Agreement "Diaconie Switzerland"

1. The Evangelical Reformed Churches of German-speaking Switzerland listed in the appendix (hereinafter: Member Churches) form a simple partnership (SP) under Article 530 of the Swiss Code of Obligations for the purpose described below. Unless otherwise stated in the following provisions, the law applicable to the SP shall apply.

1. The Diaconal Mission of the Church encompasses activities through which the social power of God's love, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, flows into the present through concrete action and unifying conduct. The diaconal service, which is equal in value to the ministry of the Word, is directed to the Church as a whole.

The Church recognizes, empowers, blesses, and sends social deaconesses and deacons (Diaconate), who in a special way support the diaconal mission and service.

1. The member churches are committed to recognizing and implementing the church's diaconal mission.

They pursue this purpose, in particular by financing the working group costs of the "Diakonie Schweiz" conference of the FSPC (Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches) and the related tasks of the staff. The finances are particularly used for

1. the creation of uniform standards for admission to the diaconate;

2. the promotion of exchange on diaconal projects and the organization of specialist conferences;

3. the promotion of foundational discussions between member churches, diaconal organizations, and academia; and

4. the support of exchange between member churches and diaconal organizations.

1. The member churches finance the pursuit of the purpose according to Article 3, particularly with annual contributions in accordance with the distribution key applicable to the financing of the tasks of the Conference of Swiss Churches (KIKO), as well as with the funds previously contributed. They establish a budget for this purpose annually.

1. The representatives of the member churches – typically the individuals who also represent at the plenary assembly of the conference "Diakonie Switzerland" – meet at least once a year at the invitation of the management or upon the request of at least five member churches. Each member church has one vote.

1. Decisions aimed at amending the provisions of this agreement must be made by two-thirds of the member churches.

1. The member churches may delegate the administration to the executive officers, who are elected by the "Diakonie Schweiz" conference.

They may provide for a special regulation regarding the scope of the delegated administration. This includes, among other things, the requirements for budgeting, approval of the annual financial statements, and reporting.

1. A member church may terminate the agreement with a notice period of six months at the end of the year. It must notify all member churches of the termination in writing. The withdrawing member church is not entitled to any severance pay.

1. The remaining member churches shall continue the agreement as long as at least three member churches remain within it.

1. If, after the deduction of joint debts, reimbursement of expenses and disbursements to individual member churches, and repayment of asset contributions, there is a surplus, it shall be distributed as profit among the member churches according to the applied distribution key.

If, after the settlement of debts and reimbursement of expenses and disbursements, the joint assets are insufficient to refund the asset contributions made, the member churches shall bear the deficiency as a loss according to the applied distribution key.