1 Name and location

Under the name “Russia of the Future—Switzerland”, in accordance with paragraph 60 of the Civil Code of Switzerland, the Community, registered in the city of Zurich, operates.

 

2 Goal

The goal of the Community is to promote the principles of democracy, the protection of human rights and the development of civil society in Russia. To this end, the Community plans, supports and implements various activities in Switzerland and abroad, among others:

• Education about the situation with human rights and freedom of speech in Russia, dissemination of current information about events in Russia, in particular about the state of civil initiatives in Russia

• Development and promotion of civil society and political initiatives for democratic change in Russia

• Cooperation with representatives of authorities, organisations, parties, diasporas and other public associations both in Switzerland and abroad on issues of democratic change in Russia

• Support for refugees, political prisoners and other victims of political repression persecuted by the Russian government and authorities

The Community does not represent political parties or state institutions. It does not lobby for private interests, but promotes the projects of its members and friends in the field of civil society, solidarity and human rights. The community does not pursue commercial goals, is non-denominational and does not seek profit.

 

3 Finance

To achieve its objectives, the Community has at its disposal the following means:

• Membership and patronage fees

• Income from own events

• Income from contracts for the provision of services and from the sale of products

• Subsidies, donations and grants of all kinds

 

4 Membership

Any natural or legal person who supports the goals of the Community can become a member of the Community. The Council of the Community (hereinafter referred to as the “Council”) decides on the admission of members after submitting a written application. To become a member, you must provide a first name, last name, place of residence, a valid email address and pay a membership fee, and you can join at any time during the year.

 

5 Membership fees

Each member is required to pay an annual membership fee. From the middle of the year, when joining the Community, the membership fee is reduced accordingly by half of the annual fee. After consideration of the circumstances, the Council may, due to illness, unemployment or other good reasons, reduce the amount or completely exempt the member from paying the contribution for a certain period of time. Paid membership fees are non-refundable. Membership fees are set annually by the General Meeting. The financial year corresponds to the calendar year.

 

6 Termination of membership

Membership expires:

• For individuals, by withdrawal or exclusion from the Community or in the event of death.

• For legal entities, by withdrawal or exclusion from the Community or in the event of liquidation of a legal entity

 

7 Withdrawal and expulsion from the Community

Withdrawal from the Community is possible at the end of the financial year. An application for withdrawal from the Community must be submitted in writing to the Council.

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A member can be expelled at any time by a decision of the Council, stating the reasons. The member may challenge the expulsion decision in writing within 30 days, whereupon the final decision is to be made by the General Meeting.

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If a Community member fails to pay the membership fee despite being reminded, he/she may be expelled by the Council.

 

8 Community Bodies

The Community bodies are:

• General meeting

• Community Council

 

9 General Assembly

The supreme body of the Community is the General Assembly. The next General Meeting is held annually. Members of the Community are invited to the General Meeting in writing three weeks before its holding, indicating the issues on the agenda. Email invitations are valid.

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The Council or 1/5 of the members may at any time demand the convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members, indicating the purpose. The meeting must be held no later than four weeks after the receipt of the request.

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The General Assembly has the following inalienable duties and powers:

• Approval of the minutes of the last General Meeting of Shareholders

• Election and dismissal of Council members

• Determining the amount of membership fees

• Approval of the annual budget

• Amending the bylaws

• Deciding on the dissolution of the Community and the liquidation of the Community’s assets

 

Any General Meeting duly convened shall constitute a quorum, regardless of the number of members present.

 

Each member has one vote. The Chairperson and members of the Council participate in voting. Resolutions are adopted by a simple majority vote of the members. In case of equality of votes, the Chairperson’s vote is decisive. Unless otherwise decided by the General Assembly, voting and elections shall be open.

 

Amendments to the statutes or a decision to dissolve the Community require a 2/3 majority of all votes represented, a removal or election of the Council requires an absolute majority. Decisions are recorded in the minutes.

 

10 Community Council

The Council consists of the Chairperson and no less than two and no more than six other members and forms its own structure independently.

 

Members of the Council are elected for a period of one year until the next ordinary General Meeting of the Community. Possible re-election.

 

The Council conducts day-to-day business and represents the Community at the external level. It determines the regulations, may approve working groups (groups of specialists) and may hire or entrust persons with the performance of work for an appropriate remuneration to achieve the objectives of the Community. The Council shall have all powers not delegated to another body by law or by this charter.

 

The Council meets as needed. Council decisions must be recorded. Any member of the Board may request that a meeting of the Board be convened, stating the reasons. Any convened meeting of the Council shall constitute a quorum provided that at least half of the members of the Council are present. Resolutions are adopted by a simple majority vote of the members of the Council. In case of equality of votes, the Chairperson’s vote is decisive. Unless a member of the Council requests oral discussion, decisions made by circular letter (including e-mail) shall be considered valid.

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Members of the Council perform their functions on a voluntary basis, i.e. free of charge, and is entitled to reimbursement of actual expenses.

 

11 Signature

The Community is represented by the individual signature of the Chairperson for all transactions up to CHF 1'000. For all transactions over CHF 1'000, the association is represented by the collective signature of the Chairperson together with another member of the Council. If the Chairperson is frequently absent, another member of the Board of Directors may be authorised.

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12 Responsibility

The community is responsible for its financial obligations. The personal liability of members of the Community is excluded.

 

13 Liquidation

The Association may be liquidated by decision of the General Assembly convened for this purpose by a 2/3 majority vote of the members present. In the event of liquidation of the Community, its assets shall be transferred to an organization pursuing the same or a similar purpose and exempted from taxes. The distribution of the Community’s assets among its members is excluded.

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14 Entry into force of the charter

These Charter was adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 17 January 2024. It integrally replaces the previously valid Charter and comes into force immediately.

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Zurich, 17.01.2024