statutes and code of conduct

code of conduct of the German Chemical Society

The GDCh commits itself and its members to stand up for freedom, tolerance and truthfulness in science, in particular to maintain and increase the reputation of chemistry as well as chemical knowledge and ability. All GDCh members are aware that, as scientists, they are particularly responsible for the effects of their professional activities on people and nature. The GDCh and its members support and promote sustainable and lasting development in society, the economy and the environment. They always act in the awareness of their responsibility towards future generations. They observe the laws and international conventions applicable to their work and its results and effects and oppose the abuse of chemistry, e.g. B. for the production of chemical weapons and addictive substances. When developing, applying and disseminating chemical knowledge, they are committed to the truth and do not use any unfair methods. Members who violate these principles damage the reputation of science and the profession. They can be excluded from the GDCh.

§ 1 Name, registered office and business year

 

1. The association bears the name "German Chemical Society eV" with the abbreviation "GDCh". The association is hereinafter referred to as the company.
2. The company is based in Frankfurt am Main.
3. The company's financial year is the calendar year.

 

§ 2 Purpose, tasks and goals

 

1. Society is committed to science and the general public.
2. Purposes and goals of the company are in particular:
   
   

    

   1. Promotion of science in the field of chemistry and related areas;
   2. Promotion and maintenance of the scientific exchange of information and opinions of all persons working in the field of chemistry and those interested in chemistry within the framework of the applicable laws and regulations;
   3. Promotion of knowledge and understanding of chemistry and chemical relationships;
   4. Cooperation of scientists working in special fields at universities, other research institutions, in authorities and in industry and business;
   5. Promotion of young scientists;
   6. Promotion of chemistry-oriented scientific education, training and further training;
   7. Award for outstanding scientific achievements;
   8. Promotion of scientific work and research projects;
   9. Promotion of scientific publications and information;
   10. Cooperation with domestic and foreign organizations with comparable scientific tasks;
   11. Advice to legislative and administrative bodies as well as other public institutions or institutions committed to the common good in terms of the aforementioned tasks and goals;
   12. Promotion of equal opportunities for men and women in chemistry and related fields.
       
       

    

3. The GDCh supports needy members and their relatives or surviving dependents within the meaning of Section 53 of the Tax Code (AO) who are dependent on the help of others due to their physical, mental or emotional state or who are in need of economic help. The GDCh can also call for donations for this charitable cause.

 

§ 3 Realization of Purpose

 

1. The purposes of the statutes for the promotion of science and the general public are essentially realized through:
   
   

    

   1. the cooperation of members from science, economy and state institutions in specialist groups and sections, local associations and other branches of society;
   2. the organization and implementation of scientific events;
   3. informing politics, public administration and the media;
   4. the publication of a club magazine and of scientific publications, journals, reports, books and pamphlets alone or in association with other organizations;
   5. the implementation and evaluation of projects to promote research, technical information and education;
   6. the provision and promotion of information systems and databases;
   7. the implementation of scientific information events for professional development;
   8. the awarding of awards for outstanding achievements in research, application and teaching and in the publication sector;
   9. technical and financial support for young academics by granting scholarships;
   10. the cooperation with scientific organizations with related objectives beyond national borders, in particular in the field of publications, in specialist information and to promote the exchange of students and scientists;
   11. trusteeship for dependent foundations whose purposes are also the purposes of the company;
   12. Collection and evaluation of data on studies and fields of scientific activities;
   13. Promotion of measures for study reform and accreditation;
   14. Conducting public events for education and information;
   15. Implementation of measures to promote chemistry-oriented education, training and further training.
       
       

    

2. As a statutory purpose, these activities are only pursued as long as they can be attributed to the non-material area or special-purpose operations for tax purposes.

 

§ 4 Means

The company has the following resources at its disposal for its statutory purposes:

 

1. Membership fees;
2. Donations and gifts;
3. Grants and project funds;
4. Assets and income from assets;
5. Income from activities in accordance with the articles of association;
6. Income from special funds.

 

§ 5 Public Benefit

 

1. The company pursues exclusively and directly non-profit and charitable purposes within the meaning of the section "Tax-privileged purposes" of the tax code.
2. The company operates selflessly, it does not primarily pursue its own economic purposes.
3. The association's funds may only be used for statutory purposes.
4. In their capacity as members, the members of the society do not receive any allowances or shares from the funds of the society or the association's assets.
5. In addition, no person may be favored by expenses that are alien to the purposes of the company or by disproportionately high remuneration.
6. The public officials of the company work on a voluntary basis, but are entitled to reimbursement of expenses.

 

§ 6 Membership

 

1. Anyone who wants to support its purposes and goals and is scientifically interested in chemistry can become a member of the society. Membership is voluntary. There is no entitlement to membership in the company.
2. In order to achieve the purpose of the statutes in the scientific field of chemistry, the society strives for the widest possible membership of the specialist body.
3. Society has personal and supportive Members.
4. The personal members are divided into:
   
   

    

   1. full members;
   2. Honorary members;
   3. associated members.
      
      

    

   Ordinary members are:
   
   People working in chemistry and related fields as well as other people interested in chemical and molecular sciences at home and abroad, including students and people who are in vocational or school education.
   
   The general assembly can nominate excellent supporters of chemistry and the goals of society as honorary members on the proposal of the board of directors. The honorary members have the rights of the full members without their duties. Honorary membership is the highest distinction that the society has to bestow.
   
   Associate members are people from Germany and abroad whose training does not come from the field of chemistry and related areas and / or who do not work in this area and who are only interested in working in one of the specialist groups and / or sections of the society are. Only in these do they have the right to vote. The contribution regulations regulate the details.
   
   

5. Supporting members of the society can be companies, legal persons, companies, corporations and institutions under public law, associations, interest groups and authorities that are able and willing to promote the purpose of the society ideally and materially.

§ 7 Acquisition and beginning of membership

 

1. The application for membership must be submitted in writing to the headquarters. It must be accompanied by written recognition of the company's code of conduct.
2. The members will be notified of the application via the members' magazine. If there is no objection within four weeks after the announcement, the admission is approved, otherwise the board decides.
3. The recording will be communicated to the new member of the headquarters, accompanied by the statutes.
4. Membership rights are suspended in the event of failure to pay the annual membership fee until payment has been made.
5. The board decides on the admission of a sponsoring member.

 

§ 8 Termination of Membership

 

1. Every member can cancel their membership at the end of a calendar year. The written resignation must be received before the headquarters no later than three months.
2. Membership expires with the death of a member, in the case of legal entities with their dissolution.
3. Members can be excluded:
   
   

    

   1. in the event of a violation of the statutes or the company's code of conduct ;
   2. in the case of dishonorable behavior that is harmful to the association;
   3. if the membership fee is not paid despite a reminder.
      
      

    

4. In cases a) and b) the exclusion is pronounced by the court of honor and confirmed by the president of the society.
5. In case c) the exclusion is pronounced by the management.
6. The rights resulting from membership expire upon termination of membership. The termination of membership does not release you from the fulfillment of any existing obligations towards the association.

 

§ 9 Rights and duties of the members

 

1. All members according to § 6 Abs. 4a - b and Abs. 5 have the same right to vote in the general meeting or in written votes, right of initiative according to § 13.2 and are entitled to submit motions to the general meeting. These requests must be submitted with a brief justification no later than four weeks prior to the implementation of the General Assembly of the headquarters.
2. Within the scope of these statutes, every member has the right to advice and information from the company and to participate in its events in the clarification of chemical science, non-profit issues, as long as the company does not come into conflict with the tax regulations of the tax code for non-profit institutions through such support. The company can demand appropriate remuneration for requested and used special services.
3. All members are required to support the society in fulfilling its statutory duties. The company's statutes and resolutions are binding.
4. All members are obliged to pay the fees determined by the general meeting punctually and free of charge.
5. The members are still required to notify any change in the postal and electronic addresses of the headquarters immediately.
6. The officers of the society must be full members of the society.

 

§ 10 membership fee

 

1. Each member has to pay an annual fee.
2. The amount of the annual fee for personal members is determined annually by the general meeting on the recommendation of the board of directors. For personal members, the contribution categories defined in a separate contribution regulation according to status apply. The contribution rules must also be approved by the General Assembly every year.
3. The board determines the minimum annual contribution for supporting members, as well as the adjustment of the annual contribution in agreement with these members.
4. The annual fee must be paid free of charge by March 31 at the latest after receipt of the contribution invoice.
5. Honorary members are exempt from paying membership fees.
6. The rights of a member for the current financial year are suspended if the member has not paid his annual fee within a grace period of two months, calculated from the due date.
7. The distribution contributions due from the collecting society Wort according to its distribution plan to the members of the GDCh are additional membership fees due directly to the GDCh, provided that the members do not receive these contributions themselves at the collecting society Wort by registering their works in good time.
8. In order to cover extraordinary expenses, the general meeting can decide to raise levies.

 

§ 11 bodies of the company

Take care of the affairs of society:

 

1. the general assembly;
2. the board of directors;
3. the presidium;
4. The Board;
5. the court of honor.

 

§ 12 General Assembly

 

1. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the assembly of all members present society.
2. A general meeting must be called at least once a year. It is convened by the President. The convocation takes place with details of the agenda no later than eight weeks before the general meeting in writing, electronically or via the club magazine. The President presides over the meeting. He / she can appoint a representative to lead the meeting. Every duly convened general meeting has a quorum regardless of the number of people present.
3. The general assembly is particularly responsible for the following tasks :
   
   

    

   1. Receipt and approval of the annual report and the annual accounts for the past financial year with discussion;
   2. Receipt and approval of the auditors' report with debate;
   3. Discharge of the board of directors and the management;
   4. Decision on the budget for the coming year;
   5. Determination and due date of the annual fee;
   6. Resolution on an allocation for one-time special expenses;
   7. Election of the members of the election committee for the election of the board of directors;
   8. Election of the members of the court of honor on the proposal of the board of directors;
   9. Election of auditors. These must be full members of the company and may neither belong to an organ of the company nor be employed by it;
   10. Resolution on the appointment of honorary members on the proposal of the Board of Directors.
       
       

    

4. Each member can be represented by another member at the general meeting or can represent another member there. A written power of attorney is required for this. The power of attorney is to be given separately for each general meeting.
5. Resolutions of the general assembly are passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the members present, unless the law or the statutes stipulate otherwise. A tie counts as a rejection.
6. A report is to be made about the general assembly, which is to be signed by the president or his deputy and the secretary.
7. The general meeting is not public. The chairman of the meeting can admit guests.
8. Extraordinary general assemblies are called:
   
   

    

   1. if the board deems it necessary;
   2. if at least one tenth of the members request it in writing.
      
      

    

9. The extraordinary general meeting must be held within eight weeks of receipt of the application. The members must be invited in writing at least ten days in advance, stating the agenda.

 

§ 13 Board of Directors

 

1. The board of directors should be composed of people who have distinguished themselves through their achievements in the field of chemistry, and its composition should, if possible, also reflect the range of subjects in chemistry. It consists of 15 full members, whereby at the time of the election:
   
   

    

   1. seven the science sector (university, research institutions, authorities);
   2. seven should come from the field of business and the liberal professions.
   3. One member is delegated by the chairmen of the specialist groups and sections for two years at a time. Direct re-delegation is possible.
      
      

    

2. For the election of members of the board of directors, the board of directors submits a proposal to all members entitled to vote. Further suggestions can be made by the members. Each proposal from the group of members must be signed by at least 50 members who are entitled to vote. The members vote by secret postal vote or through comparable secure electronic voting forms. The electoral code regulates the details.
3. The board is elected by the members for a term of four years; in the case of staggered elections, shorter terms of office are also possible. The term of office begins on January 1st of the financial year following the election. The elected members remain in office until the new election. Direct re-election is possible once.
4. If a board member resigns during a term of office, the candidate with the next highest number of votes in the corresponding area a) or b) moves up; if the list of candidates is exhausted, the remaining board elects a substitute member until the next board election.
5. The board has a quorum if more than half of its members are present.
6. The board of directors decides with a majority of votes. In the event of a tie, the President has the casting vote.
7. The board of directors can grant other persons guest status (without voting rights) on the board of directors during all or part of the term of office.
8. The board of directors is responsible for all company matters , unless they are reserved for other organs or institutions of the company by mandatory statutory provisions or provisions of the statutes . In particular, the board of directors decides on the guidelines for the work of the society in accordance with § 3 and executes the decisions of the general assembly.
9. Minutes must be drawn up for each board meeting and its resolutions, which must be signed by the president and the managing director. A copy is to be sent to the members of the Executive Board. The board of directors decides whether to send the copy, possibly in parts, to other groups of people. A summary approved by the president is to be published in the club's magazine.

 

§ 14 presidium

 

1. The board elected for the respective term of office elects its presidium, namely
   
   

    

   1. the president,
   2. two deputy presidents,
   3. the treasurer.
      
      

    

2. The president and his / her two deputies are elected from the ranks of the board members and form the board within the meaning of § 26 BGB. Everyone is solely authorized to represent. The president's term of office is two years, that of his / her deputy one year. A direct re-election of the president is not possible. One-time direct re-election of a deputy is possible.
3. If possible, the treasurer should be elected from among the incumbent board members. With regard to the special tasks of the office, the board of directors can also suggest a person who is not a member of the board. In this case it belongs ex officio to the board. The treasurer's term of office is four years. His / her re-election is possible.

 

§ 15 Management

 

1. To manage its business, the company will set up an office headed by a headquarters director and, if necessary, other managing directors. The managing director or managing directors represent the company in and out of court in all matters relating to day-to-day administration as a special representative within the meaning of Section 30 BGB.
2. The tasks are determined in the rules of procedure, which is an annex to the respective service contract.
3. The managing director is appointed by the company's board of directors and can be removed from office at any time.
4. The type of representation and, if necessary, an exemption from the restrictions of Section 181 of the German Civil Code (BGB) are to be determined by a board resolution.
5. The managing director must be registered for entry in the register of associations. The type of representation must be specified in the registration.
6. The management is entitled to appropriate remuneration as well as reimbursement of the actual expenses. The board of directors decides on the amount of the remuneration.

 

Section 16 Court of Honor

 

1. The members of the court of honor are reappointed annually by the general assembly. Re-appointment is permitted.
2. The court of honor decides in accordance with Section 8 Paragraphs 3 and 4 in matters of exclusion on the basis of the statutes and the code of conduct.

 

§ 17 Specialist groups and sections

 

1. To carry out and deepen work in certain areas of chemistry, the members of the society can form specialist groups upon application to the board of the society. They work in accordance with the rules of procedure that must be approved by the Board of Directors.
2. The specialist groups have the task of supporting society and the purposes of society in their field and promoting the exchange of scientific ideas in the individual specialist areas.
3. In addition to specialist groups, sections can also be formed upon application to the company's board of directors, which also work according to rules of procedure to be approved. In sections, members of the society devote themselves to interdisciplinary topics.
4. The members of a division or a section each elect a board in accordance with the rules of procedure. The term of office is a maximum of four years. A one-time direct re-election is permitted, with shorter terms of office also a further re-election.
5. Minutes to be signed by the chairman are drawn up for every board meeting and general meeting of a division or section. The headquarters receives a copy of each of the protocol.
6. The chairmen of the specialist groups and sections meet at least once a year at the invitation of the President to discuss and coordinate scientific perspectives and priorities of the GDCh's work. The President can invite other people to this meeting as guests.
7. The executive board decides on the dissolution of specialist groups or sections after hearing them.

 

§ 18 Local associations and other regional structures

 

1. The local chapters are regional divisions of society. They cultivate the purposes of society in their region. The local chapters work according to the rules of procedure.
2. The members of a local association elect a chairman and a deputy at a local meeting or by secret postal voting or by similar secure electronic voting methods. Their term of office is a maximum of four years; One-time re-election is possible. A protocol of choice be delivered to the headquarters.
3. The board of directors must approve the formation of local associations and other regional structures. After hearing the members concerned, this committee also decides on the closure of regional divisions.
4. Other GDCh structures can also form regional structures in special cases.

 

§ 19 youth organization

 

1. The JungChemikerForum is the organization of the young members of society. In it, they coordinate and organize their activities and represent their interests within society at a regional and national level.
2. Everything else is governed by rules of procedure to be approved by the bylaws Board .

 

§ 20 Amendment of the Articles of Association

 

1. Motions to change the statutes are voted on in writing so that all members can participate.
2. The motions are communicated to all members with a statement of the board of directors for the written vote.
3. An amendment to the articles of association is approved if at least three quarters of the answers received approve the application.
4. The board of directors is entitled to make changes to the articles of association if and to the extent that the non-profit status of the company or an entry in the register of associations depends on this, or if there are editorial changes that serve to understand the articles of association. The members must be notified of the changes as soon as possible.
5. The appendices to the statutes are not part of the statutes themselves. They are decided by a simple majority of votes of the members, the general assembly or the board of directors.

 

§ 21 Dissolution

 

1. The general assembly decides on the dissolution of the society.
2. The dissolution of the company can only take place if it is initially proposed by the board of directors with at least a three-quarters majority of its incumbent members and a general meeting called for this purpose has also approved with at least a three-quarters majority.
3. In the event of the dissolution or dissolution of the company or if all tax-privileged purposes cease to exist, the assets go to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft or its successor organization, which has to use them directly and exclusively for charitable purposes of research in the statutory areas of the company.

 

§ 22 Entry into force

 

1. The new statutes will come into effect after approval by the members and entry in the register of associations.
2. At the same time, the statutes in the version dated October 6, 2009 are no longer in force.