die  Jahreshauptversammlung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjaːɐ̯əsˌhaʊptfɛɐ̯ˌzamlʊŋ/

📜 What exactly is a Jahreshauptversammlung?

The Jahreshauptversammlung (often abbreviated as JHV) is the annual general meeting (AGM) of the members of an association (*Verein*), a cooperative (*Genossenschaft*), a stock corporation (*Aktiengesellschaft* - here often just called *Hauptversammlung*, HV), or a similar organization.

It serves central purposes:

• Reporting by the board (*Vorstand*) on the past business year.
• Discharge of the board and possibly other bodies.
• Elections (e.g., board members, auditors - *Kassenprüfer*).
• Passing resolutions on important matters (e.g., changes to statutes - *Satzungsänderungen*, budget).
• Discussion and exchange among members.

It's a long compound noun:

Jahr (year) + Haupt (main/chief) + Versammlung (meeting/assembly) = The most important meeting of the year.

The article is always die because the base word, *Versammlung*, is feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Die Jahreshauptversammlung in Detail

The word 'Jahreshauptversammlung' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always 'die'. It is declined as follows:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Die Jahreshauptversammlung des Vereins findet am Samstag statt.
   (The association's annual general meeting takes place on Saturday.)
2. Der Vorstand wurde auf der Jahreshauptversammlung entlastet.
   (The board was discharged at the annual general meeting.)
3. Wir müssen die Einladung zur Jahreshauptversammlung fristgerecht versenden.
   (We must send out the invitation to the annual general meeting on time.)
4. Auf der Tagesordnung der Jahreshauptversammlung stehen wichtige Entscheidungen.
   (Important decisions are on the agenda of the annual general meeting.)

🗣️ How to use 'Jahreshauptversammlung'?

The term 'Jahreshauptversammlung' is primarily used in the formal context of organizations.

• Associations (*Vereine*): Sports clubs, cultural associations, booster clubs, etc., hold an annual JHV.
• Companies (*Unternehmen*): Stock corporations (*Aktiengesellschaften*, AGs) in particular must hold an annual general meeting (*Hauptversammlung*, HV), which corresponds to the JHV. Limited liability companies (*GmbHs*) or cooperatives (*Genossenschaften*) may also have similar meetings.
• Parties & Federations (*Parteien & Verbände*): Political parties and larger federations also use this format for their annual member gatherings.

It's a rather bureaucratic and formal term. In informal language, one might perhaps speak of *'dem großen Vereinstreffen des Jahres'* (the big club meeting of the year), but the official term is 'Jahreshauptversammlung'. The abbreviation JHV is very common, especially in invitations or minutes (*Protokollen*).

⚠️ There is little risk of confusion as the word is very specific. However, it should not be confused with a regular *'Mitgliederversammlung'* (members' meeting) or *'Vorstandssitzung'* (board meeting), which can occur more frequently and do not necessarily have the comprehensive character of a JHV.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article 'die':

The word ends in -ung (Versammlung). Words ending in '-ung' are almost always feminine in German. Think: Die Versammlung (*the meeting*) takes place, specifically the main one for the Jahr (*year*) – die Jahreshauptversammlung.

Remembering the Meaning:

Break down the word: Jahr (*year*) + Haupt (*main/chief*) + Versammlung (*meeting/assembly*). It's the Haupt-Versammlung (*main meeting*), which takes place once a Jahr (*year*). Quite logical!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar, potentially misleading words:

• Betriebsversammlung: A meeting of the employees of a company (*Betrieb*), not the members/owners of an organization.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Mitglied das andere nach der Jahreshauptversammlung: "Und, was wurde beschlossen?"
Antwortet das andere: "Dass wir nächstes Jahr wieder eine machen müssen!"

(One member asks another after the AGM: "So, what was decided?"
The other replies: "That we have to have another one next year!")

📜 A Poem about the Meeting

Einmal im Jahr, so will's der Brauch,
öffnet die Tür sich, füllt sich der Bauch
mit Kaffee und Kuchen, die Spannung steigt,
die Jahreshauptversammlung schweigt.

Der Vorstand spricht, von Soll und Haben,
von Plänen, Zielen, neuen Gaben.
Es wird gewählt, debattiert, gefragt,
bis spät der Hammer auf den Tisch schlagt.

Dann geht man heim, mit neuem Mut,
die JHV, sie tat mal wieder gut!

(Once a year, as custom dictates,
the door opens, the stomach sates
with coffee and cake, tension mounts,
the Annual General Meeting is silent.)

(The board speaks of debits and credits,
of plans, goals, new edits.
Votes are cast, debates ignite,
until late the gavel strikes with might.)

(Then home they go, with spirits new,
the AGM, it was good for you!)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme nur einmal im Jahr,
bin für den Verein ganz wunderbar.
Der Vorstand berichtet, was geschah,
Entscheidungen fallen, das ist klar.
Mitglieder kommen von nah und fern,
mich haben alle Organisationen gern.

Was bin ich?

(I come only once a year,
for the association, I'm quite dear.
The board reports on what occurred,
Decisions are made, it's assured.
Members come from far and wide,
All organizations like me inside.

What am I?)

Solution: Die Jahreshauptversammlung (The Annual General Meeting)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition (*Wortzusammensetzung*):

The word 'Jahreshauptversammlung' is a classic example of a German compound noun (*Kompositum*). It consists of three parts:

• das Jahr: Refers to the annual rhythm ('year').
• das Haupt: Means 'main', 'chief', or 'principal' here.
• die Versammlung: The base word ('meeting' or 'assembly'), which also determines the grammatical gender (feminine).

Legal Significance (*Rechtliche Bedeutung*):

Holding an annual general meeting (*Jahreshauptversammlung*) is legally required for many forms of organizations (e.g., registered associations - *eingetragene Vereine (e.V.)*, stock corporations - *Aktiengesellschaften (AG)*) according to German law (e.g., in the Civil Code - *Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)* for associations, in the Stock Corporation Act - *Aktiengesetz (AktG)* for AGs). It is the supreme governing body of the respective organization.