Status: 18.07.2017

Name, Registered Office and Purpose of the Association

1 Literaturzentrum e.V. (“lit”) is a cultural organisation for the promotion of literature and part of the Association of German Writers in Hamburg (>ver.di). 2 The registered office of the association is Hamburg. 3.1 The purpose of the association is the promotion of education. This purpose is achieved in particular through:

• promoting literature and fostering reading,
• through public events – in particular readings, lectures, discussions, workshops, and multimedia experiments, among others – serving the development, dissemination, and reception of literature,
• representing the cultural and political interests of literary professionals and those interested in literature,
• promoting intellectual exchange among them,
• facilitating access for authors to their audience,
• promoting literature in all areas of education,
• supporting the continuing education of literary professionals,
• representing the interests of literary professionals,
• acting as a competent and helpful partner to relevant public authorities,
• intensifying cooperation with other educational institutions (libraries, bookstores, cultural institutes of other countries, universities, academies, etc.),
• promoting the exchange of experience at regional and national level, and
• acting as a point of contact at international level.

3.2 The association pursues exclusively and directly non-profit purposes within the meaning of the “tax-privileged purposes” section of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung). It operates on a non-profit basis and does not primarily pursue economic interests. Its funds are used exclusively for statutory purposes. Members do not receive any benefits from the association’s funds in their capacity as members. No person may be favoured by expenses that are unrelated to the association’s purpose or by disproportionately high remuneration.

Membership

4 All persons engaged in literary work or interested in literature may become members of the association. 5.1 The association maintains a membership register. Data protection regulations apply. 5.2 Membership ends through resignation, exclusion, removal from the register, or death. Resignation may be declared at any time in writing to the board. Exclusion may only be decided by the board for important reasons, in particular for conduct contrary to the association’s interests. The person concerned has the right to appeal to the general meeting within six weeks of written notification. The appeal must be submitted to the board. The excluded member must be heard by the general meeting upon request, which will make the final decision. Members who are more than one year in arrears with their fees and have been reminded twice unsuccessfully will be removed from the membership register by the board.

Fees

6 The annual membership fee is EUR 31. Students, pupils, and pensioners pay half. Associations and institutions pay EUR 61 per year. Fees are due at the beginning of each year.

Organs

7 The governing bodies of the association are:

• the general meeting
• the board

General Meeting

8 The general meeting is responsible in particular for

• receiving the annual report of the board and the report of the auditor,
• discharging the board,
• electing the members of the board,
• electing an auditor,
• amending the statutes.

9.1 The board must convene an ordinary general meeting once per calendar year. The date and place must be communicated to members in writing at least six weeks in advance, including the agenda. Motions submitted at least three weeks before the meeting will be communicated to members at least one week before the meeting. Motions submitted later may only be voted on if the general meeting agrees; amendments to the statutes must be submitted within the deadline. 9.2 The board is entitled to convene an extraordinary general meeting. In all cases, the invitation must be sent at least two weeks in advance, including the agenda. The board is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting if requested by at least 10% of members; in this case, the meeting must be convened within one month and the agenda must be announced at least two weeks in advance. The request must be submitted in writing with an agenda attached. The board may also place additional items on the agenda. 9.3 Only members present are eligible to vote. Decisions are taken by simple majority. Amendments to the statutes require a three-quarters majority. Voting is generally conducted by show of hands. Upon request of a member, a secret ballot must be held. Minutes of resolutions must be recorded in writing and signed by the chair and the secretary. A formal record of the meeting must be kept and confirmed at the next general meeting. 10 The general meeting is chaired by the chairperson or a deputy. The meeting may elect another chairperson. For elections, the general meeting appoints an election supervisor from among its members.

Board

11 The board consists of the chairperson, a deputy chairperson, and four additional members, one of whom acts as treasurer and another as secretary. The board serves on an honorary (voluntary) basis and is elected for a term of two years. Elections are held by secret ballot. All attending members are eligible to vote. If a board member resigns during their term, a replacement must be elected within eight weeks at an extraordinary general meeting. If a board member is removed during an extraordinary general meeting, a successor must be elected immediately. The executive board within the meaning of Section 26 of the German Civil Code (BGB) consists of the chairperson and the deputy chairperson. 12 The financial year is the calendar year.

Dissolution of the Association

13 A motion to dissolve the association may be submitted by at least 20% of members no later than six weeks before the general meeting. If the general meeting decides on dissolution by a three-quarters majority, it shall appoint three liquidators. In the event of dissolution or loss of tax-privileged status, the remaining assets of the association shall be transferred to the Cultural Authority of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, which shall use them exclusively and directly for charitable purposes.

Jurisdiction

14 The place of jurisdiction is Hamburg.