Statutes of the Naturtöne Association

The Articles of Association are published here in German, French and English; the German version is binding.

1. Name and registered office

1.1 An association exists under the name [Verein Naturtöne], which is subject to these Articles of Association and Swiss law (Art. 60 ff. ZGB).

1.2 The registered office of the Association is the place of residence of the President.

2. Purpose

2.1 The Association promotes the music, further development and exchange of ideas relating to the alphorn, büchel and other natural horns. To this end

  1. it organizes concerts / concert series;
  2. it organizes musical gatherings and other events;
  3. it supports compositions and research, including on pedagogy;
  4. it operates an internet platform.

2.2 With its activities, the association aims to transcend linguistic, national and stylistic boundaries.

2.3 The association refrains from politics and religious debate.

3. Members

3.1 Members of the Association are natural persons who are actively committed to the purposes of the Association.

3.2 The General Meeting decides on the admission of new members. It can exclude a member from the association without giving reasons.

3.3 Resignation can be declared in writing to the President at any time.

4. Organization of the association

4.1 The bodies of the Association are

  1. General Assembly;
  2. President;
  3. Manager.

4.2 The President and Manager form the Board of Directors in accordance with Art. 69 ZGB. The Board of Directors is appointed by the General Meeting for one year; re-election is possible without restriction.

4.3 The Board of Directors organizes its own functioning and reports to the members on its activities in a timely manner. At the Annual General Meeting, it prepares an annual report (accounts and report on activities) and proposes an annual plan for the new calendar year (planned activities and budget).

General Assembly

4.4 The supreme body is the General Assembly. It has the following powers:

  1. Approval of the minutes of the last General Meeting;
  2. Approval of the annual report and annual plan (planned activities and budget);
  3. Discharge, election and dismissal of the Board of Directors;
  4. Admission and exclusion of members;
  5. Decisions and overall supervision of the association’s activities;
  6. Amendment of the Articles of Association and dissolution of the Association;
  7. Passing resolutions on matters reserved for the General Assembly by law or the Articles of Association.

4.5 The General Assembly is convened by the President. One meeting is held in the first quarter of each calendar year (“Annual General Assembly”). In addition, the President may convene further meetings as required. Any member may submit motions to the General Assembly.

4.6 The General Assembly may set up working groups to carry out the Association’s activities and delegate some of its powers to them. It may also appoint members or third parties in an employment relationship and delegate additional members to the Executive Board.

4.7 Resolutions are passed by a simple majority of the participating members. Subject to resolutions in accordance with Article 6, the General Assembly has a quorum without a quorum. Each member has one vote. All votes and elections are open; proxy voting is not possible.

4.8 Minutes shall be kept of the resolutions of the General Assembly and signed by the President. The minutes shall be sent to all members by e-mail.

President

4.9 The duties and responsibilities of the President are:

  1. Convening and chairing the General Assembly;
  2. Communication and representation of the association in public;
Manager

4.10 The duties and responsibilities of the Manager are:

  1. Administration and accounting
  2. Operation of the Internet platform (if necessary with the support of a webmaster).

5. Finances

5.1 The Association’s funds are made up of voluntary contributions, surpluses from the operating account, donations and event contributions. The financial year is always a calendar year.

5.2 Within the scope of the approved budget, the Manager may incur expenses of up to CHF 500 independently; above this amount, the second signature of the President is required.

5.3 If the annual budget of the Association does not exceed CHF 50,000, the President shall audit the accounts of the Manager. If the annual budget exceeds this amount, the General Assembly appoints an auditor.

5.4 Only the Association’s assets are liable for the Association’s liabilities. Personal liability and the obligation of members to make additional contributions is excluded.

6. Amendments to the Articles of Association and dissolution

6.1 Amendments to the Articles of Association and the dissolution of the Association require the presence of at least two thirds of all members and an absolute majority of the votes cast.

6.2 If one of the quorums is not reached, a second general meeting with the same agenda items must be convened within 4 weeks. This meeting shall constitute a quorum regardless of the number of members present.

6.3 In the event of dissolution, the General Assembly shall decide on the use of the liquidation proceeds.

7 Entry into force of the Articles of Association

7.1 These Articles of Association were approved at the Founders’ Meeting on April 19, 2025 and enter into force immediately.

7.2 Founding members: Monika Zuber, Christofer Borloz, Rolphe Fehlmann, Patrik Kissling, Markus Linder, Sami Lörtscher, Mike Maurer, Benno Weber, Yannik Wey, Adolf Zobrist.

Schönried 19.4.2025

Signatures
[Markus Linder – President]
[Benno Weber – Manager]