CONSTITUTION
of
FOUNDATION “BULGARIAN ASSOCIATION OF GENUINE PSYCHOTHERAPY” (BAGP)
(“Bulgarian Association of Genuine Psychotherapy” – BAGP)
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Art. 1.1. (1) The Foundation “Bulgarian Association of Genuine Psychotherapy” (hereinafter referred to as BAGP or the Foundation) is a non-profit legal entity established in accordance with Article 33 and the subsequent articles of the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act (NPLEA).
(2) BAGP unites, on a voluntary basis, professionals, trainers, supervisors, psychologists, medical doctors, and individuals interested in the development of Genuine Psychotherapy.
(3) BAGP carries out its activities in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, the NPLEA, this Statute, the Code of Ethics, and the resolutions of its governing bodies.
(4) BAGP is an independent, non-political, and non-religious organization.
Art. 1.2. The following abbreviations are used in this Statute:
- BAGP – Bulgarian Association of Genuine Psychotherapy
- EAP – European Association for Psychotherapy
- EC – Extended Council
- AC – Administrative Council
- ECC – Ethical and Control Council
- SC – Scientific Council
- TC – Training Council
II. NAME, SEAT, SYMBOLS, TERM
Art. 2.1. The name of the Foundation is “Bulgarian Association of Genuine Psychotherapy” (BAGP), written in Bulgarian as „Българска асоциация за Естествена психотерапия“ (БАЕП).
Art. 2.2. The registered seat and principal place of management of BAGP is:
City of Sofia, 60 “Exarch Yosif” Street.
Art. 2.3. BAGP may have a seal, an emblem, and official letterhead.
Art. 2.4. BAGP is established for an indefinite term.
III. PURPOSES, SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES, MEANS
Art. 3.1. BAGP shall pursue the following purposes:
3.1.1. To promote the development, application, and dissemination of Genuine Psychotherapy as an innovative, holistic, and nature-aligned approach to mental and emotional health;
3.1.2. To organize and conduct training and certification programs for trainees interested in the field of mental health;
3.1.3. To contribute to the improvement of the social and psychological well-being of communities and individuals through the study and practical application of the methods of Genuine Psychotherapy;
3.1.4. To establish high professional and ethical standards in the practice of Genuine Psychotherapy;
3.1.5. To encourage the development of a professional community and a collaborative network of specialists in the field of Genuine Psychotherapy;
3.1.6. To support scientific research and publication activities in the field of holistic psychotherapy.
Art. 3.2. BAGP is established with an initial endowment contributed by the founder in the amount of BGN 2,000 (two thousand Bulgarian leva).
Art. 3.3. For the achievement of its purposes, BAGP shall employ the following means:
3.3.1. Organizing and conducting seminars, workshops, and conferences for exchange of experience in the field of holistic psychotherapy;
3.3.2. Creating, maintaining, and developing websites, publications, articles, podcasts, video content, and other online channels for disseminating knowledge in the field of holistic psychotherapy;
3.3.3. Cooperating with other organizations, institutions, and experts in Bulgaria and abroad;
3.3.4. Working on projects, participating in congresses, symposia, discussions, and joining international organizations and others.
Art. 3.4. For the achievement of its purposes and directly related to them, BAGP may carry out additional economic activities:
3.4.1. Organizing and conducting qualification programs, courses, and consultations in the field of Genuine Psychology, personal development, and mental health;
3.4.2. Publishing activities – magazines, brochures, books, and other printed informational materials related to BAGP’s activities and their distribution;
3.4.3. Advertising activities related to BAGP’s operations;
3.4.4. Other economic activities associated with the primary purposes of BAGP and supporting their achievement.
Art. 3.5. BAGP is a non-profit legal entity operating for private benefit.
IV. PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF BAGP
Art. 4.1. The activities of BAGP shall be supported by the following categories of participants:
4.1.1. Trainees;
4.1.2. Regular Participants – certified psychotherapists in the field of Genuine Psychotherapy;
4.1.3. Associate Participants – representatives of related professions;
4.1.4. Honorary Participants – individuals with an exceptional contribution.
Art. 4.2. To be admitted as a participant, the applicant shall submit a written application to the Administrative Council, accompanied by a declaration accepting the Statute and the Code of Ethics of BAGP, a curriculum vitae, and a letter of recommendation from a respected professional psychologist.
Art. 4.3. To be admitted as a Regular Participant, the applicant shall also submit documents proving compliance with the following additional requirements, in addition to those under Art. 4.2:
4.3.1. The applicant shall hold a Master’s degree in Psychology or Medicine;
4.3.2. The applicant shall have completed training in Genuine Psychotherapy amounting to a minimum of 3,200 hours.
Art. 4.4. To be admitted as an Honorary Participant, the documents under Art. 4.2 shall be accompanied by an invitation from the Administrative Council, issued due to the applicant’s exceptional contribution to BAGP.
Art. 4.5. Participants in BAGP shall have the following rights:
4.5.1. To take part in the activities of BAGP and its auxiliary councils, under the conditions prescribed in this Statute;
4.5.2. To be informed about the activities of BAGP;
4.5.3. To make use of the resources of BAGP.
Art. 4.6. Participants in BAGP shall be obliged:
- To comply with the Statute, the Code of Ethics, and the resolutions of the governing body;
- To contribute to the achievement of the purposes of BAGP;
- To safeguard the reputation of BAGP;
- Not to act against the interests of BAGP.
Art. 4.7. A participant in BAGP may be excluded by a decision of the Manager in the following cases:
- Upon submission of a written request by the participant;
- Upon failure to fulfill their obligations;
- In case of lack of activity in BAGP’s work for a period of two years.
V. GOVERNANCE OF BAGP
Art. 5.1. (1) The sole governing body of BAGP is the Manager of BAGP.
(2) The Founder of BAGP shall hold the position of Manager for an indefinite term, as of the moment of the establishment of BAGP.
Art. 5.2. (1) The Manager shall perform the functions of a sole governing body and shall represent the BAGP before all state authorities, organizations, individuals, and legal entities in Bulgaria and abroad.
(2) The Manager of BAGP shall:
- Manage the BAGP and organize its activities;
- Manage and supervise its financial and program activities;
- Establish administrative units and oversee their operation;
- Prepare the annual financial statement and annual activity report;
- Decide on participation or termination of participation in other legal entities or organizations of legal entities;
- Conclude transactions on behalf of BAGP;
- Adopt internal rules for the operation of BAGP and amend them;
- Make decisions regarding the disposal of BAGP’s assets;
- Open and close bank accounts, withdraw and deposit funds without limitation as to amount, and operate the BAGP’s bank accounts;
- Make decisions regarding amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and the adoption of a new Articles of Incorporation;
- Make decisions on the establishment, modification, and dissolution of bodies of BAGP, as well as on the appointment of their members;
- Make decisions regarding the establishment, modification, and dissolution of auxiliary councils to the Manager, as well as on the appointment of their members;
- Make decisions on the admission and exclusion of participants;
- Make decisions on the dissolution of BAGP;
- Make decisions on all other matters.
(3) The Manager shall issue written resolutions, and in cases of amendments to the Statute, shall sign the amended Statute without the need for notarization of the signature.
Art. 5.3. (1) The following auxiliary councils shall be established to support the Manager:
- Extended Council (EC);
- Administrative Council (AC);
- Ethical and Control Council (ECC);
- Scientific Council (SC);
- Training Council (TC).
(2) The auxiliary councils are consultative bodies supporting the work of the Manager.
(3) Within their respective competencies, the auxiliary councils draft proposed resolutions and submit them for approval to the Manager.
Art. 5.4. (1) With the exception of the Extended Council, the auxiliary councils shall consist of an odd number of members.
(2) Unless otherwise provided in this Statute, the auxiliary councils shall elect from among their members a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson, who shall coordinate the council’s activities and execute its adopted resolutions. The Deputy Chairperson shall perform these duties when the Chairperson is absent or fails to fulfill their responsibilities without valid reason.
(3) Meetings of the auxiliary councils may be convened by the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, or the Manager.
(4) Resolutions of the auxiliary councils shall be adopted by a simple majority vote.
(5) Minutes shall be kept for the meetings of the auxiliary councils, reflecting the essential statements, draft resolutions, and voting outcomes.
(6) Meetings of the auxiliary councils may be held remotely via video conferencing.
(7) A member of a council may represent no more than one additional member, based on a written power of attorney.
Art. 5.5. (1) The Extended Council shall include all participants in the activities of BAGP and shall support the strategic development of BAGP.
(2) The Extended Council shall:
- Provide proposals for amendments to the Statute and the Code of Ethics;
- Issue opinions on matters submitted by the other councils;
- Propose the main directions of the training and scientific activities.
(3) The Extended Council shall be convened at least once per year by the Manager, or upon request by one-third of the participants.
Art. 5.6. (1) The Administrative Council shall consist of five members and shall support the Manager in the strategic, financial, and organizational governance of the Bulgarian Association of Genuine Psychotherapy (BAGP).
(2) The members of the Administrative Council shall be appointed by the Manager from among the participants in the activities of BAGP.
(3) The Administrative Council shall:
- coordinate the implementation of the programmes;
- prepare budgets and financial statements;
- maintain the registers and the archives;
- propose the composition of the Ethical-Control Council, the Scientific Council, and the Training Council;
- propose solutions on current matters related to the activities of BAGP;
- adopt decisions for issuing invitations to honorary participants.
(4) The Administrative Council shall convene at least once every four months.
Art. 5.7. (1) The Ethical-Control Council shall consist of three or five members, appointed by the Manager upon proposal of the Administrative Council.
(2) The Ethical-Control Council shall:
- monitor compliance with the Ethical Code, as well as legality and transparency in the governance and finances of BAGP;
- review reports of ethical violations, conflicts of interest, or abuses, and propose measures to the Administrative Council;
- prepare an annual report, which shall be presented to the Administrative Council and published in the archives of BAGP.
(3) The Ethical-Control Council shall convene at least once every six months.
Art. 5.8. (1) The Scientific Council shall consist of five members.
(2) The Manager shall be a permanent member and Chair of the Scientific Council, while the remaining members shall be appointed by him/her upon proposal of the Administrative Council, from among the participants in the activities of BAGP.
(3) The Scientific Council shall:
- develop and coordinate scientific research, publications, and conferences;
- maintain relations with universities and research institutes;
- issue opinions on scientific ethics and methodology;
- perform other activities assigned by the Manager.
(4) The Scientific Council shall convene at least once every six months.
Art. 5.9. (1) The Training Council shall consist of five or seven members.
(2) The members of the Training Council shall be appointed by the Manager upon proposal of the Administrative Council, from among trainers and supervisors who participate in the activities of BAGP.
(3) The Training Council shall:
- approve curricula;
- organize examinations and final evaluations;
- maintain a register of trainers and certified Genuine Therapists.
(4) The Training Council shall convene at least once every three months.
VI. TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Art. 6.1.The training shall be conducted according to programmes compliant with the standards of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), with a minimum framework of 3,200 hours or more.
Art. 6.2. Trainees shall progress through the following levels of training:
- Trainee;
- Therapist in Genuine Psychotherapy;
- Supervisor;
- Trainer.
Art. 6.3. To be admitted into training as a Specialist-Trainee, the applicant shall conclude a training agreement with BAGP and declare acceptance of BAGP Ethical Code.
Art. 6.4. (1) Upon certification by the Training Council, the Specialist-Trainee acquires the status of Therapist.
(2) Certification shall be carried out by the Training Council through written examinations, practical evaluation, and a thesis.
Art. 6.5. To obtain the level of Supervisor, the candidate shall have at least five years of professional experience as a Therapist in Genuine Psychotherapy and shall meet the additional requirements set out in the procedures for obtaining the respective level, as approved by the Manager of BAGP.
Art. 6.6. To obtain the level of Trainer, the candidate shall have at least ten years of professional experience as a Therapist in Genuine Psychotherapy and shall meet the additional requirements set out in the procedures for obtaining the respective level, as approved by the Manager of BAGP.
VII. PROPERTY AND FINANCE
Art. 7.1. (1) To achieve its objectives, BAGP shall utilize property and resources derived from:
- The initial contribution provided by the Founder under the Articles of Incorporation;
- Subsequent donations and bequests in favor of BAGP from Bulgarian and foreign natural and/or legal persons, as well as other organizations;
- Income from property managed by BAGP;
- Subsidies, grants, sponsorships, and other revenues;
- Funds obtained through participation in various national and/or European international programmes for financing and supporting activities related to the purposes of BAGP;
- Income from charitable campaigns organized by BAGP;
- Revenues from additional commercial activities carried out by BAGP;
- Other income and receipts in forms permitted by law, intended for achieving BAGP’s objectives.
(2) Donations or bequests may consist of cash, valuables, securities, rights over movable and immovable property, real rights, objects of intellectual and industrial property, including those of persons supported by BAGP, and other assets.
(3) Donors shall have the right to receive a certificate confirming their donation.
(4) BAGP may refuse to accept donations or bequests if the conditions attached thereto are unacceptable, contrary to the law, or inconsistent with BAGP’s objectives.
VIII. BRANCHES
Art. 8.1. (1) By decision of the Manager of BAGP, branches may be established or closed outside the locality where BAGP’s headquarters are located.
(2) A branch of BAGP shall not constitute a separate legal entity. It shall be managed by a Branch Manager, appointed by the Manager of BAGP, and shall carry out the activities defined in the decision establishing the branch. The same decision shall determine the limitations on the powers and representative authority of the Branch Manager.
(3) Each branch shall maintain a record of its activities and, at least once per year, the Branch Manager shall submit a report to the Manager of BAGP on the branch’s activities and the funds expended.
IX. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Art. 9.1. (1) In the event of the dissolution of BAGP, liquidation shall be carried out.
(2) Liquidation shall be conducted by the Manager or a person appointed by the Manager; in cases of dissolution by court decision, the liquidator shall be appointed by the competent District Court.
(3) With regard to insolvency or bankruptcy, the procedure for liquidation and the powers of the liquidator shall be governed by the provisions of the Commercial Act, as applicable.
Art. 9.2. (1) Assets remaining after the satisfaction of creditors shall be transferred, by decision of the Manager, to a non-profit legal entity carrying out the same or similar activities as the dissolved BAGP. If no such decision has been made before the dissolution, the liquidator shall make the decision.
(2) If the assets are not transferred pursuant to the preceding paragraph, they shall pass to the Municipality in which BAGP is headquartered. The Municipality shall be obliged to use the received assets for activities as close as possible to the objectives of the dissolved BAGP or to transfer them to another non-profit legal entity pursuing the same or similar objectives as those of BAGP.
X. FINAL PROVISIONS
Art. 10.1. For matters not regulated herein, the provisions of the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities and the applicable Bulgarian legislation shall apply.