Articles of Association

1. The association, with its registered office in Gelsenkirchen, exclusively and directly pursues charitable and benevolent purposes within the meaning of the “Tax-Privileged Purposes" section of the German Fiscal Code.

4. The purpose set out in the Articles of assisting refugees is achieved in particular by providing financial, material and medical assistance to refugees in developing countries or countries affected by war or natural disasters, as well as by raising public awareness of the social hardships and inhumane conditions faced by refugees in such crisis regions.

5. The association may also fulfil its purposes by allocating funds to another corporation in Germany or abroad, or to a legal entity under public law, for the fulfilment of the tax-privileged purposes specified in paragraph 2 (§ 58 no. 1 AO). The allocation of funds to a private-law corporation subject to limited or unlimited tax liability requires that it is itself tax-privileged. The allocation of funds to a private-law corporation that is subject to neither limited nor unlimited tax liability requires that it use the funds for purposes that are tax-privileged by their nature and that the recipient's legal form abroad corresponds to a corporation, association of persons or fund within the meaning of the German Corporation Tax Act. In such cases, the association must ensure that sufficient evidence can be provided of how the funds are used by the corporation abroad; the association's enhanced duty to cooperate—its duty to clarify the facts and obtain the required evidence using all available legal and practical means—in relation to the tax office in matters involving other countries must be observed (§ 90 para. 2 AO).

6. The purpose set out in the Articles is also achieved, among other things, by collecting donations that are distributed directly to the beneficiaries or forwarded (pursuant to § 58 no. 1 AO) to organisations in Germany and abroad that pursue the same purpose set out in their articles, as well as by providing financial support for religious events and celebrations.

1. There are active and passive memberships. Active members shape the association's activities by taking on responsibilities, attending general meetings and holding office. Passive members support the association's purpose by paying a monthly or annual membership fee determined by the Executive Board. They do not take on responsibilities within the association, are not entitled to attend general meetings and are not eligible to vote.

2. Passive membership is established upon admission to the association. Membership may be acquired by adult natural persons and legal entities. A written application for admission must be submitted to the association. The Executive Board shall decide on admission by resolution. There is no entitlement to admission to the association. Rejection of an application does not need to be justified. Membership begins when the resolution approving admission is passed. The member shall receive written confirmation of admission.

3. Active membership is established upon admission to the association. Membership may be acquired by adult natural persons and legal entities. A written application for admission must be submitted to the association. The Executive Board shall decide on admission by resolution. There is no entitlement to admission to the association. Rejection of an application does not need to be justified. Membership begins when the resolution approving admission is passed. The member shall receive written confirmation of admission.

4. All active members who are natural persons have the right to vote and to stand for election. All members that are legal entities have the right to vote, which is exercised by their legal representatives or authorised representatives. All members have equal voting rights (1 vote per member). They may cast their vote in person, authorise another natural person to exercise their voting rights if they are unable to attend, or, at extraordinary general meetings, cast their vote in writing, by telephone, email, fax or other media. The voting rights of legal entities are exercised by their legal representatives or authorised representatives.

5. A member may be expelled from the association if there is good cause. Good cause exists in particular if the member has acted contrary to the association's aims and interests, remains in arrears with membership fees despite a reminder, insolvency proceedings have been opened against the member's assets, or an application to open such proceedings has been rejected for lack of assets. Before a resolution is passed, the member must be given an opportunity to present a defence. Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority of the votes. The member is not entitled to be present when the resolution is passed. An appeal against the expulsion resolution may be lodged with the next general meeting within one month of notification of the resolution. The general meeting's decision shall be final.

6. Any member may resign at the end of a financial year by giving three months' notice to the Executive Board by registered letter. Membership shall then end upon expiry of the financial year.

7. Membership ends upon the death of a natural person or the dissolution of a legal entity. 8. Exclusion from membership or the termination of membership does not release members from their obligations to the association.

1. Donations for the association are collected in Germany and abroad. Cashless donation collection points shall be established and promoted so that, in the long term, the association can cease accepting cash donations.

2. Membership fees may be charged, with the amount and due date determined by the Board.

3. Funds used abroad shall be used in accordance with the tax regulations of the beneficiary’s country.

1. A distinction shall generally be made between ordinary and extraordinary General Meetings.

2. The ordinary General Meeting shall be convened at least once every two years by the Board or, on its behalf, by the Executive Management.

3. All members of the association shall be invited to the ordinary General Meeting. The invitation shall be sent to members by email or in writing no later than two weeks before the date set by the Board and shall include the agenda and venue.

4. Extraordinary General Meetings may be convened by resolution of the Board or upon a written, reasoned request supported by at least one fifth of the votes of members entitled to vote. An extraordinary General Meeting does not necessarily require members to be present at the same location or to cast their votes simultaneously. Votes on the agenda items of the extraordinary General Meeting may be cast in writing, by email or by fax. Notice of the extraordinary General Meeting, together with a provisional agenda, shall be sent to members by email or in writing no later than four weeks before the voting deadline set by the Board. The voting deadline is the time by which the voting decisions of members entitled to vote must have been received by the Board. Within two weeks of receiving the provisional agenda, members may request that new items be added to the agenda. Late requests shall not be considered. The Chair shall decide at their reasonable discretion whether to include the new items. Once the two-week period has expired, the Chair shall, within five days, announce the final agenda by email or electronically, formulate the individual questions to be decided and request all members entitled to vote to cast a binding vote on each item no later than the voting deadline. Members entitled to vote may then vote yes or no on each item by notifying the Chair of their decision on each item in writing, by fax or by email. Any vote that does not comply with the required form or is received by the Chair after the voting deadline shall be deemed an abstention. The Chair shall record the votes cast in paper form and, upon request, allow any member to inspect them. If the Chair is unable to perform these duties, a Deputy Chair shall assume the duties described above.

5. Decisions at General Meetings shall be made by a simple majority of the votes cast, unless otherwise stipulated in the Articles of Association.

6. Members who are absent without excuse from two consecutive ordinary General Meetings shall automatically lose their membership.

8. The ordinary General Meeting is responsible for amendments to the Articles of Association. Amendments require the approval of two thirds of those entitled to vote who are present at the ordinary General Meeting. § 11 no. 17 remains unaffected.

9. The General Meeting shall be chaired by the Chair (chair of the meeting) or, if the Chair is unable to attend, by a deputy. Minutes shall be taken of the General Meeting and signed by the respective chair of the meeting and the minute-taker. They shall include at least the following information: the place, date and time of the meeting; the names of the chair of the meeting and the minute-taker; the number of members present; the number of voting members present; confirmation that the meeting was duly convened; the agenda; the individual voting results; and the voting method. In the case of amendments to the Articles of Association, the exact wording shall be stated.

1. The Board shall be elected by the ordinary General Meeting by a simple majority of the voting members present. The Board’s term of office does not end automatically, but no earlier than when the General Meeting elects a new Board by a simple majority.

2. The Board consists of one person.

3. The Board is responsible for all matters concerning the association unless they are assigned by law or the Articles of Association to another governing body of the association.

4. The Board has sole power of representation and may pass resolutions independently.

5. Unless otherwise stipulated, Board resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of a tie, the chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

6. The Board may also pass resolutions outside a Board meeting in writing, by fax or by email, provided that no Board member objects and all Board members participate in the vote.

7. The Board may appoint a full-time Executive Director (special representative; see § 30 BGB) to manage day-to-day operations.

8. If necessary, the Board may open branches of the association in Germany and abroad.

9. Board members may serve on a full-time or voluntary basis. D&O insurance covering financial loss liability and legal expenses, as well as accident insurance, may be taken out for Board members.

10. In accordance with the principles of non-profit law, Board members may claim remuneration for their work in accordance with a remuneration policy.

11. Board members shall be liable to the association and its members for damage caused in the performance of their Board duties only in cases of intent or gross negligence. If third parties bring claims against Board members for damage caused in the performance of their Board duties, without intent or gross negligence, the Board members shall be entitled to reimbursement by the association of the expenses incurred in defending against such claims and to indemnification against them.

12. Board members may also be employees of the association.

13. The Board shall independently make any amendments to the Articles of Association required for formal reasons by supervisory, judicial or tax authorities. Members shall be notified of these amendments.

1. The association’s day-to-day operations, including financial transactions, may be handled by a full-time Executive Director (special representative). Their appointment shall be entered in the Register of Associations.

2. The full-time Executive Director (special representative) manages the day-to-day operations in accordance with the Board's guidelines. The full-time Executive Director (special representative) is appointed and dismissed by the Chair of the Board with at least a simple majority of the votes of all Board members. When their employment ends, regardless of the reason, their position as a representative body of the association also ends. The same applies if they resign from office.

3. The full-time Executive Director (special representative) is accountable to the Board and is required to report to it on all important matters within the association.

4. The Board determines the remuneration of the full-time Executive Director. D&O insurance covering financial loss liability and legal expenses, as well as accident insurance, may be taken out for them.