§ 1. Name and Registered Office
- The name of the association is Ananda Gaorii Friends (Ananda Gaoriis Venner).
- The association is based in Odsherred, with its registered office at Ananda Gaorii Ashram, Holbækvej 56, 4560 Vig.
- We are an independent community-led association that works in a friendly, long-term partnership with the Ananda Marga Foundation and Ananda Marga Association to breathe life into the vision of Ananda Gaorii.
§ 2. Purpose and Mission: Why we exist
The purpose of the association is to foster a vibrant network of neighbors, volunteers, and friends who want to co-create a more resilient and caring world inspired by the values and principles of yoga, Neo-Humanism and Prout.
Our mission is to:
- Build a Community for Everyone: To be a place where people—from the local neighbor to the international volunteer—can find community and feel a sense of belonging through shared work, shared ideals and collective social and spiritual activities.
- Nurture the Earth: To support the farm, bakery, and gardens as places of learning for organic food production and regenerative living.
- Share Well-being: To offer tools for mental and physical well-being (such as yoga, meditation, and healthy lifestyle) that help our local community thrive and find inner peace.
- Be a Good Neighbor: To actively support Odsherred’s goals for a green transition and social resilience by being an open, welcoming, and resourceful “campus” for the whole municipality.
§ 3. Membership: Joining the Circle
- Active Members (A-members): For those who want to “roll up their sleeves” and have a vote in our future. Upon payment of a monthly/yearly fee, they gain voting rights and member benefits. Membership fees for A-members can be waived or reduced in individual circumstances.
- Interest Members (I-members): For those who want to stay in the loop. This is a free “friendship” tier for our newsletter and invitations.
- Support Members (S-members):Those who support through various forms of donation (including help with grants and subsidies)
- The Membership Year: Runs from January 1 to December 31.
§ 4. Governance: Working Together
- The Annual Gathering (General Assembly): Is the highest authority of the association. Held in the first quarter of each year. It’s not just a meeting, but a time to acknowledge and celebrate what we achieved together. We elect the Board and preferably also volunteers for the secretariat, and discuss the visions for the coming year.
- A board or secretariat member, can choose to offer to volunteer for 3 months, 6 months or for the whole coming year.
- The Board: A group of 5 to 21 people will make up the board. To keep our projects aligned, one seat is reserved for a liaison from the Ananda Marga Association.The roles of the board members will be decided at the first meeting of the board after the General Assembly.
- The Secretariat: An administrative secretariat of preferably 3-12 people will have a relevant mix of skills. It will be open for volunteering talents, and/or semi-professional “task based” paid collaboration agreement.. The chairmanship will, after consulting a board meeting, have the mandate to sign “collaboration agreements” with secretariat members for 3 months, 6 months or 1 year at a time.
- Coordinator Circles: We get things done through small, passionate teams (The Event Team, The Finance & Fundraising Team,The Media and IT Team, The Learning Center Team, The buildings Team, The Garden Team, The Community Outreach Team, The X Team).
- The board shall assign at least one member for a co-coordinator position in each team
- Structure and Functioning of the Board:
- The board shall elect a chairperson and vice chair person and 1 representative from each of the teams.
- In addition, a treasurer, a secretary, and an information officer shall be elected.
- A board member may hold more than one position temporarily if necessary.
- The board may admit new board members if there are/arise vacant positions on the board without this requiring an election at an extraordinary general meeting.
- In the event that fewer than five of the members elected at the previous general meeting remain, the board shall convene an extraordinary general assembly for the purpose of electing new board members.
§ 5. General Assembly
1. The General Assembly shall be held every year within the first quarter of the year. The General Assembly shall be convened by the board with at least 14 days’ notice by email to the members (both A and I).
2. The notice of meeting shall contain an agenda, which shall include:
· Annual report from the chair
· Presentation of the annual accounts for approval
· Presentation by the board on the association’s vision for the coming year.
· Discussion of proposals received
· Discussion of the budget for the new financial year, including setting membership fees.
· Election of members of the board
· Election of auditor
· Any other business
3. Proposals for the agenda must be received by the board no later than 10 days before the general meeting and must be distributed to A members no later than 5 days thereafter.
4. An extraordinary general assembly may be convened with 7 days notice (by email, SMS or IM) by decision of the chairmanship of the board, and/or a majority (50%) of the previous general assembly elected board members.
5. An extraordinary general assembly may also be convened upon written request from at least 10% of the A members, provided that the desired agenda is stated at the same time. This must however be with a minimum 3 week notice.
6. Online participation in the general assembly is accepted.
§ 6. Finances
1. The association’s financial year runs from January 1 to December 31.
2. An audited annual report prepared by the treasurer, must be submitted to the general meeting for approval. The accountant is appointed by the board, and can be, but need not to, be a professional.
3. Likewise, the budget for the coming year must be presented for discussion, at the general meeting.
4. The Association may generate income through membership fees and donations as well as applying for external grants and funding.
5. It will also be possible for the association to generate income in connection with activities and events organized by the association or co organised with other associations or carefully elected company partners or sponsors, eg. fundraising events such as: a cultural cafe, seasonal festivals or any other activities that are in accord with the values of Ananda Gaorii. Production and selling of unique products or services, can also be used as means of fundraising.
6. Possible future co-funding and/or cooperation with cooperative social businesses, online and/or physical, may be explored as means for fundraising for the running of the secretariat and the association’s yearly expenses.
6. In the event of the association’s dissolution, the association’s assets, including inventory, shall accrue to the Ananda Marga Foundation. The last general assembly may decide to donate up to half the assets to any other worthy cause after any outstanding debts are settled.
7. Based on a proposal from the board, membership fees can be changed at the regular general meeting by at least 50% of the votes. .
§ 7 Authority to Sign
1. Signatories on behalf of the association are: the chairperson or the vice chairperson along with the Treasurer.
2. In the event of larger financial matters with potential significant impact on the wealth of the association, a minimum of 2 additional elected board members shall co-sign the eventual documents relating to that matter. In a situation concerning purchase, sale or mortgaging of real estate, it shall also require approval by a general assembly with a ⅔ majority of votes.
§ 8. Amendments to the Articles of Association
1. Amendments to the Articles of Association may be made at a general assembly and require a two-thirds majority.
2. Proposals for amendments to the Articles of Association must be sent to the members no later than five days before the general meeting.
§ 9. Dissolution
- If the association ever closes, all our shared tools, funds, and equipment will stay with the Ananda Marga Foundation to ensure they continue to serve the land and the community at Ananda Gaorii.
- The association may only be dissolved by a two-thirds majority decision at two consecutive general assemblies convened in the time-frame stipulated above by the rules of the association. .
Adopted at the founding general assembly: 28/3 2026, at Ananda Gaorii Ashram Farm and Learning Center
Holbækvej 56, 4560 Vig, Denmark.
As Prepared by the founding four pioneers committee: Lars Konradsen, Dada Krsnasevananda, Troels Huntley Andersen, Frida Liv Breaum Olsen.
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Draft: Forretningsorden (The “Way of Working”)
This is the “Friendly Guide” for the Board.
1. Meetings with Meaning
The Board should meet regularly, but meetings should start with a moment of quiet, a little bit of kiirtan or a shared meal to nurture the feeling of spiritual community. The goal is not just to manage but to cultivate community.
2. The “Local Door” is Always Open
In our planning, we prioritize events that promote interaction with the local community. Whether it’s a “Harvest Day” or a “Mental and Emotional Resilience Workshop,” we ensure it is accessible and welcoming to those living in Odsherred.
3. Collaboration, not Competition
We work to support the “Lokalplan” for Ananda Gaorii which is in alignment with the development goals of Odsherred Kommune. When we start a new project (like a community garden), we include in our thinking how it can be useful for the kommune’s development goals.
4. Spreading the Knowledge
The Board will support the “Learning Center” team in sharing our personal and social resilience tools with local schools, youth groups and social workers, helping to fulfill our goal of reducing loneliness, depression and anxiety and improving well-being in the area.
5. Simple & Transparent
We keep our finances simple. Every “Friend” who contributes should be able to see exactly how their membership fee helped buy seeds (for example) for the garden or solar panels for the bakery.