Statutes of the
AUSTRIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

*Please note that this version of the englsh ​​statutes is automatically translated and has not yet been reviewed fully.

 

1. Name, Registered Office

 

The association “Gesellschaft Österreichischer Chemiker” resolved to change its name to “Österreichische Chemische Gesellschaft” by majority vote at the General Assembly on September 22, 2021. This change took effect across Austria on January 1, 2022.

 

The registered office of the association is in Vienna. Branches without their own legal personality are established in the federal provinces. The association is a member of the “International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry” (IUPAC), the global umbrella organization in the field of chemistry, as well as the “European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS)”.

 

2. Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year corresponds to the calendar year.

 

3. Purpose

 

The association pursues the following purposes on a non-profit basis and excluding all political tendencies: the promotion of chemistry and chemists in all fields of science and industry, and the promotion of research and teaching in Austria.

 

In pursuing its activities, the association maintains lasting relationships with other chemical societies both domestically and internationally, as well as with organizations that pursue related goals. Such societies may become member associations of the Austrian Chemical Society under specific agreements.

 

The association also maintains ongoing relationships with public authorities and representative bodies.

 

4. Means of Achieving the Purpose

 

The association pursues its objectives particularly through:

 

a) Organizing educational activities such as scientific symposia and conferences, individual lectures, as well as courses and training programs;

 

b) Conducting research projects in all areas of chemistry;

 

c) Publishing materials and documentation related to the activities mentioned in a) and b), as well as publishing its own research results;

 

d) Awarding scholarships to university graduates and students of chemistry, especially for addressing important scientific questions;

 

e) Providing scientific assessments by its experts.

 

5. Members

 

The members of the Austrian Chemical Society include:

 

a) Honorary Members

b) Supporting Members

c) Regular Members

d) Associate Members

e) Student Members

f) Member Associations

 

a) Honorary members are individuals appointed by the Board in recognition of outstanding contributions to chemical science, technology, industry, or to the association itself.

 

b) Supporting members may include companies, legal entities, scientific institutions, or institutes that aim to support the association’s goals.

 

c) Regular members may include academically trained chemists, chemical engineers from technical schools, and other individuals from Austria or abroad who are interested in the association’s goals and have made notable contributions to chemical science, practice, or the profession, or who can be of service to the association due to their long-standing work in chemical industries.

 

d) Associate members are individuals who do not qualify as regular members but wish to support the association’s work.

 

e) Student members are students of chemistry at universities or technical schools who are at least 18 years old.

 

f) Member associations are chemical or related professional societies that join the Austrian Chemical Society under specific agreements. Their members, unless already individual members, are considered regular or “affiliated” members according to the relevant agreements (§7.3).

 

6. Admission of Members

 

Membership requires an application supported by a current member. The application will be announced in the association’s publication. The Presidium decides on admission unless otherwise stated in §5(a) and (f); a rejection must be preceded by consultation with the Board.

 

The decision is issued in writing and does not include reasons in the event of a rejection.

 

7. Rights of Members

1.  Members have the right to use the association’s facilities and benefits, unless the Board has specified different rules for specific membership categories. Legal entities (§5 b and f) exercise their rights through a designated representative.

2. Members have the right to vote in the General Assembly (§12 and 13) and, except for student members, to stand for election.

3. The rights of “affiliated members” (§5 f, paragraph 2) are defined by agreements with their respective associations. They may attend the General Assembly as guests.

4. Members may join working groups (§18.2) if they wish.

 

8. Duties of Members

 

Upon joining, each member agrees to comply with the statutes and internal rules issued by the Presidium. Members are expected to support the goals of the association to the best of their ability and avoid actions that could damage its reputation. Members must also pay the annual fees set by the General Assembly in a timely manner.

 

9. Termination of Membership

 

Membership ends:

 

a) by death

b) by voluntary resignation (submitted via registered letter). Resigning members must still pay the current year’s membership fee.

c) by expulsion for failure to meet statutory obligations. The Presidium may expel a member by simple majority; the written notice of expulsion includes no justification.

 

10. Membership Fees

 

Membership fees for categories listed in §5 (b) through (e) are set by the General Assembly and are due at the beginning of each year. The General Secretary or Managing Director may grant payment relief at a member’s request, following instructions from the Presidium.

 

Members joining in the first half of the year pay the full annual fee; those joining later pay half. Retired members and student members pay a reduced fee. Honorary members are exempt from fees.

 

11. Organs of the Association

 

The association is governed by:

 

a) The General Assembly

b) The Board

c) The Presidium

 

Official announcements are made via the association’s publication.

 

12. Ordinary General Assembly

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• The ordinary General Assembly is convened annually by the Presidium, with the agenda announced in writing or via the association’s publication at least four weeks prior to the scheduled date.

• The responsibilities of the General Assembly include:

 

a) Receiving the annual report,

b) Receiving the financial statement and granting discharge,

c) Electing the Presidium, Board, and auditors (§1),

d) Setting membership fees,

e) Approving the budget for the current year,

f) Approving and amending the statutes,

g) Establishing or dissolving branches and working groups,

h) Voting on motions submitted; motions not originating from the Board must be submitted in writing to the Board at least two weeks before the Assembly. The Presidium may decline or defer later motions,

i) Deciding on the dissolution of the association.

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• Resolutions are passed by simple majority. In case of a tie, the chairperson casts the deciding vote. Amendments to the statutes or dissolution of the association require a two-thirds majority of present, eligible voting members.

• For the elections mentioned in §2(c), the Presidium prepares a slate of nominees, to be published along with any other nominations. Each position must be voted on separately unless the Assembly agrees to a simplified process. A simple majority is sufficient; ties are decided by the chairperson.

• A quorum requires at least 50 voting members. If the General Assembly is not quorate, a second Assembly will be held at the same location 30 minutes later, which is quorate regardless of attendance.

• Minutes are kept for all decisions, and members may access them at any time.

 

13. Extraordinary General Assembly

 

In urgent matters, the Presidium may call an extraordinary General Assembly. If at least one-quarter of voting members submit a written request to the Board stating the reasons, an extraordinary Assembly must be convened within four weeks of receipt.

 

14. Board

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1. The Board consists of the Presidium, associate members, branch leaders, working group leaders, chairs of affiliated societies, and editors of the association’s publication appointed by GÖCH. Up to 15 associate members are elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term starting January 1 following the election.

2. A majority of Board members—including the President and most Vice Presidents—must be academically trained chemists. In case of a vacancy, the Board may co-opt a replacement for the remainder of the term. No more than 10 members may be co-opted.

3. The Board oversees the Presidium’s work and passes resolutions in cases defined by the statutes.

4. Board meetings are convened by the Presidium with at least 8 days’ notice and an agenda. In urgent cases, a meeting may be held 24 hours after notice. At least 5 members—including the President or a Vice President—must be present for a quorum.

5. Decisions require a simple majority; ties are decided by the chairperson. Meeting minutes must be recorded and signed by the chairperson and the Managing Director (§19).

 

15. Presidium

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1. The Presidium is the leading body of the association and consists of the President, three to six Vice Presidents, and the Managing Director (who has no voting rights). The President and Vice Presidents serve a two-year term beginning January 1 after election.

2. The President represents the association externally, chairs the Board and General Assembly, and carries out their decisions.

3. In the President’s absence, a Vice President assumes their duties.

4. If the President resigns early for any reason, a new President must be elected—possibly through an extraordinary General Assembly. The new term begins the day after the election and lasts for two years, extended by the time remaining in the year of election. The same applies to Vice Presidents if their number drops below three. In other cases, the Presidium may co-opt a new Vice President for the remainder of the term.

5. The Presidium prepares the agenda and sets dates for Board meetings. It makes decisions in meetings convened by the President or a Vice President at least three days in advance. A quorum requires at least three members. Decisions require a simple majority; ties are decided by the chairperson. Minutes must be signed by the chairperson and the Managing Director.

6. All legally binding documents of the association must be signed by the President or an authorized Presidium member and by the Managing Director.

 

16. Financial Administration

 

A Vice President, appointed by the Presidium, is responsible for budgeting, monitoring, and managing funds. The Managing Director is responsible for day-to-day financial operations and overseeing the secretariat, within the framework established by the Presidium. Signing authority is defined in §15.6.

 

17. Auditors

 

Two auditors are elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term beginning January 1 after election. They may inspect the financial records at any time. If an auditor resigns early, the Presidium appoints a replacement, to be confirmed at the next General Assembly. Auditors present a report on their findings each year. This report must be in writing and signed by both auditors, and may be submitted to the Assembly by the Presidium.

 

18. Branches and Working Groups

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1. On the Presidium’s recommendation, the General Assembly decides whether to establish or dissolve branches (without legal personality) in Austria’s provinces. Branch leaders are elected by members living in that region. Their two-year term begins on January 1 following the election. Re-election conditions are set in internal rules.

2. Similarly, the General Assembly may establish or dissolve topic-based working groups (also without legal personality). Leaders are elected by the members of each group (§7.4). They also serve a two-year term beginning January 1 after the election. Re-election conditions are set in internal rules.

 

19. Managing Director

 

The Presidium may appoint a Managing Director (§16) for day-to-day operations. The Managing Director may also be authorized to represent the association externally. The term is open-ended.

 

20. Arbitration Committee

 

Disputes arising from membership are resolved by an arbitration committee. Each party selects an arbitrator from the association’s members; these two choose a chairperson. If one party fails to appoint their arbitrator within 14 days, or if the two arbitrators cannot agree on a chairperson, the President of the Academy of Sciences appoints the necessary person(s). The committee makes final decisions by simple majority.

 

21. Dissolution of the Association

 

If the association is dissolved or its non-profit status is revoked, its remaining assets (after settling all obligations) must be used for charitable purposes within the meaning of §§ 34 ff of the Austrian Federal Fiscal Code (BAO).

 

Vienna, signed on December 22, 2021