Articles of Association & Regulations

§ 1 Name, Registered Office, Financial Year

1. The association bears the name “Hope Cuba”. It is to be entered into the register of associations (Vereinsregister) and shall carry the suffix “e.V.” upon registration.

2. The association has its registered office in Messel, Germany.

3. The financial year is the calendar year. The first financial year is a short financial year ending on December 31 of the founding year.

§ 2 Tax-Exempt / Charitable Purposes

1. The association with its registered office in Messel pursues exclusively and directly non-profit and charitable purposes within the meaning of the section “Tax-Exempt Purposes” of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung – AO).

2. The purposes of the association are:

• a. Promotion of public healthcare and public health maintenance (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no. 3 AO);
• b. Promotion of education, popular and vocational training, including student assistance (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no. 7 AO);
• c. Promotion of public welfare (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no. 9 AO);
• d. Promotion of assistance for refugees and politically, racially, or religiously persecuted persons (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no. 10 AO);
• e. Promotion of development cooperation (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no. 15 AO);
• f. Support of individuals in need of assistance (§ 53 AO).

3. The association fulfills its purposes primarily in Cuba. It may also pursue its tax-exempt purposes in Germany and other countries. Assistance is not restricted to persons of Cuban nationality.

§ 3 Altruism / Selflessness

1. The association operates selflessly; it does not primarily pursue its own economic interests.

2. Funds of the association may only be used for statutory purposes. Members receive no financial disbursements or grants from association funds.

3. No person may be favored through expenses alien to the purpose of the entity or through disproportionately high remuneration.

§ 4 Membership

1. The association consists of regular members (ordentliche Mitglieder) and supporting members (Fördermitglieder). Natural and legal persons may become members, provided they support the association's purposes.

2. Regular members participate in association activities and decision-making. Each regular member has one vote in the General Assembly. Supporting members assist the association through regular financial contributions or ideal/material support; they possess no voting rights.

§ 5 Executive Bodies

Executive bodies of the association are:

1. The General Assembly (Mitgliederversammlung);

2. The Board of Directors (Vorstand) pursuant to § 26 BGB.

§ 6 Board of Directors, Representation, Term of Office

1. The Board of Directors pursuant to § 26 BGB consists of at least two and at most three natural persons, comprising three board functions: Chair (Vorsitzende/r), Vice Chair (Stellvertretende/r Vorsitzende/r), and Treasurer (Schatzmeister/in).

2. The board functions must be held by at least two distinct natural persons. A single person may hold at most two board functions in personal union.

3. The association is represented in and out of court jointly by two distinct board members.

4. The Board of Directors is elected by the General Assembly for a term of four years. Re-election is permissible.

§ 7 Management and Special Powers of the Chair

1. The Chair manages the day-to-day business of the association, coordinates humanitarian projects, and is responsible for implementing the strategy and budget resolved by the Board.

2. Further details regarding management and internal organization are regulated in the Rules of Procedure (Geschäftsordnung) adopted by the General Assembly and the Financial Regulations (Finanzordnung) adopted by the Board.

§ 8 Board Meetings and Resolutions

1. The Board holds at least two meetings per calendar year. Between meetings, resolutions may be adopted via written circular procedure (Umlaufverfahren in Textform).

§ 9 General Assembly (Mitgliederversammlung)

1. The ordinary General Assembly takes place at least once a year. It may be conducted in person, hybrid, or fully virtually.

2. Amendments to the Articles of Association require a majority of three-quarters of the valid votes cast by regular members.

§ 10 Accounting, Overseas Aid, and Controls

1. The Board ensures proper accounting and record keeping. For overseas activities, needs, beneficiary selection, source of funds, payment channels, and utilization must be fully documented.

§ 11 Dissolution and Asset Binding

1. Dissolution of the association requires a three-quarters majority of valid votes cast in a General Assembly specifically convened for this purpose.

2. Upon dissolution, liquidation, or cessation of tax-exempt status, association assets shall transfer to a public entity or another tax-exempt corporation for charitable health or welfare purposes (§ 53 AO).

§ 12 Effective Date and Founding Resolution

These Articles of Association were adopted by the founding assembly on [Date] in [Location].