Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the Charter of the Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers

THE MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Pursuant to Decree No. 102/SL-L004 dated May 20, 1957 on the right to establish Associations.
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 45/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 9, 2003 on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 88/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 30, 2003 on the organization, operation, and management of associations.
Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers and the Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations.

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Charter of the Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers which was adopted at the First Founding Congress on July 3, 2004.

Article 2. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 3. The Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers and the Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.

                                                                 SIGNATURE OF THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
                                                                        DEPUTY MINISTER




                                                                         Dang Quoc Tien

CHARTER

VIETNAM ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED TEACHERS
(Attached to Decision No. 61/2004/QĐ-BNV signed by the Minister of Home Affairs on September 7, 2004 regarding the approval of the Charter of the Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers).

Chapter 1:

NAME, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES, FIELD AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITY OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 1. Name of the Association:

The name of the Association is: Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers.

(English name: VET-ERAN TEACHER ASSOCIATION OF VIETNAM, abbreviated as VTAV).

Address: No. 2 Trinh Hoi Duc Street, Hanoi.

Telephone: 6405200 (Office Kinh) Fax:

Article 2. Aims and Objectives of the Association.

The Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers is a social-professional organization of all former teachers, officials, workers, and staff from all educational institutions and education-training organizations. The Association is established to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its members, promote the patriotic and revolutionary traditions, intellectual capacity, and fine qualities of teachers, continue contributing to the implementation of the strategy for developing education and training to serve the tasks of industrialization and modernization of the country with the goal of "Prosperous people, strong country, equitable, democratic, civilized society".

Article 3. Field and Scope of Activity of the Association.

The Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers operates in the field of education and training throughout the country.

The Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers is under the management of the Ministry of Education and Training and is supported by the Vietnam Education Union.

The Association operates according to its Charter in compliance with the Constitution and laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Association has a press organ established in accordance with the law.

The Association is a non-governmental organization with legal personality, seal, bank account, and distinctive emblem.

The headquarters of the Vietnam Association of Retired Teachers is located in Hanoi, the capital city. When necessary, the Association will open representative offices in localities in accordance with the law.

Chapter 2:

TASKS AND POWERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 4. Tasks of the Association.

1. To gather, unite, and represent all retired teachers nationwide, to mobilize the intellectual potential of members to participate in educational and training activities.

2. To protect the legitimate rights and interests of members, create conditions for retired teachers to continue professional exchanges, care for and support each other spiritually and materially, assist each other when facing difficulties in life, maintain and promote the revolutionary nature and fine traditions of the Vietnamese teaching profession, fulfill their civic duties well.

Article 5. Rights of the Association.

1. To participate in proposing and recommending to Party committees, authorities at all levels, schools, educational institutions, and organizations about the implementation of policies and guidelines of the Party and State on education and training work.

2. To cooperate with schools, educational institutions, departments, and mass organizations to care for the education of young generations and contribute to realizing the goals of "Education for All" and "Nationwide Learning Society", effectively implement the policy of socializing education.

3. To participate in and develop international relations with similar organizations for educational purposes, peace, and social progress.

4. To raise funds for the Association based on membership fees and lawful sources of income as prescribed by law to cover operational expenses.

7. Be entitled to participate in signing and implementing agreements with international organizations on professional activities as prescribed by law.

6. To protect the legitimate rights and interests of members.

7. To provide services to members and develop the Association in accordance with the law.

Chapter 3:

MEMBERS

Article 6. Conditions for becoming a Member.

All individuals who were previously teachers, officials, workers, or staff members in schools and educational institutions, and who agree with the Charter of the Association, voluntarily submit an application to join the Association, may become members of the Association.

Article 7. Procedures for admitting collective and individual members.

Collective and individual members joining the Association must submit a voluntary application. The Executive Board of the local Association examines and decides on admission and issues membership cards. Collective members must have a legal document authorizing a representative. When a member wishes to leave the Association, they must submit a written application, which must be approved by the local Association's Executive Board and the membership card must be returned.

Article 8. Rights of members.

1. Exercise democratic and equal rights when discussing Association affairs; nominate, elect, or be elected to Association leadership positions; criticize or question the Association’s leadership or leaders; request the removal of Association officials who have committed violations.

2. Request the Association to intervene to protect their dignity and legitimate interests when infringed upon; receive inquiries and assistance from the Association when encountering difficulties in life.

3. Participate in cultural, physical exercise, tourism, and rest activities organized by the Association.

4. Have the right to leave the Association.

Article 9. Obligations of members.

1. Adhere to the Charter of the Association. Implement resolutions of the Association. Set an example in complying with state laws.

2. Participate in Association activities and fulfill tasks assigned by the Association.

3. Pay membership fees; promote new member recruitment; strengthen organizational construction.

Article 10. Associated members and honorary members.

1. Schools and education-training centers that have established joint ventures between Vietnam and foreign countries or are wholly funded by foreign capital, operating legally in Vietnam, and contributing to the development of the Association, if they agree with the Charter of the Association, may be recognized as associated members by the Association.

2. Vietnamese citizens or organizations unable to become members of the Association may be recognized as honorary members of the Association.

3. Associated and honorary members may participate in Association activities and attend Congresses, but they cannot participate in elections or nominations for the Executive Board, nor vote on Association matters.

Article 11. Membership Card.

The membership card is issued by the Vietnam Retired Educators Association and regulations regarding the issuance and management of membership cards are stipulated by the Association.

Chapter 4:

MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 12. The management and administrative structure of the Association:

- General Congress or Congress of Delegates.

- Executive Board, Standing Committee of the Executive Board.

- President, Vice Presidents of the Association.

- The Audit Board.

- Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General of the Association.

- Subordinate units of the Association, Association Office, Specialized Committees, media organs (newspapers, magazines), Information Service Center...

Article 13. General Congress or Congress of Delegates:

1. The Congress is the highest authority of the Association. The Congress is held every five years.

The Congress is considered valid when two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of officially summoned delegates are present.

2. Main tasks of the Congress term:

- Approve the Charter (for the founding Congress) or propose amendments to the Charter.

- Discussing the final report and future directions of the Association's activities.

- Discuss and provide feedback on the report on the term's performance of the Executive Board and the Inspection Board.

- Discussing and approving the financial settlement of the previous term and the financial plan for the new term of the Association.

- Elect the Executive Board and the Inspection Board.

- Honor the Association's Honorary President.

- Discuss and approve the Congress Resolution.

3. Main tasks of the Annual General Meeting:

- Discuss the annual summary report and the new year's work plan of the Association.

- Discuss and approve the financial settlement of the previous year and the new year's financial plan of the Association.

- Discuss and vote on issues proposed by the Executive Board, the Inspection Board, or members.

4. The Executive Board may convene a General Congress or Congress of Delegates at an extraordinary session to address urgent Association issues, upon proposal by the Executive Board President or more than half (50%) of the total number of Executive Board members, or when more than two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of members request, or when required by competent state management authorities according to the law.

5. The summons to the General Congress or Congress of Delegates must clearly state the agenda and be sent to all members at least two weeks before the meeting date.

6. Voting principles at the Congress.

- The Congress may vote by raising hands or secret ballot. The form of voting is decided by the Congress.

- Decisions passed at the Congress must be approved by more than half (1/2) of the officially present delegates.

Article 14. Executive Board.

1. The Executive Board is the highest leadership body between two Congress sessions.

2. The number of Executive Board members, including the President, Vice Presidents, and Secretary-General, is determined by the Congress.

3. The Executive Board operates under its own rules.

4. The Executive Board meets at least once a year upon summoning by the Executive Board President. An Executive Board session is considered valid when two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Executive Board members are present.

5. Decisions and resolutions of the Executive Board are adopted through voting and only take effect when more than half (50%) of the attending Executive Board members agree. In case of a tie, the side with the opinion of the Executive Board President will prevail.

6. Responsibilities and powers of the Executive Board:

- Decide on measures to implement Congress resolutions.

- Decide on the annual program and work plan or between Executive Board meetings.

- Approve the financial plan and settlement of the term and annual reports submitted by the Secretary-General for presentation to the Annual General Meeting or the General Congress.

- Resolve issues arising between Congress sessions.

- Prepare content, agendas, and materials for Congresses (including extraordinary ones) and Annual General Meetings.

- Specify specific principles, management systems, financial usage regulations, organizational structure, and operational regulations of the Association Office.

- Approve the establishment of organizations according to this Charter.

- Elect and remove Association leadership positions by secret ballot: President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-General, Standing Committee members of the Executive Board, Head of the Inspection Board.

- Appoint and relieve Association-established organ leaders of their duties.

- Decide on the admission and removal of member status.

- Decide on the convocation of the General Congress or Congress of Delegates.

Article 15. Standing Committee:

1. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Retired Teachers' Association includes: the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, and some members.

2. The Standing Committee is responsible for representing the Executive Board to prepare the content of Executive Board meetings and to direct the implementation of resolutions of the Executive Board; manage activities between two Executive Board meetings; report on the activities of the Standing Committee at regular meetings of the Executive Board.

3. The Central Standing Committee appoints a Permanent Standing Body consisting of: the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, and some Standing Members to manage work between Standing Committee meetings.

4. The regular meeting of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Retired Teachers' Association shall convene at least once every six months.

Article 16. President and Vice Presidents of the Association:

1. The Chairman of the Executive Board concurrently serves as the Chairman of the Association, and the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board concurrently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Association. To ensure effective operation of the Association, those positions operate under a full-time system. In special cases, they may operate under a part-time system with permission from the Congress resolution.

2. The Chairman has the following powers and responsibilities:

- To represent the legal entity of the Association before the law.

- Responsible for managing the financial resources and assets of the Association.

- Organizing the implementation of resolutions of the Congress, the plenary session, and the Executive Board.

- To convene and chair meetings of the Executive Board.

- Signing decisions to appoint or dismiss personnel subordinate to the Association based on resolutions of the Executive Board.

- To be responsible to the Central Executive Board and all members of the Association for the activities of the Association.

- Deciding to establish subordinate organizations of the Association upon proposal of the Secretary General after obtaining resolutions or decisions of the Executive Board.

3. The Vice Chairman of the Association:

Assists the Chairman in management and operation of the Association, authorized and assigned directly by the Chairman to oversee and manage certain tasks of the Association, and authorized to manage the work of the Executive Board when the Chairman is absent.

Article 17. The Secretary General of the Association:

The Secretary General, elected by the Executive Board, shall have the following duties and powers:

- Represents the Association's Office in daily transactions.

- Organizes and manages daily activities of the Association's Office.

- Prepares reports for Executive Board meetings, Standing Committee meetings, annual congresses, and term congresses.

- Manages the Association's transaction files and documents.

- Develops operational regulations of the Office, financial management regulations, and asset management regulations of the Association for approval by the Executive Board.

- Regularly reports to the Executive Board on the activities of the Association.

- Prepares annual reports and term reports of the Executive Board.

- Manages lists, files, and documents about members and subordinate organizations.

- Being responsible before the Executive Board and under the law for the activities of the Association's Office.

To assist the Secretary General in performing the above tasks, there is a Deputy Secretary General appointed by the Chairman of the Executive Board.

Article 18. The Office of the Association.

1. The Association's Office operates according to regulations approved by the Executive Board.

2. The organizational structure of the Association's Office is approved by the Executive Board.

3. Staff of the Office must be professionals with high responsibility, recruited through contracts.

4. Annual operating funds for the Office are budgeted by the Secretary General, submitted for approval by the Executive Board, and ratified by the annual plenary session.

Article 19. Supervisory Board.

1. The Audit Committee consists of one Head elected by the Congress, comprising three to five members. The Audit Committee has a term concurrent with that of the Executive Board.

2. The Audit Committee operates according to regulations passed by the Congress or the Member Representative Congress.

3. Activities of the Audit Committee serving the Association are funded from the Association's fund.

4. The Audit Committee has the following duties and powers:

- Inspect and supervise the activities of the Association and all members in adhering to the Charter, financial management regulations, and resolutions of the Association.

- Inform members of inspection results and recommend issues to be resolved to the Executive Board.

- The Head of the Audit Committee and Audit Committee members are entitled to attend Executive Board meetings of the Association.

Article 20. Organization of the Association.

The Retired Teachers' Association is organized at the central and local levels.

1. The central level is the Vietnam Retired Teachers' Association.

2. The local level is the local Retired Teachers' Association established by the People's Committee Chairman of the province or centrally-administered city according to the law.

3. The Retired Teachers' Association at the commune, ward, town level comprises members residing within the same administrative area. The establishment of such Associations must comply with legal provisions and obtain permission from the competent state management authority.

4. At educational institutions and educational training units, associations without legal personality will be formed among members who previously worked at the same location.

Chapter 5:

FINANCE AND ASSETS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 21. Financial Resources and Assets of the Association.

1. Revenue sources of the Association include:

- Annual membership fees contributed by members according to regulations.

- Sponsorship from organizations and individuals.

- Income generated from the Association's activities.

- Other sources of income.

2. Expenditure items of the Association.

Expenditures of the Association must adhere to the principles of purposefulness, thrift, effectiveness, and compliance with financial regulations, including:

- Expenses for the operations of the Office, Executive Board, Audit Committee, Conferences, Congresses, rent for headquarters, and purchase of equipment.

- Expenditures for information dissemination, propaganda, journalism, and publishing.

- Expenditures for construction, equipping, and repairing facilities and working equipment.

- Salaries and rewards for commendation.

- Expenditures for international relations activities.

- Other expenses.

3. Based on the Association's annual financial situation, the Executive Board proposes the annual membership fee level and obtains approval from the plenary session.

4. The Executive Board stipulates regulations on the management and utilization of the Association's financial resources and assets, consistent with the national financial regulations, and must be publicly reported to members at the annual plenary session.

5. Annual financial settlement reports are presented at regular congresses.

Chapter 6:

DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 22. The Association terminates its activities in the following cases:

1. The Association voluntarily dissolves according to a resolution of more than 50% of the total number of members.

2. The Association is dissolved if it does not operate continuously for twelve months.

3. Upon dissolution, the state agency issuing the dissolution decision designates a Liquidation Committee. The Liquidation Committee is responsible for reporting the liquidation results to all members and relevant state authorities.

Chapter 7:

REWARDS AND DISCIPLINE

Article 23. Awards.

Members who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the Association will be rewarded.

Article 24. Disciplinary Measures.

Members who violate the Association's Charter, damaging the Association's reputation and interests, shall be subject to criticism, warning, or expulsion from the Association.

Chapter 8:

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 25.Amendments and Supplements to the Charter.

Any amendments or supplements to this Charter must be unanimously proposed by the Congress or the Member Representative Congress and approved by the Minister of Home Affairs to take effect.

Article 26. EFFECTIVE DATE

These Statutes consist of 8 Chapters and 26 Articles, adopted on July 3, 2004, and shall take effect from the date they are approved by the Minister of Interior and permitted for circulation in accordance with the provisions of the law./.