No.209-2
We can be rest assured that we will be certified as an incorporated nonprofit organization. Vice President, Mr. Hirata, describes the application process and what he expects of NPO.
I. Application / acceptance process
On June 14, President, Ms Kato, and four members of Meguro UNESCO Association visited Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs to submit the application form, the articles of incorporation, etc. that had been approved in the inaugural meeting. Although we were asked to add a provision of directors’ term-of-office and specify their names in a supplementary provision, the application was accepted without any particular problem. After going through two-month public inspection, a decision will be made on whether the application be approved or dismissed. The process takes three months instead of four months we thought it would take originally. We will know whether the NPO will be certified or not in mid-September. Incidentally, the number of directors and auditors are 37, and 2 respectively.
II. Certification /registration process
The NPO should be registered within two weeks of mid-September, when it is presumably certified. We should start the preparation now. Once the registration is filed to Tokyo Metropolitan Government, that completes the end of a series of procedures, then programs and activities will be performed under the new corporation.
III. The voluntary organization dissolution process
The programs, activities, cash and equipment of Meguro UNESCO Association, a voluntary organization, will be inherited to the new organization after a general assembly for dissolution is held at the time the new corporation is formed.
Toward Further Development
What is the purpose of establishing the incorporated NPO? As the scripture says, “pour new wine into new wineskins”, a firm framework as well as solid substance is required. That is, the biggest aim is to fulfill our social responsibilities in our capacity as a corporation. So far, our organization was just an assembly of individuals and contracts were concluded in the name of the president instead of a corporate name. Once a legal entity, you cannot say, “I will do this later when circumstances allow, because I am doing this out of volunteer spirits.” We are expected to take clear responsibilities as members of the legal entity. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify job description of directors and secretariats to share responsibilities. The following assignments will be required.
* The directors of each activity should be appointed
1. Administrative Department (office procedures for the organization and
incorporated NPO, filing, etc.)
2. Finance Department (budget planning, progress management, accounts adjustment, account standard setting, etc.)
3. Public Relations Department (increasing membership and supporters, soliciting donations from various organizations, etc.)
So far, Meguro UNESCO
Association has been producing results due to spontaneous and active
involvement of members. We should bolster the foundation of the corporation so
that the activities can be more stabilized, ongoing, forward-looking, and firm.
The organization is expected to be democratic, fair, transparent, and clear.
Since we no longer have to be entirely financed by membership fees for
our activities and programs and accept donations from individuals and organizations
that advocate the purpose of the incorporated NPO, we will be able to develop
our activities in a more proactive manner. For this reason, I hope we can
assign talented people to the public relations department. We should make
a strategic move from now on to get a status of an authorized NPO (please
refer to the note below).
I hope that among others, young people will take part in the transition process to draw up visionary projects from now on, since the next fifty years is in the hands of young people.
- Yasuo Hirata, Vice President in charge of NPO
(Note) A corporation whose donors can be tax-exempt.