Article 13 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 13 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
The general assembly consists of the founders and members of at least six months' standing, is called 15 days ahead, meets in ordinary session within the first four months of the year, and members may not vote on matters of personal interest.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تتكون الجمعية العمومية من الأعضاء المؤسسين والأعضاء الذين مضت على عضويتهم في الجمعية ستة أشهر على الأقل ، بشرط تسديد رسوم العضوية إن وجدت.
2 - تعقد الجمعية العمومية اجتماعاتها (العادية وغير العادية) في مقر الجمعية بناءً على دعوة خطية من رئيس مجلس إدارة الجمعية تشتمل على جدول الأعمال ، ومكان الاجتماع ، وتاريخه ، وساعة انعقاده ، على أن تبلغ الوزارة والجهة المشرفة وأعضاء الجمعية بالدعوة قبل الموعد المحدد بخمسة عشر يوماً على الأقل ، ويجوز للوزارة وللجهة المشرفة ندب من يمثلها لحضور الاجتماع.
3 - تعقد الجمعية العمومية اجتماعاً عاديًّا مرة واحدة على الأقل كل سنة مالية للجمعية ، على أن يعقد الاجتماع الأول لكل سنة خلال الأشهر الأربعة الأولى منها.
4 - تعقد الجمعية العمومية اجتماعاتها غير العادية بناءً على طلبٍ مُسبَّبٍ من الوزارة ، أو من مجلس الإدارة ، أو بناء على طلب عدد لا يقل عن (25٪) من الأعضاء الذين لهم حق حضور الجمعية العمومية.
5 - لعضو الجمعية العمومية أن ينيب عنه - كتابة - عضواً آخر يمثله في حضور الجمعية العمومية ، ولا يجوز أن ينوب العضو عن أكثر من عضو.
6 - لا يجوز لعضو الجمعية العمومية الاشتراك في التصويت على أي قرار إذا كانت له فيه مصلحة شخصية ، وذلك فيما عدا انتخاب أعضاء مجلس الإدارة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 13 explained in plain English
This Article regulates the general assembly, the highest of the association's bodies:
Membership: it consists of the founding members and members whose membership has lasted at least six months, provided membership fees, if any, have been paid.
The call: it meets at the association's seat on a written call from the chair of the board of directors that includes the agenda, place, date and time. The Ministry, the supervising body and the members are notified at least 15 days before the date. The Ministry and the supervising body may appoint someone to represent them to attend.
The ordinary meeting: at least once each financial year, with the first for each year held within its first four months.
The extraordinary meeting: at the reasoned request of the Ministry or the board of directors, or at the request of at least 25% of the members entitled to attend.
Proxy: a member may delegate in writing another member to represent him, and a member may not act for more than one other member.
Conflict of interest: a member may not vote on a decision in which he has a personal interest, except the election of board members; a candidate may vote.
The practical effect: a new member is not entitled to attend the general assembly before six months have passed on his membership. Anyone who believes a meeting was held in breach of these provisions should consult a lawyer who specializes in non-profit sector law.
Practical example
Sarah joined an association in Jeddah four months ago and paid the membership fee. She is not yet entitled to attend the general assembly, because her membership has not reached six months. Her colleague, who joined a year ago, may attend or delegate another member in writing.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
When is a member entitled to attend the general assembly?
If he is a founding member or his membership has lasted at least six months, provided membership fees, if any, have been paid.
How much notice is given for a general assembly meeting?
The Ministry, the supervising body and the members must be notified of the call at least fifteen days before the date.
Who can request an extraordinary meeting?
The Ministry or the board of directors by a reasoned request, or at least 25% of the members entitled to attend.
Can a member give a proxy to attend the general assembly?
Yes, in writing to another member, and a member may not act for more than one other member.
More articles on General Assembly of a Civil Association
- Article 14
The ordinary general assembly approves financial statements and the budget, discusses the board's report, approves the investment plan, elects the board and discharges the previous one, and appoints the auditor.
تختص الجمعية العمومية العادية بالآتي : 1 - دراسة تقرير مراجع الحسابات عن القوائم المالية للسنة المالية المنتهية ، واعتمادها بعد مناقشتها. 2 - إقرار مشروع الميزا
- Article 15
The extraordinary general assembly decides board members' resignation and removal and fills vacancies, cancels board decisions, proposes merger, approves amending the basic regulation and voluntary dissolution.
تختص الجمعية العمومية غير العادية بالنظر في المسائل الآتية : 1 - البت في استقالة أي من أعضاء مجلس الإدارة ، أو إسقاط العضوية عنه ، وانتخاب من يشغل المراكز الشاغ
- Article 16
The Article bars the ordinary and extraordinary general assemblies from considering any matters not on their agenda.
لا يجوز للجمعية العمومية (العادية أو غير العادية) أن تنظر في مسائل غير مدرجة في جدول أعمالها.
- Article 17
A general assembly meeting is valid if more than half of the members attend; otherwise it is postponed to a date between one hour and 15 days later. Ordinary assembly decisions pass by a majority of those present, extraordinary ones by two-thirds.
1- يعد اجتماع الجمعية العمومية (العادية أو غير العادية) صحيحاً إذا حضره أكثر من نصف أعضائها ، فإن لم يتحقق ذلك أُجّل الاجتماع إلى موعد آخر يعقد خلال مدة أقلها س
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.