§ 1 - Name and Domicile
The association is known under the name of “Circle of friends of Tambacounda, association for the procurement of African cultural assets and for the advancement of development projects in Africa” incorporated society. („Freundeskreis Tambacounda, Verein zur Vermittlung afrikanischen Kulturgutes und zur Förderung von Entwicklungsprojekten in Afrika“ e.V.). The domicile is Hanover. The accounting year equals the calendar year.
§ 2 – Purpose
The association campaigns for the procurement of African cultural assets and for the advancement of development projects in Africa. The main focus is the region of Tambacounda (Senegal).
The circle contributes actively to the procurement of African cultural assets and for the advancement of development projects in Africa. The association is party political and confessional independent.
(1) To realize its goals, the association assumes especially the following activities:
- Cultural events (in particular lecturing events, slideshow lectures, music events, etc.).
- Services for development policy groups, in particular throughout the region of Hanover and the Lower- Saxony.
- The presentation of development projects in Africa and the advancement of their acceptance in public.
- Financial support for development projects in Africa.
§ 3 – The allocation of resources
The foundation does not act on its own behalf. It does not pursue goals primarily serving its own economic interest. The association’s means can only be used for statutable purposes. The members in their attribute as a member wouldn’t get allocations from the association’s purse. It is forbidden, that a person profits from costs differing from the foundations goals or that he/she is favoured by disproportionally high amenities.
§ 4 – Membership
Gaining membership is possible for natural persons. The decision about the request in written form is made by the directorate. In cases of refusal the association is not obliged to explain reasons to the enrollee. The accession as a sustaining member without a right to vote is possible.
§ 5 – Ending the Membership
The membership ends with death, with the voluntary exit or by being excluded through the association. The voluntary exit is possible by swearing the affidavit to one of the authorized representatives belonging to the board. It is only allowed to discharge at the end of a calendar year when a four weeks cancelation period is followed. A member can be expelled by the meeting of members in cases of a decision made by the majority of the attending members and when ¾ of the valid votes are casted. Furthermore the member must have violated the association’s interests in an abrasive way.
§ 6 – Membership Fees
Fees can be imposed to members as well as to sustaining members. The amount of membership fees is defined by the membership the general meeting.
§ 7 – The Associations Organs
The directorate’s organs are:
- The meeting of members/general meeting
§ 8 – The Directorate
The directorate consists of the first and the second chair (coevally the treasurer) and a secretary. Each member of the directorate is individually authorized to represent. The chair can delegate single tasks to third parties.
§ 9 – Cash Auditing
The meeting of members elects a treasurer for a period of three years. At irregular intervals but at least once a year, the treasurer must control the cash and non- cash trading on its accordance to the statutory purposes.
§ 10 – Tasks and the Chairs Competence
The chair is responsible for the association’s affairs as far as they are not allocated to another organ by the charter. His responsibilities are in particular:
- The general meeting’s preparation as well as the agenda’s development
- The general meeting’s calling
- The accomplishment of the general meeting’s decisions
- The preparation of any budget, accountancy, the development of an annual report, the annual examination’s submission
- The decree of applications for admission
§ 11 – Election of the Chair
The chair is elected by the meeting of the members. Only association members can be elected as chair members. Chair members are elected for a period of three years. Until the reelection the chair holds office. With the ending of membership the agency as chair ends as well.
§ 12 – Board Meetings
The board decides in meetings summoned by the first or second chairperson.
The presentation of an agenda is not necessary.
The board has a quorum if at least half of its members are present.
The board decides by majority of votes. If there is no definite majority, the vote of the first chairman is decisive. If he/she is not present the vote of the second chairman is decisive.
§ 13 – General Meeting
Each member has one vote in general meetings. Putting another member in charge of voting for a member is not admissible. One person can only represent one member.
The general meeting is responsible for the following affairs:
- Election, dismissal and relief of the board
- Decision-making on amendment of the statutes and on annulment of the association.
- Assignments if arising out of charter or law
The general meeting is able to put other members besides the board in charge of special assignments. At least once a year, a general meeting has to take place. It will be summoned by the board giving the agenda, a written invitation and then holded within a term of 4 weeks. Uncommon meetings are to summon if 1/3 of the members request it in a written way and explain the reasons. The general meeting is a quorum if summoned orderly. Decisions of the general meeting are made by simple majority. Amendments of the statutes require a ¾ majority of the present members. In this connection the given votes are important. Abstention from voting are regarded as invalid votes. Minutes of proceedings are to be made of each meeting. These have to be signs by the organizer of the meeting and the secretary.
§ 14 – Annulment of the association
(1) The annulment of the association can be caused by the decision of the general meeting with ¾ majorities of present members.
(2) In the case of an annulment of the association or cessation of the current purpose, the association´s assets are used for tax-advantaged purposes. Decisions on the future use of the assets must not be made without the agreement of the tax and revenue office.
