Chapter I. General Provisions
- The Foundation WESTEM, hereinafter referred to as the Foundation, operates based on the Act of April 6, 1984 on foundations and the provisions of this statute.
- The Foundation was established by Piotr Juśkiewicz, hereinafter referred to as the Founder, by notarial deed prepared by notary Paweł Kuriata at the notary office in Jelcz Laskowice, ul. Bożka 11b, on October 17, 2023.
- The Foundation’s headquarters are in MiÅ‚oszyce.
- The Foundation’s duration is indefinite.
- The Foundation’s area of activity is the entire territory of the Republic of Poland, although to the extent necessary for the proper implementation of its goals, the Foundation may also conduct activities outside the borders of the Republic of Poland.
- The Foundation has legal personality.
- The Foundation is supervised by the minister responsible for digitization.
The Foundation may establish certificates, badges and award them together with other prizes and distinctions to natural and legal persons who have contributed to the foundation and contributed to the implementation of the foundation’s goals.
Chapter II. Goals and Principles of Foundation Activities
The Foundation’s goal is research and educational activity, particularly in the field of research, development and promotion of technology and promoting awareness of life in the digital world.
- The Foundation realizes its goals through:
- Internet and Technology Research: We work for continuous research and analysis of the development of the internet and digital technologies. Our research aims to understand the social, economic and cultural effects resulting from technological development.
- Education and Training: We organize training, workshops and lectures aimed at raising society’s digital competencies. We direct our activities to both children and youth, as well as adults, to support the development of skills necessary in the digital world.
- Promoting Safe Internet Use: We work to promote safe and responsible internet use. We support initiatives aimed at protecting personal data and counteracting cyberbullying and abuse online.
- Social Technology Development: We initiate and support projects aimed at using technology to solve social problems. Our goal is to create innovative solutions that will improve the quality of life of local and global communities.
- Digital World Life Awareness: We organize social campaigns, seminars and conferences aimed at raising society’s awareness about the challenges associated with living in the digital world, such as the impact of social media on mental health or threats related to disinformation.
- Cooperation and Partnerships: We establish cooperation with other organizations, scientific institutions, companies and public institutions to jointly develop projects related to technology and digital awareness.
- Scholarships for Gifted Youth from the Poorest Families: We work to fund scholarships for gifted children and youth from the poorest families. Our goal is to support the development of these young people’s potential, enabling them access to education and training in technology and digital awareness.
Chapter III. Foundation Assets and Income
The Foundation’s assets consist of the founding fund in the amount of 2,000 PLN (two thousand zloty) and other property acquired by the Foundation during its activities.
- The Foundation’s income comes from: donations, inheritances, bequests, grants and subsidies from legal entities, public collections, foundation assets, interest and bank deposits.
- All income obtained by the Foundation is allocated exclusively to statutory activities.
Chapter IV. Foundation Authorities
The Foundation’s authorities are:
- Foundation Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board.
- Foundation Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council.
Foundation Council
- The Council is the Foundation’s supervisory and advisory body.
- The Council consists of 3 to 6 members and is elected for a five-year term. The Council elects a Council Chairman from among its members, who directs its work.
- The first Council composition members are appointed by the Founder. Subsequent Council members to replace persons who have ceased to perform this function or to expand the Council composition are appointed by the Council’s decision.
- In particularly justified cases, dismissal of a Council member and thereby depriving them of Council membership may occur as a result of a resolution adopted unanimously by the remaining Council members.
- Council membership expires as a result of:
- voluntary resignation reported in writing to the Council Chairman,
- loss of civil rights as a result of conviction by a final court judgment for a crime committed intentionally,
- dismissal referred to in point 4 of this paragraph,
- death of a member.
The Foundation Council’s tasks include:
- setting the main directions of Foundation activities,
- supervision and control over Foundation activities, particularly control of the Foundation’s financial status,
- approving the Board’s annual reports on activities and granting the Board discharge,
- appointing and dismissing Board members, including the Board President,
- making decisions about Foundation statute changes,
- making decisions about merging with another foundation or Foundation liquidation,
- making decisions in all other matters not reserved to other bodies’ competence.
- The Council meets at least once a year.
- The Council is convened by the Council Chairman on their own initiative or at the Board’s request, submitted in writing.
- The Council makes decisions in the form of resolutions – by simple majority vote, with at least half of its members present, unless further provisions state otherwise. In case of equal votes, the Chairman’s vote decides.
- A Council meeting may be convened in extraordinary mode to consider a matter of special nature, on the Board’s initiative or at the written request of the Council Chairman or at least two of its members.
- An extraordinary Council meeting should be convened no later than 14 days from the date of request submission.
- Each ordinary Council member has one vote.
- Council meetings are conducted by the Chairman or a Council member designated by them.
Foundation Board
- The Board consists of 3 to 5 persons, including the President, appointed by the Council for a five-year term.
- The Board member function can be performed for more than one term.
- The first Board composition is appointed by the Founder. The next composition is elected by the Council.
- Board membership ceases as a result of:
- submitting written resignation to the Foundation Council,
- loss of civil rights as a result of conviction by a final court judgment for a crime committed intentionally,
- death of a Board member,
- dismissal by the Foundation Council.
- The Board in its entirety or each of its members may be dismissed by the Council before the end of the term, by resolution adopted unanimously by the majority of Council members.
- The Board directs the Foundation’s activities and represents it externally.
- The Board’s competencies include: directing the Foundation’s current activities, implementing statutory goals, preparing work plans and budget, managing the Foundation’s assets, representing the Foundation externally, employing workers and determining their remuneration, submitting a proposal to the Council for statute changes, requesting the Council for Foundation merger or liquidation.
- The Board is obligated to submit an annual report on the Foundation’s activities to the Council each year.
- Board meetings are held as needed, but not less than once per quarter.
- Board meetings are convened by the President, sending information about the date by electronic mail, and in case of such impossibility by registered letter, at least 3 days before the planned meeting.
- All Board members must be informed about the meeting.
- The Board makes decisions through resolutions by simple majority vote with at least half of its members present, unless further provisions state otherwise. In case of equal vote distribution, the President’s vote decides.
Method of Representation and Incurring Financial Obligations
The Board President acting independently or two Board members acting jointly are authorized to make declarations of will on behalf of the Foundation, including in financial matters.
Chapter V. Final Provisions
Changes to the Foundation’s statute are made by the Council by absolute majority vote, with at least half of the members entitled to vote present. The change may concern goals specified in the founding act.
- The Foundation may merge with another foundation for effective implementation of its goals.
- Merger with another foundation cannot occur if it could result in a significant change to the Foundation’s goal.
- In matters of merger with another foundation, the decision is made by the Council by absolute majority vote, with at least half of the members entitled to vote present.
- The Foundation is liquidated in case of achieving the goals for which it was established or in case of exhaustion of its financial resources and assets.
- The Board notifies the minister responsible for digitization about the Foundation’s liquidation.
- In matters of merger with another foundation, the decision is made by the Council by absolute majority vote, with at least half of the members entitled to vote present.
- Financial resources and assets remaining after the Foundation’s liquidation may be allocated by Council resolution to organizations operating in Poland with similar goals.