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THE STATUTE OF THE LITHUANIAN ROYAL UNION OF NOBILITY

I. General Articles

1.1. Lithuanian nobility, which ruled and defended the Lithuanian State, has formed over 600 years ago .The Lithuanian Royal Union of Nobility (LRUN), associating descendants of Lithuanian nobility who have proven the continuance of their ancestor’s families nobility, is the rightful absorber of the inheritance of Lithuania’s nobility.

1.2. The former Lithuanian Nobility Society was active from 1928 till 1940. Its activity ended when the Soviet Russia occupied and annexed Lithuania. LRUN was re-established in 1994 on the basis of the statue of the Lithuanian Nobility Society and is fully authorized continuator of the Society’s traditions.

1.3. LRUN functions according to the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the Civil code, the Law of Associations, other legal acts and this Statute.

1.4. LRUN having its own denomination is a legal public person of limited civil liability whose object is to coordinate the activity of LRUN members, represent and defend their interests and satisfy other matters. The legal form of LRUN is an Association.

1.5. LRUN has its own coat of arms, own flag, a seal and other symbols. LRUN headquarters are in Traku Voke, Zalioji aikste 2a, Vilnius, LT-02021. LRUN flag at the headquarters is always hoisted on the 6th of July – the State Day commemorating the coronation of Lithuania’s king Mindaugas.

II. LRUN Goals, Spheres and Types of Activity

2.1. LRUN goals are: - to foster respect and love for the State of Lithuania, its nation, history, language, culture and the family, - to promote Lithuania’s spiritual revival, the Christian values, - to popularize the historical heritage and traditions of the nobility of the Kingdom of Lithuania and of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, - to impel the principles
of justice, honor, dignity, nobleness and responsibility in Lithuania.

2.2. LRUN spheres of activity include: - research of the past, genealogy, heraldry, cultural inheritance of nobility and the estates, - arrangement of cultural events, promotion of LRUN and popularization of its activity, development of relations with nobility associations of foreign countries, publishing activity, and for the future of nobility - engagement of young people.

2.3. LRUN types of activity are: legitimacy, education, ceremonies for presentation of nobility confirming certificates, creation of emblems, organization of concerts, exhibitions, conferences, thematic tours, excursions, charity and other events, publishing of books and of LRUN magazine “Lietuvos Bajoras”, accumulation and maintenance of LRUN archives, organizing of LRUN homepage, acquisition of LRUN quarters, inventory and their utilization, economic and commercial activity necessary for the achievement of LRUN goals, if it is not contradictory to the laws and this Statute.

III. Members

3.1. To become the members of LRUN may the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania or of any other country, being of age (18) and descendants of the nobility of the Kingdom of Lithuania and of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, not bound to ones country of residence, and after their noble descent has been verified according to the set regulations by the Council of Legitimacies, confirmed by the Senate and attested by their nobility oath.

3.2. LRUN members have the right to participate in LRUN activity, to vote, be elected to LRUN structures, use services provided by LRUN, be acquainted with LRUN documents, receive information about the LRUN activity and secede from LRUN.

3.3. LRUN members are obligated to comply with the Statute and to the given oath. LRUN members may be suspended from the Union if their activity is contradictory to the Statute and the given oath.

3.4. LRUN members are obligated to pay member’s fee, its amount and order of payment is set by the Senate. If LRUN member is behind with the payment of fee for 2 years in a row the membership is suspended.

3.5. By the decision of Seimas, following the directions for granting Honorary Name of Nobility, LRUN members for special merits may be bestowed with the LRUN Honorary Name of Nobility.

3.6. Citizens of Lithuania or of other foreign states may be acknowledged as the Honorary Member of LRUN for their praiseworthy deeds on behalf of Lithuania, Lithuania’s nobility or LRUN. They must be approved by the Senate, according to the directions for granting the Honorary Membership, however they may not vote or be elected to LRUN structures.

3.7. Members of LRUN are obligated to follow the motto “Truth – Honor – Dignity” (Veritas – Honorre – Respectum).

IV. LRUN Governing

4.1. LRUN governing structures are: the Seimas, the Senate and the Leader.

V. Seimas (The Assembly)

5.1. The highest LRUN structure of control, having all the rights of general assembly of members, is the Seimas which must be called by decision of the Senate not more than every 2 years.

5.2. Special session of Seimas may be called to meet by demand of 2\3 of Senate members or 1\3 of LRUN members.

5.3. Seimas is considered legal when not less than 2\3 of the delegated representatives are present. The number of delegates and the standards of representation are set by the Senate. The delegates are elected in the LRUN districts according to the set standards of representation by the Senate.

5.4. The decisions of Seimas are approved by ordinary majority of votes.

5.5. The alterations or changes to the Statute is decided by 2\3 of Senates votes.

5.6. The Leader, the Senate, the Council of Legitimacies, the Commission of Revision and the Court of Honor for their activity are directly accountable to Seimas.

5.7. Seimas:

5.7.1. confirms the text of the nobility oath,

5.7.2. confirms the accounts of LRUN activity,

5.7.3. confirms the suspension of members from LRUN,

5.7.4. sets the number of members of the Senate,

5.7.5. elects members of the Senate according to the Senate approved standard of representation for the districts,

5.7.6. elects the Leader of LRUN.

VI. Senate

6.1. The collegial governing structure functioning between the sessions of Seimas is the Senate elected in Seimas for a term of four years.

6.2. The decisions of the Senate are made by the majority of votes of not less than 2\3 of the attending members of the Senate. They are obligatory to all LRUN districts which are established by the decision of the Senate. The work of the Senate is arranged by the Marshal of the Senate.

6.3. Senate elects:

6.3.1. the Marshal of the Senate by the secret ballot,

6.3.2. the Chancellor (by the Leader’s rendering) who administers the work of the chancellery and the economic – financial activity,

6.3.3. the Leader’s deputies (by the Leader’s rendering),

6.3.4. the Chief Flagman (by the Leader’s rendering) who is in charge of LRUN emblems, their application, for the invitations of members and assurance of their attendance,

6.3.5. the Treasurer and the Chief Filling Clerk (by the Chancellor’s rendering),

6.3.6. the Chief Archivist (by the rendering of the Council of Legitimacies).

6.4. Senate confirms:

6.4.1. the recommendations submitted by the Council of Legitimacies for acknowledgement of nobility to persons whose documents were verified according to the set rules,

6.4.2. the work regulations of LRUN structures,

6.4.3. the annual LRUN financial – economic accounts.

6.5. The sessions of the Senate are arranged by the Marshal of the Senate at least once in each quarter of the year.

6.6. The Senate deliberates the recommendations for the dismissal of members from LRUN.

6.7. By decree of the Senate LRUN may establish other legal public persons, join international associations of nobility if their activity is not contradictory to the goals of LRUN.

VII. Leader

7.1. The Leader of LRUN is the sole governing authority. He commands the LRUN, represents LRUN in state, public and in other organizations or institutions, drafts agreements.

7.2. The LRUN Leader is elected by Seimas for a term of 4 years. The same LRUN member cannot be elected as a Leader for more than 2 consecutive terms.

VIII. Council of Legitimacies

8.1. The Council of Legitimacies presents recommendations to Seimas for the acknowledgement of nobility.

8.2. The members of the Council of Legitimacies are elected for 4 years or dismissed in the districts. The number of members and the members of the Council of Legitimacies are approved by the LRUN Seimas.

8.3. The activity of the Council of Legitimacies is directed by the Chairman of the Council who is elected by the members of the Council of Legitimacies from its own members.

IX. Commission of Revision

9.1. The Commission of Revision is an instrument for the execution of control of the funds and financial activity.

9.2. The LRUN Seimas sets the number, elects or dismisses the members of the Commission of Revision.

9.3. The Commission of Revision is accountable to the LRUN Seimas.

9.4. The activity of the Commission of Revision is directed by the Chairman of the Commission who is elected by the members of the Commission of Revenue from its own members.

X. Court of Honor

10.1. The LRUN Seimas sets the number, elects or dismisses the members of the Court of Honor.

10.2. The Court of Honor evaluates if the members of LRUN comply with the rules of LRUN Statute and keep the oath.

10.3. In the districts the Court of Honor is represented by the Commission of Ethics which is elected in their Seimelis (local Seimas).

10.4. The Court of Honor is directed by the Chairman who is elected by the members of the Court of Honor from its own members.

XI. LRUN Districts, Branches

11.1. LRUN may establish its districts or branches according to the set order of laws of the Republic of Lithuania.

11.2. The decisions to establish or to discontinue the activity of LRUN districts or branches are made by the Senate. LRUN district may be established when there are at least 25 members.

11.3. LRUN district or a branch is functioning according to the Senate approved regulations for districts or branches.

11.4. LRUN members belong to districts or branches and participate in the activity according their place of residence ,unless requested otherwise.

XII. Order of Control of Activity and of Utilization of LRUN Wealth and Means

12.1. LRUN wealth and means consist of member’s fees, means of supporters, donations of patrons, means from other sources, legally acquired property and income from the activity foreseen in the LRUN Statute.

12.2. The transmitted State property LRUN manages, uses and utilizes according to the order and terms set by the acts of law.

12.3. The control of LRUN activity and the confirmation of LRUN activity accounts is
executed by Seimas. The control of activity between the sessions of Seimas is carried out by the Senate.

12.4. The control of utilization of LRUN wealth and means is executed by the Commission of Revision.

XIII. LRUN Liquidation and Reorganization

13.1. LRUN ceases its activity by the decree of Seimas which is adopted by 4/5 of majority votes. All the questions concerning the liquidation of LRUN wealth are decided by a liquidator appointed by Seimas.

XIV. Order of Changes of the LRUN Statute

14.1 The LRUN Statute may be changed by the decision of Seimas.

XV. Order for Rendering of Information

15.1. The order for rendering of documents and other information to the LRUN members is set by the Senate.

15.2. LRUN documents, announcements and other information which is necessary to acquaint the members or other interested persons, is rendered at internet address www.bajorusajunga.lt

15.3. The public notices foreseen in the rules of LRUN structures are announced in the daily “Lietuvos Zinios”.

15.4. The LRUN Leader is accountable for the publication of information.

Empowered by the special session of Seimas
the Statute was signed on May 25, 2005 in Kaunas
by the LRUN Leader Kestutis Kazimieras Ignatavicius

Revised on August 1, 2008

Translated by Snieguole Jurskyte