Circle of Czech Master Violinmakers Founded 1958

Circle of Czech Master Violinmakers

Statutes

of the Circle of Czech Master Violinmakers (registered association)

This is an English translation provided for information. The Czech version is the legally binding text.

Article I Basic provisions

  1. The association is an association within the meaning of Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code, as amended.
  2. Name of the association: Kruh umělců houslařů z.s. (Circle of Czech Master Violinmakers, hereinafter “KUH”).
  3. Registered office of the association: Radlická 2487/99, Smíchov, 150 00 Prague
  4. The association is established for an indefinite period and operates throughout the Czech Republic.

Article II Mission, purpose and activities of KUH

  1. The fundamental mission of KUH is to organise and protect creative work and to actively support the art of violin making.
  2. KUH brings together professional violin makers and bow makers. Membership requires artistic violin making of the highest quality and a high professional standard; these are the core values on which the prestige of KUH rests. It is not the aim of KUH to unite as many violin makers as possible, but only the best. Membership of KUH is a distinction and a recognition of a maker’s qualities, and a mark of good standing with the public.
  3. In accordance with its mission, the purpose of KUH is to cooperate with the responsible state and cultural institutions on artistic matters and on training in violin making, to protect the artistic, professional and social interests of violin makers, and to care for and promote the artistic education of new apprentices.
  4. KUH further issues opinions and provides advisory and expert services to authorities and institutions in matters concerning artistic violin making.
  5. KUH is a member of the Association of Musical Artists and Scientists (hereinafter “AHUV”). Members of KUH are obliged to pay AHUV the prescribed fee.
  6. The Committee of KUH hereby authorises AHUV to carry out organisational work for KUH and to defend and promote its interests.

Article III Membership

  1. Any natural person may become a member of KUH who agrees with the mission and purpose of KUH, is resolved to take part in fulfilling them as far as they are able, works in the field of violin making or bow making, has demonstrated creative ability in the field, and whose activities comply with the laws of the Czech Republic.
  2. Legal entities may not become members of KUH.
  3. An applicant for membership submits to the Committee of KUH a written application together with a curriculum vitae and a string instrument or bow made independently by the applicant. The Committee examines and assesses the applicant’s artistic, professional and moral profile and invites the applicant to an approval examination. The Committee determines the content and venue of the examination and the members of the examination board, and informs the applicant.
  4. The approval board is appointed by the Committee of KUH. It has at least three members and always an odd number. It elects its own chairman from among its members. It submits a written statement on the result of the examination to the Committee. On the basis of a positive statement by the approval board and the subsequent decision of the Committee, the applicant becomes a full member of KUH. In confirmation, the new member receives a diploma at a session of the General Meeting.
  5. Membership ends:
    • a) by withdrawal from KUH on the basis of the member’s own written request delivered to the Committee,
    • b) by expulsion of the member from KUH,
    • c) by the death of the member,
    • d) by the dissolution of KUH.
  6. A member may be expelled for a particularly serious breach of the fundamental principles of KUH or for failing to fulfil membership obligations. Expulsion is decided by the Committee of KUH.
  7. A member of KUH has in particular the right:
    • a) to attend sessions of the General Meeting,
    • b) to vote at sessions of the General Meeting,
    • c) to submit proposals, suggestions and comments on the activities of KUH,
    • d) to be informed about the activities and finances of KUH,
    • e) to be nominated for election to the Committee,
    • f) to nominate and elect new members of the Committee,
    • g) to submit complaints to the Committee.
  8. A member of KUH has in particular the obligation:
    • a) to act in accordance with these Statutes and with the decisions of the bodies of KUH within their competence and powers,
    • b) to take an active part in fulfilling the purpose and mission of KUH,
    • c) to pay the membership fee.
  9. The Committee may decide to admit a person as an honorary member, in particular distinguished figures in the field of violin making, emeritus members of KUH, or distinguished figures of cultural life in general. Article III paragraphs 1 to 4, paragraph 7 b) and paragraph 8 c) of these Statutes do not apply to honorary members.

Article IV Bodies of KUH

  1. KUH is administered by the following bodies:
    • a) the Committee of KUH,
    • b) the Chairman,
    • c) the General Meeting.

Article V The Committee of KUH

  1. The Committee of KUH (hereinafter also the “Committee”) is the highest body of KUH and consists of the Chairman and at least six further members of KUH. The Committee has managing and executive powers within the limits of the Statutes and of the decisions of the General Meeting.
  2. The term of office of a Committee member is unlimited. A mandatory item at every session of the General Meeting is a discussion of the current composition of the Committee, with the possibility of proposing a change. If the General Meeting does not vote on a change in the composition of the Committee, the Committee continues in its existing composition until the next session of the General Meeting.
  3. The Committee elects from among its members the chairman, the vice-chairman and the treasurer, and may remove them.
  4. If a member of the Committee resigns, dies or is removed during the term of office, the General Meeting selects new members to fill the vacant seats. The term of office of members so selected is unlimited and begins with the decision of the General Meeting.
  5. The Committee in particular:
    • a) decides on admission to membership of KUH,
    • b) decides on the content of the approval examination and on the approval board,
    • c) decides on the expulsion of a member from KUH,
    • d) decides on the amount and due date of the membership fee,
    • e) convenes sessions of the General Meeting and prepares the documents for them,
    • f) chairs sessions of the General Meeting and informs the members of KUH about its work,
    • g) elects and removes the chairman, the vice-chairman of the Committee and the treasurer,
    • h) entrusts individual Committee members or other persons with the management of the activities of KUH to a defined extent within its competence.
  6. The Committee takes decisions by vote, usually at its sessions. When deciding at a session, the Committee has a quorum if at least five of its members are present. Unless otherwise stipulated, a resolution of the Committee is adopted if a majority of those present vote in favour.
  7. The Committee may also take decisions by vote outside a session using means of remote communication; in that case a resolution is adopted if a majority of all Committee members vote in favour. Such a vote may be initiated by the Chairman by delivering a draft resolution to all Committee members and setting a deadline of at least three days for casting votes.

Article VI The Chairman

  1. The statutory body of KUH is the chairman of the Committee (hereinafter also the “Chairman”).
  2. The Chairman is elected by the Committee from among its members for an unlimited term, and may be removed by it.
  3. The Chairman in particular:
    • a) represents KUH externally and acts legally on behalf of KUH towards third parties,
    • b) decides on all matters of KUH, unless the power to decide has been reserved by the Committee or the General Meeting for itself or for another person or body,
    • c) prepares the documents for Committee sessions and chairs them.
  4. The Chairman is accountable to the Committee for his activities and is directed by it.
  5. In the absence of the Chairman, he is represented by the vice-chairman of KUH.

Article VII The General Meeting

  1. The General Meeting consists of all full members of KUH.
  2. Sessions of the General Meeting are convened by the Committee at least once a year by written or electronic invitation delivered at least seven days before the session.
  3. The General Meeting in particular:
    • a) elects and removes members of the Committee,
    • b) approves amendments to the Statutes,
    • c) approves the budget of KUH,
    • d) decides on the disposal of property,
    • e) approves the financial report and the annual accounts of KUH,
    • f) approves the goals and programme of activities of KUH for the coming period,
    • g) decides on the dissolution or transformation of KUH,
    • h) submits proposals for amendments to the Statutes to the Committee,
    • i) submits other proposals related to the activities of KUH to the Committee.
  4. The General Meeting has a quorum if at least ten full members of KUH are present. Each member has one vote. An honorary member has no right to vote at the General Meeting unless the General Meeting decides otherwise.
  5. The General Meeting adopts its resolutions by vote. A resolution is adopted if more than half of the members present vote in favour. A decision on the dissolution or transformation of KUH is adopted if more than half of all members of KUH vote in favour.
  6. A question that was not included in the agenda on the invitation to a session of the General Meeting may be put to a vote if more than half of the members present approve the proposal to vote on it.

Article VIII Finances of KUH

  1. KUH carries out its activities as a non-profit entity. Its funds and property consist mainly of members’ fees, sponsorship donations, grants and income from other ancillary activities of KUH.
  2. The Committee is responsible for the finances of KUH and elects a treasurer from among its members. The Chairman may enter into contracts to secure the professional work necessary for KUH.

Article IX Final provisions

  1. These Statutes fully replace the previous statutes of KUH as amended. The bodies of the association continue in their existing composition, with their terms of office under these Statutes beginning on the day these Statutes were approved.
  2. In particular, the following provisions of Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code, do not apply:
    • a) Section 156; decision-making by a collective body is governed exclusively by these Statutes.
    • b) Section 246 (3); the provisions on the members’ meeting do not apply to any collective body of KUH.
  3. These Statutes were approved by the General Meeting in accordance with the statutes previously in force on 6 June 2015, and came into force and effect on that day. This is documented by the Resolution of the General Meeting of 6 June 2015, which forms an annex to the Statutes.

Prague, 8 June 2015

Karel Vávra
Chairman of KUH