Art. 1 Name and Registered Office
1.1 The name of the association is Slowakischer Kulturverein (hereinafter referred to as the SKV association) with its registered office at Zollikerstrasse 147, 8008 Zürich, email: [email protected], www.slowakischerkulturverein.ch.
1.2 The SKV association was established in accordance with Art. 60-79 of the Swiss Civil Code (Schweizerisches Zivilgesetzbuch).
1.3 The SKV association is a politically and religiously neutral, cultural-educational non-profit association of Slovak expatriates living in the territory of the Swiss Confederation.
1.4 The Articles of Association are issued in Slovak and German; the official language of proceedings is Slovak.
Art. 2 Purpose and Objectives
2.1 The SKV association is established for the purpose of organizing various cultural events for Slovaks living in Switzerland and supporting cultural and educational associations that help maintain and promote Slovak culture, national traditions, and language.
2.2 Main objectives:
a. To unite and support Slovaks living in Switzerland.
b. To unite and support non-profit organizations operating in Switzerland that help maintain and promote Slovak art, culture, music, literature, national customs, traditions, and Slovak identity, e.g., through teaching the Slovak language and Slovak history.
c. To organize cultural events for all age groups.
d. To arouse and develop interest in Slovak culture, history, traditions, and language.
e. To maintain, support, and develop good relations with the Swiss Confederation and its inhabitants; to cooperate with organizations with a similar focus.
Art. 3 Membership
3.1 Anyone who agrees with its Articles of Association and identifies with its intentions and objectives can become a member of the SKV association.
3.2 Membership is voluntary and is established upon submission of a completed application form and payment of the membership fee to the account of the SKV association. Membership is non-transferable.
3.3 Forms of membership:
a. Individual – one adult person
b. Family – members of one family
c. Member and Sponsor of Culture – one adult person
3.4 Membership terminates upon:
a. Voluntary withdrawal from the SKV association. The annual membership fee is non-refundable.
b. The death of a natural person or the dissolution of a legal entity.
c. Exclusion, which is possible in the event of a breach of the Articles of Association. The SKV Committee decides on exclusion by a 3/5 majority vote of all members.
Art. 4 Rights and Obligations of a Member
4.1 Every member has the right to:
a. Participate in the General Assembly, submit proposals, and vote.
b. Members possess a voting right during elections according to the form of membership pursuant to Art. 6, paragraph 7. c. Elect members of the Committee of the SKV association.
4.2 Obligations of a member: a. To comply with the Articles of Association of the SKV association. b. To pay the annual membership fee. Members who join the association after August 1st shall pay half of the membership fee for the current year. c. To defend the interests of the SKV association.
Art. 5 Organization
5.1 The bodies of the SKV association are: a. The General Assembly b. The Committee c. The Supervisory Commission
Art. 6 General Assembly
6.1 The General Assembly (hereinafter referred to as the GA) is the highest body of the association.
6.2 The GA is held once per calendar year.
6.3 An extraordinary GA is convened by the Committee as required, or upon a written request of at least 1/5 of all members, stating the reasons.
6.4 The invitation to the GA is delivered to members in electronic form at least 21 days prior to its holding. The invitation specifies the date, time, venue, and agenda of the GA.
6.5 The agenda of the GA must include: a. The report of the Supervisory Commission b. Determination of the framework for future activities c. Report on the activities and financial management of the SKV association
6.6 Every member of the association has the right to submit proposals for discussion at the GA. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the President of the Committee at least 7 days before the date of the GA. Proposals for discussion at the GA received after the invitations have been sent out shall be distributed to all members without delay.
6.7 During elections, members possess a voting right according to the form of membership as follows:
a. Individual – one adult person – one vote.
b. Family – members of one family – two votes (of adult persons).
c. Member and Sponsor of Culture – one adult person – one vote.
6.8 The GA constitutes a quorum regardless of the number of members present.
6.9 Approval by an absolute majority of the members present is required to adopt a resolution.
6.10 Approval by a 3/5 majority of the members present is required to adopt a resolution on amending the Articles of Association, dismissing bodies, dissolving the association or merging it with another organization, or revoking a resolution of elected bodies.
6.11 The competence of the GA includes the right to:
a. Elect the Supervisory Commission.
b. Elect the Committee and its President.
c. Approve the Articles of Association of the SKV association and amendments thereto.
d. Approve the Report on the activities and financial management of the SKV association.
e. Approve the report of the Supervisory Commission.
f. Approve the Determination of the framework for future activities.
g. Dismiss and supplement elected bodies.
h. Decide on the proposal to grant discharge to outgoing bodies.
i. Determine the amount of the membership fee.
Art. 7 Committee
7.1 The Committee consists of the President and a minimum of two and a maximum of five Committee members.
7.2 The President and the members of the Committee are elected by the members of the association at the GA.
7.3 The Committee is the executive body of the SKV association.
7.4 The President and the members of the Committee are obliged and authorized to represent the SKV association and act on its behalf in the period between GAs.
7.5 The Committee:
a. Issues resolutions.
b. Elects the Treasurer.
c. Manages and administers all affairs of the SKV association.
d. Ensures proper bookkeeping.
e. Prepares the Report on the activities and financial management of the SKV association.
f. Decides on the admission of new members.
7.6 Membership in the Committee is an honorary (unpaid) function. Members are entitled to reimbursement of expenses associated with their activities.
7.7 The Committee is convened by the President as required.
7.8 The first meeting of the Committee must be convened within 45 days after its election.
7.9 The President and each member of the Committee have one vote. A resolution is approved by an absolute majority. In the event of a tie, the vote of the President of the SKV association shall be decisive.
Art. 8 Supervisory Commission
8.1 The Supervisory Commission consists of two members. The members are elected by the members of the association at the GA.
8.2 The Supervisory Commission: a. Reviews the activities and financial management of the Committee, and compliance with GA resolutions and the Articles of Association. b. Submits a report to the GA on the findings.
Art. 9 Elections
9.1 The election of the President, the Committee, and the Supervisory Commission is held on the basis of a proposal by the outgoing Committee. The candidate who obtains an absolute majority of votes of the present members with voting rights is elected.
Art. 10 Final Provisions
10.1 Any legal disputes against the association shall be resolved by the competent ordinary court in Zürich. In matters not regulated by these Articles of Association, the provisions of the Swiss legal order shall apply.
10.2 The SKV association shall be dissolved by a decision of the GA or by a court ruling. Upon the dissolution of the SKV association, the GA shall decide by resolution on how its assets will be disposed of.
10.3 In the event that certain documents are not drawn up in Slovak, it is necessary to arrange for their Slovak translation.
These Articles of Association come into force on May 1st, 2024.
Petra Ondrčková
President of the Association