Statuti

October 4, 2024

Contents:

Name, Headquarters, and Objectives
Membership
Funding
Organization
Amendment of the Bylaws and Dissolution
1. Name, Headquarters, and Objectives

Art. 1

1 An association exists under the name Association Suisse de Géographie / Verband Geographie Schweiz / Associazione Svizzera di Geografia / Association of Swiss Geography (ASG) within the meaning of Articles 60–79 of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB).

2 The ASG is the umbrella organization for Swiss geographers. It represents the interests of geography in the fields of research, teaching, and practice, as well as to the general public. It is a member of the Geosciences Platform of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and the International Geographical Union (

f) Förderung des Dialoges zwischen den verschiedenen Regionen und sprachlichen Traditionen der Schweizer Geographie;

g) Förderung der Präsenz der Schweizer Geographie in aktuellen gesellschaftspolitischen Debatten;

h) Vertretung der Interessen der Mitglieder;

i) Förderung einer Geographie für und mit unterschiedlichen Zielgruppen und Fachkreisen, um diese für die räumlichen Dimensionen der Gesellschaft zu sensibilisieren.

Art. 3

Der Sitz des Verbandes befindet sich am Ort des Sekretariats.

IGU), and advocates for the interests of Swiss geography within these organizations.

Art. 2

The ASG pursues the following objectives:

a) Promotion of scientific research, particularly in close collaboration with SCNAT;

b) Institutional support for the Swiss Journal of Geography, *Geographica Helvetica*;

c) Publication of *GeoAgenda*, the association’s information magazine;

d) Promotion of the interests of school geography and the didactics of geography;

e) Fostering connections among the various areas of the discipline: research, teaching, and practice;

f) Promoting dialogue among the various regions and linguistic traditions within Swiss geography;

g) Promoting the presence of Swiss geography in current sociopolitical debates;

h) Representing the interests of its members;

i) Promoting geography for and with diverse target groups and professional circles in order to raise their awareness of the spatial dimensions of society.

Art. 3

The Association’s headquarters are located at the site of the secretariat.

2. Membership

Art. 4

The ASG is an association of various geographic interest groups. Regular members include university institutes, professional societies, and regional societies (branch societies). New branch societies may be admitted provided their objectives are consistent with those of the ASG. Individuals or organizations that support the ASG and its objectives may be admitted as associate members. They have the opportunity to support the ASG through a “sponsorship,” receive the GeoAgenda, and participate in meetings in an advisory capacity.

Art. 5

Individuals who have rendered outstanding service to Swiss geography may be appointed honorary members. They will receive the GeoAgenda, the ASG’s journal.

Art. 6

1 A member may resign from the ASG at the end of the fiscal year by submitting a written notice.

The Delegates’ Assembly may expel a member from the ASG for good cause. This requires a three-quarters majority of the voting members present.

2. Anyone who has received GeoAgenda but has not paid their membership dues by the end of the current year will be removed from the mailing list.

3. Financing

Art. 7

The association finances its activities from the following sources:

a) Membership dues paid to the ASG;
b) Membership dues paid to GeoAgenda;
c) Subsidies from SCNAT;
d) Revenue from ASG products and services;
e) Contributions from third parties;

Art. 8

The Secretary General prepares the budget and manages the accounts. The Treasurer oversees the accounts. He or she represents the ASG in financial matters both vis-à-vis the members and externally.

Art. 9

The audit of the accounts is conducted by two auditors.

Art. 10

The fiscal year and accounting year run from January 1 through December 31.

Art. 11

The ASG’s obligations are covered exclusively by the association’s assets. Personal liability of association members is excluded.

4. Organization

Art. 12

The governing bodies of the ASG are:

a) the Delegates’ Assembly
b) the Executive Board
c) the Secretariat
d) the thematic groups.

Assembly of Delegates

Art. 13

1 The Assembly of Delegates consists of delegates appointed by name from among the regular members. Each of these institutions is entitled to one delegate. To ensure regular attendance at meetings, each member institution may appoint one or two alternate delegates. Their reappointment is permitted.

2 A representative of the editorial board of *Geographica Helvetica* is invited to the meetings. This representative has an advisory role.

3 The Secretary-General participates in the Delegates’ Assembly in an advisory capacity.

4 The Delegates’ Assembly meets at least twice a year. If necessary, it may be convened for an extraordinary meeting by the Secretariat or by one-fifth of the members. The date of the meeting must be announced no later than four weeks in advance.

5 The Delegates’ Assembly passes its resolutions by open vote with a simple majority of the voting members present.

It may also decide to conduct individual votes by secret ballot.

6 In urgent cases, the Delegates’ Assembly may pass a resolution by circular resolution.

Art. 14

The Delegates’ Assembly has the following duties:

a) Appointing the President and the other members of the Executive Board for a term of four years;
b) Appointing the auditors for a term of four years;
c) Approving the annual reports and the financial statements;
d) Approving the budget for the following fiscal year and membership dues;
e) Amending the bylaws;
f) Dissolution of the association.

Executive Board

Art. 15

1 The Executive Board is the executive body of the ASG and is confirmed by the Delegates’ Assembly. It consists of at least 7 members. The number of members of the Executive Board may be increased as needed. Its members remain delegates.

2 The Secretary General participates in Executive Board meetings in an advisory capacity.

3 The Executive Board consists of the President, the Vice President(s), the Treasurer, the President of the IGU National Committee, and at least three additional members.

4 The Executive Board reports to the Delegates’ Assembly on its activities.

5 The term of office is four years. A second term is possible. Care must be taken to ensure an appropriate rotation.

Art. 16

The Executive Board has the following duties:

a) Appointing the Secretary General,

b) Developing the ASG’s overall strategy, in cooperation with the Secretariat,

c) Safeguarding the interests of the Association,

d) Preparing issues and dossiers to be decided upon at the Delegates’ Assembly,

e) Carrying out the tasks assigned by the Delegates’ Assembly,

f) Establishing thematic groups, defining their tasks, and monitoring their implementation.

Executive Office

Art. 17

1 The Executive Office consists of the Presidium and the Secretary General of the Association.

2 The Presidium comprises the President and the Vice President(s).

3 The Secretary General is responsible for the administration of the Association’s activities. His or her secretarial duties are governed by the Rules of Procedure.

Art. 18

The Executive Office has the following duties:
a) Representing the ASG externally,
b) Implementing the strategy developed in collaboration with the Executive Board,
c) Preparing the annual report and financial statements,
d) Preparing meetings of the Executive Board and the Delegates’ Assembly with the information necessary for discussions and decisions,
e) Facilitating internal communication between the Executive Board and the Delegates’ Assembly,
f) Maintaining contact with the IGU, SCNAT, and the journal *Geographica Helvetica*,
g) Publishing the information magazine GeoAgenda

Thematic Groups

Art. 19

1 The thematic groups are established by the Executive Board. Each thematic group focuses on a specific field of geography and is led by a thematic group leader or a pair of leaders (co-leaders).

2 The topic leader is responsible for communication and coordination within the group, between the various groups, and with the ASG Executive Board. The topic groups are established for a period of at least three years, so that sustainable connections can be established in the medium term.

3 The specific activities of the various thematic groups are developed in collaboration with the ASG Secretary General.

Art. 20

The thematic groups have the following tasks:

a) Strengthening networking among ASG members,

b) Raising awareness of the role and contributions of geography in today’s world,

c) Increasing the ASG’s visibility within the academic community and in the media.

5. Amendments to the Bylaws and Dissolution

Art. 21

Motions to amend the bylaws or to dissolve the Association, submitted by members, must be filed in writing with the secretariat. The corresponding resolutions are adopted at the Delegates’ Assembly. Amendments to the bylaws and the dissolution of the Association require a three-quarters majority of the regular members.

Art. 22

1 Members have no claim to the Association’s assets. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the ASG shall be transferred by the Delegates’ Assembly to an organization with similar objectives.

2 These Bylaws replace those of October 8, 1988, and shall take effect at the Delegates’ Assembly on October 25, 2019, in Neuchâtel.

The President:
Yvonne Riaño

The Secretary General:
Katharina Pelzelmayer

As of: 2024