Clear structure, clear tasks - Transparency and Governance Code at the AWO
All services, assistance and commitment from the AWO should be clear and comprehensible. Therefore we attach great importance to a transparent organisation with a clear division of tasks.
The AWO Bezirksverband Mittelrhein e. V. was founded on the 8th of October 1949. It is organised under the law of associations, its statutes can be found here:
AWO Mittelrhein and its subsidiaries offer various services:
Three childcare centres
A specialised service for migration and integration
An association for youth and integration assistance (Der Sommerberg)
Two associations for elderly care facilities (AWO Gesellschaft für Altenhilfeeinrichtungen and AWO Gesellschaft für Altenhilfeeinrichtungen Aachen)
A commercial service company for social institutions (DSE)
You will find all information on our commercial business operations in our management reports and annual reports. Information on the Management Board can be found here.
Information on the Board of Management
Since 2018, the AWO Bezirksverband Mittelrhein e. V. has been organised according to the so-called presidium model. This means that the responsibilities - and also the liability - for the operative business are clearly separated from the supervisory functions.
The executive committee consists of 16 volunteers. They decide on the fundamental issues of association management, the socio-political guidelines and the strategic management of the companies. They are also the supervisory body for the full-time Executive Board. The AWO Bezirksverband Mittelrhein e. V. presents an annual report at the district conference, which is held regularly every four years.d. Zur regelmäßig alle vier Jahre stattfindenden Bezirkskonferenz legt der AWO Bezirksverband Mittelrhein e. V. einen Geschäftsbericht vor.
The Governance Code
The AWO Code of Governance defines all binding guidelines for responsible management and supervision of the clubs, associations and companies of the AWO. The AWO Bezirksverband Mittelrhein, its subsidiaries and district associations have been strictly applying the code since November 2017.
The AWO Governance Code demands:
Clear organisational structures
Clear boundaries
Clear responsibilities and accountabilities of the bodies and organs
Binding communication structures and reporting obligations between the bodies and organs
Responsible performance of the supervisory function
Early warning systems for risks
The code is binding for all AWO divisions and companies with full-time staff and ensures that supervision and management are clearly separated and that supervisory bodies and management can make decisions without conflicts of interest - solely in the interest and for the benefit of the AWO and based on its values. The guidelines also set out requirements for the appointment, employment and remuneration of management.
Once a year, the AWO Bundesverband and an independent auditing company check compliance with the Governance Code and the fulfilment of the subdivisions' declaration obligations. To date, no objections have been raised.
