Statutes

This English translation of the statutes is provided for informational purposes. Only the German version, filed with the register court (Amtsgericht Freiburg), is legally binding. References to German legal provisions (BGB, AO, LRKG) are kept as-is, since the statutes remain subject to German law.

Preamble

"The work of Charity-Hiker e.V. is based on raising donations for children in need and their families, as well as for organizations, associations, and institutions dedicated to this aid. Charity hikes, events, and talks are meant to generate donations that will be used for tax-exempt or charitable purposes."

In this spirit, the following statutes are established:

§ 1 Name, Registered Office, Fiscal Year

1. Following its registration in the association register, the association bears the name "Charity-Hiker e.V."
2. The association's registered office is in 78476 Allensbach.
3. The fiscal year corresponds to the calendar year.

§ 2 Purpose and Objectives of the Association

1. The purpose of the association is to provide psychological and social support, as well as follow-up care, to families and institutions caring for children with cancer and other serious illnesses, in the form of open solidarity, through the collection and disbursement of funds within the meaning of § 58 No. 1 AO (German Fiscal Code).
2. A further purpose is the promotion of public health, by helping pediatric and adolescent medicine centers develop their human and financial resources as well as their technical diagnostic equipment for oncology departments, oncology consultations, oncology research, and psychosocial services, through the collection of financial means.
3. The association specifically pursues the goal of generating donations — in particular through charity hikes, events, and talks, as well as project-related donations, whether from individuals, companies, or public grants — and using them for tax-exempt or charitable purposes.
4. The association is independent of any political party or religious denomination, and gratefully welcomes any outside support.

For readability, gender-specific language forms are not used simultaneously throughout. All references to persons apply equally to all genders.

§ 3 Tax-Exempt Status

1. The association exclusively and directly pursues tax-exempt and charitable purposes within the meaning of the "tax-privileged purposes" section of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung). The association operates selflessly. It does not primarily pursue its own economic interests.
2. The association's funds may only be used for the purposes set out in the statutes. Members, in their capacity as members, do not receive any benefits from the association's funds. Upon leaving the association, they have no claim to its assets. No person may be favored through expenditures unrelated to the association's purpose or through disproportionate compensation.
3. Volunteer members of the board and advisory committee generally receive no compensation. Upon request, however, reimbursement of travel expenses incurred in connection with activities for the association may be provided, based on the Baden-Württemberg state travel expenses act (Landesreisekostengesetz, LRKG).

§ 4 Membership

1. Any natural or legal person who supports the association's objectives may become a member.
2. Membership is divided into:
   1. regular member (active member)
   2. supporting member (passive member)
   3. student and pupil member (reduced-fee membership, active or passive)
   4. honorary member (fee-exempt membership, active or passive)
3. Membership is acquired through a declaration of membership and review of admission by the board or a body authorized for this purpose, as well as payment of the first membership fee.
4. Membership ends upon death, resignation, or expulsion, or upon dissolution of legal or non-legal entities.
5. A member's resignation is submitted in writing to the board and is possible with three months' notice as of the end of the fiscal year.
6. Participation or active involvement in charity hikes, events, or talks does not in itself constitute membership in the association. Membership must instead be expressly declared to the board.
7. A member may be expelled by resolution of the board if they act against the association's objectives or fail to fulfill their obligations toward it. The member may appeal this decision to the general assembly. That decision is final. The member must be invited to this assembly and heard.
8. Members, staff, or supporters who have rendered outstanding service to the association may be named honorary members by the general assembly, by a two-thirds majority of members present. Honorary members are exempt from paying membership fees.
9. The amount of membership fees follows from the statutes. The annual fee for the following calendar year is set by resolution of the general assembly.

§ 5 Rights and Obligations of Members

1. The general assembly adopts a fee schedule setting the amount of the annual membership fee.

§ 6 Bodies of the Association

1. General Assembly
2. Board
3. Specialist Committee (if needed)
4. Advisory Committee (if needed)
5. Multimedia Department (if needed)

§ 7 General Assembly

1. The supreme body is the general assembly. It is generally chaired by the board's chairman.
2. The general assembly sets the guiding principles for the association's work and decides on fundamental matters. In particular, the general assembly is responsible for:
   1. electing and removing the board
   2. electing members of the other bodies
   3. deliberating on the status and planning of the work
   4. approving the budget and investment plan submitted by the board
   5. deciding on the annual financial statements
   6. receiving the board's activity report
   7. deciding on the discharge of the board
   8. adopting the fee schedule, which is not part of the statutes
   9. deciding on the assumption of new tasks or the withdrawal from tasks by the association
   10. deciding on amendments to the statutes and dissolution of the association
3. The general assembly is convened by the board's chairman, with a preliminary agenda, at least four weeks in advance. The invitation is sent in writing by post if no email address is available; otherwise it may be sent electronically to the email address provided by the member. The general assembly meets as often as necessary, generally once a year.
4. An extraordinary general assembly is held if at least 25% of members request it, stating their reasons. It must take place no later than five weeks after receipt of the written request to convene.
5. The general assembly is quorate with the members present (in person, by phone, or online). Its resolutions are passed by majority vote.
6. Minutes must be kept of resolutions — and, to the extent necessary for understanding their adoption, also of the essential course of discussions. They are signed by the chair of the meeting and the minute-taker.

§ 8 Board

1. The board consists of the chairman, the vice-chairman, and the treasurer. They constitute the board within the meaning of § 26 BGB (German Civil Code). Board members serve on a voluntary basis.
2. The joint signature of two board members is sufficient for legally valid representation.
3. Board members' term of office is three years. They remain in office until the new board is appointed. Re-election is possible.
4. The board generally meets quarterly (in person, by phone, or online).
5. Resolutions must be recorded in writing and signed by the board's chairman.
6. Internally, the following rule applies: expenditures exceeding €1,000.00 must be decided by the board.

§ 9 Amendments to the Statutes and Dissolution

1. Amendments to the statutes, changes to the association's purpose, and/or dissolution are decided by the general assembly with a two-thirds majority of eligible members present. Proposals for amending the statutes, changing the purpose, and dissolution must be sent to members no later than one month before the general assembly meeting.
2. Amendments or additions to the statutes required by the competent registry authority or by the tax office are implemented by the board and do not require a resolution of the general assembly. They must be communicated to members no later than with the next invitation to the general assembly.
3. In the event of dissolution, loss of the association's legal capacity, or discontinuation of tax-exempt purposes, the entire assets shall pass to the
   
   Rehabilitationsklinik Katharinenhöhe gemeinnützige GmbH
   Oberkatzensteig 11
   78141 Schönwald im Schwarzwald,
   
   which shall use them exclusively and directly in accordance with its previous objectives and tasks, pursuant to § 2.

Adopted by the general assembly on 09/05/2025 (online assembly). Original version in German.