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Statute

Statute

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 33, paragraph 4 and 34 of the Law on Endowments and Foundations ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" No. 88/2010, 99/2011 – other law and 44/2018 – other law), during the first meeting held on 14th April 2021 in Belgrade, the Managing Board confirmed:

The Statute of the "Petar Mandic" Endowment

which was amended and supplemented by the Decision of the Managing Board of the Endowment dated 13th June 2022, 7th June 2023 and 16th November 2024, and the revised text of which reads:

 

Introductory provisions

Article 1.

The "Petar Mandic" Endowment (hereinafter: the Endowment) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, established for an indefinite period of time, for the purpose of charitable achievement of the generally beneficial goals established by the founding act.

The Endowment has the status of a legal entity and is liable for the obligations undertaken in legal transactions with all of its assets.

The Endowment’s motto, which is also its value system in a condensed form, reads: Knowledge, Righteousness, Selflessness.

 

Name and headquarters

Article 2.

The name of the Endowment is "Petar Mandić" Endowment.

The name of the Endowment in English is the Petar Mandic Endowment.

Article 3.

The headquarters of the Endowment is in Belgrade.

 

Form and content of seals and symbol

Article 4.

The Endowment has a round seal on which is written: in the upper part in the circle of the seal in the Serbian language, in Cyrillic script, "Petar Mandić" Endowment, in the lower part in the circle of the seal, the mark of its seat Belgrade, and in the central part of the seal a symbol consisting of two stylised and joined letters of the Greek alphabet π [Pi] i μ [Mu].

Article 5.

The Endowment has a symbol (logo):

"Petar Mandic" Endowment | Serbian language | Cyrillic | non-profit, non-governmental organization
"Petar Mandic" Endowment | english language | legal entity | non-profit, non-governmental organization

Goals and activity

Article 6.

 

  1. The Endowment is of a non-profit nature and has charitable goals of a spiritual, cultural, scientific, economic, national and general social nature.
  2. The operational goal of the Endowment is the construction of an ethno-museum complex in the village of Radoinja (Raska region, Serbia). The complex will be built for the glory of God, and in honour of the priestly ancestors of Nikola Tesla. In addition to the Holy Cross, the holiest sign of Christianity, the complex will have elements related to the life and work of Nikola Tesla's ancestors on his father's line (Tesla and Kalinic families) and his mother's line (Mandic and Budisavljevic families). The entire complex would have a wider spiritual, national and cultural significance. It would also have a secondary contribution by enriching the Zlatar region and giving an impetus to the economic development of Nova Varoš municipality through visits from both domestic and foreign visitors.
  3. For the sake of promoting the culture of historical memory, the Endowment will popularise the character and work of Nikola Tesla’s ancestors who played a significant role in their time. Special emphasis is placed on the promotion of the character and work of the priest Milutin Tesla - the father of Nikola Tesla - and the entire priestly lineage of Mandic and Budisavljevic families, from whom Georgina (née Mandic) Tesla - the mother of Nikola Tesla - descends.
  4. Following the example of Tesla's uncle, the priest Petar (later Metropolitan Nikolaj of Dabar-Bosnia) Mandic, who gave his nephew Nikola Tesla a scholarship for his studies at the time when his father passed away, the "Petar Mandic" Endowment, in the field of promoting science, aims to help technical science and other science students, in the form of scholarships that would be provided from funds collected from personal income, gifts and contributions in accordance with the law. Students without one parent and with good average grades in secondary school, that is studies, would have priority for the scholarship. The obligation of pupils and students who receive a scholarship would be exclusively on a moral level and would be concentrated on the conscientious effort in achieving the best possible results during their studies and a moral obligation that at some point in their lives, after they finish their studies and start working, they themselves, in accordance with their capabilities, will help another good pupil and student. 
  5. Following the example of Tesla's uncle, the priest Petar (later Metropolitan Nikolaj of Dabar-Bosnia) Mandic, who introduced his nephew Nikola Tesla Descartes' mathematical method and writings that would later be the basis of his inventive approach, the "Petar Mandic" Endowment will work to promote quality dialogue between Christianity and science, while also indirectly addressing topics concerning the fundamental relationship between religion and science. In this domain, the Endowment will make a special effort to raise social awareness regarding the need for a balanced education, which, in addition to stimulating the intellectual abilities of young people and a critical way of thinking, would include the formation of the moral character of the young generation. Following the example of Nikola Tesla and his ancestors, the Endowment will work to affirm the qualities of charity, diligence, righteousness, altruism and social responsibility among young generations in Serbia and the world.
  6. Cherishing the memory of Nikola Tesla's parents and highlighting their contribution to the formation of the character of the most ingenious Serbian inventor, the "Petar Mandic" Endowment, in cooperation with relevant professional institutions and individuals in Serbia and the world, will work on the affirmation of various types of parenting schools, in which young married couples will to be able to get acquainted with important findings from the field of social psychology to the field of the development of emotional intelligence in children, all in alignment with Christian family traditions.
  7. The Endowment will make a special effort to ensure that the Serbian people, from which Nikola Tesla originated, are presented in the best and most positive way possible in the world. In this regard, special cooperation will be achieved with domestic and international organisations whose work is connected with the character and work of Nikola Tesla.
  8. Following the work of the priest Milutin Tesla and Metropolitan Nikolaj (Petar) Mandic, the "Petar Mandic" Endowment will contribute to the development of good neighbourly relations between Orthodox Serbs and members of other religious communities in the Balkans, and to the cultivation of a culture of mutual respect and assistance.
  9. The "Petar Mandic" Endowment will carry out its activities and prescribed objectives entirely in accordance with the spirit and values of Orthodox Christianity, the spiritual heritage of Tesla's ancestors.

 

Article 7.

The Endowment’s entities.

The Endowment’s entities are the Managing Board and the Manager.

 

The Managing Board

Article 8.

The Managing Board manages the Endowment.

The Managing Board has eleven members who are appointed and dismissed by the founders.

Each member of the Management Board has one vote in the Management Board.

The mandate of members lasts 4 years, with the fact that persons can be appointed again without restrictions.

Membership in the Managing Board ends with the expiration of the mandate, impeachment, resignation, loss of professional capacity, in case of death.

Article 9.

Jurisdictions of the Managing Board:

  1. Passes other acts of the Endowment and amends them;
  2. Adopts a financial plan and final account;
  3. Appoints and dismisses the duties of the manager, on the proposal or on the basis of the written consent of the founder;
  4. Approves the annual plan for the use of funds to achieve the goals of the endowment at the proposal of the founder;
  5. Decides on the use of funds of the Endowment for activities that are not foreseen in the annual plan with the prior consent of the founder;
  6. Submits to the founder, for approval, an annual report on the funds spent to achieve the Endowment's goals;
  7. Decides on the change of seat after previously obtained consent of the founder;
  8. Makes changes and additions to the statute, i.e. adopts a new statute;
  9. Adopts rules of procedure on its work.
Article 10.

The Chairperson of the Managing Board is appointed and dismissed by the Founder, but the same person may be re-elected to that position without restriction.

The Chairperson of the Managing Board convenes, determines the daily agenda and presides over the meetings of the Board.

The founder may also appoint a Vice Chairperson of the Managing Board.

In case of the Chairperson's absence, the Vice Chairperson or a member of the Managing Board designated by the Board convenes the meetings of the Managing Board and exercises other powers of the Chairperson of the Managing Board.

The Managing Board makes valid decisions by a majority of votes from the total number of members of the Managing Board, except in cases where the Statute provides for a qualified majority.

 

Manager

Article 11.

The Endowment’s Manager:

  1. Represents the Foundation and is responsible for the legality of its work;
  2. Manages the affairs of the Foundation in accordance with the decisions of the Board of Directors;
  3. Submits a proposal for a financial plan and final accounts to the Board of Directors;
  4. Performs other tasks in accordance with the law and the statute;
  5. Oversees the implementation of the annual plan and decisions of the Board of Directors on the use of funds to achieve goals Endowments;
  6. Decides on the use of funds to cover the current expenses of the endowment;
  7. Decides on the establishment and termination of employment, rights and obligations of employees and concludes employment contracts;
  8. Performs other tasks in accordance with the Statute and the Law.

The method of appointing and recalling entities and the duration of the mandate

Article 12.

The Founder appoints and revokes the Chairperson and members of the Managing Board.

Article 13.

The Manager of the Foundation is appointed and dismissed by the Managing Board, upon the proposal or written consent of the Founder.

The term of office of the Manager lasts for ten years.

The Board of Directors dismisses the Manager, with the written consent of the founder, in particular for the following reasons:

  1. If, in performing his duties, he does not act conscientiously and with the care of a good householder;
  2. If, when making decisions related to the performance of the business activities carried out by the Foundation, he does not act with the care of a good householder;
  3. If he uses the Foundation's property in his personal interest;
  4. If he causes damage to the Foundation by his actions.

A member of the Managing Board and the Manager may resign at any time, by written notice to the Founder. The resignation takes effect from the date indicated in it, but in any case within a period not shorter than 10 (ten) days from the moment of its receipt by the Founder.

Article 14.

In the event of the termination of the position of a member of the Managing Board or Manager: by resignation, death, loss of working capacity and dismissal, or recall before the expiration of the term of office, that position will be filled in the manner provided for the appointment of a person whose membership or duty has ceased for the aforementioned reasons.

The mandate of such an appointed person lasts until the end of the mandate of the person in his place.

 

Expert Council

Article 15.

The Foundation's Expert Council has an advisory role.

The members of the Expert Council, as necessary, provide consultations in their professional field of expertise to the Managing Board or the Manager.

The Foundation's Expert Council has 12 members, who are elected by the Managing Board from among reputable and recognized experts for a period of four years.

The Managing Board decides on the election and dismissal of members of the Expert Council by a two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the Managing Board.

Membership in the Expert Council ends:

  • At the expiration of the mandate;
  • By revocation;
  • By resignation;
  • By loss of working capacities and
  • Death.
 

Property and manner acquisition of the Endowment’s property

Article 16.

The assets of the endowment consist of primary and secondary assets.

Article 17.

The basic property of the Endowment is the land of Vidomir Subotic on plot 1890 of the cadastral municipality of Radoinja (municipality of Nova Varos), which is a class 4 meadow type, with an area of 0.45.82 ha, on a plot called "Ljuti breg", registered in the real estate register number 593 KO Radoinja, estimated at a value of 32,532.20 euros, i.e., 3,825,461.30 dinars, by a court expert, which will be transferred to the Endowment by a gift contract, upon its foundation.

The basic assets of the Endowment may not be reduced below the minimum value of the basic assets, determined by law.

Article 18.

The Endowment may acquire property from voluntary contributions, gifts, donations, financial subsidy, legacy donations, rent, copyright rights, dividends and others income achieved in a manner permitted by the by law.

Article 19.

The Endowment also earns income through the direct performance of economic activity, namely 58. 11 - Publishing books.

The Endowment will perform economic activity as a secondary activity and exclusively in connection with the goals for which it was established.

 

Method of using the Endowment’s funds and the circle of beneficiaries  

Article 20.

The assets of the Endowment are used exclusively for the achievement of the goals established by the Act of Incorporation and the Statute.

The assets of the Endowment cannot be distributed to the Founders, members of the Managing Board, employees or persons related to them.

The provision of Paragraph 2 of this article does not refer to the awarding of appropriate rewards and compensation of justified expenses incurred in connection with the achievement of the Endowment's goals (travel expenses, daily allowances, etc.), contractual obligations and payment of wages to employees.

 

Public work

Article 21.

The work of the Endowment is public.

Publicity of the work of the Endowment is ensured by the publication of an annual report on the work via the Internet, publication, press releases or in any another convenient way.

The Managing Board undertakes the publicity of the work of the Endowment.

                                                                              

How to join as a Co-Founder

Article 22.

The Endowment can be joined by a natural or legal person, in the capacity of a Co-Founder, with an agreement on accession concluded between the Founder and the person joining it.

Signatures on the accession agreement must be certified in accordance with the law.

Article 23.

The contract of accession is submitted to the authority responsible for registration and keeping the Register, for the purpose of entering data about the person who joined as a Co-Founder in the Register.

 

The way of deciding on status changes, changes of legal form and termination of work

Article 24.

The decision on status changes, change of legal form and the termination of the Endowment is made by the Founder.

In case of the death of the Founder, the decision on status changes, change of legal form and termination of the Endowment's work is made unanimously by the Managing Board.

 

The method of distributing property in the case of the cessation of work

Article 25.

In case of the cessation work of the Endowment, the Founder makes the decision on distribution of property.

Article 26.

The remaining assets of the Endowment can be allocated only to another endowment established for the purpose of achieving a general purpose, a foundation or an association, established for the purpose of achieving the same or similar general purpose.

The remaining property can be assigned to one person or distributed to several persons from Paragraph 1 of this article.

Article 27.

In the event that the person referred to in Article 25 does not make a decision on the distribution of the remaining assets within 30 (thirty) days at the latest from the decision on the termination of the Endowment, the decision on the distribution of assets is made by the competent body of the local self-government unit on whose territory the headquarters of the Endowment is located.

 

Procedures for the changes to the Statute and others general acts

Article 28.

The Managing Board makes changes to the Statute.

Article 29.

An initiative to amend the Statute with a proposed amendment can be given by 1/3 of the members of the Managing Board. The proposal is submitted to the Chairperson of the Managing Board. The Chairperson of the Managing Board is obliged to convene the meeting of the Managing Board with an agenda for consideration and decision on the proposal, no later than 8 (eight) days from the submission of the proposal.

In the event that the Chairperson of the Managing Board does not convene a meeting within the specified period, the initiators of the proposal are authorised to convene a meeting within the next 5 (five) days with a proposal to amend the Statute, where their initiative will be considered. The session convened in this way is presided over by the person who submitted the proposal, that is, one of those persons chosen by them.

Article 30.

Amendments to the Statute are made by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Managing Board.

Article 31.

Other general acts of the Endowment are passed and their changes are made by the Managing Board.

The Manager and any member of the Board can initiate the adoption and amendment of the general acts of the Endowment, except for the Statute. The initiative for the adoption of an act with an explanation, that is, the initiative for amending the act with a proposed amendment, is submitted to the Chairperson of the Managing Board. The Chairperson of the Managing Board is obliged to convene the Managing Board with an agenda for consideration and decision on the initiative, no later than 8 (eight) days from the submission of the initiative.

In the event that the Chairperson of the Managing Board does not convene a meeting within the set deadline, the initiators of the initiative are authorised to convene a meeting in the next 5 (five) days where their proposal will be considered. The session convened in this way is presided over by the person who submitted the initiative, that is, one of those persons chosen by them.

 

Final provisions

Article 32.

On all questions which are not regulated by statute, the provisions of the Law on Endowments and Foundations will apply.

Article 33.

This Statute enters into force on the eighth day from the day of its publication on the notice Board of the Endowment, and is applied after the entry of the Endowment in the competent register.

On the date of entry into force of this Statute, the Statute of the "Petar Mandic" Foundation of April 14, 2021, which was amended and supplemented on June 13, 2022 and June 7, 2023, shall cease to be valid.

Endowment "Petar Mandic" - logo

"Petar Mandic" Endowment
Address
Gandijeva 44/49
Postal Number
11070
City
Belgrade
Municipality
Municipality of New Belgrade
TAX ID
112457409
MB
28832834
Date establishment
26/04/2021
Registration Body
Serbian Business Registers Agency, Republic Serbia