Bylaws and protocols

of the division Functional Materials (FM)

Protocols of the member assembly

Bylaws of the functional materials division

The following translation of the bylaws isn't legally binding. Please refer the German version on the German webpage.

  1. Members
    Any DPG member whose research interests fall within the scope of FM is generally eligible to become a member of the FM Division.
  2. Responsibilities of the Division
    The Division aims to provide its members with a platform for scientific exchange within the German Physical Society (DPG) as well as beyond. This applies primarily to the annual spring conferences of the DPG. In particular, the Division offers its members the organizational framework to invite speakers for plenary or keynote lectures or to organize topic-related tutorials, symposia, and focus sessions.
  3. Support for Early-Career Researchers and Equal Opportunity
    The Professional Association strives to ensure appropriate participation by early-career researchers in its activities. The Professional Association is committed to equal opportunity, diversity, and respectful interaction within the scientific community, and takes these aspects into account when organizing its activities.
  4. Executive Board
    The Executive Board consists of a Chair and several Vice Chairs. The term of office for the Chair is three years and for the Vice Chairs two years. Re-election as chair is not permitted. Re-election as vice-chair is permitted multiple times. The chair and the vice-chair are elected at the general meeting. As a rule, the chair should be elected from among the current vice-chairs.
  5. Duties of the Executive Board
    The Executive Board is responsible for preparing the content of FM’s contributions to the DPG Spring Meetings. The Chairperson undertakes
    • to attend the meetings regarding the DPG Spring Meeting (or to send their deputy) and to actively participate in the organization of the meeting.
    • to attend the DPG Executive Board meetings.
    • If unable to attend, the Chair must inform their Deputsas early as possible.
  6. General Meeting
    The General Meeting of the FV is generally held once a year, typically in conjunction with the DPG Spring Meeting in which the FV participates, General Assembly (GA). The FV Executive Board issues this invitation. The GA is duly convened and has a quorum if an invitation, including the provisional agenda, has been issued no later than two weeks before the date (e.g., in the proceedings (Verhandlungen) of the DPG Spring Conference).
    Decisions of the General Meeting are made by a simple majority of the members present.
    The results of the General Meeting must be recorded in the minutes and, upon request,sent to the members via email for their information.
  7. Miscellaneous
    The DPG Bylaws apply to members of the FM Professional Association. The DPG Bylaws take precedence over the FV Rules of Procedure.
  8. Effective Date
    These Rules of Procedure shall take effect on April 1, 2026.