Statute of
Sanmarkkam Life

Article 1

Establishment and Registered Office

A social promotion association is hereby established, pursuant to the Italian Civil Code and Legislative Decree No. 117 of 3 July 2017 (the “Third Sector Code”) and subsequent amendments, under the name Sanmarkkam Life Associazione di Promozione Sociale, abbreviated SL APS, hereinafter referred to as “the Association,” with its registered office in Macerata (MC). It is governed by this Statute and the applicable laws on social promotion associations.

The use of the designation “associazione di promozione sociale” or the acronym “APS” is strictly conditional on enrolment in the National Single Register of the Third Sector (RUNTS). Should the Association cease to be so enrolled for any reason, these designations must be removed from its name.

The Association may establish secondary offices in other locations by resolution of the members’ assembly upon proposal of the Board of Directors. Transfer of the registered office within the same municipality does not require a statutory amendment but must be resolved by the ordinary assembly and notified to the competent authorities.

The Association operates primarily in Italy, with the possibility of extending its activities internationally through collaboration with kindred organisations in other countries.

Article 2

Character of the Association and of the Volunteer

The Association is non-partisan and non-profit. It relies principally on the personal, spontaneous, and free activity of its members, carried out on a non-occasional basis.

Volunteer activity may not be remunerated in any way. Only expenses actually incurred and duly documented may be reimbursed, within limits and conditions established in advance by the Association. Lump-sum expense reimbursements are prohibited.

Volunteer status is incompatible with any form of employment or self-employment relationship, paid or otherwise, with the Association. A member who occasionally assists the governing bodies in the performance of their duties is not considered a volunteer.

The Association insures its volunteers against accidents and illnesses connected with their voluntary activity, as well as for civil liability towards third parties.

The Association may join, as a member, other associations, bodies, or networks with analogous purposes.

Article 3

Duration

The duration of the Association is unlimited.

Article 4

Purposes and Activities

The Association, without profit motive and driven by civic, cultural, solidarity-based, and social utility purposes, pursues the promotion and diffusion of the philosophy of Samarasa Suddha Sanmarkkam Sathya Sangham — “The Universal Way of Pure Truth and Absolute Harmony” — as taught by the sage Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar).

Its ultimate aim is to guide individuals and the community towards integral wellbeing — physical, mental, and spiritual — grounded in the recognition of the sacredness of all life and in the realisation of a compassionate consciousness and universal unity among all living beings.

The Association is open to anyone, without distinction of creed, origin, gender, or social condition, who aspires to a more aware, ethical, and harmonious life. To achieve its purposes, the Association pursues the following specific objectives:

The Association grounds all its actions on the following non-negotiable ethical principles:

The Association carries out the following activities of general interest, primarily for the benefit of its members, their families, or third parties:

• Social interventions and services
• Education, training, and cultural activities with educational purposes
• Environmental protection and rational use of natural resources; animal welfare
• Organisation and management of cultural, artistic, or recreational activities of social interest
• Activities within fair-trade supply chains
• Charity, food donation, and support for disadvantaged persons
• Promotion of a culture of legality, peace, and non-violence
• Promotion and protection of human and civil rights

Specific activities are organised across five areas:

Article 5

Membership Requirements and Accessibility

1. All natural persons who share the Association’s purposes and commit to respecting this Statute and its ethical principles may join, without any distinction of sex, race, language, religion, opinions, or social or economic condition.
2. The Association guarantees the effectiveness of the membership relationship, expressly excluding any temporary participation. All members enjoy equal rights and duties from the moment of admission, in conformity with the principle of democratic structure and substantive equality (Samarasa).
3. To ensure maximum inclusiveness and remove economic barriers to membership, the Association commits to keeping the ordinary membership fee at an accessible level.
4. The register of members is kept constantly updated by the Board of Directors and is always available for consultation by members.

Article 6

Categories of Members

In adherence to the principle of absolute equanimity (Samarasa), no categorical distinctions exist among members. All members have the same rights and duties: the right to participate in associative life and to determine its structure and direction through voting in the assembly, and the duty to contribute through payment of the annual membership fee.

Article 7

Admission of Members

Admission as a member is open. The application must be submitted to the Board of Directors and must include a commitment to comply with this Statute, any internal regulations, and resolutions adopted by the associative bodies.

The Board deliberates on applications according to non-discriminatory criteria consistent with the Association’s purposes. The decision must be communicated to the applicant and recorded in the register of members.

In the event of refusal, the Board must, within 60 days, state its reasons and communicate them to the applicant. The rejected applicant may, within 60 days of such communication, request that the matter be decided by the Assembly at its next session.

Applications submitted by minors must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Membership takes effect from the date the application is accepted and is for an indefinite period, subject to the right of withdrawal.

Article 8

Rights and Duties of Members

Membership grants: the right to vote in the assembly; the right — for adult members — to stand for election to associative bodies; the right to be informed of all activities and initiatives; and the right to use all structures, services, and provisions of the Association.

Membership is free and voluntary but commits members to respect this Statute and the resolutions of the representative bodies. Each member must maintain correct conduct in relations with fellow members and with third parties, and must refrain from any act that could harm the Association.

Article 9

Disciplinary Sanctions

A member who fails to observe the Statute, any internal regulations, or resolutions of the Board, or who otherwise brings the Association into disrepute, may be subject to the following sanctions:

1. Written reprimand for minor disciplinary infractions
2. Suspension of membership rights
3. Expulsion

Disciplinary decisions of the Board must state their reasons and may be appealed to the Members’ Assembly. Pending the Assembly’s ruling, the effect of the sanction is suspended. Appeals must be filed with reasons within thirty days of notification. The Assembly must issue its ruling within 30 days and communicate it within 60 days.

Article 10

Loss of Membership

Membership may be lost for the following reasons:

1. Resignation, communicated in writing to the Board
2. Forfeiture — loss of any admission requirement
3. Expulsion by resolution
4. Late payment of the membership fee beyond the established deadline
5. Death

Article 11

Organs of the Association

The organs of the Association are:

• The General Members’ Assembly
• The Board of Directors
• The Control Body (monocratic or collegiate, if appointed)
• The Statutory Auditor (if appointed)

All associative offices are unpaid and confer only the right to reimbursement of expenses actually incurred on behalf of the Association. Elections to associative bodies are entirely free and open to all members with active and passive voting rights. Members against whom a final disciplinary sanction has been pronounced automatically forfeit their office.

Article 12

Participation in the Assembly

The Assembly is the sovereign body of the Association. It determines the general orientations of the Association and adopts the fundamental policy decisions that all associative bodies must follow.

All members enrolled in the register of members and in good standing with payment of the membership fee have the right to vote at both ordinary and extraordinary assemblies.

The Assembly is convened in ordinary session at least once a year for approval of the financial statements, and whenever necessary — in ordinary or extraordinary session — upon decision of the Board or at the request of at least one-third of the members.

Article 13

Convening the Assembly

Members are convened by letter, email, certified email (PEC), other electronic means, and, where the Association has premises, by notice at the registered office. If the Association has a website, the notice may also be published there. The notice must be sent and posted or published at least eight (8) days before the date of the meeting and must specify the items on the agenda.

If the Board fails to convene an assembly within thirty days of a members’ request, the Control Body or Statutory Auditor (if appointed) may call it. Where the Board has resigned, the assembly must be convened within thirty days of the resignation.

Article 14

Constitution and Deliberations of the Assembly

The ordinary assembly is duly constituted at first call with the attendance of at least half plus one of the members entitled to vote. At second call, held at least one hour later, it is validly constituted regardless of the number of members present.

Participation and voting may take place via remote means (videoconference, Google Meet, or similar), provided unique identification of each participant and real-time intervention are guaranteed.

The extraordinary assembly is duly constituted at first call with the attendance of at least half plus one of those entitled to vote; at second call, with at least one-third.

Proxy voting is permitted, conferred in writing exclusively to another member. Each member may hold up to three proxies. Proxies may not be given to members of the Board or Control Body.

The ordinary assembly deliberates by a simple majority of votes cast. In the event of a tie, a second vote must be called immediately. The extraordinary assembly deliberates by a majority of at least two-thirds of votes cast. Dissolution of the Association requires the favourable vote of at least three-quarters of those entitled to vote.

Article 15

Voting Procedures

Voting takes place, as determined by the assembly, by show of hands, roll-call, or secret ballot. The election of associative bodies is governed by a specific regulation proposed by the Board and approved by the assembly. In secret ballot, the President appoints a scrutiny committee of three persons. Each member has one vote, regardless of the size of their membership contribution.

Article 16

Duties of the Assembly

In ordinary session:

1. Discuss and approve the annual financial statements and the Board’s report
2. Elect and revoke members of the Board, the Control Body, and/or the Statutory Auditor
3. Deliberate on the liability of members of associative bodies
4. Fix the membership fee and any other member contributions, upon proposal of the Board
5. Approve any internal regulations prepared by the Board
6. Discuss and deliberate on any other ordinary matter placed on the agenda

In extraordinary session:

1. Deliberate on dissolution, transformation, merger, or demerger of the Association
2. Deliberate on proposed amendments to the Statute
3. Deliberate on any other extraordinary matter placed on the agenda

Members may request the inclusion of agenda items provided that a written request signed by at least one-fifth of the members reaches the Board no later than one month before the assembly date.

Article 17

Duties of the Board of Directors

The Board acts as custodian of the ethical and spiritual principles of the Association. Its members carry out their role not as an exercise of power but as an act of selfless service (Seva). They bear primary responsibility for ensuring that every decision, act, and activity of the Association is a concrete manifestation of Jeeva Karunyam (Active Universal Compassion) and Samarasa (Absolute Equanimity).

The Board is responsible to the members’ assembly for the management of the Association. Its duties include:

• Convening the assembly
• Preparing the annual programme of activities for submission to the assembly
• Implementing assembly resolutions
• Preparing the annual activity report
• Ratifying or rejecting urgent measures adopted by the President
• Deliberating on any matter concerning the Association’s activities
• Defining the types and procedures of ancillary activities and documenting their secondary nature
• Preparing the financial statements and social report (when required)
• Deliberating on any act of significant financial or patrimonial character
• Annually reviewing the register of members to verify that admission requirements continue to be met
• Deliberating on the admission of new members and the removal of members in arrears
• Deliberating on the Association’s participation in other bodies and institutions
• Drafting any internal regulations
• Managing all employment and collaboration relationships
• Imposing disciplinary sanctions
• Ensuring — through constant vigilance — that all activities conform to the fundamental ethical principles set out in Article 4

Article 18

Composition of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 members appointed by the ordinary assembly. All members of the Board must be Association members and serve for a term of 5 years, with the possibility of re-election.

The Board elects from among its members the President and Vice-President, and may also elect a Secretary and a Treasurer.

In the event of the resignation, death, forfeiture, or other impediment of one or more members (provided fewer than half are affected), the seats are filled by the candidates who received the highest number of votes after the last elected member. The incoming member serves for the remaining duration of the replaced member’s term.

The Board may vote no confidence in the President by a qualified majority of two-thirds of its sitting members. A director absent without justification for three consecutive meetings, or for six meetings in any one year, is declared to have forfeited their seat.

Article 19

Board Meetings

The Board meets at least once every two months and whenever the President deems it necessary or when requested by three members. Meetings may be held via videoconference. Notice must be given in writing or by electronic means at least five days in advance, setting out the agenda. In urgent cases, notice may be given without the five-day requirement.

Board meetings are valid with the attendance of at least a majority of its members and are chaired by the President or, in their absence, by a director designated by those present. Decisions are taken by simple majority; in the event of a tie, the President’s vote is decisive. Minutes are signed by the President and the Secretary. Board members are bound to maintain strict confidentiality regarding discussions and decisions.

Article 20

The President

The President, elected from within the Board of Directors, represents the Association legally before third parties and in legal proceedings. The President bears general responsibility for the conduct and smooth running of associative affairs, signs all acts that bind the Association, and oversees the implementation of assembly and Board resolutions.

The President may delegate part of their duties to one or more directors, on a temporary or permanent basis. In urgent cases, the President may adopt emergency measures, which must be submitted to the Board for ratification within 20 days.

If the President is unable to exercise their functions, the Vice-President substitutes in all respects. The Vice-President’s sole intervention constitutes, for third parties, proof of the President’s temporary impediment.

Article 21

Control Body and Statutory Audit

The Control Body — which may be a single person — is appointed by the members’ assembly when required under Article 30 of the Third Sector Code, for the same five-year term as the Board. Its members must meet the qualifications prescribed by Article 2397(2) of the Italian Civil Code.

The Control Body monitors compliance with the law and this Statute, adherence to the principles of sound administration, the adequacy of the organisational and accounting structure, and the Association’s actual functioning. It also monitors the pursuit of the civic, solidarity-based, and social utility purposes and certifies, where required, the social report.

Where the Control Body does not exercise statutory audit and the thresholds in Article 31 of the Third Sector Code are met, the Association must appoint a Statutory Auditor or audit firm registered in the relevant register.

Article 22

The Secretary

The Secretary manages the offices of the Association, handles ordinary affairs, and carries out all other tasks assigned by the President or the Board. In particular, the Secretary prepares the minutes of the assembly and Board meetings, handles correspondence, maintains the register of members, and sends out meeting notices.

Article 23

The Treasurer

The Treasurer manages the administrative affairs of the Association, keeps proper accounts, carries out the relevant verifications, monitors the accounting records, and prepares the annual financial statements accompanied by an explanatory report.

Article 24

Social Records

The Association is required to maintain the following records:

1. The register of members
2. The register of volunteers who carry out activities on a non-occasional basis
3. The register of assembly proceedings and resolutions
4. The register of Board proceedings and resolutions (and any other associative body)

Records (a), (b), and (c) are maintained by the Board; record (d) is maintained by the relevant body. Every member has the right to inspect the records, including requesting an extract, by written application to the Board. The Board must respond within 30 days. Refusal of access may be appealed to the Members’ Assembly.

Article 25

Assets of the Association

The assets of the Association consist of all movable and immovable property acquired by the Association on any lawful basis, as well as all patrimonial and financial rights recognised by applicable law.

The assets of Third Sector bodies — including any revenues, income, proceeds, or receipts of any denomination — are used exclusively for the pursuit of civic, solidarity-based, and social utility purposes in accordance with the Statute.

Article 26

Income and Membership Fee

The Association’s income consists of:

1. Member dues and contributions
2. Inheritances, donations, and bequests
3. Grants from the State, regions, local authorities, and public bodies
4. Contributions from the European Union and international bodies
5. Income from contracted services
6. Voluntary donations from members and third parties
7. Proceeds from the supply of goods and services, including through ancillary commercial activities
8. Proceeds from general-interest activities and ancillary activities, within the limits set by the Third Sector Code
9. Fundraising income
10. Contributions and donations from private and public persons and bodies whose purposes are not inconsistent with the Association’s aims
11. Other income compatible with social promotion association purposes

Membership Fee: The annual membership fee is set by the Board of Directors. It represents the minimum payment required to acquire member status and the associated rights, including the right to vote. The fee is non-transferable and non-revaluable.

Voluntary Contributions: Members may voluntarily pay amounts above the basic fee. Such additional payments are treated as liberal donations in support of the Association’s mission and do not confer additional voting rights. The principle of “one head, one vote” is guaranteed at all times.

Hardship Exemption: In exceptional, documented cases of genuine economic hardship, the Board may grant a temporary exemption from the membership fee, ensuring that such members nonetheless enjoy full membership rights, with the Association covering their costs through a dedicated solidarity fund.

Article 27

Use of Surpluses

The Association is prohibited from distributing, even indirectly, any operating surpluses, funds, reserves, or capital during its existence, unless required by law. No distribution of surpluses may be made to founders, members, workers, collaborators, directors, or other members of associative bodies, including upon withdrawal or any other form of individual dissolution of the membership relationship.

The Association must use all its assets and income exclusively for the realisation of the general-interest activities provided for in this Statute and for the exclusive pursuit of civic, solidarity-based, and social utility purposes.

Article 28

Duration of Contribution Period

Ordinary dues are payable for the entire associative year in progress, regardless of when the new member joins. A member who resigns or otherwise ceases to be a member remains liable for dues for the entire associative year in progress.

Article 29

Members’ Rights over the Association’s Assets

Membership does not entail any obligation to make financial contributions beyond the initial admission payment and the annual fee. Members may, however, make additional voluntary contributions of any amount. All payments to the Association’s assets are irrecoverable, non-revaluable, and non-refundable under any circumstances, including dissolution of the Association, death, withdrawal, or exclusion of a member.

No payment creates any right of participation beyond those set out in this Statute, and specifically no undivided transferable share. Such shares may not be transferred — whether by singular succession, universal succession, inter vivos act, or upon death.

Article 30

Financial Statements

The financial year begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December of each year. Financial statements must be prepared for each year and submitted to the assembly for approval within four months of the close of the financial year.

The approved financial statements, together with any legally required annexes, must be filed with the National Single Register of the Third Sector by the administrators within 180 days of the close of the financial year, unless otherwise provided by law.

Financial statements must remain available for inspection at the Association’s registered office in the ten days preceding the assembly convened for their approval.

Where the thresholds prescribed by Article 14 of Legislative Decree 117/2017 are met, a social report must be prepared, approved, and filed with the RUNTS on the same terms as the financial statements, and published on the Association’s website.

Article 31

Dissolution and Liquidation

In the event of dissolution for any reason, the assembly shall designate one or more liquidators, determine their powers, and decide on the destination of the remaining assets. The net assets resulting from the liquidation shall be devolved — subject to the favourable opinion of the regional office of the RUNTS, and unless otherwise required by law — to other Third Sector bodies designated by the assembly.

Article 32

Arbitration Clause

Any dispute arising from the execution or interpretation of this Statute that can be the subject of arbitration shall be submitted to the judgment of a friendly arbitrator who shall decide according to equity and without procedural formalities, giving rise to informal arbitration. The arbitrator shall be chosen by mutual agreement of the disputing parties; failing agreement, the arbitrator shall be appointed by the President of the Court with jurisdiction over the Association’s registered office.

Article 33

General Reference

For all matters not provided for in this Statute, reference is made to the provisions of Legislative Decree 117/2017, to other applicable laws, and to the general principles of the Italian legal system.