(1) As an non-governmental organisation, the association’s purpose is, to initiate and support activities, which aim at a peaceful and tolerant living together of different people, social groups and individuals - especially in Germany and Poland but also in Europe and beyond.
Through this the body of thought of the Kreisau Circle shall be passed on and be kept alive. By this the association supports
- the promotion of an international ethos, of tolerance in all subjects of culture and of the idea of international understanding and
- the promotion of education.
(2) The purpose is realised in particular by conducting:
- public events and seminars dealing with the ideas of the Kreisau Circle and their relevance in today's Europe
- German-Polish meetings, workshops and seminars fostering a good neighbourly relationship between European Countries
- contributions to the historical and political refurbishment of dictatorships of the 20th century and of resistance and opposition against it – particularly in Germany and Poland
- adequate measures of public relations as well as handing out information on and generating connections to promote the "Kreisau-Idea" among all interested individuals and institutions.
1) The association pursuits only and proximately charitable aims according to the subtitle "tax-advantaged purposes" of the general tax code.
(2) The association acts in a selfless manner. It does not primarily pursue its own financial interests. The association’s financial means can only be used in accordance with the aims of the statute.
(3) Members do not obtain benefits off the association's financial means. No person is allowed to be advantaged by financial means of the association, if the aim is not covered by the statute or is disproportional.
(1) Membership can be granted to any natural person of full age.
(2) Admission occurs by written declaration and affirmation by the board.
(3) Members are required to pay a yearly membership fee, which is determined by the general meeting.
(4) The association consists of full and supporting members. Full membership can be granted to any natural person that continuously takes part in the realisation of the association’s goals; supporting memberships can be granted to any natural or legal person, that supports the association's goals. Supporting members have no voting right.
(1) The membership expires in the cases of death, withdrawal or exclusion.
(2) A withdrawal must be declared in written to the board complying with a one month term.
(3) A member can be excluded if actions are undertaken that violate the statute or the association's interests. The exclusion must be decided by 2/3 of the members of the general meeting with voting right. The affected member must obtain the right to comment during the general meeting.
(1) The general meeting is the highest organ of the association.
(2) The general meeting may be held as a face-to-face meeting or as a virtual meeting. In the case of a face-to-face meeting, the participants of the general meeting shall be present at the location specified in the invitation. In the case of a virtual meeting, the participants dial into a video and/or telephone conference. A combination of a face-to-face meeting and a virtual meeting is permissible by giving members the opportunity to participate in the face-to-face meeting by means of a video and/or telephone conference.
(3) A duly general meeting has to be convened leastwise once a year by the board. The invitation has to be sent in written complying with a term of 14 days including the agenda.
(4) Extraordinary general assemblies can be convened by the board or leastwise 1/3 of the full members. Extraordinary assemblies must be declared fife days prior to the date in written including the agenda.
(5) The general meeting has the following duties and responsibilities:
- it decides on details of the association’s conception and the implementation and organisation of activities
- it elects the board and discharges it on base of the annual report of the association's activities
- it can deselect the board if actions were undertaken that violate the statute or the resolutions passed by the general meeting
- it decides the amount of the membership fee
- it decides on the use of the financial means.
(6) The general meeting always has a quorum except in the cases statet in the following. Decisions are made with a simple majority of votes. In case of changes to the statute, the exclusion of members, voting out of the board, and annulment of the association the decision ist made with a 2/3-majority, but only if at least 1/4 of the full members are present. If not enough full members are present the invitation is repeated. In general meeting following this re-invitation the attending members decide with simple majority.
(7) The general meeting has to be minuted. The minute has to be made accessible to all members. The minute has to signed by a member of the board and the minute taker.
(1) The board consists of leastwise three members of which one has to handle the cash.
(2) The association is represented judicially and extra judicially by each member of the board individually.
(3) The board is elected by the general meeting for a period of two years with simple majority. Re-election is possible. It remains in office until the election of a new board. If a member of the board withdrawals from office, a new member is elected by an extraordinary general meeting, which has to be convened by the board four weeks in advance.
(1) The annulment of the association can only be passed in a general meeting convened for this purpose with a 2/3-majority.
(2) In the case of annulment the association’s remaining assets is passed over to a tax-advantaged body for the purpose of supporting the international understanding between Germans and Polish. Prior to the resolution on asset transfer the approval of the fiscal authorities in charge has to be obtained.