Free legal advice for associations

One day, six expert workshops, zero euros

The German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE) is inviting association board members and volunteers to a one-day legal conference – featuring six practical workshops, individual advice stands and around 250 places.

“Legal questions often arise in voluntary work, and volunteers need reliable answers to them: How do I issue a donation receipt correctly? How can an organisation achieve charitable status? What is required for effective insurance cover within an association? It is not easy, particularly for small associations without a legal background, to seek legal clarification on the issues that arise in day-to-day operations. That is exactly what we want to change.” – Franz-Martin Schäfer, Head of Legal Advice, German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE)

What participants can expect

Six workshops cover the most common legal issues in day-to-day club life – one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so that teams of three people can cover all the topics:

• Association law: Articles of Association, liability of the executive committee, members’ rights
• Donations law: donation receipts, tax requirements, pitfalls
• Taxation of associations: corporation tax, VAT, commercial operations
• Charitable status: eligibility criteria, risks of making a loss, dealing with the tax authorities
• Insurance cover: third-party liability, insurance for volunteers, event risks
• GEMA regulations: Music at events – what is permitted and what can prove costly

In addition, there will be individual consultation desks where association representatives can discuss their specific queries directly with experts in law, tax and insurance.