#GDCh General Assembly

The General Assembly, as the supreme body, is a meeting of all members of the Society who attend. An ordinary General Assembly must be convened once a year. To enable as many members as possible to participate in the General Assembly without barriers, the General Assembly should generally be held by electronic means of communication (e.g. by telephone or video conference) or as a hybrid meeting combining in-person attendance with video conferencing/other media/telephone. The Board decides on exceptions. In the case of Online participation, members’ rights (the right to vote, participate in discussions, submit motions, etc.) may be exercised by electronic means of communication. Notice of the date of the General Assembly, together with the provisional agenda, must be given in writing, electronically or through the Society’s publication no later than eight weeks before the General Assembly. It is convened by the President. The final agenda must be provided in writing, electronically or through the Society’s publication no later than four weeks before the meeting. The President chairs the meeting. The President may appoint another person to chair the meeting. Any General Assembly that has been duly convened has a quorum.

The General Assembly is responsible in particular for the following matters:

• receiving and approving the annual report and annual accounts for the financial year that has ended;
• receiving and approving the auditors’ report, followed by discussion;
• discharging the Board and Managing Directors;
• approving the budget for the coming year;
• approving the membership fee regulations;
• resolving to levy a special assessment for one-off extraordinary expenses on the recommendation of the Board;
• electing the members of the election committee for the Board election;
• electing the members of the tribunal of honour on the recommendation of the Board;
• electing the auditors. They must be Full Members of the Society and must neither belong to any body of the Society nor be employed by it;
• resolving to appoint honorary members on the recommendation of the Board.

Each member may be represented at the General Assembly by another member and may represent one other member, and no more. A proxy in text form is required for this purpose. A separate proxy must be issued for each General Assembly.

Resolutions of the General Assembly are passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by members present, unless otherwise required by law or the statutes. A tie is deemed a rejection.

A report of the General Assembly must be prepared and signed by the President or their deputy and the person taking the minutes.

The General Assembly is not open to the public. The person chairing the meeting may admit guests.

Extraordinary General Assemblies are convened:

• if the Board considers it necessary;
• if at least one tenth of the members request one in writing.

The extraordinary General Assembly must be held within eight weeks of receipt of the request. Members must be invited in writing at least ten days beforehand, with the agenda specified.