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Our associations constitution

Constitution

of Erdbewegung e.V. - NGO for a global cooperation

 
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Preamble
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The “Erdbewegung e.V. - Verein für ein globales Miteinander” supports people (earth movers) and initiatives (earth movements) locally and globally in developing and implementing innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts in the following areas: Promoting an international spirit of tolerance in all areas of culture and the idea of ​​international understanding, promotion of science and research, art and culture, education, nature and species protection and promotion of development cooperation. With the help of funding programs, workshop formats, consultations and events, we enable actors and initiatives oriented towards the common good to act sustainably step by step in order to improve their social and ecological impact.

 

§ 1 Name, registered office and financial year
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(1) The association bears the name “Erdebwegung e.V. - Verein für ein globales Miteinander” and should be entered in the association register at the Freiburg District Court.
(2) The association is based in Kirchzarten.

(3) The association's financial year is the calendar year.

 

§ 2 Purpose of the association
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The purpose of the association is to promote

 

(1) Promoting an international spirit of tolerance in all areas of culture and the idea of ​​international understanding

This statutory purpose is achieved in particular by:

• Conception, organization and implementation of intercultural projects and events to promote international exchange and thus tolerance, understanding and social coexistence on a global level.

• Conception and implementation of projects and events to promote and integrate socially disadvantaged earthlings.

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(2) Promoting science and research


This statutory purpose is achieved in particular by:

• Carrying out research projects such as: B. Research into intercultural and interspecies communication.

• Promoting scientific investigations and publications in the areas of nature and environmental protection.

• Evaluation and timely publication of research and project results.

• Making visible and promoting indigenous sciences, artistic science approaches and scientific art.

• Carrying out scientific events such as colloquia, conferences and congresses.
• Planning, implementation and medialization of research projects and research trips of various kinds within Germany and worldwide.

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(3) Art and culture


This statutory purpose is realized in particular through:

• Development and implementation of all kinds of art projects.

•Development and implementation of photo and film projects, as well as film festivals of all kinds, e.g. on sustainable development and common good-oriented & sustainable business.

• Development and implementation of educational programs in the field of cultural and creative industries.

• Carrying out openings and concerts.

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(4) Education, continuing education and vocational training

 

This statutory purpose is achieved in particular by:

• Conception and promotion of innovative exercise, learning and educational events in all types of schools and educational institutions with people of all ages.

• Development and implementation of programs and consultations in the area of ​​economics oriented towards the common good and sustainable development.

• Development and implementation of educational programs on media literacy and new technologies.

• Development and implementation of educational programs to promote innovation and personal development.

• Discussion and dissemination of the concepts of social innovation and collaborative work with and among political decision-makers, funding institutions, companies and other project sponsors.

 

(5) Nature and species protection

 

This statutory purpose is achieved in particular by:

• Promotion and enforcement of environmental and nature protection in a comprehensive sense as protection of the dignity and integrity of people, the natural basis of life for people, animals and plants and the existence of animals and plants (earthlings) as well as the preservation of all these assets from impairment and destruction

• Development and implementation of programs, proposals and consultations in the area of ​​equal rights for all earthbound actors and people (m/f/queer/trans), animals, plants and the recording, research and establishment of earthling and earth rights.

• Promoting resource-saving, environmentally friendly living and sustainable economic activity for the benefit of people and nature.

• Participation in the formation of political will and informing the population about the content and goals of nature and environmental protection.

• The promotion of consumer advice and consumer protection

• Planning and implementation of projects and events to create a social and individual sense of responsibility towards all earthlings and planet earth.

 

(6) Promoting development cooperation

 

This statutory purpose is achieved in particular by:

• the joint effort of industrialized countries and developing countries to permanently and sustainably reduce global differences in socio-economic development and general living conditions. The basic principle of cooperation is to help people help themselves.

• Development and implementation of conferences, festivals, exhibitions and competitions to enable people to critically question social and economic events in order to actively participate in political processes.

• Planning and implementing exchange programs.

 

§ 3 Non-profit status
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(1) The association pursues exclusively and directly charitable purposes within the meaning of the “Tax-privileged purposes” section of the tax code.

(2) The corporation operates selflessly; it does not primarily pursue its own economic purposes.

(3) The corporation's funds may only be used for statutory purposes. The members do not receive any benefits from the corporation's funds.
(4) The association and organizational offices are generally carried out on a voluntary basis. If necessary, statutory offices can, within the framework of budgetary possibilities, be paid on the basis of a service contract or against payment of an expense allowance in accordance with  § 3 No. 26a EStG (flat rate for volunteer work). The board of directors makes the decision about paid association activities. The same applies to the contents of the contract and the termination of the contract. The association's bodies are reimbursed for expenses and costs.

(5) No person may be favored through expenses that are alien to the purpose of the corporation or through disproportionately high remuneration.

 

§ 4 Assistant person
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To fulfill its tasks, the association can use an assistant within the meaning of § 57 Section 1 Sentence 2 AO if it does not carry out its tasks itself. If auxiliary persons become active for the association, corresponding written agreements will be drawn up about the association's instructions to these auxiliary persons, about the content and scope of the activity and the success owed, and the activities performed will be recorded in an accounting report and then presented to the responsible tax office.

 

§ 5 Membership
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(1) Any natural or legal person can become a member of the association. There are full and supporting members.
(2) Full members of the association undertake to actively support and support the goals of the association. You have the right to vote in the general meeting.

(3) Supporting members support the association financially. You have no right to vote in the general meeting and cannot hold any office.

(4) To join, a written application for membership must be submitted to the board. The board decides whether to accept a member. The decision does not need to be justified. The board decides unanimously on acceptance or rejection; he is not obliged to do and provide reasons for rejection.
(5) The number of full members should be limited by the board in such a way that the association can decide and act as effectively and flexibly as possible.
(6) Full members do not have to pay any monetary contributions.

(7) The supporting members have to make monetary contributions. The general meeting decides on the amount and due date of the contributions

 

Contribution regulations


(8) Membership expires through voluntary resignation, exclusion or death. If membership fees are not paid despite a reminder or a change of residence without notifying the association, a member can be deleted from the membership list.
(9) Resignation is possible at the end of the year with three months' notice and upon written application by the member.
(10) The exclusion of a member is only possible if he or she intentionally violates these statutes or the goals of the association and thereby causes serious damage to the association. The general meeting decides on the exclusion at the request of the board. Before exclusion, the member must be heard by the board. In the event of a complaint by the member, an arbitration tribunal should be appointed to resolve the matter.

 

§ 6 Organs of the association
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The organs of the association are the general meeting and the board.

 

§7 General meeting
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(1) The general meeting establishes the guidelines for the work of the association and decides on questions of fundamental importance.

(2) The general meeting must be convened at least once a year. The general meeting is called by the board in text form with an agenda at least two weeks before the meeting date and is chaired by a board member. The invitation is deemed to have been received if it was sent in a timely manner to the last postal or email address provided to the association in writing by the member.

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(3) Only full members have the right to vote in the general meeting.


(4) The tasks of the general meeting are:
• Election, deselection and discharge of the board

• Advice on the status and planning of the work

•Approval of the project and financing plans  by the board
• Receipt of the cash and business reports by the board of directors

• Issuance of the contribution regulations
• Decisions about exclusions from the association
•Resolution on changes to the statutes, changes to the purpose of the association, conversion of the association and dissolution of the association

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(5) The general meeting has a quorum regardless of the number of members present if it has been properly convened. Resolutions at the meeting must be passed with a three-quarters majority of the voting members present. Abstentions are not counted.

(6) The general meeting can dissolve the association. The decision requires a unanimous decision.
(7) The general meeting can decide on changes to the statutes of the association's purpose. A three-quarters majority is required for a resolution that contains a change to the statutes. To change the purpose of the association, the consent of three quarters of the members is required.

(8) At the general meeting, every member entitled to vote has one vote.
(9) Minutes must be kept of the proceedings of each general meeting, which must be signed by the chair of the meeting and the person taking the minutes.

(10) Resolutions are also permissible without a meeting if all voting members agree to the resolution in writing.

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§ 8 Board of Directors
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(1) The board is responsible for all matters that are not assigned to another association body by the current statutes. In particular, he manages the day-to-day business of the association. He is elected by the ordinary general meeting every year. Re-election of board members is possible.

(2) The board within the meaning of § 26 BGB consists of one to three people. The board represents the association in and out of court. The association can be represented individually by each member of the board.

(3) The board passes its resolutions unanimously. If the board consists of more than one person, the board has a quorum even if not all board members are present. If urgent, resolutions of the board can also be made in writing or by telephone. Board decisions must be recorded in writing.

(4) The board can appoint a managing director (as a special representative within the meaning of § 30 BGB). His/her area of ​​responsibility and the extent of his/her power of representation are determined when the appointment is made.
(5) The board can convene an extended board from among the members of the association in order to fill positions such as treasurer, secretary and similar and to receive support in its work.

(6) If a board member leaves before the end of his regular election, a successor will be elected at the next regular general meeting. Until then, the board will appoint a temporary representative.

 

§ 9 Cash management and cash audit
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(1) The board is responsible for proper cash management and careful management of the association's assets.
(2) The cash management and financial circumstances must be checked at the end of each financial year.

(3) The audit can be carried out by either an external tax advisor or two auditors who are not board members. The general meeting elects the tax advisor or auditor for two years each.

 

§ 10 Dissolution
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In the event of dissolution or the loss of its tax-privileged purpose, the assets of the association pass to a corporation under public law oranother tax-privileged corporation for the purpose of promoting art and culture.

 

§ 11 Establishment Clause
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If changes and adjustments to the statutes are necessary for entry in the register of associations or for the recognition of non-profit status by the relevant authorities, the board can make these without a resolution from the general meeting. The Board of Directors is already expressly authorized to carry out these actions. As of: March 11, 2021

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