This document has been translated from the original Dutch version. In case of differences in interpretation between the English and Dutch versions, the original Dutch version shall prevail.
version 2025-3-15
Regulations belonging to the Articles of Association of the "Vereniging Open Source Nederland", abbreviated as “VOSN”, since 2024 also known as "Dutch Open Source Business Alliance", abbreviated as "DOSBA". All these names are synonymous and can be used interchangeably.
The latest version of the Articles of Association and the Regulations is published on the DOSBA website.
I. General provisions
These regulations contain additional agreements that do not legally need to be arranged in the Articles of Association. The provisions may not contradict legal regulations or the filed Articles of Association. If this unexpectedly occurs, the relevant provision in this document shall be void.
Proposals for amendments to these Regulations will be submitted by the board to the members for a vote during a General Assembly (ALV). The change will be adopted if a majority of the meeting supports the proposal.
Members may request the board to prepare changes or additions to the Regulations. This request must be submitted at least thirty days before a General Assembly.
Written communication can be via (postal) letter or by email.
II. Board
The board has the freedom to determine its own strategy within the objectives described in the Articles of Association. It must also carry out the assignments imposed by the General Assembly.
The more detailed medium-term objectives, in addition to those in the Articles, are:
Lobbying within the Netherlands to highlight the benefits of OSS.
Lobbying from a Dutch interest at the EU level via APELL.
A point of contact for all OSS-related questions (Dutch phone number for OSS).
Standing united to counter FUD marketing against OSS.
Being a spokesperson for OSS in the Netherlands.
Promoting digital sovereignty.
Suspension
Suspended board members may not participate in board meetings and do not have voting rights during such meetings.
III. Membership
1. Membership types
Legal entities can become members, as defined in the Articles of Association.
Membership fees are derived from a base unit membership rate, which is determined annually during the General Assembly. The applicable fees are published on the association's website.
The tiers are based on the number of staff (x) of the legal entity, with a multiplication factor calculated by the formula log4(x).
Members receive information about the association’s activities.
Members can participate in the various working groups of the association.
Only members have access to the members-only section of the website.
Members can communicate with each other using the communication tools provided by the association. These tools are for members only and are not moderated.
3. Donors
Donors are listed on the website.
4. Suspension
A suspended member may only participate in association activities (including communication tools and website access) with prior approval from the board.
IV. General Assembly (ALV)
Each member-legal entity may delegate one person to attend the ALV and has one vote.
Other attendees do not have voting rights in the ALV.
At least one General Assembly is held annually, preferably in combination with an association activity.
Each member present at the ALV may exercise a maximum of two proxy votes.
V. Promotion
The board may make arrangements with organizations to allow their members to participate in the association's activities at a discounted rate. This promotes association membership and/or encourages knowledge exchange.
The board may agree on special discount arrangements with affiliated non-Dutch organizations to support international knowledge exchange.
VI. Third Parties
The board may only provide financial and organizational support for (parts of) third-party activities that align with the objectives of the association.
Within the budget approved by the ALV, the board is free to financially support third-party activities.
