Articles of Association of SWISS ALGERIAN COMMUNITY
1. Name and registered office
Under the name of "SWISS ALGERIAN COMMUNITY" a non-profit association is established in accordance with art. 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code, with its registered office in Lausanne. It is politically neutral and denominationally independent.
2. Purpose
The association has the following aims:
- To develop and maintain a network of Algerians in Switzerland
- To promote the professional development of its members
- To promote Algerian culture in Switzerland
- Promote community and educational services for Algerians in Switzerland
- To provide consultants in the areas of expertise available within the Association (mutual assistance between members)
- Provide assistance to Algerians who have recently settled in Switzerland
- Create a communication bridge between the Algerian and Swiss authorities
- To provide legal assistance, within its means, to Algerians wishing to regularise their situation in Switzerland.
- Collect donations for the needs of the association and for the most disadvantaged.
3. Resources
The resources available to the association for the pursuit of its aims are made up of :
- membership fees
- income from events and activities it organises
- subsidies
- income from the service agreement
- donations and legacies of all kinds
4. Membership
Membership is open to all natural or legal persons who are committed to the aims of the association.
Applications for membership must be addressed to the Committee; the decision on admission rests with the members of the Executive Committee or the Committee if the members of the Executive Committee do not respond promptly to an application for membership.
5. Loss of membership
Membership is lost
- for individuals, by resignation, exclusion or death.
- for legal entities, by resignation, exclusion or following the dissolution of the legal entity.
6. Resignation and exclusion
Resignation from the association is possible at any time.
Notice of resignation must be given in writing to the Executive Committee at least one month before the Annual General Meeting. If a member resigns during the course of the year, the annual fee must be paid in full.
The Executive Committee may expel a member at any time without stating reasons.
The Committee decides on the expulsion; the member may appeal to the General Meeting.
The Executive Committee may provide for the automatic exclusion of a member if, despite reminders, the member fails to pay the annual subscription.
7. Bodies of the Association
The bodies of the Association are
- the General Meeting
- the Committee
8. The General Meeting
The General Meeting is the supreme body of the Association. The Annual General Meeting is held in the first half of each year.
Notice of the General Meeting, together with the agenda, is sent to members within 10 days.
Notices may be sent by e-mail.
Proposals to be submitted to the General Meeting must be sent to the Board in writing within 30 days.
The Executive Committee or one-fifth of the members of the Association may at any time call an Extraordinary General Meeting, specifying the purpose of the meeting. The meeting must be held within three weeks of the request.
The General Meeting is the supreme body of the Association. It is vested with the following inalienable duties and powers:
- approval of the minutes of the last General Meeting
- approval of the Committee's annual report
- receipt of the auditors' report and approval of the annual accounts
- discharge of the Executive Committee
- electing the Chairman of the Board and the other members of the Board, and
- election of the Auditors
- setting the annual membership fee
- to adopt the annual budget
- to decide on the programme of activities
- deciding on proposals from the Committee and members
- amending the Articles of Association
- deciding on the exclusion of members
- deciding on the dissolution of the association and the allocation of any remaining assets.
Any meeting convened in due and proper form is able to deliberate validly regardless of the number of members present.
Decisions are taken by a relative majority of the votes cast, without taking into account abstentions or invalid ballots. In the event of a tie, the Chairman has the casting vote.
Decisions taken must be recorded in at least one set of minutes.
9. The Committee
The Committee consists of at least four members.
The term of office is two years. Re-election is possible.
The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association and is its administrative and external representative.
It draws up the regulations.
It may set up working groups (specialised sections).
In order to achieve the Association's objectives, it may hire or appoint persons on payment of appropriate compensation.
The Committee has all the powers that are not assigned to another body by virtue of legal or statutory provisions.
The Committee consists of the following members:
- Chairman
- Vice-Chairman
- Treasurer
- Committee members
Members may hold more than one office.
The Committee meets as often as the Association's business requires. Any member of the Committee may request that a meeting be held, stating the reasons for doing so.
Decisions are taken by written consultation (including by e-mail), provided that no Committee member requests an oral discussion.
In principle, the Committee performs its duties on a voluntary basis and is entitled to reimbursement of its actual expenses.
10. Right to sign
The Association is bound by the joint signature of the Chairman and another member of the Executive Committee.
11. Liability
The Association's debts are covered solely by its assets. The principle of the personal liability of a member is excluded.
12. Dissolution of the Association
The Association may be dissolved by decision of an Ordinary or Extraordinary General Meeting. The Association may be dissolved by a majority of the members present.
On dissolution of the Association, any assets shall be allocated to a tax-exempt organisation pursuing the same or a similar aim. The Association's assets may not be distributed among its members.
13. Entry into force
These articles of association were adopted at the constituent meeting held on 07.06.2024 and came into force on the same date.
Date, place (Lausanne 07 June 2024)
Tamim Benguettat, Chairman.
Riad Gacem; Vice-Chairman.