Article 1: Name and Registered Office
The club is called „International Richemont-Club“ – in brief IRC. Registered office of the club is Richemont Craft School, Seeburgstrasse 51, 6006 Lucerne, Switzerland.
The names „Richemont“ and „Richemont-Club“ as well as the corresponding logos (writing, ear) are registered word and illustration trademarks of Richemont Craft School, legally protected in Switzerland and all EU member states. The use of these trademarks is permissible within the framework of club activities. A further use requires the explicit approval of the trademark owner. The use of the trademark „Richemont” can be withdrawn by means of written notice by the trademark owner.
Article 2: Purpose of the Club
The IRC connects experts whose members are set up in the national, self-governed Richemont Clubs. It coordinates international activities and provides the platform for international communication. The IRC’s aim is to promote and foster exchange of experiences and advanced training. It organizes meetings, expert demonstrations and discussions on increasing the professional level. Priority of the club’s activities is to promote the common standing of the whole bakery/confectionery industry.
Article 3: Members
All active members of the national clubs are automatically also IRC members. The selection procedure and acceptance of members as well as their status is responsibility of the national clubs and organized in their statutes. The IRC membership fees are requested through the national clubs from their members and paid into the IRC account.
The resignation or exclusion of a member from the national club also applies to the IRC. The resigning members are not entitled to a refund of their fees.
Article 4: Board
The board consists of the presidents of the national Richemont Clubs, or their accredited representatives, and the director of Richemont Craft School. The president is elected by the general meeting. The term of office is 4 years. The vice president, the secretariat, the auditor’s mandate as well as the cash management are organized through the board. The board is responsible for the IRC activities and its finances and properties.
Article 5: General Meeting
A general meeting has to take place at least every four years and needs to be announced to all presidents of the national clubs, at least twelve weeks beforehand. The general meeting is open to all members of the IRC. Requests for the agenda have to be presented to the secretariat in writing, at the latest two weeks before the general meeting.
The general meeting reserves the right to:
- elect the president
- define the membership fees
- approve the balance of accounts
- relieve the board
- change the statutes
- present ceremonies
- dissolve the club
Each general meeting constitutes a quorum. All votes and resolutions basically take place with simple majority of votes. A simple majority is considered the majority of the number of attending club members with voting power as well as the majority of participating countries. In case of equality of votes the chairman decides.
Article 6: National Clubs
National clubs can only be established through decision by consensus. They constitute themselves based on the IRC statutes. The nationally applicable club regulations are used. The clubs are obligated to draw up an annual written statement and present it to the IRC board.
Article 7: Cancellation of Membership
The withdrawal of a national club from the IRC can only take place through written statement at the end of the calendar year.
National Richemont Clubs may be excluded from the IRC with breach of the IRC statutes or violation of applicable law. The decision is up to the board. In case of a cancellation or an exclusion, the national Richemont Club and its members may neither use the word mark and figurative mark „Richemont-Club“ nor any derived names and logos.
Article 8: Dissolution and Liquidation of the Club
The club cannot be dissolved as long as at least three national clubs are still associated. A voluntary dissolution is only possibly by a specifically called general meeting. The legal regulations pursuant to OR 76 et sqq. apply as further reasons for dissolution. In case of dissolution, the remaining assets after debt redemption are carried forward to the remaining clubs. The share is dependent on the quota of its international members. The assets can go to charities by mutual agreement.
The German version is binding with language uncertainties. Place of jurisdiction is Lucerne, Switzerland. The Statutes will come into effect on 19 September 2009. They replace the Statutes from 23 September 1997.
Approved on 19 September 2009.