Statutes of SSB

1) Name

The name of the Society is "Swiss Society Beijing", short "SSB".

2) Objectives

The objectives of the Society are to:

a) Cultivate social life among the Swiss in Beijing and surrounding areas and to promote their spirit of community.
b) Give members and their children an opportunity to take part in various activities and events.
c) Provide assistance to any Swiss child in Beijing and surrounding areas for education in any school.
d) Undertake any activities to strengthen the relationship between the people of China and Switzerland.

3) Interpretation (Definitions)

In the articles of association and by-laws made thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires:

a) "The Society" means the "Swiss Society Beijing".
b) The singular includes the plural and vice versa, and the masculine includes the feminine.

4) Interpretation of Articles and By-Laws

If any difference or dispute shall arise as to the interpretation of these articles and by-laws made thereunder,
the same shall be referred to the committee (defined in article 10) for decision and any decision of the committee
shall be final and binding to all members.

5) Categories of Members

The Society shall consist of members of the following categories:

a) Ordinary Members
b) Honorary Members

5a) Ordinary Members:
- Swiss nationals who have attained the age of 18 years and who are residents
in Beijing and surrounding areas.
- Non-Swiss and spouses of Swiss nationals who have attained the age of 18 years
and reside in Beijing and surrounding areas are eligible for ordinary membership.

5b) Honorary Membership:
- At any general assembly, the members may elect as honorary member any person who has rendered valuable services to the Society.
- The ambassador of Switzerland residing in Beijing and his spouse shall be granted honorary membership for the duration of his appointment in Beijing."

6) Admission

In order to become a member, one must submit an application for approval by the committee of the Swiss Society Beijing.

7) Resignation

Any member resigning his membership shall give notice in writing to the secretary.
The member shall be liable for the payment of dues up to and including the month in which the final account is settled.
Prepaid annual membership fees shall not be refunded.

8) Expulsion of Members

The expulsion of a member from the Society shall require the votes of not less than two thirds of the members present at a general assembly called for that purpose. The voting at any such special assembly shall be by ballot.

9) Effect of Ceasing to be a Member

Any person shall, upon ceasing to be a member of the Society, forfeit all rights and claims upon the Society and its property and funds.

10) Management of Society

a) The Society shall be managed by an elected committee in compliance with the Society's objectives. It shall report on the affairs of the Society on the annual general assembly.

b) The committee is responsible for:

- Calling and chairing the general assembly.
- Initiating, supporting, promoting and organizing events of the Society.
- Submitting the annual budget to the general assembly. - Administering the funds of the Society in good faith.
- Proposing members for all charges and functions of the Society.
- Seeking relationship with other Swiss Clubs and official representatives of Swiss nationals abroad.

11) Election of Committee

a) At the general assembly the ordinary members shall elect, from among themselves and for a term of 12 months, a committee consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and between 1 or 3 other members.

b) In the event of nominations exceeding the required number, election shall be by ballot.

c) The committee may temporarily fill any vacancy by co-opting any ordinary member until the next general assembly.

d) The majority of the elected committee at any time shall be Swiss nationals.

e) The president of the Society at any time shall be a Swiss national.

12) Annual Membership Fee

a) Each ordinary or associate member shall pay an annual membership fee, which shall be determined by the committee and shall be subject to approval by the general assembly.

b) Honorary members, their spouses as well as Swiss students studying at a Chinese university shall not be obliged to pay any annual membership fee.

13) Member Accounts

a) Annual membership fees shall be payable within 30 days after the general assembly, or 30 days after becoming a member of the Society.

b) Any member who fails to pay his dues after receipt of 2 written notices from the committee requiring such payment will cease to be a member of the Society. The Society reserves the right to recover all dues to the Society up to cessation of the membership.

14) Auditors and Financial Year

a) The accounts of the Society shall be audited by two auditors to be elected at the annual general assembly. The term of office shall be two years.

b) The financial year shall begin on 1st of January and end on 31st of December.

15) General Assembly

a) The Committee shall convene an annual general assembly to be held at the latest by 30th of November each year for the following purposes:
- To receive and, if approved, adopt the committee's report and the audited accounts for the last financial year.
- To elect members of the committee and auditors.
- To transact any other business and elections.

b) An extraordinary general assembly may be convened at any time by the committee or by the written request of not less than 20 % of the ordinary members.

c) Notice of every general assembly, specifying the business to be dealt with, and any proposals to amend the articles of association of the Society, shall be dispatched to all ordinary members not less than 14 days prior to the date of the assembly.

d) No resolution shall be proposed at any general assembly unless it has been lodged with the secretary in writing not less than 7 days before the date of the meeting, provided always that at any general assembly any ordinary member may address the meeting on any matter concerning the Society. Any such notice received by the secretary shall, if it has been received in sufficient time, be included in the notice convening the general assembly. For the purpose of this rule the committee shall decide what is sufficient time and their decision shall be final.

16) Quorum and Procedure at General Assemblies

a) At all general assemblies 40 % of the ordinary members shall form a quorum. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the holding of the general assembly, a quorum is not present, the assembly shall stand adjourned. A general assembly shall be called for the same day next week, at the same time and place. If at such an adjourned assembly a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the assembly, the ordinary members present shall form a quorum.

b) Voting shall ordinarily be by a show of hands but a ballot shall be taken if demanded by a majority of the members present at the assembly.

17) Dissolution of the Society

The dissolution of the Swiss Society Beijing may only be proceeded with if the resolution to this effect is passed unanimously by all ordinary members at a general assembly. All members shall be jointly liable for the Society's pending engagements. Any surplus of funds resulting from the dissolution of the Society shall be given to a local charity or to a charitable or patriotic institution in Switzerland.

18) Alteration of the Articles of association

These articles may be altered at any general assembly, which is competent to pass resolutions. Rules 16 and 17 shall only be altered by unanimous decision of all ordinary members residing in Beijing and surrounding areas.

19) Effectiveness

The constitution of the Swiss Society Beijing shall be effective from the date of approval by the members at its inaugural general assembly.

Beijing, September 11, 1998