Founding your own association

Idea and objectives:
• Define the goal and mission of the association. What should the association achieve? What is its purpose?
• Determine what kind of activities the association will carry out.

Find members:
• Look for like-minded people who are willing to found the association with you. At least seven people are required in Germany to found an association.
• These founding members must be willing to actively participate in the life of the association.

Create articles of association:
• Draft a constitution that regulates the structure of the association, the rights and obligations of the members, the election of the board and other important aspects.
• The articles of association must be written down and signed by the founding members.

Founding meeting:
• Hold a founding meeting at which the articles of association are adopted and the board of directors is elected.
• Take minutes of the resolutions and elections. These minutes are later important for entry in the register of associations.

Register the association (e.V.):
• If the association is to have legal capacity and operate as a “registered association (e.V.)”, you must have it entered in the register of associations at the relevant local court.
• Submit the founding protocol, the articles of association and a list of the board members.
• After registration, the association receives the suffix “e.V.” and enjoys certain legal advantages.

Financing and non-profit status:
• Consider how the association will be financed (membership fees, donations, sponsors).
• If necessary, apply to the tax office for recognition as a non-profit organization in order to obtain tax benefits.

Association management and administration:
• The board is responsible for managing the association. This includes organizing activities, managing finances and communicating with members.
• Regular general meetings are necessary in order to make decisions and relieve the board.

Public relations:
• Make the association known to attract new members. This can be done through your own website, social media, flyers or press work.

Joining a club

Research and select the right club:
• Find a club that shares your interests. In your case, this could be a mushroom club or another related club.
• Find out about the club's activities, members and aims.
• Check whether the club offers regular meetings, excursions or other activities that are of interest to you.

Membership:
• Contact the association and ask about the conditions for membership. Some clubs have admission requirements, others are open to everyone.
• Clarify the costs of membership (membership fee) and the duration (monthly, annual).
• Sign a membership application form if necessary.

Participation and commitment:
• Attend the association's meetings and events to actively immerse yourself in the life of the association.
• Get actively involved by taking part in discussions, helping out at events or even taking on positions in the association.

Whether you join an existing club or start your own, the important thing is that you get involved in a community that shares your interests and in which you feel comfortable.

Discover more exciting clubs!

Mushroom club

A mushroom club is all about enthusiasm for mushrooms. Members of such clubs usually have a strong interest in mycology (the science of mushrooms), mushroom hunting, mushroom cultivation or the culinary aspect of mushrooms. Here are some activities you can typically expect to find in a mushroom club:

• Mushroom excursions: Joint trips into the forest to pick mushrooms. Experienced members share their knowledge about mushroom species, their identification and ecological importance.

• Mushroom identification courses: Workshops and seminars on mushroom identification. The aim is to distinguish poisonous from edible mushrooms and to discover rare or interesting species.

• Lectures and presentations: Experts give lectures on various topics related to mushrooms, such as their biology, ecological importance, history or use in medicine and cooking.

• Exchange of knowledge and experience: Association members share their own experiences, recipes, cultivation techniques or places to find mushrooms.

• Organization of mushroom exhibitions: Some associations organize exhibitions where different types of mushrooms are displayed and information about them is offered.

• Social events: Joint cooking evenings where mushroom dishes are prepared and tasted, or social gatherings where the passion for mushrooms is cultivated.

• Participation in scientific projects: Some mushroom clubs are involved in researching and documenting mushrooms, for example by collecting data for scientific projects.

• Nature conservation work: Promoting environmental protection by protecting mushroom habitats and raising public awareness of the importance of mushrooms in the ecosystem.

If you want to start a mushroom club yourself, you can focus on similar activities that particularly interest you and invite like-minded people to join. Such a club could be a place where mushroom enthusiasts can share their enthusiasm and expand their knowledge.

Art association

Establishing an art association provides a platform for creative minds, art lovers and artists to work together to promote their passion for fine art, photography, sculpture, performance or other forms of artistic expression. An art association can help organize art projects, create exhibitions, support local artists and stimulate artistic exchange in the community. At the same time, it offers members the opportunity to network, learn from each other and play an active role in shaping the art scene.

In an art association, the focus is on creative exchange. Members can present their own works, initiate art projects or take part in workshops to further develop their skills. The organization of exhibitions, vernissages and public art events is a frequent activity that involves both association members and the public in the art process. An art association creates a space in which art is promoted as a cultural asset and brought into dialog with society.

Founding an art association requires similar steps to any other association: defining objectives, finding supporters, drawing up statutes and legal registration. A well-organized art association can not only be an enrichment for its members, but also for the cultural diversity of the community in which it exists.

Rent the right room for your club at ROOM4U!

Would you like to set up a club or are you already in a club but need a suitable room for your meetings? Do you have a lot of material or objects and need additional space to store your things? We have the right rooms for both needs.

At our various ROOM4U locations, we offer hobby rooms and storage rooms in various sizes. We are currently focusing on our new building in Winterthur, where we offer storage rooms from 8 - 13 m2, but also larger rooms up to 63 m2.

You can find more information about our available rooms on our website under MENU / Locations & Prices. We are also happy to be there for you in person! Visit us on site in our new building in Elsau and let us show you the available rooms. We are available for viewings on the following days of the week:

Monday: 11.30 - 13.30
Tuesday: 11.30 - 13.30
Wednesday: 10.00 - 13.00
Thursday: 16.00 - 19.00
Friday: 16.00 - 19.00
Saturday: 10.00 - 13.00

ROOM4U - Im Tubental 4, 8352 Elsau