The Bylaw of the MHE

1. The Hungarian Humboldt Association (Magyarországi Humboldt Egyesület - MHE), its aims and principles.

The MHE is a scientific/cultural and non-profit organisation of the current and former Hungarian Research Fellows of the Alexander von Humbolt Foundation. Its aim is to strenght the new scientific and human connections between the Hungarian and the German peoples.

First of all, MHE organises scientific/cultural meetings to maintain and promote contacts among Humboldtians working on different research fields.

The MHE does not want to limit its activity to the Humboldtians only. Its scientific and cultural meetings are open for anybody with similar interest.

The Board sets the scientific/cultural meetings of the MHE, but the Board takes also the suggestions of the members into consideration.

The MHE has contact with the Alexander von Humbolt Foundation, but it does not take part in the selection of the Research Fellows.

The MHE makes the contact with Humboldt Clubs and Associations of other countries.

The MHE supports the visits of German researchers in Hungary.

The MHE supports its members to found Humboldt Clubs according to their professions, workplaces or regions.

The MHE uses all its financial sources to achieve the above mentioned aims.

The MHE is independent from political parties, it is not supported by them, it does not support them, it does not support nor offers candidates for the Parliament.

The MHE acts according to democratic principles.

2. The Hungarian Humboldt Association is located at

Semmelweis University
Institute of Humanphysiology and Clinical Experimental Research
H-1094 Budapest, Tūzoltó u. 37-47
Postal address: H-1446 Budapest, P.O.Box 448
Phone: +36 1 495 1500/60302
Fax: +36 1 334 3162

3. Membership

3.1. Any current and former fellow and awardee of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation can apply for a membership who fills in the membership form, accepts the Bylaw and pays the due.

3.2. The supporting member of the MHE can be any person or organization who accepts the Bylaws and pays the due.

3.3. The membership is voluntary, the rights of the ordinary members are equal. Supporting members have no right to decide, elect and be elected, but their suggestions should be taken into account by the Board and the Board should ask the opinion of the members at the General Assembly or by mail.

4. The Organization of the MHE

4.1. The topmost organ of the MHE is the General Assembly. The Board is elected by the General Assembly in the following way. A quorum shall be formed by the majority of the members actually present at the meeting. If the election is set forth in writing then a quorum shall be formed by the majority of the ordinary members' letters within a given period. It is desired but not necessary that at least 50% of the members takes part in the vote.

The way of the election (i.e. show of hands, ballot, or register) will be decided by the General Assembly. If the first two candidates get the same number of votes then the vote of the President of the General Assembly will decide. Preferably, personal matters are to be decided by the General Assembly, other topics can be decided by mail election .

A member may vote on behalf of another member by proxy executed in writing (attested by two persons). In this case the proxy should be presented to the President before the General Assembly.

4.2. The Board of the MHE consists of a President, a Secratary, Deputy Secretaries, and Auditing and Ethical Commissions 3 members each. The General Assembly may elect Honorary President.

4.3. The members of the Board (except the Honorary Pesident) have three (3) year commissions.

4.4. Each year the Board gives a report about the activities of the Association. The report can be sent by mail or can be presented on the Genaral Assembly. The General Assembly should be called once in three years.

4.5. Any member may send suggestions in writing to the members of the Board at least three (3) months prior to the term of the current Board. At least five (5) members' support is needed for a nomination. The current Board asks the person whether he/she accepts the nomination. The Board makes a list of nomination indicating the names and the officers as well. Multiple nominations for the same office is desired but not necessary. Board members are desired to be elected so that they represent the academic disciplines of the full membership. A member may be elected for one position of the Board for maximum two terms.

4.6. The duty of the President is to direct the activity of the Association. He/she represents the Association, especially at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, at the Humboldt Associations in other countries and at the Embassy of the German Republic in Budapest. The President directs the activities of the Board. If election is necessary and the first two alternatives got the same number of votes, the President will decide. The President has the right to call together the General Assembly. The President takes part in the Advisory Board of the Hungarian Humboldt Fellows Foundation as a curator.

4.7. The Secretary is the legal representative of the Association and the Hungarian Humboldt Fellows Foundation and he/she is its executive officer of the financial administration. At the request of the Secretary, one of the Deputy Secretaries shall perform the duties of the Secretary.

4.8. The Secretary prepares the annual meetings, he General Assemblies and scientific/cultural programs, including the selection of the locations of the meetings, taking the opinion of the Board and the members of the Association into account. His/her duty is to send invitations to the meeting in time.

4.9. At the President's request the Auditing Commission examines the property and the financial management of the Association. He/she gives a report on these matters at each General Assembly. The examination can also be performed if there are at least ten (10) members ask for it.

4.10. The Ethical Commission takes care of the activity of the Association from legal and ethical viewponts and examines whether the Association works according to the Bylaws. The Ethical Commission may start an examination at the President's request, on initiative or if at least ten (10) members ask for it. The Comission shall make a report for the President and for the members (by mails or at the General Assembly). The Ethical Commission may start an extraordinary election of the Board, according to the point 4.1, but in this case at least 50% of the members should vote.

4.11. The Board plans and performes its activities according to the Bylaws, and, if the Board or the mebership finds it necessary, it will be ruled by a detailed procedure. This procedure is to be confirmed according to 4.1.

4.12. Az MHE pénzügyei az ügyvezetõség hatáskörébe tartoznak.

5. Others

5.1. Membership dues and other incomes are the financial bases of the Association.

5.2. The Association's incomes covers its costs (e.g., postal costs, meetings, travel costs).

5.3. The Association may give employers to permanent or temporary staff. The Secretary or his/her Deputy Secretary assets the employers' rights.

6. Humboldt Clubs

6.1. The foundations of the Hungarian Humboldt Clubs acting as a part of the Hungarian Humboldt Association are to be announced to the Board.

6.2. The Humboldt Clubs should act according to the Bylaws.

Budapest, May 5, 2007.

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March 2, 2010