Verein zur Förderung des Leichtbaus e.V. in Stuttgart

§ 1
Name, seat

The name of the non-profit organisation is Verein zur Förderung des Leichtbaus e.V. in Stuttgart (Association fort he Advancement of Lightweight Structures); the registered seat is Stuttgart, Germany.

The fiscal year is equivalent to the calendar year.

§ 2
Purpose and objectives

The purpose and objectives of association are strictly non-profit. These are

1. Support, planning and initiating scientific research and development of
   - lightweight construction in structural engineering
   - lightweight construction in the field of aerospace, automotive and similar technological applications.
2. Interdisciplinary exchange with persons, institutions, companies and government agencies interested in the above-mentioned fields.
3. Conducting and supporting symposia, colloquia and similar events to promote the exchange of ideas.
4. Providing grants, awards and such to support and promote scientists, especially junior scientists in this field.
5. Publication of research results especially those achieved by members of the association and members of the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design, University of Stuttgart, for the information of the experts and the interested public.
6. Promotion of the scientific research at the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design.
7. Promotion of the personal and social contact between former members of the IL.

The association is a non-profit organisation.

Funds of the associations may only be used according to this charter. The members will receive no stipends from these funds.

No individual may be favoured by expenditure alien to the association's purpose and objectives or by disproportionally large compensation.

§ 3
Membership

Any individual or corporate body supporting the association's objectives may become a member. The final decision rests with the board of directors. The membership application must be submitted in writing.

Members are to pay an annual membership, the amount to be determined by the General Assembly.

§ 4
Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated by:

1. death of the individual member or dissolution of the corporate body,
2. letter of resignation observing the 3-months' notice to the end of the fiscal year,
3. on serious grounds expulsion by the board of directors confirmed by the advisory board. Within one month of receipt of the notification, objection may be raised, to be decided upon by the general assembly.

§ 5
Finance

The resources of the association consist primarily of:

• gifts, grants and subsidies
• membership fees.

§ 6
Organisation

• Executive Board
• Advisory Board
• General Assembly
  

§ 7
Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of:

• the Chairman
• the Deputy Chairman
• the General-Secretary
• the Treasurer
  

The General Assembly elects the board for a term of 3 years. Resigning members of the board remain in office until the next election.

Re-election is permitted.

The Executive Board governs the association, executes the resolutions and manages the finances.

The Executive Board, consisting of the chairman and the deputy chairman, is the legal representative of the association. Each represents the association alone.

§ 8
Advisory Board

The Advisory Board consists of at least 3 and up to 6 members, elected by the General Assembly for a 3-year-term. Re-election is permitted.

The Advisory Board appoints a chairman from its members.

The Advisory Board provides support and advice for the Executive Board.

The Advisory Board will meet as required by the chairman and on demand of at least 2 of its members.

§ 9
General Assembly

The General Assembly will meet at least once a year. Notice of the meeting and the agenda shall be sent to all members by the Executive Board 4 weeks prior to the meeting.

The General Assembly has the following responsibilities:

• Receipt of the administrative report and the annual fiscal report,
• Appointment and discharge of the Executive Board,
• Election of the Advisory Board,
• Determination of the membership fee,
• Resolution concerning amendments to the charter or the dissolution of the association (proposals for amendments have to be sent with the agenda to all members).
  

Resolutions resulting from the General Assembly are to be included in the minutes of the meeting to be signed by the Chairman of the Executive Board. Resolutions are passed by a simple majority of those present. Amendments to the charter require a ¾ majority of those members present.

§ 10
Dissolution

In case of dissolution of the association resp. abandoning of the objectives stated above the remaining funds will go to the association of the friends of the University of Stuttgart (Vereinigung von Freunden der Universität Stuttgart e.V.) to be used according to the respective purposes.

§ 11
Final Clause

After entry in the registrar the association is to be registered with the municipal court Stuttgart. The Executive Board may make any amendments deemed necessary by the municipal court or the fiscal authorities determining the non-profit status.

 

28 February 1998