The following charter governs the purpose, membership and bodies of our association. It was adopted at the founding meeting in Darmstadt and is part of our entry in the register of associations.
Download charter as PDF (German)
§ 1 — Name, registered office, fiscal year
- The association bears the name "Initiative Afrika-Solidarität Deutschland", short form "Afrika-Solidarity.DE".
- Upon registration in the register of associations it adds the suffix "eingetragener Verein" in the abbreviated form "e.V.".
- The registered office of the association is Darmstadt.
- The fiscal year is the calendar year.
§ 2 — Purpose of the association
The association is committed to development countries in Africa. Its purpose is to promote education, science, youth welfare, public health and the support of persons in need.
The statutory purpose is realised in particular through:
- Supporting social and economic projects under the principle of "help towards self-help";
- Building or co-financing schools and training facilities, financing or co-financing school attendance, teaching materials and student aid;
- Taking on and brokering sponsorships to support school education for children and youth;
- Promoting youth care and youth welfare;
- Securing basic medical care, particularly the fight against epidemic and epidemic-like diseases;
- Self-help-oriented reduction of poverty and improvement of life opportunities for those in need;
- Promotion of international understanding, tolerance in all areas of culture and the idea of mutual understanding between peoples;
- Strengthening relations between individuals, organisations and institutions in Germany and Africa through cultural, social and economic exchange.
§ 3 — Non-profit status
- The association exclusively and directly pursues non-profit purposes within the meaning of the German Fiscal Code.
- The association acts selflessly. It does not primarily pursue its own economic purposes.
- The means of the association may only be used for the purposes specified in the charter.
- Members do not receive payments from the association's funds. No person may be favoured by expenditures alien to the purpose of the association or by disproportionately high remuneration.
- The association is politically and confessionally neutral.
§ 4 — Membership
Natural and legal persons as well as basis and initiative groups within the meaning of § 2 (1) who are willing to support the purpose of the association may become members. Applications are submitted in writing or, where possible, online to the board, which decides on admission. Persons of particular merit may be appointed honorary members.
§ 5 — End of membership
Membership ends upon death, dissolution, withdrawal or exclusion. Withdrawal is by written declaration to the board and is possible at any time. Exclusion may be declared by the board for important reasons (e.g. acting against the association's purposes or non-payment of contributions despite reminders). Appeal lies to the next general assembly.
§ 6 — Rights
Every member is entitled to a copy of the charter and may attend every general assembly. Upon coming of age, members are eligible for all offices.
§ 7 — Membership fee
An annual fee, graded according to means, is levied; the amount is set by the general assembly.
§ 8 — Funds
The association is financed mainly through membership fees, returns on association assets, event proceeds, donations, bequests, gifts, contributions from patrons and public or private grants. Liability for the association's obligations is limited to its assets; personal liability of members is excluded.
§ 9 — Bodies of the association
The bodies of the association are the general assembly and the board.
§ 10 — General assembly
The general assembly is the supreme body. It elects and dismisses the board, receives the annual report and accounts, sets membership fees, decides on motions, amendments to the charter and dissolution. It is convened at least once per fiscal year by the board with one month's notice. Motions for the agenda must be submitted in writing at least two weeks in advance.
§ 11 — Board
The board comprises chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary and treasurer. Authorised to represent under § 26 BGB is the chairperson together with another board member. The board is elected for three years and serves on a voluntary basis. Decisions are taken by simple majority.
§ 12 — Voting and quorum
Each member has one unrestricted vote. Decisions of the general assembly are taken by simple majority. Charter amendments and dissolution require a three-quarter majority of those present. Minutes are recorded within two months and signed by an authorised board member and the recorder.
§ 13 — Dissolution
If dissolution of the association is resolved, the current board is obliged to wind it up. Upon dissolution or loss of tax-privileged purposes, the assets shall pass to UNICEF, to be used directly and exclusively for non-profit, charitable or ecclesiastical purposes.
Adopted in Darmstadt on 19 November 2006.