Statutes of the
Swiss Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation

I. Name and registered office

  1. The SNBF (Swiss Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation) forms an association in accordance with Art. 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code and the following statutory provisions. It is based at the registered office of the secretariat.

II Purpose

  1. The SNBF is a member of the Word Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) and promotes the sport of bodybuilding without doping and without the abuse of drugs and medication.
  2. To this end, the SNBF organizes championships, educational campaigns, seminars and workshops. It also carries out doping controls during the SNBF championships and throughout the year.
  3. The SNBF has exclusively sporting objectives and is politically, economically and denominationally neutral.

III Membership

  1. The SNBF consists of active, passive, honorary, guest and studio members.
  2. All natural and legal persons who wish to promote and support the purpose of the SNBF can be accepted as members.
  3. Persons with Swiss citizenship or resident in Switzerland can apply for active or passive membership.
  4. Persons who have made special efforts and rendered outstanding services to the promotion of the SNBF may be appointed honorary members.
  5. Persons residing abroad who are not Swiss citizens or are not members of another WNBF Attiliate can apply for guest membership. This has a limited term of 1 year.
  6. Fitness studios that want to promote and support the sport of natural bodybuilding can apply for studio membership.
  7. Membership can be applied for by submitting a written declaration of membership. Admission may be refused by the Board of Directors if the applicant could damage the reputation or purpose of the SNBF. There is no right of appeal against the decision of the Board of Directors.
  8. Resignation from the SNBF must be declared in writing at the end of the association year, subject to a three-month notice period. Guest memberships do not need to be terminated.
  9. If a member works against the purpose of the SNBF or damages the reputation of the SNBF, he or she may be warned by the Board of Directors or, in the event of repeated or serious violations, expelled from the association. The member in question must be heard before a decision is made. The decision of the Board of Directors must be sent to the member concerned by registered letter.
  10. SNBF members observe the following rules of conduct in social networks and media: It is not permitted to make xenophobic or racially offensive statements. Furthermore, sexist, extremist, offensive, defamatory, threatening or verbally degrading statements must be refrained from. Nude or naked pictures, scenes of violence or the depiction of victims are prohibited.
  11. SNBF active members are entitled to participate in natural championships organized by the SNBF or other associations under the patronage of the WNBF. SNBF guest members are entitled to take part in SNBF championships. The prerequisite for participation in a competition is a corresponding qualification in accordance with the defined rules of the SNBF.
  12. It is also possible to compete in other natural federations with comparable doping controls. Starting with other bodybuilding federations is not recommended.
  13. SNBF active members and SNBF guest members are natural at all times! To ensure this, the SNBF carries out doping tests at every championship. The SNBF also has the option of carrying out extraordinary doping tests at any time during the year. The members who are tested are selected at random or on suspicion. A positive or refused doping test is sanctioned according to the specifications of the doping commission. In the event of a positive doping test, the SNBF active or guest member shall bear all costs incurred in connection with the doping tests.
  14. Active, passive, guest and studio members pay an annual membership fee determined by the General Assembly. Honorary members and board members of the SNBF are exempt from the membership fee.
  15. Non-payment of membership fees will result in expulsion from the SNBF following a reminder. Renewed membership is only possible after a blocking period of two years at the earliest and only if all contributions accrued since expulsion have been paid.
  16. Organization
  17. The organs
  • the General Meeting
  • The Management Board
  • the revision
  1. The General Meeting

2.1 Composition

The General Meeting is composed of the members who actually attend the meeting. Absent members may be represented by a member present at the meeting by written proxy.

2.2 Date of the General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting takes place annually after the end of the financial year.

2.3 Convening an Extraordinary General Meeting

The Extraordinary General Meeting is convened:

  • by the Executive Board
  • at the request of the auditors

2.3.1 The General Meeting is convened by means of a written invitation.

This must be sent at least 30 days before the meeting (date of postmark) and must include the agenda items, place and time.

2.3.2 Duties of the General Meeting

The General Meeting has the following tasks:

  • It adopts amendments to the Articles of Association
  • It takes note of the annual report, the annual financial statements and the auditor’s report and decides on their approval.
  • It determines the amount of the membership fees.
  • It decides to grant discharge
  • It elects or confirms the members of the Association’s bodies and the SNBF President for a one-year term of office
  • It deals with all other business reserved for it by the SNB statutes or by law.

2.4 Voting rights and majority

2.4.1 All members have the same voting rights. Resolutions are generally passed by a majority of the members present. Amendments to the Articles of Association, dissolution of the SNBF or mergers with other associations require a qualified majority of ¾ of the members present. In the event of a tie, the President has the casting vote.

2.4.2 Resolutions are generally passed by open vote. A secret ballot is only conducted if this is expressly requested by a majority of the members present.

2.5 Protocol

Chronological minutes shall be kept of the General Meeting, which shall be signed by the secretary and the Chairman.

III The Executive Board

3.1 Composition

The Management Board is composed of:

  • the President
  • the Vice President
  • the OC President
  • the Head of Finance and Secretariat
  • the head of the Doping Commission
  • the jury president
  • the Head of Communication
  • the Head of Social Media
  • the Head of Marketing and Sponsoring
  • the heads of the bodybuilding, mens’ physique, bikini and women’s performance classes
  • the Head of International Contacts and Workshops
  • one or more assessors

One Board member can perform several functions or several Board members can share one function. New Board members complete a trial year before they can be officially elected to office at the AGM.

3.2 Convening the meeting of the Board of Directors

3.2.1 The Board of Directors must meet if the Chairman, a member of the Board of Directors or an auditor submits a corresponding request.

3.2.2 The invitation is sent by e-mail at least 10 days before the meeting, stating the place and time of the meeting and the agenda items to be discussed.

3.3 Resolution

A quorum of at least 50% of all Board members is required to pass resolutions, whereby Board members may not be represented. Resolutions require a simple majority of votes; in the event of a tie, the Chairman has the casting vote. By contrast, resolutions passed by circular resolution require unanimity.

3.4 Tasks

The Management Board is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Management of the association
  • Representing the interests of the association externally
  • Preparation and management of the General Meeting
  • Management of SNBF assets
  • Implementation of the SNBF resolution
  • Issuing regulations, guidelines and remuneration lists
  • Drawing up the doping list and monitoring compliance with it (doping tests)
  • Establishment of working groups, appointment and dismissal of working group members
  • The organization and implementation of championships

3.5 Protocol

Minutes are kept of the Board meeting. The minutes are sent to the members of the Board of Directors by e-mail.

  1. Auditors

The auditors are obliged to audit the balance sheet and the operating accounts after the end of the financial year and to submit an annual written report and proposal to the General Meeting.

V. Finances

  1. Revenue

The income of the association is made up of

  • the membership fees
  • the income from SNBF assets
  • Donations, gifts and legacies
  • Contributions and subsidies from public institutions
  • Proceeds from championships and events
  1. Use of financial resources

The funds are used for expenses that are to be incurred by virtue of the General Assembly or prior resolution of the Board of Directors and that serve the purpose of the association, as well as the costs of the association’s usual administration. Board members and helpers are remunerated for their activities in accordance with the SNBF’s remuneration list. Only the SNBF assets are liable for the liabilities of the SNBF. The personal liability of the Board of Directors or members is excluded.

  1. Accounting

Accounting is based on commercial principles and closes on March 31 of each year.

VI Final provisions

  1. Association year

The association and financial year is defined as April 1 – March 31.

  1. Entry into force of the Articles of Association

These revised Articles of Association came into force at the Annual General Meeting in April 2024.

  1. Dissolution of the SNBF

3.1 The dissolution of the SNBF shall take place in accordance with the statutory provisions. Dissolution by resolution of the members requires a ¾ majority of all association members.

3.2 The Board of Directors is responsible for liquidation. Any net assets are to be used in accordance with the ideas of Para. II Clause 1 or for charitable purposes.

Laupen ZH, April 2024