§ 1 – Name, Registered Office, Scope of Activities, Financial Year and Logo

a) The name of the association is “I-Can-Ser e.V.”.
Designations in other languages:
• German (long, descriptive form): Ich kann der Menschheit dienen: Internationales Krebshilfenetzwerk
• English: I Can Serve Humanity: International Cancer Assistance Network
• Turkish: İnsanlığa Hizmet Ediyorum: Uluslararası Kanser Yardım ve Servis Ağı

The uniform multilingual short form is “I-Can-Ser e.V.”.

b) The registered office of the association is Hamburg, Germany.
It shall be entered into the Register of Associations.

c) The financial year is the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December.

d) The primary scope of the association’s activities is within Germany; however, the association operates internationally and provides humanitarian assistance particularly for people affected by cancer.

e) The association’s logo consists of a red heart with a white star, the blue lettering “I CAN SER e.V.”, and a blue-white heartbeat signal.

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§ 2 – Purpose and Charitable Status of the Association

a) The association pursues exclusively and directly charitable and benevolent purposes within the meaning of §§ 51–68 of the German Fiscal Code (AO).

b) Main objectives:

• Promotion of public health and healthcare (§ 52 para. 2 no. 3 AO),
• Support for economically disadvantaged individuals suffering from cancer, both domestically and abroad, and, if applicable, other seriously ill persons (§ 53 AO),
• Promotion of international cooperation in cancer research and patient care as well as the advancement of science and research (§ 52 para. 2 no. 1 AO).

c) The purposes are realised in particular through:
• Awareness-raising, counselling and support;
• International projects providing medical care and psychosocial assistance;
• Development of networks;
• Events, public relations work, expert advice and training;
• Establishment of support centres and cooperation with clinics, rehabilitation and social institutions.

d) Cooperation with domestic and foreign health institutions, professional bodies, NGOs, companies and individuals is permitted on the basis of written agreements.
The association accepts donations in cash and in kind.
When pursuing tax-privileged purposes abroad, the association keeps proper records in accordance with § 63 para. 3 AO and ensures verifiability of the use of funds.

e) The association acts selflessly and does not primarily pursue economic purposes.
Association funds may only be used for the purposes set forth in these statutes.
Members do not receive any financial benefits from the association’s funds.
No person may be favoured by expenditures unrelated to the association’s purposes or by disproportionately high remuneration.
The association operates entirely on a voluntary and non-profit basis.
It may carry out special projects and campaigns, particularly in the context of pandemics, natural disasters and humanitarian aid.

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§ 3 – Membership, Rights and Duties, Membership Fee and Termination of Membership

a) Membership:
Any adult natural person or legal entity that recognises the association’s objectives and statutes and pays the membership fee may become a member, regardless of their country of residence.
Each member has one vote in the General Assembly.

b) Admission Procedure:
Applications must be submitted in writing via the website or by e-mail.
The Board shall approve or reject the application in writing within one month through the Chairperson and the Treasurer.
Membership begins upon receipt of payment.

c) Membership Fee:
The fee must be paid within one month after admission and annually no later than 10 May to the association’s bank account (preferably via standing order).
The amount is determined by the General Assembly and published on the association’s website.
In justified cases, the Board may defer or waive the fee.

d) Termination of Membership:
Membership ends upon death (for legal entities: dissolution), resignation or expulsion.
Resignation may be declared at any time in writing by e-mail or via the website and becomes effective upon receipt by the Board.
Resigned or expelled members have no claim to the assets of the association.

e) Expulsion:
Members may be expelled if they fail to pay their membership fee by the end of the year despite two written reminders, or if they violate the statutes, association resolutions, or damage the association’s reputation.
A written warning must be issued before expulsion.
The affected member has the right to address the next General Assembly.
The decision of the Assembly is final.

f) Rights and Duties of Members:
Each member has the right to participate in the association’s activities, use its services, vote and stand for election.
Members are obliged to support the association’s objectives, pay fees on time and act respectfully.
Conflicts should be resolved internally whenever possible.

g) Recipients of assistance (cancer patients) are not required to be members.
The type and extent of assistance are determined by the Board in guidelines based on the association’s financial resources.

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§ 4 – General Assembly

a) The ordinary General Assembly takes place annually, no later than 31 March.
The date and agenda shall be communicated at least two weeks in advance via e-mail.
Additionally, the announcement is published on the association’s official website.

Due to the international orientation, online participation is possible and translations may be provided.

b) The General Assembly is chaired by an elected meeting chair and a recording secretary.
The Board, Treasurer and auditors present their reports; motions submitted by members are discussed.
All resolutions and the course of the meeting are recorded in writing and signed by the meeting chair and the secretary.

c) The General Assembly has a quorum when at least one third of the members are present.
If this quorum is not reached, a second Assembly with the same agenda shall be convened within two weeks and shall have a quorum regardless of the number of attendees.
This must be indicated in the first invitation.

d) Resolutions are passed openly by simple majority of the members present.
In case of a tie, a second vote is held.

e) Amendments to the statutes require a two-thirds majority of the voting members present.

f) Voting Rights:
Only members who have paid their membership fee at least two months before the Assembly are eligible to vote.
Voting rights may be transferred to another member by written proxy (one proxy per person).
Upon request of a voting member, elections may be held by secret ballot.
An electronic voting system may be used.

g) Election of the Board:
The Board consists of five regular and three substitute members.

Election cycles:
• In odd-numbered years: Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary
• In even-numbered years: Treasurer and one additional member

In addition, three substitutes, an internal auditor and a deputy auditor are elected annually.

h) An extraordinary General Assembly may be convened by a resolution of the Board or upon written request of at least one quarter of the voting members.
The invitation must be sent at least two weeks in advance.

i) Motions for the agenda must be submitted in writing at least three days before the Assembly.
Amendments to ongoing agenda items may be proposed during the meeting.

j) Example Agenda for the Ordinary General Assembly:

1. Election of the meeting chair

2. Election of the recording secretary

3. Report and discharge of the Board

4. Financial report and audit report

5. Discussion of submitted motions

6. Approval of the work and financial plan

7. Determination of membership fees

8. Board elections (§ 4 g)

9. Election of auditors

10. Miscellaneous and closing remarks

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§ 5 – Board of Directors

a) The Board consists of:

• the Chairperson,
• the Deputy Chairperson,
• the Treasurer,
• the Secretary,
• one additional member
→ a total of five regular Board members,
plus three substitute members.

More than half of the Board members must be German citizens or possess a valid residence or work permit in Germany.

b) The Board represents the association, convenes the General Assembly, implements its resolutions, manages day-to-day operations, administers the association’s assets, prepares annual reports, and decides on new memberships.

c) The Board is elected by the General Assembly.
Re-election is permitted.
The term of office is two years.

d) The Board may adopt rules of procedure for its work, provided they do not contradict the statutes or resolutions of the General Assembly.

e) Due to the international character of the association, the Board may use translation or communication support services.

f) The Board has a quorum when at least 51% of its members are present.
Resolutions are adopted by simple majority; in case of a tie, the vote is repeated.

g) Board meetings are held at least every two months and are convened in writing with three days’ notice.
Resolutions must be recorded and signed by the Chairperson and Secretary.

h) The Board may establish working groups or advisory committees and involve external experts on a voluntary basis.

i) Substitute members may attend Board meetings without voting rights; in case a regular member drops out, substitutes move up in a predetermined order.

j) Board members and appointees work on a voluntary and unpaid basis.
Only proven and necessary expenses may be reimbursed (§ 3 No. 26a EStG).

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§ 6 – Branch Offices

a) The association may establish branch offices in Germany or abroad by resolution of the Board, provided this complies with national laws.
The provisions of these statutes apply correspondingly to all branch offices.

b) Branch offices are obligated to implement the decisions of the main association and promptly follow instructions issued by the Board or local authorities.

c) Individuals joining a branch office automatically become members of the main association.
Each branch office is represented by one delegate with one vote in the General Assembly.

d) The main association supports branch offices materially and organizationally to the extent possible.
In return, branch offices participate in joint projects and activities.

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§ 7 – Financial Regulations, Representation and Signing Authority

a) Income sources of the association:
Membership fees, donations, public grants, project funds, sponsorships, interest, proceeds from events and, where applicable, tax-privileged economic activities.

b) In accordance with § 60 AO, all tax-privileged funds must be kept in a separate account and used exclusively for charitable and benevolent purposes.

At least two-thirds of the annual gross income must be used directly for statutory purposes; the remainder may be used for administration and further development of the association.
The association does not engage in commercial business activity within the meaning of § 14 AO.
Any ancillary income serves exclusively the fulfilment of the association’s objectives.

c) Financial administration and payment authority:
The Treasurer and the Chairperson are authorized to open and manage bank accounts and to initiate payments.
The Treasurer may act and sign alone for transactions up to €10,000.
Expenditures exceeding €10,000 require an additional Board resolution.
The Treasurer presents a current financial report at every regular Board meeting.

d) Long-term commitments:
The purchase or sale of real estate and financial obligations exceeding one year require approval by the General Assembly.

e) Financial year and accounting:
The financial year is the calendar year.
The annual financial statement is prepared by the Treasurer, audited by the auditors, and submitted to the General Assembly.

f) Representation and signing authority:

• According to § 26 BGB, the association is represented by the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson.
• Each of them represents the association individually.
• The Board may grant special powers of attorney to additional members or appointees.
• Legally binding contracts are signed by the Chairperson or, in their absence, by the Deputy Chairperson.
• For regular payments, the Treasurer may act alone.

g) In accordance with § 30 BGB, the Board may appoint a Managing Director with precisely defined written powers.

h) Liability:
Board members and appointees are liable only for intent or gross negligence (§§ 26, 31a, 31b BGB).
The association assumes no liability for damages to members unless legally required insurance exists.
In cases of real estate ownership or permanent employees, the association must obtain appropriate insurance.

i) Data protection:
All office holders are obligated under the GDPR (DSGVO) and the BDSG to handle personal data confidentially.
This obligation continues after termination of their duties.

j) Remuneration and reimbursement:
Work for the association is voluntary and unpaid.
Only proven necessary expenses (e.g., travel costs) may be reimbursed, provided they serve the association’s charitable purpose.
Private co-use is prohibited (§§ 55–56 AO).
The Board may employ paid staff with clearly defined written responsibilities if necessary.

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§ 8 – Dissolution of the Association

a) The dissolution may only be decided by the General Assembly specially convened for this purpose.
A two-thirds majority of the voting members present is required.
If this majority is not reached, a second meeting may be convened within two weeks, where a simple majority is sufficient.

b) In the event of dissolution, the Chairperson together with the meeting chair—or persons appointed by the General Assembly—shall conduct the liquidation.

c) Upon dissolution or cessation of tax-privileged purposes, the association’s assets shall pass to:

“Haus der Krebs-Selbsthilfe – Bundesverband e.V. (HKSH)”,

which must use them exclusively and directly for charitable or benevolent purposes.

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§ 9 – Final Provisions

a) The Board is authorized, after consultation with the relevant authorities (especially the tax office and the register court), to make editorial changes or legally required adjustments to the statutes without requiring another resolution of the General Assembly.
Furthermore, the Chairperson or the Treasurer is individually authorized to carry out official registration procedures, open accounts, and sign all necessary documents.

b) These statutes were unanimously adopted at the founding meeting on 22 June 2025.
Due to changes in membership composition, relocation of the registered office to Hamburg, and editorial adjustments requested by the tax office, they were unanimously reaffirmed and adopted at the extraordinary amendment meeting on 16 November 2025.

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“The only official and legally binding version of this statute is the German original. Translations into other languages are provided for informational purposes only; no liability is accepted for possible translation errors.”

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