Extracts from the Articles of Association

Article 2
Purpose

(1)       The society's purpose is the promotion of science, research, education, and innovation.  In this context, the society cooperates with companies and associated organisations, universities and research institutions, regional and local authorities, as well as bodies responsible for cultural, social, and labour-market concerns.

The society pursues its purpose, in particular, by:

- supporting innovative potentials in the Free State of Thuringia in the field of micro technology and its applications;

- preparing and organising the „Mikro-Nano-Thüringen“ (MNT) technology symposium and trade exhibition; 

- initiating and professionally supporting competitions aimed at promoting the scientific and technical competence in micro and nanotechnology.

- coordinating project-related co-operations and individual projects with a micro technological orientation within the framework of promotional measures.

(2)       The society is a voluntary association of natural and legal persons.

(3)       The society is not affiliated with any party or denomination, and it is independent.  The society has exclusively and directly non-profit-making purposes as defined in the German fiscal code.  The society's funds must be used solely for the purposes laid down in these Articles of Association.  Members are not allowed to receive benefits from the society's funds.  No person must be favoured through expenses alien to the purpose of the entity or through remuneration that is unreasonably high.

(4)       For fulfilling its purpose, the society may seek membership in other non-profit-making associations.

Article 4
Membership

(1)       The society can admit regular and honorary members that are

a)         natural persons aged above 18 years; 

b)         legal persons and partnerships;

Companies under any legal form, research institutions, public corporations, local authorities, associations, and natural persons may become members of the society.

(2)        Application for admission to the society must be in written form.  The decision on the admission rests with the executive committee.

(3)       Members who have rendered outstanding services to the society may be appointed as honorary members by the annual general meeting.

(4)       The membership expires upon the member's death or written notice of resignation, or by exclusion by the general meeting.

(5)       Members who have resigned or have been excluded lose any and all rights to the society or its facilities.  They shall return to the society their membership card and any other objects belonging to the society.

(6)       Resignation is subject to one-month prior notice and shall take effect at the end of a calendar year.  The membership fee must be paid until expiry or suspension of the membership.  Any fees already paid forfeit to the benefit of the society.

Article 5
Member's rights and obligations

(1)       All members are required to use their best efforts to support the society, to pay the fixed fees, and to comply with instructions issued by the society's executive body with a view to achieving the society's purpose.

(2)       Any member who infringes upon the society's interests or does not abstain from doing so even upon repeated warnings, may be excluded from the society by a majority decision of the general meeting.  No objection against such exclusion shall be admissible.  In such event, the society's executive committee shall also be entitled to suspend membership until the next general meeting.  Prior to the decision by the general meeting, the member concerned shall be entitled to give an oral or written statement to the general meeting.

(3)       The honorary members enjoy the same rights as the regular members.

(4)       Every member has a vote and a voting right for the election of the executive committee and for taking decisions for the society.  Only members aged 21 years and older are eligible for election.
 

Article 6
Membership Fees

(1)       Every member of the society shall pay the annual fee in the amount set by the general meeting.

(2)       Any and all members' fees shall be used for fulfilling the purposes of the society.

(3)       If events are organised by the society, service charges may be required to cover expenses.

(4)       The society accepts donations for fulfilling its purposes and issues donation receipts.