Joint Circular No. 22/2007/TTLT/BVHTT-UBTDTT guiding the organization and operation of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune, ward, and town levels

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for the organization and operation of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune, ward, and town levels

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Pursuant to Decree No. 63/2003/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture and Information;

Pursuant to Decree No. 22/2003/NĐ-CP dated March 11, 2003 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Sports Management Committee;

Pursuant to Decree No. 43/2006/NĐ-CP dated April 25, 2006 of the Government stipulating the autonomy and responsibility for the implementation of tasks, organizational structure, staffing, and finance for public service units;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 05/2005/NQ-CP dated April 18, 2005 of the Government on accelerating socialization of educational, health, cultural, and sports activities;

Pursuant to Decision No. 271/2005/QĐ-TTg dated October 31, 2005 of the Prime Minister approving the planning of the system of grassroots cultural-information facilities;

Pursuant to Decision No. 100/2005/QĐ-TTg dated May 10, 2005 of the Prime Minister approving the Program for the development of sports at commune, ward, and town levels until 2010;

Jointly issued by the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Sports Management Committee to guide certain matters as follows:

This technical regulation sets out technical requirements, testing methods, sampling procedures; management requirements; responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing, trading, and importing cigarettes.

1. These Circulars provide guidance on the organization and operation of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune, ward, and town levels (hereinafter referred to collectively as commune level).

Cultural and Sports Centers under ministries, sectors; armed forces; religious and belief establishments; specialized entertainment areas within the commune level do not fall within the scope and subject matter of these Circulars.

2. Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level shall be established by the People's Council at commune level based on existing facilities such as cultural houses, sports fields, sports training centers, cultural clubs, sports clubs, or radio stations, community learning centers at commune level.

3. Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level shall be under comprehensive leadership of the People's Council at commune level and direct guidance and supervision on professional matters from the Department of Culture, Information, and Sports, the Center for Culture, Information, and Sports, the Center for Physical Education and Sports, and the Radio Station at district level.

4. The organization and operation of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level shall follow the principle of "State and people working together," with close cooperation among relevant sectors and mass organizations at commune level.

5. Investment in infrastructure and equipment must be combined with protection, exploitation, and enhancement of efficiency, attracting and creating favorable conditions for all strata of the population to participate in cultural and sports activities.

6. To ensure the continuous operation of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level and gradually enhance their roles and effects, it is necessary to stabilize the cadre of professional staff, ensure infrastructure, equipment, and operational funding.

II. FUNCTIONS, TASKS, AND POWERS

1. Functions

Propagating the Party's guidelines, policies, and State laws; disseminating scientific and technical knowledge; organizing cultural information, artistic, physical education, and recreational activities; preserving and promoting traditional cultural and sports forms; nurturing artistic and sports talents; contributing to economic and social tasks, raising public awareness, enhancing cultural enjoyment levels, and building grassroots cultural life in the commune area.

2. Tasks

a) Developing monthly, quarterly, and annual activity programs and plans, submitting them to the People's Council at commune level for approval, and implementing approved programs and plans;

b) Proposing and advising the People's Council at commune level to strengthen leadership and direction in building Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level; implementing the policy of socializing culture in cultural and sports fields;

c) Cooperating with sectors and mass organizations at commune level to organize cultural and sports activities in the commune area;

d) Providing professional guidance and assistance to cultural houses, cultural clubs, and physical education and sports clubs in residential areas within the commune;

đ) Building a cadre of professional staff and volunteers;

e) Managing assets and finances allocated according to current regulations; implementing reporting and statistical systems;

f) Summarizing practical experiences, making conclusions, and recommending commendations to competent authorities for individuals and groups with outstanding achievements.

3. Powers

a) Advising the People's Council at commune level and higher-level specialized agencies on issues related to the organization and operation of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level;

b) Receiving financial support from the State budget for the construction of infrastructure and equipment, subsidies for staff and volunteers, and activities according to assigned functions and tasks;

c) Being able to send staff to attend professional training courses, festivals, competitions, and performances organized by higher-level specialized agencies;

d) Inviting professionals in cultural and sports fields to direct, guide, or produce programs for Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level when necessary;

đ) Collaborating with social and economic organizations and individuals to organize cultural, sports, and recreational services in the commune area;

e) When necessary, the Chairman of the People's Council at commune level decides on stamp engraving and account opening (at the National Treasury) for Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level.

III. ORGANIZATION

1. Board of Directors

a) Director

- Is primarily responsible to the Chairman of the People's Council at commune level for all activities of Cultural and Sports Centers at commune level.

- The Director must have a diploma or higher in Cultural-Social or Physical Education and Sports.

- The Director is appointed by the Chairman of the People's Council at commune level for a term of three years, following agreement (in writing) with the Head of the Department of Culture, Information, and Physical Education and Sports at district level.

b) Deputy Director

One Deputy Director is appointed by the Chairman of the People's Council at commune level for a term of three years, upon recommendation by the Director.

2. Professional Staff

Gradually professionalizing each department, aiming to have staff who have been trained and instructed in: Mass art; sports instructors; information editors; painters; librarians, museum curators; technical staff (sound, lighting, broadcasting); club work methods...

3. Volunteers

Establish and train a team of volunteers who are enthusiastic and capable of participating in organizing cultural and sports activities.

IV. MATERIAL BASE, EQUIPMENT, AND OPERATING FUNDS

1. Infrastructure

a) Cultural and Sports Centers at the commune level shall be allocated land for use by the State from the land fund designated for cultural and social welfare purposes, with an area as specified in Decision No. 271/2005/QĐ-TTg and Decision No. 100/2005/QĐ-TTg, specifically:

- For cultural information facilities at the commune, ward, and town levels: 1,000 square meters².

- The area for physical exercise and sports training grounds: 2 to 3 square meters²/person.

b) The scale of Cultural and Sports Centers at the commune level, according to centralized planning at the commune center, applies to communes in the plains, suburban areas, or towns and wards within cities, including the following main functional components:

- A communal cultural house with a seating capacity of 150 or more, serving as a multi-purpose hall for organizing community learning activities, cultural councils, arts and culture events, exhibitions, reading rooms, communal radio stations, club interest groups, and outdoor stages (in the sports field).

- A cluster of sports facilities: Outdoor training area (multi-purpose training ground, separate training grounds for each sport); indoor training area; swimming pool or pond (if conditions permit); ancillary facilities (bathrooms, parking lots).

2. Equipment

a) Equipment for communal cultural houses: Conference tables and chairs; sound and lighting equipment, decorations, ceremonial items; broadcasting equipment, bookshelves, newspapers;

b) Sports equipment: Specialized equipment for each sport.

3. Operating funds

a) Construction of material infrastructure and purchase of equipment shall be supported by the State, soliciting contributions from individuals, residents, and businesses in the locality;

b) For Cultural and Sports Centers at the commune level located in poor areas, mountainous regions, border areas, and islands, the State will consider providing 100% funding for basic construction and equipment purchases;

c) Communal Cultural and Information Centers, which are public service units with low revenue or no revenue and unable to balance their operating costs, shall have their regular operating expenses covered by the State budget according to their assigned functions and tasks (primarily for propaganda and promotion of local political, economic, and social tasks);

d) Civil servants at the commune level responsible for culture and society; non-professional staff at the commune level managing the communal radio station; non-professional staff at the commune level managing the communal cultural house, and other non-professional staff at the commune level concurrently holding positions at the Cultural and Sports Center, shall enjoy benefits and policies under Decree No. 121/2003/NĐ-CP dated October 21, 2003 of the Government and decisions of the provincial People's Committee;

đ) The State budget shall support operating funds for Communal Cultural and Sports Centers to provide remuneration for professional and technical staff and volunteers, creating conditions for stable organization and operation;

e) Communal Cultural and Sports Centers shall proactively generate income from cultural and sports service activities and membership fees for interest clubs.

V. CONTENT AND METHODS OF OPERATION

1. Information and Propaganda Council: Organize oral, visual, and artistic propaganda activities at the center and in residential areas, serving major national anniversaries, significant events, and local political, economic, and social tasks.

2. Mass Arts Council: Develop and promote mass art movements; art teams; nurture core art personnel for these movements; organize annual art performances, festivals, exchanges, and competitions; welcome professional art troupes to perform locally; exploit, preserve, and develop traditional folk music, dance, and drama in the locality.

3. Physical Education and Sports Activities: Promote and develop the "All-People Fitness Movement Following the Example of Great President Ho Chi Minh"; increase the number of people and families regularly engaging in physical exercise; exploit, preserve, and develop ethnic sports and folk games in the locality, incorporating them into traditional festival activities, cultural-sports days at various levels; organize regular sports competitions and meetings.

4. Club Activities: Develop and promote various types of interest clubs, creating favorable conditions for all strata of the population to participate in regular cultural, artistic, and sports activities.

5. Building a Civilized Lifestyle: Organize activities to promote civilized living habits, thrift in wedding, funeral, festival, ancestral worship, and New Year celebrations, and other forms of cultural and social activities in the locality; build a civilized public life, cultural communication and interaction in community life; protect landscapes, nature, environment, and maintain social security and order, preventing social evils.

6. Implementation of the "All-People Solidarity in Building a Civilized Life" Movement: Assist the Steering Committee of the "All-People Solidarity in Building a Civilized Life" movement at the commune, ward, and town levels in directing and implementing the movement in the locality; organize propaganda and encouragement activities for building "Civilized Families," "Advanced Residential Areas," "Cultural Villages," and "Civilized Neighborhoods."

7. Other Cultural and Sports Activities: Organize cultural and sports service activities; provide professional guidance for village cultural houses and sports activity points; establish libraries, bookcases, reading campaigns, and follow-the-books campaigns. Participate in competitions, performances, and sports events organized by higher-level cultural and sports departments; coordinate with local departments and organizations to conduct cultural and sports activities and build grassroots cultural life.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Pursuant to this Circular, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, through their respective People's Councils, shall issue directives on: land use planning; state investment support policies; specific provisions regarding infrastructure, equipment, operating funds; the number of staff and volunteers and remuneration systems; mechanisms and measures for socializing culture for Commune Cultural and Sports Centers.

2. The People's Committees at the commune level must implement land use plans for Commune Cultural and Sports Centers as approved; prioritize budget balancing to ensure funding support and regularly direct all aspects of organization and operation of Commune Cultural and Sports Centers.

3. National cultural and sports agencies under the central government and localities shall consistently provide guidance, assistance, and professional training to develop and enhance the cadre of staff and volunteers for Commune Cultural and Sports Centers.

4. From the central to local levels, various sectors and mass organizations shall strengthen collaboration with the cultural and sports sector to guide and organize effective cultural and sports activities at the grassroots level.

5. This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. The Department of Grassroots Culture and Information - Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Mass Sports Department - General Department of Sports shall supervise and inspect the implementation of this Circular, and report periodically to the relevant inter-sectoral bodies./.