Statutes of the Friends of the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies
Resolution of the Annual General Meeting on June 19, 2023
I. Name, registered office and purpose
§1
Name and seat
The name of the Association is "Friends of the Heidelberg School of Jewish Studies". It is based in Heidelberg and is entered in the register of associations.
§2
Purpose
(1) The "Freundeskreis der Hochschule für Jüdische Studien, Heidelberg e.V." pursues directly and exclusively charitable purposes:
1.the promotion of the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien in Heidelberg, its members and institutions in the fulfillment of its tasks in research and teaching.
2.the promotion of international academic cooperation and exchange between other universities and the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien.
3.the promotion of relations between the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien and the circles of the economy and public life interested in science and research in the field of Jewish Studies as well as with former students of the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien.
4.the promotion of students and young academics at the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien, including the awarding and co-financing of scholarships as well as support in social emergencies.
5.the promotion of continuing academic education.
(2)
1.the funds of the Circle of Friends may only be used for the purposes pursued by it. The use of funds is subject to the rules of economic efficiency and expediency. The work in the organs of the association is voluntary. Those members of the Board of Directors who are not members by virtue of their office may receive honorary allowances as compensation for expenses, subject to a majority decision by the Board of Directors.
2.the association is a non-profit organization; it does not primarily pursue its own economic purposes.
II Membership
§3
Members
(1) The following may become members of the Freundeskreis:
Natural and legal persons as well as groups of persons and companies.
(2) Membership is acquired through a declaration of membership and its acceptance by the Board of Directors.
The declaration of membership must be addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
§4
Membership fees
Members shall pay annual contributions. The minimum contribution is determined by the Executive Board. In all other respects, the contribution is left to the members' own discretion. Members should state the annual contribution they are prepared to pay when they join.
§5
Honorary members
Anyone who has rendered outstanding services to the Circle of Friends may be appointed an honorary member by the General Meeting on the proposal of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds majority.
§6
Rights of members
All members have one vote each in the General Assembly. Members have preferential access to events organized by the Freundeskreis.
§7
Termination of membership
(1) Membership shall expire upon death or upon written notice of resignation, which is permissible for the end of a financial year.
(2) Members who damage the reputation and interests of the Circle of Friends or fail to meet their legal obligations may be expelled by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. Before the exclusion takes effect, the member concerned must be heard by the Executive Board. Membership shall be suspended for this period.
(3) A member shall leave the association if it is three years in arrears with the payment of its membership fee despite a timely reminder. The member shall leave at the end of the year following the third year. The Executive Board shall determine the withdrawal and inform the member in writing.
III Bodies of the Association
§8
Organs
The bodies of the Association are
(1) the Executive Board
(2) the general meeting.
§9
The Board of Directors
The Executive Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
The Board consists of:
(1) a Chairperson who is not a member of the School of Jewish Studies,
(2) the Rector of the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien, as an official member,
(3) the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the School of Jewish Studies, as an official member,
(4) the Treasurer, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Board,
(5) one further member.
§10
Election of the Board of Directors
(1) The members of the Executive Board who are not members by virtue of office and the Chairman of the Executive Board shall be elected by the General Meeting for a term of three years. However, their office shall not end until their successors have been elected.
(2) If a member resigns before the end of the term of office, the Board of Directors is entitled to elect a successor for the remaining term of office.
§11
Representation of the Association
The Association is represented in and out of court by the Chairman of the Board (§ 9, No. 1), the Treasurer (§ 9, No. 4) and another member of the Board (§ 9, No. 5). Each member of the Management Board has sole power of representation. Internally, it is determined that the two members of the Executive Board according to § 9, no. 4 and 5, are only authorized to represent the company if the Chairman of the Executive Board is prevented from doing so.
§12
Tasks of the Executive Board
(1) The Executive Board manages the day-to-day business. It prepares an annual report.
(2) The annual financial statements (statement of assets, expenses and income) shall be prepared jointly by the Chairman of the Executive Board and the Treasurer.
(3) The Executive Board manages the Association's assets and decides on
1.the allocation of funds,
2.the preparation of an amendment to the Articles of Association, a change of purpose or an intended dissolution of the Circle of Friends.
(3) Proposals for the appointment of honorary members by the General Assembly.
(4) The Board of Directors shall meet at least once a year. It shall be chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Directors and convened by him in writing, verbally, by telephone or by e-mail. The agenda does not need to be communicated. The Board of Directors shall also be convened if the Rector of the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien deems this necessary for important reasons in connection with the activities of the Freundeskreis.
§13
General Assembly of Members
(1) The General Assembly of Members shall receive the annual report and the accounts of the Board of Directors. It grants discharge to the Board of Directors. It elects the Board of Directors. It is responsible for resolutions on amendments to the Articles of Association and any dissolution of the Association.
(2) The General Meeting shall be convened at least once a year with at least 10 days' notice by the Chairman of the Board of Directors and chaired by him. The invitation shall be sent to the address of the members previously known to the Association, stating the agenda.
(3) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by the Chairman within four weeks if the Board of Directors or at least one tenth of all members of the Circle of Friends request such a meeting, stating the items to be discussed.
(4) Any properly convened General Meeting shall constitute a quorum. Resolutions of the General Meeting shall be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast, with the exception of amendments to the purpose of the Association and amendments to the Articles of Association for the dissolution of the Association, for which a two-thirds majority is required. The decision to dissolve the Association requires the confirmation of a second General Meeting, which must be convened within a quarter of a year.
(5) Minutes must be taken of the General Meeting and signed by the Chairman and another member of the Board of Directors.
IV. Asset management, financial year and auditors
§ 14
Asset management
The Association is authorized to carry out asset management assigned to it.
§ 15
Financial year and auditors
(1) The financial year is the calendar year.
(2) The annual financial statements shall be audited by one or two auditors elected by the General Meeting for a period of three years. If there is only one auditor or if an auditor resigns before the end of his or her term of office, a by-election may be held until the end of the current term of office. The Executive Board shall propose at least one auditor in the event of a vacancy.
§ 16
Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, the existing net assets of the Circle of Friends shall be transferred to the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien to fulfill its tasks. If the General Meeting does not appoint the members of the Board of Directors as liquidators, the Chairman and his deputy shall be the liquidators with joint power of representation.