Translation for infomation purpos only, legaly binding is the German version.
Medienstadt Leipzig e. V. – Association for the promotion of cultural and scientific projects
as of 16. July 2021
§1
Name and registered office
The association bears the name ‘Medienstadt Leipzig e. V.’. It has its registered office in Leipzig.
The association’s financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December of each year.
§2
Purpose and objective of the association
The purpose of the association is to promote education, science and research as well as structural development projects in the fields of digitisation, media and telematics.
These objectives are to be achieved by organising seminars, educational events, conferences and (research) projects, and by supporting public awareness through targeted science communication on the topics of the Internet and digitisation.
The association may cooperate with other associations and other private or public institutions to achieve its purpose, provided that they support the association’s goals. The association may create appropriate structures for this purpose.
To support the association’s public image, the board may ask public figures to act as patrons for individual projects or events, whereby these persons do not have to be members of the association.
§3
Membership
Any natural person of legal age or legal entity that affirms and supports the objectives of the association may become a member of the association.
Membership must be applied for in writing using the membership application form. The board decides on the admission of new members. In the event of rejection, the decision may be appealed to the general assembly. Membership ends upon death, resignation, expulsion or dissolution of the association. Resignation must be submitted in writing to the board with four weeks’ notice to the end of the year.
The board shall conduct disciplinary proceedings against any member who damages the interests of the association or is guilty of a gross violation of the association’s principles, which may result in expulsion. Expulsion shall take effect after confirmation by the general assembly.
§4
Membership fees
The association charges membership fees. The annual membership fee is determined by the general assembly for a period of three years and must be communicated to all members.
A higher fee may be charged for legal entities. The membership fee may be waived in cases of hardship.
Members who are in arrears with their membership fees after two reminders may be expelled by the board. An appeal may be lodged. If an appeal is lodged, the general assembly shall decide on the member’s continued membership.
§5
Association bodies
The association bodies are the general assembly, the board and the audit committee.
§6
General Assembly
The ordinary General Assembly shall take place at least once a year. It shall be convened by the Executive Board. Extraordinary General Assemblies shall take place if there are special reasons for doing so or if one tenth of the members request this in writing. Members shall be invited in writing, with the agenda being announced and a notice period of at least two weeks being observed.
The general assembly shall constitute a quorum if 1/3 of the members are present. If the general assembly does not reach this quorum, the executive committee shall be entitled to convene a new general assembly in writing, which shall constitute a quorum regardless of the number of members present.
Resolutions of the general assembly shall be passed by a simple majority. Amendments to the statutes require a majority of three-quarters of the members present at the meeting. Voting rights are transferable but limited to three votes per member.
Minutes shall be taken after each meeting and signed by the chair of the meeting.
Every member has the right to inspect the minutes
§7
Board
The Board consists of a chairperson, a treasurer and a maximum of three other board members.
The chairperson represents the association in and out of court. He or she is authorised to issue powers of attorney in accordance with Sections 164 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB) for the representation of the association. The chairperson is exempt from the restrictions of Section 181 BGB (self-dealing). The chairperson and the treasurer jointly hold the power of attorney for banking matters.
The members of the Board are elected by the General Assembly for a term of three years. Re-election is permitted. Any member of the Board may be dismissed by the General Assembly. This decision of the General Assembly requires a two-thirds majority of the quorum. The Board has a quorum if more than half of the members of the Board are present. The Board may adopt rules of procedure. The Board manages the day-to-day business of the association.
It is responsible for the administration of the association’s assets and the implementation of the resolutions of the General Assembly.
The general assembly may elect a member as honorary chair in recognition of their distinguished public service if this person has made a special contribution to the achievement of the association’s objectives. An honorary chair may participate in board meetings in an advisory capacity and shall not be counted towards the quorum of the board. The general assembly shall determine the period for which the honorary chairmanship shall apply.
§8
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is elected by the General Assembly by a majority vote for the individual candidates. It consists of at least two and at most three members. The General Assembly appoints the chairperson; it may decide to rotate this function.
The Audit Committee annually reviews the board’s decisions, activities and asset management for compliance with the Statutes and other association documents, as well as with the law. It has the right to inspect business transactions and may request that a General Assembly be convened.
§9
Association assets
The association acquires the funds necessary for its purposes through membership fees, monetary and material donations, public subsidies, private donations, and other types of contributions.
The association may not favour anyone through expenditures that are not related to the purpose of the association.
The association’s assets may only be used for the goals and purposes of the association in accordance with these statutes.
§10
Liquidation of the association
The association shall be liquidated by decision of the general assembly. The resolution to liquidate the association requires a majority of three quarters of the quorum.
In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the association, its assets shall be used for ecological or charitable purposes. The recipient of the assets shall be determined by the general assembly that decides on the liquidation.
§11
Statutes
The statutes may only be amended by the general assembly with a majority of three-quarters of the members present at the meeting. Amendments to the statutes that are required by supervisory, judicial or financial authorities for formal reasons may be made by the board on its own initiative. These amendments to the statutes must be communicated to and confirmed by the next general assembly.
§12
Written form and voting eligibility
Written declarations within the meaning of these statutes may also be electronic documents.
Votes cast by members electronically in accordance with paragraph 1 or by post shall be counted in the same way as votes cast by members present at general assemblies. Members who are not present may transfer their voting rights in advance in writing to association members participating in the assembly. The transfer must be notified to the board and the assembly at the latest at the beginning of the assembly. Virtual general assemblies and virtual voting procedures are valid.