In an association, you get the chance to pursue your interest together with like-minded people, by attending talks, viewings, gatherings and much more. The Norwegian association landscape is large and diverse, and there are countless associations that either promote an interest or create a community for people who share an interest in a topic.
Lars Tungen has helped start several associations and is himself a member of a number of different associations in the fields of history and business development. Today, he is most active in Kvam Historiske Forening, where he is also deputy chair. We talked to Tungen and got a brief introduction to how best to go about it if you want to start a new association.
Anyone can start an association
Lars Tungen, deputy chair of Kvam Historiske Forening
In principle, there are no restrictions on who can start an association. According to Tungen, anyone who wants to can, and should, start an association.
“The best thing about associations is the sense of community and the social environment. If you have something you're passionate about, you will probably find that your interest grows stronger when it is shared with others,” says Tungen.
Both being a member of and starting an association is nothing but positive for anyone who wants to pursue their interest further. It also makes sense from a purely financial point of view. Even though we can all agree that the best things in life are free, money is still needed now and then. For an association, it will be necessary, among other things, to have finances that make it possible to fund special talks, viewings and organised trips. Having good financial routines generally gives the association many more opportunities.
How do I go about it?
Before you start an association, it pays to have gathered a small group, or at least a handful of people, who would be willing to sit on the board. Once you have gathered them, you can call a founding meeting. The more people who turn up, the better. It is also wise to have an idea of what kind of board you want, otherwise it can be hard to get people to stand. Very few people want to take on a role on the spur of the moment.
At the founding meeting, you agree on the association's name, which municipality it is to be registered in, what the purpose of the association is and who can be a member (individuals, organisations or businesses, or a combination of these). This is known as the constitution and is set down in a document called “the association's constitution”. Once this is in place, it is sent together with information about the composition of the board to Brønnøysundregisteret to have the association registered.
Market day with Kvam Historiske Forening
Finish the job
Once the association is registered in Brønnøysundregisteret, you have come a long way. But there are still a few points left before the association is complete. Seasoned association member Lars Tungen gives us a brief summary of the remaining steps:
1. Open a bank account
Once the association is registered in Brønnøysundregisteret, you are assigned an organisation number and can open a bank account for the association.
2. Member administration
As soon as the formalities are in place, it's time to choose a membership system. The membership system must work for recruiting and signing up members, be compatible with the web and social media, and have a system for paying membership fees.
3. Communication with members
When everything else is in place, you are ready to start communicating with your members. Make sure you develop strategies and means of communicating with members, so that it is easy for you and others in the administration to follow up.
4. Events
Much of an association's core activity revolves around organising events, viewings, talks and other things of interest to members. This also brings a need for volunteer work (dugnad), allocating shifts and other tasks.
5. Annual general meeting
Every association is required to hold an annual general meeting. Here, the membership figures and the financial situation are reviewed. Resolutions and proposals are also voted on, and everyone who has paid their membership fee has the right to vote at these meetings.
Read more about how to go about starting an association on the Brønnøysundregisteret website.
Why start an association?
Do you have an idea or a wish to start an association? There are many good reasons to turn that idea into reality. The main advantage of being organised as an association is that you get an organisation number and the opportunity to have organised finances. When you have a bank account linked to the association rather than to you as a private individual, you get a much tidier solution for tax purposes.
More and more are choosing Rubic
Kvam Historiske Forening uses Rubic to manage its members, collect payments and communicate information about events and talks. And they are not alone. More and more associations are choosing Rubic as their membership system. Perhaps Rubic is the solution for your association too? Try the system free for 30 days with no obligation, and see how simple member management can be.