The Association Statutes

New statutes enter into force on January 1, 2021. These will be published here shortly. Until then, the General Assembly will, by standing decision of July 4, 2018, automatically and silently deny requests for formal/legal membership. Applicants will instead be accepted as “users” of SWISS Virtual until issues with the statues are resolved. Once this is completed, members will be presented with the new statues and be offered to join the association with a simple and convenient process. Currently, the only members of the association are also the Board of Directors — any requestes to the General Assembly should therefore be directed to the Board of Directors for processing.

This complete revision enters in force on May 1, 2018

1. Definition

We are «SWISS Virtual» — an association regulated by articles 60 et sqq. of the Federal Civil Code of Switzerland. Our official seat is at Zurich Airport (Kloten), Switzerland. We are operating as a politically and confessionally neutral non-profit organization.

2. Mission

We support young aviators on the path to a career in aviation by providing a platform for exchange with pilots and aviators, coaching and training. In addition to this, we offer friends and fans of aviation a platform for collaboration, discussion and exchange. We serve no commercial purpose and are operating as a non-profit. All our governing bodies are performing their duties voluntarily and without compensation.

3. Sources of Income

To fulfill our mission, our association will use the following sources of income:

• Membership fees
• Profit from organized events
• Subsidies
• Profit from service agreements
• Donations

4. Accounting periods

Our accounting equals a calendar year. Memberships run from January 1st to December 31st and the initial period is prorated accordingly.

5. Fees

The membership fees will be defined by the Board of Directors and are collected monthly. The Board of Directors can allow a lower fee if the amount is payed upfront for a year. Management and Board of Directors are also subject to the membership fee.

The Board of Directors can grant individual members the status of honor and dispensate them from the membership fee, if they have provided an invaluable contribution to the association. The Board of Director can also define different types of users and fees which may not be considered as «members» in the sense of these statutes. These users may only access a limited set of services and are not entitled to membership privileges.

6. Membership

Only individuals which support our cause can become members. Membership ends when a member withdraws, is excluded or upon death.

The Board of Directors decides whether members are accepted and can exclude any member when due fees are not paid, misconduct is observed or for any other reason. The reason does not need to be stated.

Members can choose to withdraw anytime if they return any hold property of the association, such as Member ID Cards. Paid fees will not be refunded.

7. The governing bodies of the association

The governing bodies of the association are:

• The General Assembly
• The Board of Directors
• The Management

7.1 The General Assembly

Every member of SWISS Virtual is a member of the General Assembly and this body is the highest of the Association. Every year in the first quarter, a meeting is held and issues will be voted on electronically. This vote is open to members worldwide.

Members will be invited to the meeting at least two weeks in advance with the agenda in reference. Requests for inclusion in the agenda have to be submitted to the Board of Directors four weeks before the meeting at the latest.

One fifth of all members may request the immediate meeting of all members anytime by explaining the reason for it to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will arrange for this meeting within two weeks after receiving the request at the latest. This meeting may take place electronically.

The General Assembly has the following duties and competences which cannot be withdrawn from it:

• Approving the meeting minutes of the preceding year
• Approving the yearly report of the Board of Directors
• Discharging the Board of Directors
• Electing the Board of Directors
• Approving the membership fees
• Taking note of the budget
• Taking note of the briefing
• Voting on issues brought up by members or the Board of Directors
• Changing these statutes
• Deciding on the dissolution of the association and the use of liquidated funds

Every General Assembly can make binding decisions, when at least one fourth of all members are casting as present. Electronic presence is valid. Members are casting their decisions with overall majority. Changes to the statutes require the approval of at least three quarters of all present members. All decisions are noted in a protocol.

7.2 The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of five to seven individuals. They are elected for a period of four years and can be re-elected.

The Board of Directors decides on issues and represents the association. It issues the policies.

To ensure a professional management of the association, the Board of Directors can appoint a Management led by a Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors can at its discretion defer any duties it seems fit to that Management.

The Board of Directors has all the competencies which are not deferred by law or by these statutes to another governing body.

The Board of Directors is organizing its structure by itself. The Chairman is elected by the General Assembly among one of the Members of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors meets as often as required to perform it’s duties. Every member of the Board of Directors can request a meeting by stating the reasons for it. An electronic meeting is permissible.

The Board of Directors is a volunteering body. It can request a refund for documented expenses.

Members of the Management may not be part of the Board of Directors.

8. Obligations

The association is bound by the collective signature of the Chairman together with another member of the Board of Directors.

Debts are to be settled only with association capital. Members may never be held personally liable for debts of the association.

9. Dissolution

The association may be dissoluted in a special meeting only called on for this purpose. No other issues may be dealt with at such a meeting. At least half of all members on record must participate at this meeting. And at least three quarters must cast their approval of the dissolution.

Upon dissolution, all the capital must be transferred to a tax-exempt association that serves the same or a similar purpose.

Dual members of that recipient association may not vote on the dissolution of SWISS Virtual and must withhold their vote. They may however be counted as participating members.

Members may not share the capital among each other.

These statutes replace the statutes of November 21, 2014 and are entering into force on May 1st, 2018.

On behalf of the General Assembly

Chris Leduc
Chairman, Board of Directors

Massimo Fontana
Chief Executive Officer