Origins, Governance & Financial Transparency

Founding Origins & Historical Context

The Association des Amis de la Conservation et de la Restauration de la Chapelle Notre Dame de Montgauzy was officially constituted in 2020 by a collective of local residents, historians, stone artisans, and cultural heritage defenders in Foix. For decades prior to our formal establishment, the ancient chapel standing upon Montgauzy hill faced a precarious future. Gradual environmental weathering, structural water infiltration through aged slate roof valleys, and the slow mechanical degradation of lime mortar binders had compromised the stability of several load-bearing wall segments. Recognizing that the loss of this emblematic monument would irrevocably diminish the historical identity of the Ariège valley, our founders united around a shared civic conviction: that historic preservation is a collective public responsibility requiring structured, transparent, and durable community action.

From its very inception, the organization was founded upon the strict principles of the French Law of July 1, 1901 governing non-profit associations. The founding assembly explicitly rejected any commercial or profit-seeking purpose. Instead, the statutory bylaws codified a singular, focused objective: to mobilize civic energy, public institutional partnerships, and specialized architectural expertise for the sole purpose of conserving, restoring, and animating the Chapelle Notre Dame de Montgauzy for the educational and cultural benefit of all citizens.

Chronological Milestones of Heritage Conservation

Our trajectory reflects steady, methodical progress guided by rigorous scientific assessments and democratic civic consultation:

Democratic Governance Council Structure

The Association des Amis de la Chapelle Notre Dame de Montgauzy functions strictly through transparent, participatory democratic structures. Every active member possesses an equal voting voice within the General Assembly, ensuring that operational direction reflects collective community will rather than private interests.

1. The Sovereign General Assembly

Composed of all registered association members, the General Assembly convenes annually in ordinary session to review moral and activity reports, audit fiscal accounts, debate the strategic action plan for the forthcoming year, and elect members of the Board of Directors. All resolutions are debated openly, with voting minutes recorded and archived for public inspection at our registered secretariat in Foix.

2. The Board of Directors (Conseil d'Administration)

Elected by the General Assembly for staggered three-year terms, the Board of Directors consists of eight esteemed community leaders bringing diverse competencies in architecture, education, legal compliance, and artisan masonry. The Board meets bi-monthly to supervise ongoing site operations, evaluate public funding submissions, and guarantee that all field initiatives align strictly with our public interest mandate.

3. The Executive Bureau (Bureau Exécutif)

Appointed from among the members of the Board of Directors, the Executive Bureau manages day-to-day administration and serves as the official liaison to public institutions:

• President & Publication Director: Pierre Vergé • Responsible for general representation, strategic institutional dialogue with the Prefecture and Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC), and legal oversight of association publications.
• Vice-President & Technical Coordinator: Jean-Marc Delort • Oversees on-site coordination with certified conservation architects, stonemasons, and safety protocols during volunteer field workdays.
• General Secretary: Marie-Claire Bonnet • Maintains the official registry of members, archives administrative correspondence, drafts assembly minutes, and handles citizen inquiries.
• Treasurer & Chief Auditor: Bernard Cazaux • Oversees budgetary control, manages bank accounts with public accounting rigor, prepares grant justifications, and publishes annual financial statements.

In accordance with French non-profit statutory law, all members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Bureau serve strictly on a voluntary, non-remunerated basis (bénévolat absolu). No director receives salary, compensation, or personal material benefit of any kind.

Ethical Charter & Non-Commercial Guarantee

To maintain unquestioned integrity and retain the complete trust of the public and institutional partners, our association enforces a rigorous Ethical Charter:

Complete Financial Transparency & Public Audits

We believe that fiscal transparency is the bedrock of public interest organizations. Our accounts are kept in strict conformity with the French non-profit accounting standard (Plan Comptable Associatif) and are subject to annual internal and external audits prior to presentation at the General Assembly.

Below is the audited financial summary for the fiscal year 2025, detailing all public revenues and designated operational expenditures:

The table demonstrates unequivocally that 100% of our financial inflows are directed toward physical preservation, preventive conservation, and public cultural education. Administrative and insurance expenses represent merely 3.8% of our annual budget, enabled entirely by the selfless volunteerism of our board and members.

Prefectural Registration & Official Identifiers

The Association des Amis de la Conservation et de la Restauration de la Chapelle Notre Dame de Montgauzy is legally established under French jurisdiction with the following verified administrative identifiers:

• Official Designation: ASSOCIATION DES AMIS DE LA CONSERVATION ET DE LA RESTAURATION DE LA CHAPELLE NOTRE DAME DE MONTGAUZY
• National Registry of Associations (RNA): W091002479
• SIREN Enterprise Registry Number: 890439664
• SIRET Establishment Code: 89043966400018
• APE/NAF Classification: 94.99Z (Other voluntary membership organizations)
• Prefectural Authority: Préfecture de l'Ariège, 2 Rue de la Préfecture, 09000 Foix
• Registered Physical Headquarters: 26 B RUE SAINT-VINCENT, 09000 FOIX, FRANCE
• Official Contact Email: [email protected]
• Official Contact Phone: +33 4 48 69 01 54

Our Ongoing Commitment to the Citizens of Foix

As we advance through the Field Action Plan 2026, our governance council reaffirms its pledge to the local population. The Chapelle Notre Dame de Montgauzy is more than stone, wood, and mortar; it represents the shared memory, spiritual heritage, and aesthetic pride of Foix. By keeping our doors open, our governance transparent, and our finances accountable to the last centime, we ensure that this historic site remains an enduring public sanctuary for generations to come.