Statutes

1. 1.
   The association, founded on 5 March 2006, shall be known as ‘Sultans’ and shall have its registered office in Berlin. It shall be entered in the register of associations and, upon registration, shall be designated ‘e.V.’.
2. 2.
   The association shall seek membership of the specialist associations of the Landessportbund Berlin e.V. whose sports are practised within the association, and shall recognise their statutes and regulations.
3. 3.
   The financial year is the calendar year.

1. 1.
   The club pursues exclusively and directly charitable purposes within the meaning of the section on ‘tax-privileged purposes’ of the German Tax Code, namely through the practice of sport. This purpose is realised in particular through the promotion and practice of martial arts, shooting sports and various other recreational, competitive and health-related sports. The association promotes sport for children, young people, adults, recreational sport, competitive sport, health-related sport and sport for the elderly. Members take part in regular training sessions and competitions. (amended on 5 June 2026)
2. 2.
   The club operates on a non-profit basis; it does not primarily pursue its own commercial interests.
3. 3.
   The association’s governing bodies (§ 8) may carry out their duties in return for reasonable remuneration. Where necessary, club offices may be held for remuneration, subject to budgetary constraints, on the basis of an employment contract or in return for an expense allowance in accordance with Section 3 No. 26a of the Income Tax Act (EStG).
4. 4.
   Funds received by the association may only be used for purposes set out in the Articles of Association. Members shall receive no share of profits and, in their capacity as members, no other payments from the association’s funds. No person may be favoured by expenditure unrelated to the association’s purposes or by disproportionately high remuneration.
5. 5.
   The association maintains political neutrality. It grants equal rights to members of all nations and races and upholds the principle of religious and ideological tolerance. It condemns all forms of violence, whether physical, psychological or sexual, and promotes the statutory duties of child protection in accordance with the guidelines of the Landessportbund Berlin e.V. (amended on 5 June 2026)

The association consists of:

1. a) adult members aged 18 or over
2. b) youth members under the age of 18
3. c) honorary members

For each sport practised within the club, a separate section with its own independent financial management may be established where necessary. The sections shall manage their own sporting and financial affairs, unless otherwise provided for in these Articles of Association or where the overall interests of the club are affected. The provisions of these Articles of Association shall apply mutatis mutandis to section meetings and to the composition and election of section executive committees.

1. 1.
   Any natural person may become a member of the association.
2. 2.
   Membership must be applied for in writing or via an online application procedure provided on the association’s website (online registration) without a handwritten signature, subject to acceptance of the association’s Articles of Association. The Executive Committee decides on admission. No reason need be given for a refusal. Applications for membership from minors require the consent of their legal guardians. The Association may offer memberships with a fixed minimum term. The respective terms, conditions and membership fees are set out in the Membership Fees Regulations. (amended on 5 June 2026)
3. 3.
   A probationary period of 12 months applies. During this period, the probationary member has no voting rights and may not hold any office. The founding members are exempt from this. At the end of the probationary period, the Executive Committee decides on admission as a full member (in accordance with § 3).
4. 4.
   Membership shall cease upon:

   1. a) Resignation
   2. b) expulsion
   3. c) death
   4. d) the dissolution of the association
5. 5.
   Resignation must be notified to the Executive Committee in writing. The notice period is two months to the end of the half-year. In the case of memberships with an agreed minimum term, resignation is only possible at the end of the agreed minimum term, subject to a notice period of four weeks. If membership is not terminated in due time, it is automatically extended indefinitely and may be terminated with one month’s notice. (amended on 5 June 2026)
6. 6.
   Following termination of membership, the obligation to pay any amounts due up to that point remains in force.
7. 7.
   Members who have resigned or been expelled are not entitled to any share of the association’s assets. Any other claims by a member who has resigned or been expelled must be set out in writing and asserted by registered letter within three months of the membership ceasing.

1. 1.
   Members are entitled to take part in the Society’s events, provided this is in keeping with the Society’s objectives.
2. 2.
   All members are obliged to conduct themselves in accordance with the Articles of Association, the association’s other regulations and the resolutions of the general meeting. Members are obliged to show mutual consideration and camaraderie.
3. 3.
   Members are obliged to pay membership fees and levies to the association. The amount of the membership fees and levies, their due dates and further details shall be determined by the Executive Committee in a set of rules governing membership fees. The set of rules governing membership fees and any amendments thereto shall be communicated to members in writing. (amended on 5 June 2026)

1. 1.
   The Executive Committee may impose disciplinary measures on members – with the exception of honorary members – for the following reasons:

   1. a) for a serious breach of obligations under the Articles of Association or a breach of regulations and resolutions
   2. b) for arrears in membership fees amounting to more than one half-year’s contribution, despite a reminder
   3. c) for conduct detrimental to the Association, a serious breach of the Association’s interests or gross unsporting behaviour
   4. d) for dishonourable conduct
2. 2.
   Disciplinary measures are:

   1. a) a reprimand
   2. b) a temporary ban on taking part in sporting activities and club events
   3. c) expulsion from the club
3. 3.
   In the cases set out in § 7.1. a, c and d, the member concerned must be given the opportunity to comment before a decision is made. The member must be invited in writing to attend the Executive Committee’s hearing on the disciplinary measure, subject to a minimum notice period of 10 days. This period begins on the date of dispatch. The decision on the disciplinary measure must be sent to the member concerned by post. An appeal against the decision may be lodged with the General Meeting. The appeal must be lodged in writing within two weeks of receipt of the decision. The General Meeting’s decision is final. The decision shall be deemed to have been received on the third day following its posting to the last address of the member concerned known to the Association. The right to seek judicial review of the decision remains unaffected.

The governing bodies of the association are:

1. a) the General Meeting
2. b) the Executive Committee

1. 1.
   The highest governing body of the association is the General Meeting. The most important General Meeting is the Annual General Meeting. It is responsible for:

   1. a) receiving the reports from the Executive Committee
   2. b) receiving the report from the auditors
   3. c) granting discharge to and electing the Executive Committee
   4. d) electing the auditors
   5. e) accepting the membership fee regulations adopted by the Executive Committee, as well as any amendments thereto
   6. f) Approval of the budget
   7. g) Amendments to the Articles of Association
   8. h) Passing resolutions on motions
   9. i) Hearing of appeals against disciplinary measures (Section 7.3)
   10. j) Appointment/removal of honorary members in accordance with § 12
   11. k) Dissolution of the association
2. 2.
   The Annual General Meeting shall take place at least once a year; it should be held in the first quarter of the calendar year.
3. 3.
   The Executive Committee shall convene General Meetings in writing, using the contact details of the member last notified to the Association. The sending or making available of the invitation shall suffice as proof that the invitation was issued in due time and in the proper manner. There must be a period of at least two and no more than four weeks between the date of dispatch or provision and the date of the meeting. The agenda must be communicated together with the notice of the meeting. Motions to amend the Articles of Association must be communicated verbatim when the agenda is announced. (amended on 5 June 2026)
4. 4.
   The general meeting shall constitute a quorum regardless of the number of members present. Resolutions and elections shall be decided by a simple majority of the valid votes cast. Abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast; a tied vote shall be deemed a rejection.
5. 5.
   Amendments to the Articles of Association and changes to the association’s purpose require a two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast.
6. 6.
   Elections must be conducted by secret ballot if this is requested by at least one vote, or 1 per cent of those present who are entitled to vote.
7. 7.
   Motions may be tabled:

   1. a) by any adult member (§ 3a)
   2. b) by the Executive Committee
8. 8.
   An extraordinary general meeting must be convened by the Executive Committee if the interests of the association so require, or if at least 20 per cent of the members request such a meeting in writing, stating the purpose and reasons.
9. 9.
   Motions must be received by the Association’s Executive Committee in writing at least one week before the General Meeting. Motions received after this deadline may only be considered at the General Meeting if their urgency is approved by a simple majority. Motions for amendments to the Articles of Association that are not on the agenda shall not be considered. Urgent motions to amend the Articles of Association are not permitted. (amended on 5 June 2026)
10. 10.
    Unless these Articles of Association or the law require the written form, all communication between the Association’s governing bodies and its members may take place in writing. Every member is obliged to notify the Executive Committee immediately of any changes to their contact details. (newly inserted on 5 June 2026)

1. 1.
   Members who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for election.
2. 2.
   The right to vote may only be exercised in person.
3. 3.
   All members of the association who are of legal age and have full legal capacity are eligible for election.
4. 4.
   Members who are not entitled to vote may attend general meetings.

1. 1.
   The Executive Committee consists of:

   1. a) the Chair
   2. b) the Deputy Chair
   3. c) the Treasurer
   4. d) the Youth Officer
2. 2.
   The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the association in accordance with the Articles of Association and the resolutions of the General Meeting. It shall pass its resolutions by a simple majority. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have the casting vote; in the Chairperson’s absence, the Deputy Chairperson shall have the casting vote. The Executive Committee organises and supervises the affairs of the Association and the activities of its departments, and reports to the General Meeting on its activities. The Executive Committee is authorised to appoint committees for specific purposes. It may issue binding regulations.
3. 3.
   The Executive Committee within the meaning of Section 26 of the German Civil Code (BGB) comprises:

   1. a) the Chair
   2. b) the Deputy Chair

   The Association is represented in and out of court by one of the aforementioned members of the Executive Committee in each instance.
4. 4.
   The members of the Executive Committee are elected for a term of four years. They remain in office until a new Executive Committee is elected.
5. 5.
   The General Meeting shall be chaired by the Chair or a person appointed by him or her. Minutes shall be drawn up of General Meetings and Executive Committee meetings, which shall be signed by the Chair or his or her appointee and the Secretary.

The General Meeting may appoint individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the Association as honorary members, subject to a two-thirds majority of the voting members present. Honorary members are appointed until such time as their membership is revoked by the General Meeting by a two-thirds majority. They have the right to vote and are exempt from paying membership fees.

1. 1.
   A decision on the dissolution of the association shall be taken by a general meeting convened specifically for this purpose, by a three-quarters majority of the members present and entitled to vote.
2. 2.
   The liquidators shall be the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson/Treasurer. The general meeting is entitled to appoint two other members of the association as liquidators.
3. 3.
   In the event of the dissolution of the association or the cessation of its tax-privileged purpose in accordance with § 2 of these Articles of Association, the association’s assets, insofar as they exceed existing liabilities, shall pass to the Landessportbund Berlin e.V., which must use them exclusively and directly for the promotion of sport within the meaning of the German Tax Code.

1. 1.
   The General Meeting shall elect two auditors for a term of two years; these may not be members of the Executive Committee or any other committee.
2. 2.
   The cash auditors shall audit the Association’s cash and accounts, including the books and supporting documents, at least once during the financial year, checking both the substance and the figures, and shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee on each occasion.
3. 3.
   The cash auditors shall submit an audit report to the General Meeting and, provided the cash affairs have been properly managed, shall move that the Treasurer and the remaining members of the Executive Committee be discharged from liability. 

The Articles of Association were adopted in their present form on 5 March 2006 by the general meeting of the Sultans Association and were amended on 29 January 2010. They shall come into force upon entry in the Register of Associations.