WHO WE ARE & OUR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Official Non-Profit Identity & Statutory Foundation

A CORDA is an independent, non-governmental, secular, and non-partisan association established in strict conformity with the French Law of July 1, 1901, and the Decree of August 16, 1901. Our association is formally declared at the Prefecture of Ariège and holds National Directory of Associations registration number W093005169, alongside official administrative business identification SIREN 938571239. Our permanent physical administrative seat and primary activity center are situated at 47 AVENUE PAUL LAFFONT, 09200 SAINT-GIRONS.

The foundational ethos of A CORDA rests on the principle of public interest and general utility. Our statutory bylaws, adopted democratically by our founding assembly and deposited with the competent administrative authorities, dictate that our organization exists solely to serve the community through cultural democratization, artistic wellness, and social solidarity. Unlike private commercial enterprises or fee-for-service wellness corporations, A CORDA has no shareholders, generates no private profits, and distributes no dividends. Every resource acquired through public grants, charitable subsidies, voluntary donations, and modest annual membership dues is directly and exclusively allocated to our community workshops, artist residencies, and outreach programs.

Our legal constitution strictly forbids any commercial activity, direct marketing of commercial items, or speculative investments. We operate with a policy of complete openness: any community member, civil society partner, or public official is welcome to examine our foundational bylaws, our internal operating rules, and our annual activity reports. By anchoring our governance in the venerable tradition of French civic associations, we ensure that our collective endeavors remain permanently shielded from commercial exploitation and firmly aligned with the common good.

Our Journey: From Grassroots Cultural Spark to Regional Anchor

The origin of A CORDA arose from a simple yet urgent observation shared by a small collective of artists, community health workers, and retired teachers in the Couserans valley. In the aftermath of consecutive economic shifts and growing geographic isolation in rural Ariège, many residents found themselves cut off from meaningful social interaction and avenues for creative rejuvenation. While medical infrastructure existed to address acute physical illnesses, there was a glaring void in community spaces that addressed the emotional and psychosocial well-being of the population through participatory culture.

In response, our founders began hosting informal acoustic music circles and expressive art afternoons in borrowed church halls, municipal garages, and public gardens. The response from the local population was immediate and deeply moving. Grandparents who had spent months in solitary isolation brought traditional Pyrenean folk instruments; young people dealing with educational transitions found a calm, non-judgmental environment to paint and sculpt; and families caring for relatives with cognitive challenges discovered an oasis of shared laughter and relief.

Recognizing the vital necessity of structuring these grassroots efforts, the collective formally incorporated as A CORDA, adopting the musical metaphor of the stringed instrument ("la corde" in French, evoking resonance, harmony, and connection). Over the ensuing years, our association steadily expanded its operational reach. We secured our permanent headquarters on Avenue Paul Laffont, established trusted partnerships with regional hospitals and rural day centers, and assembled an expansive network of volunteer facilitators and visiting professional creators.

Today, A CORDA stands as a respected civic pillar in Saint-Girons. We maintain the same warmth, humility, and personal care that defined our first informal gatherings, while executing sophisticated multi-month artistic residencies, accredited volunteer mentorship programs, and comprehensive public health collaborations.

Board of Directors & Voluntary Governance

A CORDA is governed by an elected Board of Directors (Bureau de l'Association) whose members serve entirely on a voluntary, non-remunerated basis. In accordance with Article 261-7-1° of the French General Tax Code governing disinterested non-profit administration, none of our directors receive salaries, stipends, bonuses, or private advantages of any kind. Their service is motivated solely by civic devotion to the community of Saint-Girons and the Pyrenean region.

Our Core Ethical Values & Operational Charter

Every initiative undertaken by A CORDA is guided by four fundamental ethical commitments that define how we interact with participants, partner institutions, volunteers, and the wider public:

Democratic Life: The Annual General Assembly

In keeping with democratic non-profit governance, the sovereign decision-making body of A CORDA is our Annual Ordinary General Assembly (Assemblée Générale Ordinaire). All active members, volunteer facilitators, and registered supporters are summoned each spring to participate in this vital institutional forum.

During the General Assembly, the President presents the comprehensive Moral and Activity Report, recounting every public workshop, concert residency, and healthcare partnership conducted over the preceding twelve months. The Treasurer presents the audited Financial Report, including an exhaustive itemization of all revenues received from municipal, departmental, and regional grants, private gifts, and operational expenses. Members openly debate strategic priorities, vote on the approval of accounts, and elect or renew members of the Board of Directors via secret ballot.

In addition to statutory business, the General Assembly functions as an inspiring community festival. Participants from our senior vocal circles, youth expressive labs, and somatic movement groups present collaborative musical pieces and display visual artworks created during the year. This joyful celebration reminds everyone present of the human reality behind the balance sheets and legal reports.