History, Governance & Civic Stewardship
Rooted in Audincourt along the peaceful banks of the river Gland, our association operates as an officially registered French non-profit organization (Association loi 1901) dedicated unconditionally to the public interest, intergenerational inclusion, and neighborhood cohesion.
From Riverbank Assemblies to a Recognized Civic Institution
The genesis of Association 'Sur Les Rives Du Gland' was born out of informal citizen gatherings that began along the grassy walkways bordering the river Gland in Audincourt. During the early 2000s, local residents, pensioners, and young parents frequently congregated near the river bridges to enjoy afternoon walks and spontaneous conversation. Over time, these frequent encounters revealed a shared community aspiration: the local neighborhoods needed an organized, durable, and inclusive civic structure that could actively bring cultural events, accessible sports, and neighborly warmth directly into communal spaces without financial barriers.
On November 14, 2008, a dedicated founding committee of Audincourt residents assembled to formalize these grassroots initiatives under the statutory framework of the French Non-Profit Association Act of July 1, 1901. The founding declaration was officially registered with the Préfecture du Doubs under National Registry identifier RNA W252002842, receiving legal personality and publication in the Journal Officiel de la République Française (Publication Avis de Déclaration n° 20080048). Furthermore, the organization was registered in the national statistical directory under SIREN number 509081899.
From its inception, the association established an immutable principle: our purpose is not commercial, our access is never restricted by payment or social status, and our work is conducted in close harmony with municipal councils, local schools, cultural centers, and regional public interest networks.
Key Milestones in Our Civic Journey (2008–2026)
Nearly two decades of unwavering commitment to neighborhood solidarity, accessible recreation, and public cultural dissemination.
2008: Statutory Foundation & Prefectural Registration
November 2008Adoption of the initial non-profit constitution under French Loi 1901 by founding civic organizers at 68 Rue de Valentigney, Audincourt. Registration completed with the Préfecture du Doubs under RNA W252002842 and publication in the Journal Officiel. Inauguration of our first seasonal riverside leisure walks.
2012: Launch of Accessible Sports for Seniors & Families
Spring 2012In response to growing neighborhood demand, the association inaugurated its weekly gentle gymnastics and all-ages petanque circles. Acquisition of communal sports equipment through municipal public health subsidies, making active leisure universally accessible to residents on modest pensions.
2017: Introduction of Free Community Acoustic Workshops
Autumn 2017Broadening our cultural mission, the association established its mobile musical discovery program. Local amateur musicians, retired music teachers, and youth gathered to offer free beginner string and percussion sessions in municipal halls and park pavilions across the Doubs valley.
2021: Inter-Regional Solidarity Exchanges (Ariège & Occitanie)
Summer 2021Creation of our inter-regional cultural twinning program linking community groups in Doubs with remote rural villages in Ariège and the Occitanie region. Organizing mutual free cultural concerts, oral history exchanges, and collective community workshops that celebrate rural heritage and shared civic values.
2026: Expanded Civic Cohesion & Digital Public Portal
Active Cycle 2026Launch of our modernized, fully transparent digital information portal complying with Google Ad Grants public utility standards. Strengthening our volunteer network to engage more than 1,450 beneficiaries across 14 municipal and rural partner zones.
Our Democratic Governance & Executive Bureau
The governance of Association 'Sur Les Rives Du Gland' rests upon principles of absolute transparency, volunteer civic service, and regular democratic renewal. Under our formal statutes registered with the Prefecture of Doubs, supreme decision-making authority belongs to the General Assembly of Members (Assemblée Générale), which convenes annually to review operational reports, vote upon audited financial statements, and elect the Executive Bureau (Bureau Exécutif).
The Executive Bureau (Bureau Exécutif)
The Executive Bureau is responsible for the day-to-day administrative stewardship of the organization. In strict adherence to French non-profit legislation (Article 261-7-1° of the Code Général des Impôts), all officers of the Bureau serve entirely on a voluntary, unpaid basis (gestion désintéressée). Neither the President, Secretary, nor Treasurer receives salary, stock, dividends, or indirect financial remuneration.
Runa Khatun
President & Publication Director
Longstanding community organizer dedicated to grassroots inclusion, civic dialogue, and inter-regional cultural solidarity.
General Secretariat
Administrative & Civic Coordination
Manages institutional relations with the Préfecture du Doubs, municipal councils, volunteer registrations, and public notices.
Treasury & Financial Audit
Financial Compliance & Oversight
Oversees public subsidy compliance, expense auditing, grant tracking, and full non-commercial accounting rigor.
Statutory Guarantees of Public Interest (Intérêt Général)
Under French administrative jurisprudence, an association qualifies as serving the public interest when it meets three cumulative conditions:
- Disinterested Management (Gestion Désintéressée): The association is directed by independent volunteers who hold zero personal financial stake in the activities of the entity and receive no material profit.
- Absence of Lucrativity (Non-Lucrativité): The organization does not distribute any profits. All operational surpluses are systematically carried forward into public interest equipment, instruments, and free community activities.
- Universal Civic Purpose (Cercle Ouvert): The association does not exist for the exclusive benefit of a closed group or private family, but serves the broad general public without discrimination of origin, belief, or social status.
Association 'Sur Les Rives Du Gland' strictly satisfies every one of these criteria. Our complete annual financial books and meeting minutes are filed with our supervisory authorities and remain open to inspection by our members and public partners.
Statutory Framework & Member Rights (Règlement Intérieur)
To maintain fairness, transparency, and order in our daily civic activities, Association 'Sur Les Rives Du Gland' operates under formal Internal Regulations (Règlement Intérieur) established pursuant to Article 14 of our constitution. These provisions outline how our members, volunteers, and the general public interact within our shared community spaces:
Article 1: Democratic Deliberation & Voting Rights
Every active member who has completed their formal statutory enrollment has an equal voice in the General Assembly, adhering to the bedrock civic principle of "one person, one vote." Proxy voting is strictly limited to prevent concentrated influence, ensuring that neighborhood concerns from everyday citizens carry equal weight.
Article 2: Universal Secularism, Respect & Neutrality
In accordance with Republican values of secularism (laïcité) and human dignity, the association maintains absolute political neutrality and welcomes all individuals regardless of race, gender, philosophical conviction, or religious affiliation. Discourses promoting discrimination, sectarianism, or commercial solicitation are strictly prohibited at all public assemblies.
Article 3: Collective Maintenance of Civic Equipment
All acoustic guitars, violins, petanque boules, sound systems, and shade canopies are designated as common community property. Participants and volunteers share a duty of collective stewardship, ensuring all equipment is safely cleaned, stored, and accounted for following every community outing.
Article 4: Peaceful Resolution of Community Inquiries
Should any misunderstanding or administrative question arise regarding workshop schedules or event access, the Executive Bureau convenes a conciliation session to hear all perspectives in an atmosphere of mutual goodwill and constructive civic dialogue.
Copies of the complete Internal Regulations and statutory constitution are available for inspection by any resident upon simple request to the Secretariat.
Rooted in Audincourt, Connected Across Regions
Audincourt has a rich industrial and civic heritage, shaped by generations of hardworking families who built the industrial vigor of the Doubs basin. As economic patterns shifted over the decades, preserving social cohesion and shared community life became more vital than ever.
By maintaining our primary registered office at 68 Rue de Valentigney, 25400 Audincourt, our association remains embedded directly within the daily life of local residents. At the same time, through our cultural exchange agreements with rural associations in Ariège and the wider Occitanie region, we demonstrate that community solidarity knows no municipal boundaries. Whether gathering by the banks of the Gland or in a mountainous village square in the Pyrenees, the universal language of acoustic music, shared recreation, and human kindness connects us all.
