Statutes

THIS IS A NON-SWORN TRANSLATION OF THE DUTCH ORIGINAL VERSION

In this translation an attempt has been made to be as literal as possible without jeopardizing the overall continuity. Inevitably differences may occur in translation, and if so the Dutch text will by law govern.

RXB/IVL/2022.000896

AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

This day, the nineteenth day of April two thousand and twenty-three, there appeared before me, Mr Ors Roelf Xander Jan Blokzijl, civil-law notary in Rotterdam:

Ms. Marjan Peperkamp-Kalden, born in Rotterdam on the second day of June one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five, employed at my office at Parklaan 17.

The person appearing stated:

./. that the board of the foundation: Stichting Societas Ophthalmologica Europaea, having its registered office in Rotterdam and its principal place of business at 3062 BL Rotterdam, Mecklenburgplein 5, registered with the commercial register under file number 24328319, resolved on the twenty-seventh day of March two thousand and twenty-three in writing to amend the articles of association, of which resolution a copy is attached to this deed;

that pursuant to this resolution, the person appearing was granted a power of attorney to have the deed of amendment of the articles of association executed;

that the foundation’s articles of association were most recently adopted by deed of amendment to the articles of association executed on the fourth day of January two thousand and thirteen before me, civil-law notary;

that in execution of the aforesaid resolution, the articles of association shall be amended as follows:

Article 5 paragraph 5 will be replaced by the following paragraph:

“5. The membership of the General Board ends:

a. when a member of the General Board is not re-nominated by his/her Affiliated organisation (“Member Society”), unless he/she is appointed President, Secretary General or Treasurer or member of the Executive Committee;

b. at the end of a twelve year office term as referred to in paragraph 2 of this article;

c. by death;

d. by voluntary resignation;

e. by dismissal by the court; and

f. when the officer concerned has reached the age of seventy;

g. when a member has not attended the meetings of the General Board for two consecutive years, unless there is the question of force majeure in the opinion of the Executive Committee. The latter gives the member who resigns on the grounds of this paragraph a written notification of the end of his membership;

h. as a result of the irrevocable bankruptcy of a member or as a result of the loss of one’s right to dispose over one’s assets;

i. when a member of the General Board is no longer in active clinical practice unless the General Board determines that it would be in the best interests of the foundation for that person to continue to hold office for the remainder of their term.”.

Paragraphs 9 and 10 are added to article 5, reading as follows:

“9. If one or more members of the General Board are missing from the General Board due to incapacity, absence or for another reason, then the remaining board members, or the sole remaining board member nevertheless forms a legally valid General Board.

10. In the event that all members of the General Board are unable or unable to act, the general management of the foundation will temporarily rest with one or more persons designated for this purpose by the court at the request of an interested party. The person or persons temporarily designated pursuant to the previous sentence shall appoint or appoint (a) new director(s) within a period of two months or a longer period as determined by the court, with due observance of these articles of association.”.

Article 6 will be replaced by the following article:

“Article 6

1. The General Board shall meet annually (the “Annual Meeting”).

2. A member of the General Board does not participate in the decision-making if he has a direct or indirect personal interest that conflicts with the interests of the foundation and organization. If, as a result, no decision can be taken, the decision will be taken by the General Board with a written record of the considerations on which the decision is based.

3. The General Board shall be charged with the general management of the Foundation and the control and disposition of the Foundation’s property. In the performance of its duties, the General Board considers the interests of the foundation and its affiliated enterprise or organization.

4. The General Board shall be authorised to adopt resolutions to enter into agreements to purchase, dispose of or encumber real estate or other registered goods or to enter into agreements by which the Foundation commits itself as guarantor or joint and several debtor, warrants performance by a third party or undertakes to provide security for a debt of a third party.

5. The General Board shall be authorised to determine By-laws in respect of any subject concerning the Foundation.

Provisions of such By-law conflicting with these Articles of Association or with the Netherlands’ Civil Code shall be null and void.

6. The General Board may, by means of the By-laws or otherwise, prescribe further regulations with regard to the functioning of the Foundation and its bodies, may form a committee and charge individual Board members with specific management duties.”.

Article 7 will be replaced by the following article:

“EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Article 7.

1. The General Board shall appoint from among its own members a President and an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will consist of at least four (4) members and maximum nine (9) members. The Executive Committee consists at least in a President, a Secretary General, a Treasurer, and either a President Elect or an Immediate Past President, or both.

2. The President will serve a four (4) year period and can not be re-elected in the same function.

The Immediate Past President shall serve for one (1) year following the end of term of office as President.

The President Elect shall be appointed by simple majority of the votes cast of the General Board members for a period of one (1) year and shall assume the office of President upon expiration of the term of office as President Elect. The appointment of President Elect shall start one (1) year prior to the expiration of the then current President’s term of office.

All other Executive Committee officers are appointed for a period of three (3) years and may be re-elected two times for a maximum of nine (9) years.

3. The General Board shall be authorised to determine the number of members of the Executive Committee and their nomination, by virtue of a resolution adopted with a majority of votes cast.

4. The Executive Committee appoints among its own members a Secretary General and a Treasurer.

5. It is not required for the members of the Executive Committee to complete three (3) full years within the same post. In the event of a vacancy, a member of the Executive Committee can be elected to that post without completing the three (3) years term in the post for which he/she was originally elected.

6. In the event that the terms are not consecutively served, the maximum term will still apply.

7. The President convokes the General Board and the Executive Committee at least once a year, and whenever the interest of the Foundation requires it. He chairs those sessions and is president of the Annual Meeting.

8. The Executive Committee shall be charged with the day-to-day operational management of the Foundation. In the performance of its duties, the Executive Committee considers the interests of the foundation and its affiliated enterprise or organization.

9. The Executive Committee is entitled to delegate and direct its activities to staff, professional services providers or to one or more committees.

10. The Executive Committee shall allow to conduct of business and voting on decisions by the members of the Executive Committee by electronic or telephonic means so long as all members of the Executive Committee have the ability to participate.

11. A member of the Executive Committee does not participate in the decision-making if he has a direct or indirect personal interest that conflicts with the interests of the foundation and organization. If, as a result, no decision can be taken, the decision will be taken by General Board.

12. The Executive Committee shall maintain a list containing the names and addresses of the members which are admitted to the Foundation.

13. The membership of a member of the Executive Committee ends when he or she is no longer in active clinical practise, unless the General Board determines that it would be in the best interest of the foundation for that person to continue to hold office for the remainder of their term.

14. If one or more members of the Executive Committee are missing from the Executive Committee due to incapacity, absence or for another reason, then the remaining board members, or the sole remaining board member nevertheless forms a legally valid Executive Committee.

15. In the event that all members of the General Board are unable or unable to act, the Executive Committee should proceed to appoint new (temporary) members of the Executive Committee as soon as possible.”.

FINAL PROVISIONS

Finally, the person appearing declared on behalf of the foundation:

that the foundation received the present deed in time, is familiar with the contents thereof, is informed on the consequences of the contents of this deed and fully agrees with the contents of this deed;

that the foundation assigned me, the civil-law notary, to draft and execute the present deed and to do all that is necessary in this context;

that the foundation took note of the general terms and conditions of Schaap Advocaten Notarissen in time, which apply to all the assignments granted to (any civil-law notary of) Schaap Advocaten Notarissen, including the assignment to draft and execute this deed, and agrees therewith.

The person appearing is known to me, civil-law notary.

WHEREOF THE PRESENT DEED, executed in one original in Rotterdam on the date first hereinbefore written. After the substance of the deed and an explanation thereon had been communicated to the person appearing, she stated that she had taken cognisance of its contents and to agree therewith. Immediately following its limited reading, the deed was signed by the person appearing and by me, civil-law notary.

THIS IS A NON-SWORN TRANSLATION OF THE DUTCH ORIGINAL VERSION

CONTINUING TEXT

RXB/IVL/2022.000986

of the present articles of association of the foundation: Stichting Societas Ophthalmologica Europ.Ea, with its seat in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, of which foundation the articles of assocation were most recently amended by deed of amendment of the articles of association, on the nineteenth day of April two thousand and twenty-three executed before Mr Ors R.X.J. Blokzijl, civil-law notary in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

NAME, OFFICES, LIABILITY AND DURATION

Article 1.

1. The name of the foundation is: Stichting Societas Ophthalmologica Europ.ea.

2. The Foundation has its registered office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

3. The Foundation is a legal entity in accordance with and governed by the laws of The Netherlands.

4. The Foundation may have its head office, General Secretariat, other offices and branch offices anywhere in Europe.

5. The liability of the Foundation is limited to its assets. After the initial registration of the Foundation in the Commercial Register and the deposit of the deed of incorporation in accordance with the laws of The Netherlands, a member of the General Board, of the Executive Committee or any other officer of the Foundation shall not be personally liable for any legal act by which he binds the Foundation, unless otherwise provided by the law.

6. The Foundation has been formed for an indefinite period of time.

OBJECTS

Article 2.

1. The object of the Foundation is to promote ophthalmology in Europe and to stimulate co operation between European ophthalmologists and between their National Organisations, as well as to execute all that which is directly or indirectly connected with or may attribute to the aforementioned, in the widest sense.

2. The object of the Foundation does not include making profit to be distributed to any founder or to its officers, nor to other parties, unless the distribution to the latter has an idealistic or social purpose.

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Article 3.

1. The affiliated institutions of the Foundation are affiliated organisations. The affiliated organisations are divided in Affiliated organisations (“Member Societies”) and Associated affiliated organisations (“Associated member Societies”).

a. Affiliated organisations (“Member Societies”) are the National Scientific Organisations of Ophthalmologists of the Sovereign Nations in Europe which have been admitted as affiliated organisation.

b. Associated affiliated organisations (“Associated member Societies”) are:

Pan-European organisations of Ophthalmologists (Pan-European Organisations)

(European Associations, Non-Profit Organizations, Special Interests Groups or other similar organisations), which have been admitted as affiliated organisation; and

National organisations of Ophthalmologists outside of Europe (“National Societies Outside-the-European-Boundaries (DEB Societies)”) (International Associations, Non-Profit Organizations, Special Interests Groups or other similar organisations located or primarily active outside of Europe), which have been admitted as affiliated organisation.

2. Only one (1) organisation per Nation as referred to in paragraph 1 under a of this Article may be admitted as Affiliated organisation (“Member Society11).

3. If two (2) or more countries are joined, the General Board shall decide within one (1) year after the first meeting after the joining which of the Affiliated Organisations concerned shall act as an Affiliated organisation (“Member Society”). As long as this decision has not been taken, the representatives of the Affiliated organisations (“Member Societies”) concerned may jointly only cast one vote.

4. Affiliated organisations (“Member Societies11} have the right to vote. Associated affiliated organisations (“Associated member Societies11} do not have the right to vote. Every Affiliated organisation (“Member Society11} has one (1) vote for association business conducted at formal business meetings of the Foundation.

5. Every Affiliated organisation (“Member Society11} may appoint one representative to take place as a member of the General Board. Every Associated affiliated organisation (“Associated member Society”) may nominate one representative to take serve the General Board in an advisory capacity.

Article 4.

1. An affiliated organisation will be admitted as such by the General Board of the Foundation by a majority of two thirds of the votes cast.

From the date of its admission (or the date mentioned in the Resolution admitting it) the affiliated organisation has all rights and obligations pursuant to these Articles of Association up to the date it forfeits its capacity of affiliated organisation.

2. The General Board may, by means of the By-Laws as referred to in Article 6 paragraph 4 of these articles, set further terms and conditions to (affiliated) organisations in order to qualify as affiliated organisation. However, (affiliated) organisations may not derive any rights from the fulfilment of the said terms and conditions.

3. An affiliated organisation shall forfeit its capacity as such with immediate effect:

a. by dissolution of the Foundation or by dissolution of the affiliated organisation;

b. by virtue of a resolution of the General Board with a majority of at least two thirds of the votes cast; such resolution may only be taken if an affiliated organisation:

no longer meets with the requirements laid down in the provisions of Article 3, paragraph 3; or

acts in breach of the Articles of Association, the By-laws, or the resolution of the Foundation, if it fails to meet its financial obligations towards the Foundation or prejudices the Foundation in an unreasonable manner; or

as a result of the irrevocable bankruptcy of a affiliated organisation, or as a result

of the lost of one’s right to dispose over one’s assets.

4. An affiliated organisation shall also forfeit its capacity by virtue of a resolution of the General Board with a majority of at least two thirds (2/3)of the votes cast, provided that at least three months prior this resolution the General Board has to inform the affiliated organisation by written notice of her intention to terminate the capacity of being an affiliated organisation as referred to in Article 3 paragraph 1.

In all cases of termination by the Foundation the termination shall become effective at the end of the then current financial year.

5. An affiliated organisation shall furthermore forfeit its capacity as such by notice of termination by the Foundation given in writing only at the end of a financial year and with three months’ notice.

GENERAL BOARD

Article 5.

1. The General Board consists of as many members as there are Affiliated organisations (“Member Societies”) as referred to in Article 3 paragraph 1 under a.

2. The term of office for each representative of a Affiliated organisation (“Member Society”) as a member of the General Board is four (4) years whereby re-nomination by the Affiliated organisation (“Member Society”) is possible for a further two (2) terms of four (4) years each, therefore for a maximum term of twelve (12) years. The limitation of twelve (12) years shall not apply in the event that a person becomes the President Elect. However, if the President Elect serves as President and Immediate Past President, he or she will have to step down on the conclusion of the term of the Immediate Past Present.

3. The term of office shall begin al the conclusion of business on the last day of the Annual meeting of the General Board.

4. In the event that the terms are not consecutively served, the maximum term as a member of the General Board will still apply.

5. The membership of the General Board ends:

b. at the end of a twelve year office term as referred to in paragraph 2 of this article;

c. by death;

d. by voluntary resignation;

e. by dismissal by the court; and

f. when the officer concerned has reached the age of seventy;

h. as a result of the irrevocable bankruptcy of a member or as a result of the loss of one’s right to dispose over one’s assets;

i. when a member of the General Board is no longer in active clinical practice unless the General Board determines that it would be in the best interests of the foundation for

that person to continue to hold office for the remainder of their term.

6. In the event of a vacancy, the Executive Committee shall invite the Affiliated organisation (“Member Society”) to nominate a new representative as referred to in article 3 paragraph 3.

7. During a vacancy, the General Board remains nevertheless authorised to pass resolutions and to execute all legal acts and acts of management.

8. Members of the General Board who satisfy conditions set forward in the By-Laws as referred to in Article 6 paragraph 4 of these articles, may be asked by the Executive Committee to become honorary individual members of the General Board. This resolution can only be taken by the General Board with majority votes. They are entitled to attend the meetings of the General Board, they have the right to speak and to give advice; however, they do not have a voting right.

9. If one or more members of the General Board are missing from the General Board due to incapacity, absence or for another reason, then the remaining board members, or the sole remaining board member nevertheless forms a legally valid General Board.

Article 6.

1. The General Board shall meet annually (the “Annual Meeting”).

5. The General Board shall be authorised to determine By-laws in respect of any subject concerning the Foundation.

Provisions of such By-law conflicting with these Articles of Association or with the Netherlands’ Civil Code shall be null and void.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Article 7.

2. The President will serve a four (4) year period and can not be re-elected in the same function.

The Immediate Past President shall serve for one (1) year following the end of term of office as President.

All other Executive Committee officers are appointed for a period of three (3) years and may be re-elected two times for a maximum of nine (9) years.

3. The General Board shall be authorised to determine the number of members of the Executive Committee and their nomination, by virtue of a resolution adopted with a majority of votes cast.

4. The Executive Committee appoints among its own members a Secretary General and a Treasurer.

6. In the event that the terms are not consecutively served, the maximum term will still apply.

9. The Executive Committee is entitled to delegate and direct its activities to staff, professional services providers or to one or more committees.

12. The Executive Committee shall maintain a list containing the names and addresses of the

members which are admitted to the Foundation.

VOTING RIGHTS

Article 8.

1. Unless otherwise stated in the By-laws, each representative of a Affiliated organisation (“Member Society”) in the General Board shall have at one vote within the General Board.

2. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote within the Executive Committee.

3. The decision-making process and guidelines shall be further determined in the By-laws.

4. Postal ballots or the use of electronic voting shall be allowed and considered valid so long as every voting member has the opportunity to vote and the integrity and validity of the voting process can be assured.

REPRESENTATION

Article 9.

1. The Foundation will be represented by the President and the Secretary General acting jointly, or by the entire Executive Committee.

2. The Executive Committee may confer power of attorney to officers and other persons by virtue of a special decision within the limits and under the conditions as it may deem fit.

FINANCIAL YEAR, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Article 10.

1. The financial year shall coincide with the calendar year.

2. The Executive Committee shall keep records of the equity position of the Foundation in such a manner that its rights and obligations can be derived from these records at all times.

3. The Executive Committee shall at the end of the financial year prepare an annual financial report to be presented to the General Board for approval at its next Annual Meeting, which should be held preferably within five months from the close of the prior financial year. Such a report shall include a balance sheet and a statement of income and expenses.

4. The General Board shall be under the obligation to keep the documents, referred to in this article, in its custody for at least seven years.

5. The General Board may resolve that the Affiliated Organisations shall pay an annual subscription, as to be determined from year to year. Difference may be made in the amounts of the subscriptions for individual Affiliated Organisations.

6. The further details of the subscriptions are determined in the By-laws

AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, DISSOLUTION

Article 11.

l. The General Board shall be authorised to amend these Articles of Association an the By laws, if any, by virtue of a resolution adopted with at least two thirds majority of votes cast.

2. A proposal to amend the Articles of Association must be sent to all members of the General Board at least four months before the meeting in which the resolution for the amendment is taken.

3. An amendment of the Articles of Association shall be effected by a notarial deed before a Netherlands’ notary. Each individual member of the Executive Committee, shall be entitled to have the notarial deed executed.

4. The General Board shall be authorised to approve or amend the By-laws, by virtue of a resolution adopted with a majority of votes cast, provided that a proposal therefore at least four (4) months before the resolution to approve or amend will be taken, is sent to al members of the General Board and included within the agenda.

5. The General Board shall be authorised to dissolve the Foundation by virtue of a resolution of the General Board with a majority of four fifths (4/5) of the votes cast.

6. The Foundation shall be wound up by the Executive Committee or by a liquidator appointed by the General Board.

7. The General Board shall determine the allocation of the balance, if any, after liquidation, which allocation shall in so far as possible be in accordance with the objects of the Foundation.

8. After liquidation, the books and records of the Foundation shall remain in the custody of the person designated for this purpose by the liquidator, for a period of at least twenty years.

Statutes

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