Marking the
fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of Meguro UNESCO Association, the board
of directors and each committee alike are introducing new schemes. The most
important of them is to obtain an NPO status. The plan, which has been approved
by the board of directors, is being fleshed out and reviewed by the vice
president, Mr. Hirata and other members. The following is a brief description
of its advantages and points at issue.
The Advantages of Reorganizing
into a Specified Non-Profit Organization
This year marks fiftieth anniversary. Taking this occasion, we are
trying to incorporate the organization as a specified nonprofit organization
(NPO). The plan is being reviewed by the board of directors.
Let’s think about why we need a NPO status.
1. A real property can
be registered under the name of NPO. This might be useful for the future
although we do not need any such registration now
2. The bank account, which
is under the name of the president, can be opened under the organization’s
name, which can help clarify the accounting.
3. A contract can also
be made under the organization’s name. A voluntary organization cannot
always close contracts under its name, and an individual contractor might
be held responsible. Although we have not had such a situation before,
we should prepare for unexpected problems.
4. The law-abiding management
of the organization, and information disclosure including the creation
of fiscal statements, and accessible documents, etc. can reinforce the
foundation of the organization and gain confidence in society.
5. To be authorized as
a specified non-profit organization (or authorized NPO) by Director- General
of the National Tax Administration Agency is one of qualifications for
tax favors. We cannot meet all the requirements for the favorable treatment
yet, and this is one of issues to be considered in the future.
In general, these are advantages and pending issues to acquire an
NPO status. Considering the fiftieth anniversary and the increase in the
membership, Meguro UNESCO Association should develop into an organization that
will be operated in a most solid, fair, transparent, and democratic manner. It
is our responsibility to do this now for future generations who will engage in UNESCO
activities. Thanks to the good offices of Meguro City and Meguro Board of
Education, we have an office in the premises of Gohongi Elementary School. We
hope the status of a specified nonprofit organization (NPO) will give us more
public trust.
More careful management will be required such as the improvement in
the accounting system and the preparation of documents required by the law,
which are prerequisites for sound management of a corporation.
I would like to arrange an inaugural meeting to be held during
Annual Meeting scheduled for May. I would appreciate frank opinions from
members.
Yasuo Hirata,
Chairperson, the executive committee of the 50th anniversary
photo: Mr. Hattori (front row center left) and Mr.
Yamashita (center right)
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On February 5th from 6 o'clock in the
office of Meguro UNESCO, in the company of Mr. Eiji Hattori and Mr. Kuniaki
Yamashita , we had discussions regarding UNESCO activities.
As all of you know, Mr.Hattori is an advisor
to our association. He worked in the UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris for over 21 years, and contributed
especially to the Silk Road exploration. He has participated in our Retreats
several times. Mr.Yamashita, while in the youth sport sector of the UNESCO Headquarters, worked as an advisor and
supporter of the activities of youth NGOs in the world .When he was working in
the sector for external relations and cooperation, he
contributed to the coordination with
National Commissions for UNESCO in the member states, non-governmental UNESCO
clubs and associations, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Returning from Paris last
year, he is now a professor at Kyushu University, in
the faculty of languages and cultures. The purpose of returning is to support young people who have the desire to
work on the international stage, he said. In his youth, he chaired Meguro UNESCO’s Youth Activity Committee.
Topics
of discussion varied ? the present situation of the UNESCO Headquarters; plural international federations coordinating
non-governmental UNESCO associations all over the world; and in particular the
World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations, for the restructure
of which Mr. Hattori is responsible. Mr. Yamashita, rejoiced to see the
development of Meguro UNESCO, his “native place”, and hoped that Meguro youth members would play an active role in UNESCO activities.
With Meguro UNESCO
Association’s 50th anniversary near at hand, it was just the time for reviewing
our activities from a new point of view, and the 3 hour discussion was active
and valuable.
Yukio Okusawa, Chairperson, PR committee