die  Vollversammlung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɔlˌfɛʁzamlʊŋ/

📖 What exactly is a Vollversammlung?

The German noun Vollversammlung (feminine, article die) refers to a meeting in which all members of a specific organization, group, or body are entitled or obliged to participate. It's often the highest decision-making body within many structures.

Typical contexts include:

• Vereine (Associations, clubs) - often called Mitgliederversammlung
• Unternehmen (Companies) - often called Hauptversammlung (general meeting of shareholders)
• International organizations (e.g., the UN General Assembly - UN-Generalversammlung)
• Genossenschaften (Cooperatives)
• Parlamente (Parliaments) - often called Plenum

The term emphasizes the completeness (from voll meaning 'full') of the participants, in contrast to smaller bodies like committees (Ausschüsse) or working groups (Arbeitsgruppen).

⚠️ There are no other articles for this word; it is always die Vollversammlung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Vollversammlung

The noun „Vollversammlung“ is feminine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die nächste Vollversammlung des Vereins findet am Montag statt.
   (The next general assembly of the association takes place on Monday.)
2. Der Vorstand muss der Vollversammlung jährlich Bericht erstatten.
   (The board must report annually to the general assembly.)
3. Wichtige Entscheidungen werden nur in den Vollversammlungen getroffen.
   (Important decisions are only made in the general assemblies.)
4. Alle Mitglieder wurden zur Vollversammlung eingeladen.
   (All members were invited to the general assembly.)

🗣️ How 'die Vollversammlung' is Used

The term die Vollversammlung is mostly used in formal contexts, particularly concerning organizations, companies, or political bodies.

• Formal Context: In statutes (Satzungen), invitations (Einladungen), minutes (Protokolle), and official announcements (offizielle Ankündigungen). Example: Laut Satzung ist die Vollversammlung das oberste Organ des Vereins. (According to the statutes, the general assembly is the highest body of the association.)
• Distinction: It's used to differentiate the meeting of all members from smaller meetings like committee meetings (Ausschusssitzung), board meetings (Vorstandssitzung), or working group meetings (Arbeitsgruppentreffen). Example: Diese Detailfrage wird im Ausschuss besprochen, die Grundsatzentscheidung trifft die Vollversammlung. (This detail question will be discussed in the committee; the fundamental decision is made by the general assembly.)
• Synonyms depending on context:
  • In an association (Verein): often synonymous with Mitgliederversammlung (member assembly).
  • For stock corporations (Aktiengesellschaften): Hauptversammlung (HV) (general shareholders' meeting).
  • In parliament or large conferences: Plenum or Plenarsitzung (plenary session).
  • At the United Nations: Generalversammlung (General Assembly).
  Although these terms can be more specific, Vollversammlung is often an understandable umbrella term.

💡 Mnemonics for Vollversammlung

Mnemonic for the Article (die):

Think: A Vollversammlung involves the entire community or group, and the German word for community is die Gemeinschaft. So, it's die Vollversammlung.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

Break it down: Voll sounds like 'full' in English, and means 'full' or 'complete'. Versammlung means 'assembly' or 'meeting'. So, a Vollversammlung is a 'full assembly' where everyone is present.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Potential Confusion:

Sometimes the general term Versammlung (assembly, meeting) is used even if not all members are present. Vollversammlung is more specific, emphasizing completeness or the right of all members to participate.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef: „Warum kommen Sie zu spät zur Vollversammlung?“ (The boss asks: “Why are you late for the general assembly?”)

Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: „Wegen des Schildes draußen.“ (The employee answers: “Because of the sign outside.”)

Chef: „Welches Schild?“ (Boss: “Which sign?”)

Mitarbeiter: „Das, auf dem steht: ‚Vollversammlung - Bitte langsam fahren‘.“ (Employee: “The one that says: ‘General Assembly - Please drive slowly’.”)

📜 A Poem about the Assembly

Die Glocke ruft, der Saal wird voll,
Die Vollversammlung tagt, Protokoll!
Ein jeder Stuhl ist nun besetzt,
Die Meinung aller wird geschätzt.

Berichte, Zahlen, neuer Plan,
Man diskutiert, was man tun kann.
Am Ende wird per Hand gezählt,
Was die Gemeinschaft mehrheitlich wählt.

The bell calls, the hall fills up,
The general assembly meets, take notes!
Every chair is now occupied,
Everyone's opinion is valued.

Reports, numbers, a new plan,
They discuss what can be done.
In the end, hands are counted,
For what the community chooses by majority.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Treffen, groß und breit,
Wo jedes Mitglied hat die Zeit,
Zu hören, reden, stimmen ab,
Bin oft im Jahr der höchste Stab.
Nicht Ausschuss, nicht nur der Vorstand klein,
Hier müssen wirklich alle sein.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Vollversammlung)

I am a meeting, broad and wide,
Where every member has the time,
To listen, speak, and cast a vote,
Often the highest authority of note.
Not a committee, not just the small board,
Here, truly *everyone* must be aboard.

What am I? (Answer: die Vollversammlung / the general assembly)

✨ Further Insights

Word Composition:

The word Vollversammlung is a compound noun, composed of:

• Voll: Adjective or adverb, here meaning 'full', 'complete', 'entire'.
• Versammlung: Noun, derived from the verb „versammeln“ (to assemble, to gather).

So, the composition literally means a 'full assembly', highlighting the meeting of the entire group.

Trivia:

In some organizations, the ability of a Vollversammlung to make valid decisions depends on a minimum number of members being present (a quorum - das Quorum). If the quorum is not met, the assembly often cannot make binding decisions.