Articles of Association

Disclaimer:

This text is a direct translation of the original Articles of Association in German. However, for legal purposes, only the German version is binding.

§ 1 Name and registered office

The name of the association is: Freunde und Förderer des Studiums der Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik an der Universität Stuttgart e.V. Short form: F²SEI e.V.
it has its registered office in Stuttgart and is entered in the register of associations there.

§ 2 Purpose

The purpose of the association is the promotion of student support and the promotion of science in the field of electrical engineering and information technology. These aims are realised in particular by

supporting students in their social concerns (signposting through the university, free assistance in finding accommodation, events to get to know each other, etc.)
public events and seminars on electrical engineering and information technology in order to promote scientific exchange, young talent and the socially positive impression of the degree programme and its students.
support for the publication of scientific research results in the field of electrical engineering and information technology
the provision of educational materials and the publication of an information sheet

§ 3 Non-profit status

the association pursues exclusively and directly charitable purposes within the meaning of the tax-privileged purposes section of the Tax Ordinance. The association is selflessly active and does not primarily pursue its own economic purposes.
funds of the association may only be used for statutory purposes.
the members of the association shall not receive any profit shares or, in their capacity as members, any other benefits from the association’s funds, even if they leave the association. No person may be favoured by expenses that are alien to the purpose of the association or by disproportionately high remuneration.

§ 4 Organs

The bodies of the Association are

the General Assembly,
the Executive Board.

§ 5 Membership

any natural or legal person with full legal capacity may become a member of the Association. The admission of a member takes place by resolution of the Executive Board in accordance with §26 BGB. The resolution is passed by majority vote. The rejection of an application for membership must be communicated by letter or e-mail. It does not have to be justified.
the application for membership must contain
(a) the full name, (b) the date of birth (in the case of legal entities, the date of incorporation), (c) the address, (d) the e-mail address.
young people under the age of 18 can only be admitted with the consent of their parents or their legal representative.
changes of address or e-mail address must be reported immediately to a member of the Board of Directors.

5 Membership expires

(a) in the case of legal entities, by their dissolution or cancellation,
(b) by voluntary resignation, which can be made at any time by a declaration by letter or e-mail to a member of the Executive Board,
(c) by exclusion from the Association.

a member may be expelled from the Association at the request of at least three members,
(a) if the member is in arrears with the payment of membership fees despite two reminders, (b) in the event of gross violation of the Association’s Articles of Association, (c) if the member behaves dishonourably or grossly disgraces the reputation of the association.

The member concerned must be notified of the exclusion decision in writing.

§ 6 General Meeting

the General Meeting of Members shall be convened by the first Chairman or, if he is unable to do so, by the second Chairman, as necessary, but at least once per financial year.
it must be convened at the request of at least a quarter of the members or by resolution of the Executive Board.
the General Meeting shall be convened in writing at least ten working days in advance, stating the agenda.
The General Meeting is chaired by the first Chairman or, if he is unable to attend, by the second Chairman. If the latter is also unable to do so, the General Meeting shall elect a chairperson from among its members.
Every duly convened General Meeting has a quorum regardless of the number of members present.
The General Meeting may decide to supplement the agenda.
Minutes shall be taken of each General Meeting and confirmed by the chairman of the meeting.
the tasks of the general meeting include
(a) the overall planning of the work as well as the passing of resolutions in all matters of fundamental importance, (b) approving the budget for the next financial year drawn up by the Board of Directors; receiving the annual report of the Board of Directors and discharging the Board of Directors, (c) determining the amount and due date of the annual membership fee, (d) electing the Executive Board and setting up working groups to which tasks can be assigned, (e) Dismissal of members from the Executive Board by more than half of all authorised voters present, (f) passing resolutions on amendments to the Articles of Association, (g) passing resolutions on the expulsion of members.

§ 7 Executive Board

the Executive Board consists of the first Chairman, the second Chairman, the Treasurer, his deputy and the Secretary. The Executive Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure, which shall regulate in particular the areas of treasury management, business management and record keeping, as well as the precise areas of responsibility of the Executive Board members.
the Executive Board is released from the restrictions of §181 BGB.
the joint signature of two members of the Executive Board is sufficient for legally binding representation.
the Executive Board is quorate if three of its members are present. It passes its resolutions by a simple majority of those present.
the Executive Board is responsible for all matters of the Association, unless they are assigned to another body of the Association by the Articles of Association. It has the following tasks in particular:
(a) Preparing the General Meeting and drawing up the agenda; (b) Convening the General Meeting; (c) Implementing the resolutions of the General Meeting; (d) Preparation of a budget for each financial year, bookkeeping, preparation of an annual report; (e) Conclusion and cancellation of employment contracts; (f) passing resolutions on the admission of members; (g) Cancellation of members from the list of members.

§ 8 Elections and voting

the term of office of the members of the Executive Board is one year, but they remain in office after the expiry of the term of office until the new Executive Board is elected. The members of the Executive Board must be members of the Association.
In the event of the premature resignation of a member of the Executive Board, the next General Meeting shall elect a successor. If no election is held, the previously elected members shall continue to conduct business until an election is held.
votes are decided by a simple majority of those present, unless otherwise stipulated in the Articles of Association. A tie vote is considered a rejection, abstentions are not counted. Votes are generally taken by a show of hands; a secret ballot must be held at the request of a member.
The following applies to elections: In the event of a tie, a second ballot shall be held; in the event of another tie, the decision shall be made by drawing lots.

§ 9 Business term and financial year

The business term is one year, the financial year corresponds to the calendar year.

§ 10 Fees

The amount of the admission fee shall be proposed by the Executive Board of the Association and set by the General Meeting for the coming year. The amount of the membership fees shall be determined accordingly. The membership fee is to be paid to the Association annually in advance.

§ 11 Amendment of the Articles of Association

The General Meeting shall decide on amendments to the Articles of Association and changes to the purpose of the Association. Proposals for amendments to the Articles of Association and changes to the purpose must be submitted to the voting members at least one month before the meeting of the General Assembly. A majority of three quarters of the voting members present is required to pass a resolution.

§ 12 Dissolution of the Association

the dissolution of the association can only take place at a general meeting convened specifically for this purpose. It must be announced on the agenda. The dissolution requires the approval of at least three quarters of those present and entitled to vote.
Unless the General Meeting decides otherwise, the first chairperson and the second chairperson are jointly authorised liquidators.
in the event of the dissolution or cancellation of the association or the discontinuation of tax-privileged purposes, the assets shall be used for tax-privileged purposes. Resolutions on the future utilisation of the assets may only be passed after the dissolution of the association.

§ 13 Entry into force of the Articles of Association

The Articles of Association enter into force on 13 June 2002.