Image 1: © RWTH Aachen
Image 2: © RWTH Aachen
Image 3: © Peter Winandy

BYLAWS

of the Association

Freunde und Förderer der RWTH Aachen e.V. (proRWTH)

(As of: March 17, 2026)

This is an English-language translation of the German-language bylaws (Satzung) of Freunde und Förderer der RWTH Aachen University e.V. The Association is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) incorporated under German law (Section 21 BGB). It is provided for information purposes only; in the event of any discrepancy between this translation and the German original, the German text shall prevail.”Text form” (Textform, Section 126b BGB) refers to a durable medium that includes email. References to German statutory provisions (BGB, AO) are retained for legal accuracy.

  1. The Association operates under the name: Freunde und Förderer der RWTH Aachen e.V. (“Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen University”)
  2. The Association is a nonprofit organization registered under Section 21 of the German Civil Code (BGB) and is entered in the Association Register.
  3. The Association is domiciled in Aachen.

  1. The purpose of the Association is to provide ideational and financial support to RWTH Aachen University (RWTH) in the following areas:
    (a) teaching, scholarship, and research, as well as knowledge transfer to practice
    (b) education, public and vocational training, including student support
    (c)  sports, arts, and culture
  1. This purpose is pursued in particular through contributions:
    (a) to faculties, institutes, chairs, and other RWTH facilities, including student organizations
    (b) for projects and events in the areas listed above, and to support international collaboration
    (c)  to improve the teaching and learning environment, study facilities and campus infrastructure, campus life, and community spirit
    (d) in the form of scholarships and awards for outstanding student and academic achievement
    (e) to build and expand an international network of the University (students, alumni, Association members, etc.) through joint activities

  1. The Association pursues exclusively and directly charitable purposes within the meaning of the section “Tax-Exempt Purposes” of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung, AO).
  2. The Association operates on a non-self-interested basis and does not primarily pursue commercial objectives. The Association’s funds may only be used for the purposes set out in these bylaws.
  3. Members shall not, in their capacity as members, receive any disbursements from the Association’s funds, and shall have no claim to a share of the Association’s assets upon expulsion or resignation. No individual may be favored through expenditures unrelated to the Association’s purposes or through disproportionately high compensation.
  4. Individuals serving in a voluntary capacity are only entitled to reimbursement of documented expenses incurred in connection with Association business.

  1. The funds available to the Association for achieving its purposes are:
    (a) annual membership dues
    (b) donations and endowments
    (c)  other income
  1. In addition to the funds required to cover its liabilities and ongoing obligations, the Association may establish a reserve within the meaning of Section 62 AO to ensure the sustained fulfillment of its tax-exempt statutory purposes.

  1. Any natural person, legal entity, or unincorporated association may become a member of the Association. By applying for membership, the applicant acknowledges these bylaws.
  2. Applications for membership may be submitted in text form by email or by mail. The Executive Board decides on applications at its discretion. There is no legal entitlement to membership. The applicant shall be notified of the decision to admit or reject the application in text form. A rejection need not be substantiated.
  3. Communication between the Association and its members is conducted as a rule by email to the email address provided to the Association. Members without an email address will be contacted by letter to their last known postal address. Each member is obligated to notify the Association promptly of any change of address (email or postal).
  4. Membership may terminate for the following reasons:
    (a) Death of the member / in the case of legal entities, upon their dissolution
    (b) Voluntary resignation
    Voluntary resignation is effected by a written declaration in text form to the Executive Board. It is only permissible effective at the end of a calendar year, subject to one month’s notice.
    (c)  Removal from the membership roll
    A member may be removed from the membership roll by resolution of the Executive Board if, after two payment reminders, the member remains in arrears with dues. The removal shall be communicated to the member in text form.
    (d) Expulsion from the Association
    The Executive Board may expel a member for good cause by resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of its votes. Good cause includes in particular conduct contrary to the Association’s purposes or otherwise detrimental to the Association’s interests. The expulsion shall be communicated to the member in text form.

Upon a member’s departure, all of that member’s rights vis-à-vis the Association cease.

  1. Membership obligates the member to pay annual dues. The amount of the annual dues is set by the Members’ Meeting in a dues schedule, on the recommendation of the Executive Board.
  2. In the year of joining, dues are payable following admission to the Association. In subsequent years, dues are payable by June 30 of the current fiscal year.
  3. Members are obligated to ensure timely payment of annual dues without a separate request from the Association. To facilitate this, the Association may offer members the SEPA direct debit procedure.
  4. Individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the Association or to the University may, on the recommendation of the Executive Board, be appointed honorary members by the Members’ Meeting. Honorary members have all membership rights but are not obligated to pay dues.

  1. The governing bodies of the Association are:

(a) the Members’ Meeting
(b) the Advisory Council
(c)  the Executive Board

  1. The functions, rights, duties, and election procedures of the governing bodies are set out in these bylaws below.
  2. Communication among members of the governing bodies is conducted as a rule by email (in text form).
  3. All governing bodies may, where necessary or in exceptional cases, also convene online. The decision rests with the Executive Board. Meetings held online are subject to the same rules (notice, deadlines, etc.) as in-person meetings.
  4. Members of the governing bodies receive no compensation for their service.

  1. At the Members’ Meeting, each member present has one vote. Voting rights may in principle only be exercised in person. Members that are legal entities are represented by a designated natural person.
  2. The Members’ Meeting has jurisdiction in particular over the following matters:
    (a) receipt of the Executive Board’s annual financial accounts and discharge of the Executive Board following the financial audit report
    (b) setting the amount and due date of annual dues
    (c)  election and removal of members of the Executive Board, the Advisory Council, and the financial auditors
    (d) decisions on matters submitted by the Executive Board, amendments to the bylaws, and dissolution of the Association
    (e) appointment of honorary members
  3. The regular Members’ Meeting is held as a rule once a year and is convened by the Chairperson. The Executive Board sets the date, time, venue, and agenda.
  4. Members shall be notified in text form at least two weeks in advance. The notice period begins on the business day following the day the notice is sent. The notice is deemed received by members if it was addressed to the last address provided to the Association.
  5. The agenda is announced in the meeting notice. Any member may request in text form, no later than one week before the meeting, that additional items be added to the agenda. The Chairperson shall amend the agenda accordingly at the opening of the meeting. Requests to add items raised only at the meeting itself are decided by the members present; a three-fourths majority of valid votes cast is required for such a request to be accepted.
  6. Amendments to the bylaws, dissolution of the Association, and the election and removal of governing body members (Executive Board and Advisory Council) may only be resolved if the proposals were announced to members with the agenda.
  7. Provisions governing amendments to the bylaws and dissolution of the Association are set out in SectionSection 12 and 13 of these bylaws.
  8. The Members’ Meeting is chaired by the Chairperson, or in the Chairperson’s absence by another member of the Executive Board. If no member of the Executive Board is present, the meeting designates a member to chair the proceedings.
  9. Any duly convened Members’ Meeting has a quorum regardless of the number of members present.
  10. The manner of voting on resolutions and elections is determined by the Chairperson or the meeting chair. The Members’ Meeting generally passes all resolutions by a simple majority of valid votes cast; abstentions are disregarded. In the event of a tie, the motion is rejected; in elections, a runoff vote decides.
  11. Minutes shall be prepared for each Members’ Meeting and signed by the Chairperson or the meeting chair. The Chairperson designates the person responsible for taking minutes.
  12. An extraordinary Members’ Meeting may be convened by the Executive Board at any time in the same manner, if the interests of the Association so require, or if convocation is requested in text form by one-third of all members, stating the reasons. The same provisions and rules as for the regular Members’ Meeting apply.

  1. The Advisory Council advises and supports the Executive Board in its statutory duties. It consists of at least 25 members. The Advisory Council decides on matters referred to it by the Executive Board or assigned to it by the Members’ Meeting.
  2. The Advisory Council consists of the following persons or officeholders:
    (a) Association members or legal representatives of member entities
    An Advisory Council member is elected by the Members’ Meeting by a simple majority for a term of five years from the date of election. Re-election of departing members is permissible. Membership on the Advisory Council lapses upon loss of Association membership.
    (b) Representatives of the faculties of RWTH Aachen University
    Each faculty elects one faculty member at its annual faculty assembly and sends that person to the Advisory Council. Tenured professors at RWTH are eligible for election. The faculties must exercise their right to elect before the regular Members’ Meeting; otherwise this right passes to the Members’ Meeting.
    (c)  The Rector of RWTH Aachen University and the Chairperson of the AStA Students’ Committee (“AStA”)

These individuals serve on the Advisory Council as ex officio members by virtue of their office.

  1. The Advisory Council convenes at least once a year or as needed at the invitation of the Chairperson. If at least one-third of its members make a written request stating their reasons, the Advisory Council must be convened within eight weeks. Resolutions may be adopted by circular letter and written vote in text form.
  2. Resolutions of the Advisory Council require the participation of at least ten members. A simple majority decides. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson’s vote is decisive.
  3. Minutes shall be prepared for each Advisory Council meeting and signed by the Chairperson or another member of the Executive Board. The Chairperson designates the person responsible for taking minutes.

  1. The Executive Board consists of the following officers:
    (a) the Chairperson
    (b) the Vice Chairperson (the Rector of RWTH Aachen University as an ex officio member by virtue of the office of Rector)
    (c)  the Secretary
    (d) the Treasurer
    (e) up to five Members-at-Large
  1. The Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer alone constitute the Executive Board within the meaning of Section 26 BGB. The Executive Board remains in office until a new Executive Board is elected. No individual may hold more than one Executive Board office.
  2. The Executive Board conducts the Association’s business in accordance with the bylaws and the resolutions of the Members’ Meeting and the Advisory Council. It may establish committees on specific topics and appoint persons as ambassadors for various interest groups or cooperation partners.
  3. The Association is represented in and out of court jointly by the Chairperson and one other Executive Board member as specified in Section 10 No. 2.
  4. Executive Board members are elected individually by the Members’ Meeting by a simple majority for a term of five years from the date of election. Re-election of a departing member is permissible. An Executive Board office lapses upon loss of Association membership.
  5. The Chairperson chairs the Members’ Meetings, Executive Board sessions, and Advisory Council meetings, and may participate in a consultative capacity in committees formed on specific topics.
  6. The Secretary and Treasurer support the Chairperson in carrying out the Chairperson’s duties. The Treasurer is responsible in particular for financial management, whether directly or through a bank or firm acting on the Association’s behalf. The Vice Chairperson may exercise the powers of the Chairperson in the Chairperson’s absence.
  7. The Executive Board passes resolutions at Board meetings convened by the Chairperson in text form as needed. A quorum exists when the Chairperson and at least one other Board member are present. Resolutions may also be adopted by circular letter with written vote in text form, provided all Board members agree. Resolutions are decided by a majority of valid votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson’s vote is decisive.
  8. In matters requiring a decision by the Members’ Meeting, the Executive Board is authorized to act if the matter cannot wait until a Members’ Meeting can be convened. Such decisions require approval at the next Members’ Meeting.
  9. Minutes shall be prepared for each Executive Board meeting and signed by the Chairperson or another Board member. The Chairperson designates the person responsible for taking minutes.

  1. The fiscal year is the calendar year.
  2. To audit the accounts of the past and current year and review financial management, the Members’ Meeting elects two members who are willing to serve in this capacity. These persons may not be members of the Executive Board.
  3. If the Members’ Meeting does not take place in a given year, the persons elected in the prior year are deemed elected for that year.

  1. Amendments to the bylaws may only be adopted by the Members’ Meeting. They must be announced in the agenda included with the meeting notice and require a two-thirds majority of valid votes cast.
  2. Any resolution to amend Section 2 additionally requires the approval of the competent tax authority (Finanzamt).

  1. Dissolution of the Association requires a resolution of the Members’ Meeting. The proposal must be announced in the agenda included with the meeting notice and requires a four-fifths majority of valid votes cast.
  2. Unless the Members’ Meeting resolves otherwise, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are the authorized liquidators.
  3. In the event of dissolution or winding-up of the Association, or upon the lapse of its statutory purpose, the Association’s assets shall pass to RWTH Aachen University to be used for its research and academic mission.
  4. The foregoing provisions apply mutatis mutandis if the Association loses its legal capacity.

  1. These bylaws supersede the previous bylaws.
  2. The Members’ Meeting authorizes the Executive Board to adopt such amendments to the bylaws as may be required to remedy objections raised by the competent tax authority or the competent registration court.
  3. If the Executive Board makes such amendments, it shall report on them at the next Members’ Meeting.