Association of the Order of Leopold - Statuts of the Association

These statutes have been published in the appendixes (schedules) of the Belgian law gazette (Moniteur Belge/Belgisch Staatsblad) of 9 June 1934, changed in the appendixes (schedules) of 5 September 1968,
2 September 1982 and 26 March 1998

Article 1 – The Association of the Order of Leopold is a non-profit association created for an unlimited period. It’s registered office is situated in the area of Brussels-capital. It displays an eternal devotion to Belgium and the monarchy.

Article 2 – Detached from any political and philosophical concerns, the targets and aims of the Association are the following:

to keep inviolate the prestige linked to the highest distinction of the country;
to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the members;
to organise assistance and solidarity actions, according to the board of directors’ decisions, in favour of:
1. Principaly members of the Association and their closest relatives;
2. Eventually persons decorated with the Order of Leopold, who are not a member of the Association, and their closest relatives;
3. Exceptionally, other persons, at the proposal of members of the Association

Article 3 – The number of members is not determined but must not be inferior to five.

honorary members;
patrons;
ordinary (effective) members;
adherent members;
foreign members;
affiliated members.

The title of honorary president or honorary member can be granted by the board of directors to persons, who do or have done meritorious acts that have been reported to the Association.

This title entitles the persons, who obtained it, to be part of the general assembly without any obligation to pay a membership fee.
In order to become a patron or an ordinary (effective) member, one should prove his/her quality as a Belgian member of the Order of Leopold.

In order to become an adherent member, one should prove his/her quality as a un-remarried widower or widow or as an orphan under twenty-five of a deceased member of the Order and be accepted by the board of directors.

In order to become a foreign member, one should prove his/her quality as a member of the Order as a foreigner and possess the nationality of a country, which maintains regular diplomatic relations with Belgium.

Affiliated members are those associations that have been accepted by the board of directors. The approving vote by two third of the members of the Board is required.

1° By resignation handed in to the board of directors. Is considered as resigning, any member who does not pay his/her membership fee and the same applies to those who have been excluded or suspended from membership by the Order.

2° By exclusion because of serious motives pronounced by the general assembly, at the proposal of the chairman of the secretariat of the board of directors, after the member concerned has been previously invited by above mentioned secretariat to give his/her explications.