{"id":41767,"date":"2016-11-28T14:31:40","date_gmt":"2016-11-28T13:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.polyas.de\/ct_content_page_2\/legal-structure-2"},"modified":"2024-06-18T10:15:47","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T08:15:47","slug":"legal-structure-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.polyas.com\/associations\/board-elections\/legal-structure","title":{"rendered":"Legal Structure of Associations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class='flex_column av-2h0g7x4-de4ae1467e542757120a2c90fb2718d7 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1aizrzs-8a25428e6816fa11fb17983d23994a47\">\n.avia-image-container.av-1aizrzs-8a25428e6816fa11fb17983d23994a47 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-1aizrzs-8a25428e6816fa11fb17983d23994a47 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-1aizrzs-8a25428e6816fa11fb17983d23994a47 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-1  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image- avia-img-lazy-loading-not- avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Associations_board_elections_12_Tips.jpg\" alt='' title=''   itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ltsofnzg-e00b2b2a0be9be2e3c09c71bd36eb6b0 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h1>Legal Structure of Associations<\/h1>\n<p>There is no general legal structure for associations because they can be established under different\u00a0types of legal forms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ltymfqmc-a7e66dfd12d3c3a0f73a2f3629a0358f '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Types of association<\/h2>\n<p>Generally speaking, the law regulating\u00a0an association depends on the legal form the association has chosen. The various types of legal form come with different responsibilities for both the\u00a0members and executives of the association.<\/p>\n<p>The most common form chosen\u00a0for smaller and voluntary associations, such as\u00a0sports clubs, is the unincorporated association. Unincorporated associations\u00a0can be easily established by founding members\u00a0with\u00a0almost\u00a0no legal restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively,\u00a0associations can be founded as charities, <a href=\"\/cooperatives\">cooperatives<\/a>, mutual organizations or\u00a0incorporated companies, where different laws apply\u00a0for each form.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ltymg7xp-b78053bb5458bc6df78350d079a20a72 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Establishing, membership and dissolution of associations<\/h2>\n<p>Certain criteria need to be fulfilled when establishing an association.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>A first meeting held by\u00a0the founding members<\/li>\n<li>Creating and approving bylaws for the association<\/li>\n<li>Appointing or electing a board of directors<\/li>\n<li>Writing down the results of the first meeting<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Generally, all associations, despite their different legal structures, have a general meeting open to all members and a board of directors who run the association on behalf of the members. Additional\u00a0committees can then be constituted in the bylaws.<br \/>\n<a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/election-process\">Learn more about board of directors elections in associations!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Membership<\/strong><br \/>\nThe membership base includes\u00a0both the founding members and those which have subsequently joinded the association. Members have voting rights at the Annual General Meeting which are outlined in the bylaws.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dissolution of the association\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nThe various legal forms\u00a0suggest\u00a0that an association can be dissolved at\u00a0a general meeting if a quorum is reached and a majority of members\u00a0vote\u00a0in favour of dissolving the association. The association\u2019s assets are distributed to\u00a0persons or organizations as set out\u00a0in the bylaws.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ltzjiloq-ca07d89252e665da6549c35602240f27\">\n.av_promobox.av-ltzjiloq-ca07d89252e665da6549c35602240f27{\ncolor:#000000;\nbackground:#e8f8f8;\nborder-color:#ededed;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av_promobox av-ltzjiloq-ca07d89252e665da6549c35602240f27 avia-button-no  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><div class='avia-promocontent'><p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-46677 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-03-20-um-09.15.04-80x80.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.polyas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-03-20-um-09.15.04-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.polyas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-03-20-um-09.15.04-36x36.png 36w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>POLYAS-Tip: <\/strong>If the bylaws allow it\u00a0you can hold your annual general meeting online. Let your members vote directly online and increase voter turnout in your association. <a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/amending-bylaws\">Learn how you can include online voting in your bylaws now!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-wz0wl4-34aab32a2d0f1ae4906b93362ed1f18e '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Online voting in associations<\/h2>\n<p>Give your members the option to vote online on resolutions and their board of directors. This allows members who are unable to attend the general meeting to exercise their voting rights.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lead your association into the digital future.\u00a0<\/strong>Our online voting experts are happy to help you in conducting online elections in your association. <a href=\"\/request-demo\">Contact us now!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div> <div  class='flex_column av-1nz9rg8-75c54a224fb808df4d271da46d3d88ea av_one_third  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-lu9i2vcx-f98b442447e01de64a594721f37db094\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-lu9i2vcx-f98b442447e01de64a594721f37db094{\nheight:50px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-lu9i2vcx-f98b442447e01de64a594721f37db094 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-8  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ltym5gx4-4b5d2bf9f8cb84828b4c30d830082a87 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock cnt2_sidemenu1'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3><strong>Topics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\">Board of Directors Elections in Associations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/election-process\">Board of Directors Election Process in Associations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/online\">Online Board of Directors Elections in Associations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/checklist\">Checklist: Board of Directors Elections in Associations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/faq\">Associations: FAQs for Board of Directors Elections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.polyas.com\/associations\/board-elections\/ballot-paper-templates\">Free Ballot Paper Templates for Board Elections in Associations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/bylaws\">Association Bylaws<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/amending-bylaws\">Amending Association Bylaws<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/case-study\">Case Study: Online voting for the Stakeholders of Photonics21<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/associations\/board-elections\/electoral-system\">Electoral System for Board Elections in Associations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='hr av-13shxaw-70ecde758ef09bd32c279342ccec690e hr-default  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-lu9idg7z-bf603fd1ba39051b13a329fc88d83331 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock cnt2_sidemenu2'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3><strong>Further information<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/election-administration\">Election Administration<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/increase-voter-turnout\">How to Increase Voter Turnout in your Election<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/election-glossary\">POLYAS Election Glossary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9568],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41767","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-allgemein-en"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v25.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Legal structure of associations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Associations can be established and regulated under numerous legal forms. 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