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Statutes of the European Society of Women in Theological Research ESWTR

English version

Art. 1: Name and Registered Office

An association by the name of “Europäische Gesellschaft für theologische Forschung von Frauen” exists in accordance with Article 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB) with registered office in Basel, Switzerland.

Equivalent names are as follows:
European Society of Women in Theological Research
Asociación Europea de Mujeres para la Investigación Teológica.

Art. 2: Purpose

The Society is dedicated to the following academic purposes:

  1. Building and maintaining a network of European women who conduct research in theology and religious studies.
  2. Supporting the development of feminist theology studies and feminist religious studies.

Art. 3: Membership

  1. The ESWTR is open to membership for all women, who conduct research in academic theology, religious studies or related fields and live and work in Europe or are individually admitted by the Board.
  2. As a general rule, the prerequisite for membership is a completed degree and current research activity.
  3. The Board decides on the admission of members.
  4. Members can resign at any time.
  5. The Board can exclude members, who can appeal the decision at the General Assembly.
  6. A group of at least 30 members from at least two countries have to suggest honorary members. They are appointed by the General Assembly.

Art. 4: Organisation

The Society’s bodies are the General Assembly, the Board and the Auditor.

Art. 5: General Assembly

  1. The supreme governing body of the ESWTR is the General Assembly.
  2. A General Assembly is held at least every two years, normally during the international conference.
  3. It decides on association policy
  4. It decides on the criteria for the admission of members upon application by the Board.
  5. It elects the members of the Board for a two-year term in office.
  6. It decides on the use of the association’s assets.
  7. It decides on the budget.
  8. It decides on the amount of membership contributions.
  9. It authorizes the association’s accounts.
  10. It receives the Board’s report and grants its discharge.
  11. It passes the Statutes and amends them.
  12. At the General Assembly, each member has one vote. Resolutions are passed by simple majority vote with the exception of the approval and amendment of the statutes.
  13. The amendment of the statutes requires the consent of two thirds of the members present at the General Assembly.

Art. 6: The Board

  1. The Board conducts the ESWTR’s ongoing business and represents it in external matters.
  2. The Board consists of seven persons: President and Vice-President, Secretary and Vice-Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-treasurer. The duties of the seventh member are defined according to requirements.
  3. Part of the President’s key responsibilities is the representation of the Society in external matters. The Treasurer manages the Society’s assets. Board members’ other duties are specified in the Rules of Procedure.
  4. The Board decides on the admission of members.
  5. The Board can appoint assessors at its discretion.
  6. The Board convenes the General Assembly.
  7. The Board can convene an extraordinary General Assembly. For this at least 30 members from at least three different countries need to be present. An extraordinary General Assembly can also be convened when this is demanded by at least one fifth of the members.
  8. The Board is elected for two years. It is possible for a Board member to be re-elected twice.

Art. 7 Signature

The association binds itself legally through the collective signature of the President and one additional member of the Board.

Art. 8: Auditor

The auditor shall audit the Society’s accounting every two years and shall report on it to the General Assembly.

Art. 9: Finances

Society assets consist of the following:

  1. Annual membership fees.
  2. Donations and other contributions.

Art. 10: Liability

Liability for debts shall be borne solely by Society assets. Personal liability of members is excluded.

Art. 11: Dissolution

  1. Dissolution of the Society requires the approval of two thirds of the members present at the General Assembly, as long as at least three countries are represented.
  2. Society assets shall be allocated to an organisation that has the same or a similar purpose.

Note

The version in German language is the legally valid version of the statutes; the versions of the ESWTR statutes in English and Spanish language are translations.

These statutes were approved by the General Assembly on 30th of August 2013 in Dresden.