assembly deliberates on all agenda outstanding issues. Matters not included in the agenda can not be voted upon

Article 10 : Ordinary general assembly

The Ordinary General Meeting must be convened at least once a year, if possible within the end of each six-month period of each financial year, to approve the financial statements for that financial year. The Ordinary General Meeting hears reports on the work carried out, decisions of the Board of Directors, the financial situation statement of the syndicate and approves the accounts of the last financial year. It appoints an external auditor and a substitute statutory auditor among the professionals appearing on the list established by Decree No. 69-810 of 12 August 1969. It elects members of the Board of Directors for three years. The Board of Directors is renewed every third year. Candidates who have received the greatest number of votes are elected. In the event of a tie that prevents the filling of all posts, a new vote will be taken on seats remaining to be filled. It rules on all matters that do not fall within the competence of the Extraordinary General Assembly. The Ordinary General Assembly shall act by a majority of the votes of the present members or represented and members voting by correspondence.

Article 11 : Extraordinary general assembly

The competence of the Extraordinary General Assembly is:

– Any decision involving significant consequences for the future of the union or decisions likely to entail new obligations for the union

– Any decision concerning statutory amendments.

Extraordinary General Meetings may be convened at the request of at least one third of syndicate members or the President associated with four members of the Board of Directors. The agenda of the Extraordinary General Assemblies is limited to the precise object which motivates the meeting. The Extraordinary General Meeting will only validly deliberate if a quorum of half of the members of the union is reached. If the quorum is not reached a new Assembly must be convened within a two- months period and may deliberate without a quorum requirement. The decisions of the Extraordinary General Assembly are taken by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by the members present, represented or voting by correspondence.

Article 12 : Voting modalities

Proxy voting and postal voting are allowed. Each member may not hold more than three proxies. the President and the Secretary General are the only members authorized to receive the postal vote.

Article 13 : Board of directors – Designation – Term of office

The union is administered by a Board of Directors composed of up to 17 members. They can submit their own candidatures to the Board of Directors, when meeting the requirements set out in Article L.2131-5 of the Labor Code, in other words, enjoying their civil rights and not subject to any prohibition, lapse, forfeiture or incapacity relating to their civil rights. Applications for nominations must reach the union acknowledging receipt. Retiring members may be reappointed. The members of the Board of Directors are elected for three years, renewable by one third each year.

Article 14 : Mission of theCSEDT board of directors

The board administers the union. It defines the general policy of the union. It pronounces the admission of new members. It may initiate exclusion or ex-officio procedures. It presents candidates who appear the most suitable to perform the representative functions of the profession, in the various organizations. It fixes the amount of the financial obligations of the members. It prepares resolutions to be submitted to the General Assembly.

Upon proposal by the Executive Board:

The Council shall take all necessary decisions or measures that remain within the limits of the statutes and the goals to achieve . It decides which expenses can be paid for the implementation of its action. It votes budgets related to the functioning of the union or any other event organized within the framework of its activity. It sets the list of exhibitors of all the events organized as part of its activity. It appoints members of the expert commissions of all events organized within the framework of its activity. A report on each session shall be written and signed by the session chairman.

Article 15 : Board of directors – operation

The President may convene the Council whenever he deems it necessary or at least seven of its members so request. The number of Council meetings is not limited. The President (or, if he is unable to attend, one of the Vice-Presidents) directs meetings. A convocation containing the agenda must be sent to all members of the Council at least 48 hours before the meeting. The decisions of the Council shall exist when at least half of its members are present in person. They are taken by simple majority.
In the event of a tie, the President shall have the casting vote. Voting by proxy or by correspondence is prohibited.

Article 16 : Office composition

The Bureau, elected by the Board of Directors, consists of:
– a president
– three Vice-Presidents
– a Secretary General
– a Treasurer
– one or two delegates in charge of mission are also elected
– an alternate Secretary General
– a substitute Treasurer,
who shall take part in the Bureau in the event of a holder failure.

Article 17 : Office – designation chart

The members of the Bureau are elected by secret ballot by the members of the Board of Directors. For each function, the candidate with most votes will be elected. The members of the Bureau are elected every year after the partial renewal of the Board of Directors. All these members are re-eligible.

Article 18 : Office mission

The Office manages the union in accordance with statutes and decisions of the Board of Directors. Budgets are prepared for the functioning of the union, and all events and exhibitions organized within the framework of its activity. It prepares the list of participants to the exhibitions organized by the union. The budgets and the list of participants are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.The office launches calls for tenders, then makes a pre-selection subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
It may, in case of urgency incompatible with the convocation of the Council, take a decision rendered necessary by an exceptional event.

Article 19 :

The President directs the union in accordance with the statutes and observes the rules. He represents the union in all acts vis-à-vis third parties, administrations and in court. He executes the decisions of the Council. He orders expenses and provides recoveries. He convenes and directs the meetings of the General Assemblies as well as those of the Board of Directors and the Bureau. He is part of right, of all Commissions. His voice is preponderant in case of sharing. In particular, he is assisted in his various functions by the Secretary General. The Secretary General is the Deputy President. He/she presents, every year, to the General Assembly, a report on the work carried out .This report must be first approved by the Board of Directors. The Vice-Presidents assist the President and replace him in case of impediment. The Treasurer is responsible for the collection of contributions and the payment of expenses, after the approval of the President. He/she can open and operate all accounts and securities or cash deposits, under the control of the President. Every year, he/she prepares the report to be submitted to the Assembly on the financial situation. This report must first be approved by the Board of Directors.

Article 20 : Commissions

Upon advice from the office, working committees may be appointed for specific studies. The terms of their appointment and their mission are defined by the Internal Regulations.

Article 21 : Financial means

The union’s resources consist of:
– annual membership fees of active members
– the amount of any subsidies, donations or gifts of any kind, within the limits of the law
– income from its movable or immovable assets
– the results of the events organized within the framework of its activity
– sums received for services provided by the union
– any other resources not prohibited by the laws and regulations in force. The union year shall begin on the first of January, the contribution is due on that date. Any member admitted during the union year must pay his/her membership fee as soon as he/she has been admitted.

Article 22 : Dissolution

The union may be dissolved on the proposal of the Board of Directors, by an Extraordinary General Assembly convened, in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, for this purpose and if two-thirds of the members present, represented and voting by mail decide . This Extraordinary Assembly will decide on the division of the syndicate’s assets and appoint the Liquidation Committee. Under no circumstances whatsoever may assets be distributed among syndicate members.