Statutes

The original statutes are written in German. The French version presented here is a translation. Please consult the German version of the website for the original text.

 

Lëtzeburger Associatioun vun de Klengdéierepraktiker A.s.b.l.

Non-profit association
104, Route d’Arlon
L – 8210 MAMER
R.C.S.L. F3436

 

CHAPTER I : NAME, REGISTERED OFFICE, DURATION, PURPOSE

Art. 1
The association, subject to the provisions of the law of 7 August 2023 (“the law”) relating to non-profit associations and foundations, bears the name “LËTZEBUERGER ASSOCIATIOUN VUN DE KLENGDÉIEREPRAKTIKER, a.s.b.l.”, abbreviated “LAK”.

 

Art. 2
The registered office of the association is located in the municipality of Mamer.

 

Art. 3
The duration of the association is unlimited.

 

Art. 4
The purpose of the association is to organize the life of the association, promote continuing education and mutual support among veterinary practitioners in the field of companion animals, and represent them before third parties, in particular public authorities, in all matters of common interest. The association may undertake all activities and acts necessary to achieve its purpose.

 

The association pursues its objectives in particular:

  • through participation in local, regional, national and international public events of any nature and duration;
  • through the organization of public events of any nature and duration, including large-scale events for the public.

The association is politically and ideologically neutral.

 

CHAPTER II : MEMBERS

Art. 5
The association consists of active members. The number of members is unlimited. The minimum number is five members.

 

Art. 6
Any veterinarian authorized to practice in Luxembourg and active in the field of companion animals may become an active member.

 

Art. 7
Active members are required to pay an annual membership fee, determined by the General Assembly for the following year. The maximum annual fee is two hundred and fifty (250 €) euros.

 

Art. 8
Each active member has the right to participate in the organization of activities and to be heard in matters concerning them. All active members have voting rights in the General Assembly.

 

Art. 9
Each active member undertakes to:

  • comply with the statutes and the decisions of the General Assembly;
  • actively contribute to the reputation and development of the association.

 

Art. 10
Membership ends:

  • upon the death of the member;
  • upon non-payment of the membership fee during the calendar year;
  • through voluntary resignation;
  • through exclusion decided by the General Assembly.

Every active member has the right to appeal against their exclusion. This must be submitted in writing to the committee within seven (7) days after receipt of the request for exclusion. The final decision is taken by the General Assembly.

 

Art. 11
Members who resign or are excluded, as well as the heirs of deceased members, may neither claim reimbursement of paid contributions nor assert any rights to the assets of the association.

 

Art. 12
The committee maintains a register of members, in written or electronic form, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

 

CHAPTER III : THE COMMITTEE

Art. 13
The association is directed by the President, assisted by the committee composed of:

a. the President
b. the Vice-President
c. the Secretary
d. the Treasurer
e. representatives of the active members

 

Art. 14
Candidates for a position on the committee must have been active members of the association for at least two years. Candidacies must be submitted to the President at least eight (8) days before the General Assembly, by electronic or postal means.

 

Art. 15
In the event of a tie between two or more candidates during elections, a second round of voting shall immediately be held. If the tie persists, the candidate with the longest seniority shall be declared elected.

 

Art. 16
The committee is elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years and its members are eligible for re-election.

 

Art. 17
The committee appoints from among its members:

  • a President
  • a Vice-President
  • a Secretary
  • a Treasurer

The function of Vice-President may be combined with that of Secretary or Treasurer.

 

Art. 18
The committee meets as often as required by the interests of the association, but at least twice a year, upon convocation by the President or at the request of at least one third of the committee members. The convocation may be sent electronically or by post at least eight (8) days before the meeting. The committee may validly deliberate only if more than half of its members are present. Decisions are taken by simple majority. In case of a tie, the President’s vote is decisive.

 

Art. 19
The responsibility of committee members is limited to the execution of the mandate entrusted to them. Their functions are carried out on a voluntary basis. The committee operates as a collegial body.

 

Art. 20
The committee has the broadest powers for the management of the association. Everything not expressly reserved by the statutes or by law to the General Assembly falls within its competence. The committee determines the internal distribution of tasks. It may grant general or specific powers of attorney, including banking authorizations. It may create working committees, of which at least one committee member must be part.

 

Art. 21
The mandate of a committee member ends:

  • upon death
  • upon resignation as a member
  • upon dismissal by the General Assembly
  • upon exclusion from the association

In the event of the President’s resignation, the Vice-President assumes the position until the next General Assembly.

 

Art. 22
The duties of the President are:

a. to chair committee meetings and General Assemblies
b. to represent the association
c. to approve the minutes
d. to sign correspondence and important documents
e. to ensure the proper keeping of member registers and attendance lists
f. to represent the interests of members before third parties

 

Art. 23
The Vice-President assists the President in carrying out his mission and replaces him in the event of absence or impediment.

 

Art. 24
The committee collectively maintains the register of members. The Secretary carries out the administrative work and drafts, together with the President or in his absence the President himself, the minutes of committee meetings and General Assemblies.

 

Art. 25
All legal proceedings are conducted in the name of the association by the committee, represented by the President and a second committee member. The association is validly bound by the joint signature of two committee members, including obligatorily that of the President or, in case of impediment, that of the Vice-President.

 

Art. 26
A committee member who is absent from three consecutive committee meetings without notifying another committee member in advance is considered to have resigned automatically, without written formality or decision by the committee.

 

CHAPTER IV : THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Art. 27
The General Assembly is convened every year during the first half of the year by the committee. An extraordinary General Assembly may be convened when circumstances require it. At the written request of at least one fifth of the members, an extraordinary General Assembly must be convened within two months. Convocations are sent in writing fifteen (15) days in advance, indicating the agenda established by the committee. The convocation may be sent electronically.

 

Art. 28
The General Assembly has the following responsibilities:

a. election of the committee and the auditors
b. granting discharge to the committee and auditors
c. determination of membership fees
d. examination and decision on submitted proposals
e. amendment of the statutes
f. decisions on matters the committee cannot resolve
g. exclusion of members
h. dissolution of the association

 

Art. 29
Decisions are taken by simple majority of votes, unless otherwise provided by the statutes. In the event of a tie, the proposal is rejected. The decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in a special register.

 

Art. 30
The General Assembly may be held by videoconference or any other means of communication allowing the identification of participants. Each member has one vote. In case of absence, a member may grant written proxy to another member. Each member may represent only one other member.

 

Art. 31
One twentieth of the members may propose an additional item on the agenda by written request addressed to the President eight (8) days before the General Assembly. During the General Assembly, decisions concerning items not on the agenda may be taken only unanimously, except for the matters listed in Article 29.

 

Art. 32
Amendments to the statutes are made in accordance with the provisions of the law.

 

CHAPTER V : FINANCES AND FINANCIAL YEAR

Art. 33
Financial management is carried out by the Treasurer. He keeps proper accounts of income and expenses and reports on them. He represents the association before financial institutions for current transactions. In case of impediment, he is replaced by the President. The accounts are closed each year and reviewed by at least two auditors, no later than six months after the end of the financial year. Each year, the General Assembly appoints up to three auditors from among the active members who may not be members of the committee. They submit a report to the committee and the General Assembly.

 

Art. 34
The financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Exceptionally, the first financial year begins on the date of the association’s foundation and ends on 31 December of the same year.

 

Art. 35
The accounting of the association is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law. The annual accounts are filed and published with the Trade and Companies Register.

 

CHAPTER VI : MERGER AND DISSOLUTION

Art. 36
The dissolution of the association may only be decided by a General Assembly specially convened for this purpose, at which two thirds of the members must be present. If this quorum is not reached, a second General Assembly may be convened, for which the presence of half of the members is required. Dissolution must be approved by three quarters of the votes of the members present.

 

Art. 37
In the event of dissolution, the liquidation procedure shall be determined by the General Assembly. After settlement of all debts, the assets of the association shall be allocated to a public-interest organization active in the veterinary field.

 

CHAPTER VII : MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Art. 38
The association declines all responsibility for damages that may occur in the course of its activities. Claims for compensation may only be made in accordance with the applicable legal or regulatory provisions.

 

Art. 39
For all matters not expressly provided for in the present statutes, the general provisions of the law shall apply.