How can a club establish an order of merit?
July 2, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Thomas Tressel
Dear attorney specializing in association law,
I am Erwin Gallenberg and a board member of a sports club. Our members have emphasized the importance of having a clear and transparent code of honor that establishes the criteria for the awarding of honors and awards. So far, we have not established a specific code of honor and I am concerned that this could lead to confusion and dissatisfaction within the club.
Our club has been active for many years and has a variety of members of different age groups and athletic levels. We regularly organize competitions, events, and further education for our members. Naturally, there are always volunteers who are particularly dedicated and invest a lot of time and effort for the club.
My question to you is: How can we as a club establish a code of honor that is fair, transparent, and comprehensible? What steps must we as the board take to legally adopt and implement such an order? Are there any specific legal requirements that we must consider?
I thank you in advance for your support and expert advice.
Sincerely,
Erwin Gallenberg
Dear Mr. Gallenberg,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the establishment of an honorary order for your sports club. It is commendable that as a board member, you take the needs and wishes of your members seriously and want to establish a clear and transparent regulation. A well-thought-out honorary order can help prevent misunderstandings and dissatisfaction within the club and promote appreciation for dedicated members.
To adopt and implement an honorary order legally, there are some steps that you as a board must consider. First of all, you should sit down with the board members and jointly define the criteria for awarding honors and awards. It is important to ensure that these criteria are fair, understandable, and objective. It is crucial that the honorary order is transparent to all members and clearly communicated.
Once the criteria are set, you should draft the honorary order in writing and have it approved by the board. It is advisable to include the honorary order in the club's statutes to make it legally binding. In this regard, it may be useful to consult a lawyer specializing in club law to ensure that the honorary order complies with legal requirements and is legally valid.
When creating the honorary order, you should also ensure that it is in line with the club's goals and values. It is important that the awarding of honors and awards reflects the identity and purpose of the club. Additionally, you should ensure that the honorary order is regularly reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted to meet current developments and needs.
Overall, it is important that your club's honorary order is fair, transparent, and understandable to avoid misunderstandings and dissatisfaction. With the support of a lawyer specializing in club law, you can ensure that the honorary order is legally valid and meets the interests and needs of your members.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Sincerely,
Thomas Tressel
Lawyer specializing in club law
