The scientific association is termed German Colloid Society e. V. and is located in Cologne (Germany). The German Colloid Society is incorporated in the register of associations.
§ 2: Goals
The German Colloid Society intends to promote pure and applied colloid sciences and their neighbor-areas in scientific and technical disciplines. It also favors collaborations with scientific associations of similar topics.
The German Colloid Society is active on a nonprofit basis in the described scientific disciplines by diverse activities of their members. Acquisition of financial resources and other economic purposes are not allowed.
§ 3: Membership
Each natural scientist or friend of colloid science can become member of the German Colloid Society. Affiliation is announced by regular shipment of updated address lists to all members. The membership can be terminated, besides through death:
a) through written resignation, that has to be shipped to the central office at least three months before beginning of a new fiscal year
b) with non-payment of the membership fee
c) through exclusion. This takes place through the Board after consulting the executive-council, if staying of a member in the society will hurt their prestige or hinder their scientific programs.
§ 4: Structure of the Society
The society is leaded by the chairperson (president) that will be accompanied by officers and councilors. The executive committee, consisting of the officers, is responsible for management tasks. The councilors will give advice to members and officers.
a) Businesses of the Society are led by the officers that consist from following persons:
the chairperson and two representatives.
b) the councilors consists from at least 8 members, that are selected by the officers. Both last
chairpersons are automatically members of the executive-council.
The chairperson of the German Colloid Society, his two representatives as well as all members of the executive-council are honorary active. One of the two vice-chairman is engaged with management of the office and the accountancy (treasurer). Administrational work of the treasurer can be reimbursed by the German Colloid Society.
§ 5: Election of the executive officers
a) the executive officers are selected during the general meetings with bare majority. Each member can have only one voice. Representation of other members are not possible. If votes are equal, lots will decide. The terms of officers are limited to two years. Reelections are possible.
b) the executive-council is appointed by the chairpersons. The terms of the councilors are also limited to two years. Re-selections are possible.
c) on proposition the election takes place by secret vote.
The chairperson forms the executive chair in the sense of the BGB.
§ 6: Membership Fees
Membership dues are fixed according to suggestions of the officers during the general meetings. Fees are currently fixed to 23 € for natural persons and 5 € for students and academic coworkers (assistants). In exceptions, the officers can reduce fees. The yearly subscription for corporate members (especially companies) is fixed by the executive officers.
Membership fees shall be paid at the beginning of a calendar year.
Natural members are justifiable to obtain a reduction of 20% under proof of their membership on the respective subscription prices of the publication organs of the Colloid Society.
§ 7: Charter Amendments
Charter amendments can only be carried out during the general meetings by two-thirds-majority of the present members.
§ 8: Congresses and Meetings
The German Colloid Society will organize regularly and irregularly workshops, symposia and congresses. The general meeting is planned in two years intervals. This congress consists of a commercial part and a scientific conference.
The invitation is supplied to all members approximately four weeks before the congress starts.
The Colloid Society organizes 1-2 times annually a Wolfgang-Ostwald-Colloquium. The Wolfgang-Ostwald-Colloquia mainly treat specific scientific fields which are selected from the whole spectrum of colloid science. Invited speakers will give an overview over new developments of current research.
The German Colloid Society organizes preferably in connection with other scientific societies annually meetings for offspring-scientists (Zsigmondy-Colloquium). During these symposia, young researchers will have the opportunity to present their own scientific results.
Besides these regular events, further activities as seminars, workshops and colloquia can be organized irregular. Likewise, discussions or common meetings with other scientific societies can take place. These events should be planned with the executive officers.
Besides regular meetings, the chairperson can also plan extraordinary general meetings if this lies in the interest of the Colloid Society. Invitations to these events will be announced by letter at least 20 days before the meeting starts. All decisions of the meeting are summarized in a special protocol.
§ 9: Disintegration of the Society
Dissolution the German Colloid Society can take place only with four-fifth-majority at a general meeting, in which at least two third of the members are personally present or legally represented. In case of dissolution of the Society, the existing fortune is reserved to support nonprofit scientific purposes in the area of Colloid sciences.
§ 10: Wolfgang-Ostwald-Award
The German Colloid Society can honor outstanding scientific research in the area of pure or applied colloid science by the Wolfgang-Ostwald-Prize. The scientific life-performance of outstanding experts should primarily be appreciated by this award. Younger scientists are excluded from obtaining this prize.
The price consists of a document and a memorial-coin. Awarding takes place regardless of the nationality of the prizewinner. The prizewinner is determined by the executive officers. Prominent external scientists, who don't belong the executive officers or councilors can become consult.
§ 11: Richard-Zsigmondy-Scholarship
The Colloid Society can honor young German scientists with the Richard-Zsigmondy-Scholarship. Scholarship holders must prove their excellent scientific qualification and should intent to continue their work in the area of the colloid chemistry or similar disciplines.
The scholarship consists of a document and a bursary of about 1500 €. The scholarship holder has free disposal over the amount of money. He/she will be proposed by the executive officers. Selection of Richard-Zsigmondy-Scholarship can be assisted by the efforts of external prominent scientists, who don't belong to the executive officers or councilors.
§ 12: Thomas-Graham-Price
The German Colloid Society can offer the Thomas-Graham-price for special merits in the area of national or international colloid science or international scientific cooperation.
The price consists of a document and a memorial-coin. Awarding takes place regardless of the nationality of the prizewinner. The prizewinner will be proposed by the executive officers. .Selection of Thomas-Graham-Prize can be assisted by the efforts of external prominent scientists, who don't belong to the executive officers or councilors.
§ 13: Steinkopff-Price
The German Colloid Society can award the Steinkopff-Price to excellent scientists, who are working in the field of technology-relevant applications of colloids, polymers, interfacial or environmental sciences.
The price consists of a document and a medal. Awarding takes place regardless of the nationality of the prizewinner. The prizewinner is proposed by the executive officers. Selection of the Steinkopff-Prize can be assisted by the efforts of external prominent scientists, who don't belong to the executive officers or councilors.
§ 14: Raphael-Eduard-Liesegang-Prize
The German Colloid Society can offer the Raphael-Eduard-Liesegang-Prize to honor excellent, outstanding merits in the area of the pure or applied colloid science. The Raphael-Eduard-Liesegang-Prize is reserved for scientists of middle age, from approximately 40-55 years.
The price consists of a document and a memorial-coin. Awarding takes place regardless of the nationality of the prizewinner. The prizewinner is determined by the executive officers. Selection of the Steinkopff-Prize can be assisted by the efforts of external prominent scientists, who don't belong to the executive officers or councilors.
