Statutes of the Volkshochschule Offenbach am Main - new version of the statutes

Pursuant to Sections 5 and 50(1), in conjunction with Section 51(6), of the Hessian Municipal Code (HGO), as published on March 7, 2005 (Law and Ordinance Gazette—GVBI. I, page 142), as last amended by Article 1 of the Act of May 7, 2020 (GVBI, p. 318) in conjunction with Sections 3 and 8 of the Act on the Promotion of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning in the State of Hesse (Hessian Continuing Education Act—HWBG), as published on August 25, 2001 (GVBI. I, p. 370), last amended by Article 11 of the Act of May 7, 2020 (GVBI, p. 318), the City Council of Offenbach am Main, at its meeting on March 10, 2022, adopted the amendment to the Bylaws of the Adult Education Center dated January 23, 2008:

§1
Legal Status
The Offenbach Adult Education Center is a public institution within the meaning of § 19 of the HGO and an institution for continuing education within the meaning of the Act on the Promotion of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning in the State of Hesse (Hessian Continuing Education Act—HWBG) of August 25, 2001, GVBI I, page 370, as amended from time to time. In addition to the tasks defined in the HWBG, the City Council may assign and delegate special tasks to the Adult Education Center, such as the coordination of educational and counseling services as well as municipal education monitoring.

The City of Offenbach am Main is the governing body of the Adult Education Center. It bears the name “Adult Education Center—Continuing Education and Educational Management” and is operated as an independent department within the city administration of Offenbach.

The Adult Education Center operates in accordance with the principles of democratic accountability within the framework of the legal order established by the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Constitution of the State of Hesse, the Hessian Municipal Code, and the Hessian Continuing Education Act.

§2
Tasks
The Offenbach Adult Education Center is the City of Offenbach’s public continuing education institution. As such, it is tasked with ensuring the basic provision of continuing education and educational counseling to the population in accordance with the Hessian Continuing Education Act. Within the municipality, the Adult Education Center serves as the point of contact for all questions regarding continuing education and
for providing continuing education counseling to the public; it serves as a place of learning and a civic forum, as well as a cultural and health center. As a vibrant meeting place for all citizens and as a venue for intercultural education and exchange, the Adult Education Center makes a significant contribution to integration and mutual tolerance. It serves as a service provider for associations, government agencies, and public initiatives. It participates in all major reform and innovation processes within the city administration and also develops its own innovative projects.

The Adult Education Center is actively involved in networks within the municipal education and continuing education landscape to promote learning at all stages of life and to encourage lifelong learning. It strengthens networking and collaboration among key stakeholders, ranging from early childhood education through school-based, vocational preparation, and vocational training programs to continuing education. In addition, the Adult Education Center maintains ongoing partnerships with various social partners and actively participates in local networks.

The Adult Education Center must develop a comprehensive range of educational and counseling services that are guided by societal and individual life needs and the latest scientific findings.

It carries out its educational work independently of political parties and other interest groups.
The Adult Education Center’s offerings cover the following subject areas:
• Politics – Society – Environment
• Civic Engagement / Volunteer Work
• Education for Sustainable Development / Environmental Education and Consumer Issues
• Pedagogy / Child-rearing / Family Education
• Communication / Media / Digital Education
• Self-directed learning / Online learning
• Culture – Creative Arts
• Health—Physical Activity / Fitness—Prevention
• Nutrition
• German / Integration
• Foreign Languages
• Career Preparation - IT Organization / Management
• High School Diplomas
• Basic education

The adult education center’s program offerings are published regularly and made available to the public through various channels (such as program brochures, flyers, advertisements, the website, and social media). It includes a variety of contemporary teaching formats (such as courses, lectures, field trips—both in-person and online—and exhibitions), events for specific target groups, and commissioned programs. To further develop programs and teaching methods, as well as to reach additional target groups, the Adult Education Center may develop projects and secure additional third-party funding.

§3
Ensuring the Free Development of Adult Education Center Activities
Decisions and directives issued by the bodies responsible for the work of the Adult Education Center that directly or indirectly affect its operations must be guided by the responsibilities entrusted to the Adult Education Center as a non-affiliated adult education institution operating under public accountability.

It continuously develops its educational offerings, continuing education counseling, and other services in a professional manner as part of lifelong learning. In doing so, it is free to independently design its curricula and educational standards.

§4
Management and Staff
The director is appointed by the municipal administration. He or she is responsible for the educational and organizational management of the Adult Education Center. He or she acts independently in educational matters and is accountable to the municipal administration for the planning and implementation of the Adult Education Center’s work. The city administration’s regulations regarding the managerial responsibilities, authorities, and duties of department heads apply.

The other staff members in the educational and administrative departments are also full-time employees of the city administration; the requirements and duties set forth in the job descriptions apply.

The Adult Education Center’s staffing plan is based on its stage of development and scope of work.

§5
Freelance Instructors
Freelance instructors are engaged as independent contractors with teaching assignments by the Adult Education Center (vhs) administration. The selection of freelance instructors and the conclusion of teaching contracts may be delegated to the program area directors. Freelance instructors receive honoraria in accordance with the Adult Education Center’s fee schedule.

Freelance instructors are invited by the Adult Education Center administration to a general assembly at least once a year, where they are informed about significant developments at the Adult Education Center and can discuss fundamental issues related to the Center’s work.

The general assembly may elect a representative body for the freelance instructors.
To this end, the vhs administration proposes an election procedure.

§6
Participants
The adult education center is open to all citizens regardless of prior education, social status, occupation, gender, nationality, or religion. The adult education center’s right to offer programs for specific target groups and for participants with specific educational backgrounds remains unaffected. For certain courses, admission of participants may be contingent upon proof of objectively necessary prerequisites.

A minimum or maximum age may be set for certain events. Participants in the courses and events pay a participation fee in accordance with the Adult Education Center’s fee schedule.

§7
Adult Education Commission
To ensure the participation of other sectors of society and knowledgeable citizens in the Adult Education Center, an Adult Education Commission shall be established. It operates in accordance with the City of Offenbach’s Commission Regulations and is tasked with discussing fundamental issues and challenges related to the work of the Adult Education Center, developing proposed solutions, and promoting the exchange of information among the sectors of society in Offenbach relevant to lifelong learning. It advises the City Council. The commission is chaired by the responsible department head.

The following institutions may appoint members to the Adult Education Commission:
As representatives of the various sectors of society:

One representative each
- from the German Trade Union Federation,
- the Education and Science Union,
- the Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
- the District Craftsmen’s Association,
- the Evangelical Church,
- the Catholic Church,
- the Jewish Community,
- the Offenbach Free Religious Community,
- the Foreign Residents' Advisory Council,
- the Employment Agency,
- the State Education Authority,
- the Association of Offenbach School Principals (IGOS),
- the Children’s and Youth Parliament,
- the Senior Citizens’ Council

The following individuals serve as representatives of municipal bodies on the Adult Education Commission:
- the municipal women’s and equal opportunity officer of the City of Offenbach am Main,
- a representative of MainArbeit—the Offenbach Municipal Job Center
- one representative from each of the political groups represented in the City Council.

The representatives of the political groups are elected by the City Council for the duration of the Council’s respective term of office.

The following individuals serve as representatives of the Adult Education Center on the Adult Education Commission:
- the association representing freelance instructors
- The director of the Adult Education Center and the deputy director serve on the Adult Education Commission in an advisory capacity.

The chairperson may appoint a representative from the field of education to serve on the Adult Education Commission in an advisory capacity on a permanent basis or may consult with such a representative on a case-by-case basis.

The members of the Adult Education Commission are appointed by the City Council, upon the recommendation of the respective institutions, for the duration of the City Council’s term of office. The Adult Education Commission makes its decisions by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the chairperson has the casting vote. The Adult Education Commission meets at least once a year or whenever at least one-quarter of its members so request. The City of Offenbach’s Bylaw on Compensation for Municipal Representatives and Volunteers dated December 7, 1978, as amended, also applies to the Adult Education Commission.

§8
Entry into Force
This amendment to the bylaws shall enter into force on the day following its publication (April 12, 2022).