Organisation of the association

The committee is responsible for the management of the association. To accomplish the association’s tasks, a suitable structure and organisation of the management is necessary. In many cases, if the workload of the committee is unmanageable and if their financial situation allows it, associations set up a secretariat or an administrative office. Large associations create sub-units with different degrees of competence. There are associations with sections at the local and/or cantonal level and an umbrella organisation at the federal level.

Question

Is it admissible for an association to consist of committee members only?

Answer

An association that has no members other than committee members is legitimate, too. In this case, the general meeting consists of the committee members only. It is important that such an association comply with the legal provisions governing associations: It has to convene a general meeting, hold elections, adhere to democratic processes, observe obligations to refrain from voting, etc. For such an association it is particularly important to choose one or two auditors in order to provide supervision and some sort of protection for the executive committee, because the committee cannot relieve itself.

It may be stipulated in the articles of association that the executive committee shall decide on the admission of new members. The executive committee thus determines whether further members are to be admitted or whether membership remains limited to members of the executive committee.

Organisational set-up and departments within the association executive committee (vitamin B)

Organisation of the association

Association consisting of committee members only?

Question

Answer