FAQs
1. Why
was KGN founded?
Korean German Network was founded in December 2000 to promote
the exchange of ideas and experience among overseas Korean professionals
and to create a network that could provide members with professional
as well as social support structures.
The foundation was decided upon the situation that for the first
time there was a significant number of second generation Korean
professionals in Germany. Until then a national association for
Korean professionals, in which ideas and experience could be exchanged,
did not exist.
2. What
is the association's official language?
Due to the member structure the official language is German, which
is being used especially for announcements, discussions, presentations
of and for members, the KGN website as well as all minutes and
accounting. However KGN promotes the Korean language (e.g. by
means of guest lectures in Korean with German handouts). It is
one of the association's aim to maintain important documents like
the association's bylaws and presentations also in Korean and
English. With partner organizations like OKF in Seoul, Korea,
or the consulate in Frankfurt KGN communicates in Korean and English.
3. Who
can become a member?
According to the target group of KGN (see question no. 1) everybody
from the age of 18 up who
a) has a permanent job
b) will have a permanent job soon (e.g. graduate students)
c) and their spouses
can become a member.
4. What
are the membership dues?
The dues are 70 Euros per year and per person. Married couples
pay reduced dues of 100 Euros per year and per couple.
5. How
can I become a member?
You have to
a) fill out the membership application form (the form can be downloaded
from the KGN website) and send it to the association via e-mail
or snail mail
b) pay the dues
Bank account
details:
Korean German Network e.V.
Account number: 2834554
Bank code number: 500 700 24
Deutsche Bank 24, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
As soon as KGN receives the dues you are a member.
6. How
do the members receive information on current developments of
KGN?
Invitations and important announcements are sent to the members
in person either via e-mail or snail mail depending on how the
member wishes to receive the information. In addition the KGN
website is constantly being updated about current activities.
In case of big events KGN also posts an ad in print media like
Kyopo-Shinmun.
7. Do the
members receive a report on the expenditure of membership dues?
At the end of the one year term of office the executive board
not only presents the activities of the past year but also full
details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities
at the annual general meeting. Two auditors, who do not belong
to the executive board, check if the financial report is correct
before the annual general meeting (see also § 12 of the association's
bylaws)
8. Who
are the partner organizations of KGN?
KGN is the official partner of the Overseas Korean Foundation
(OKF). OKF is an affiliate of the Korean Foreign Ministry and
an organization for global networking among overseas Koreans.
Every year OKF organizes workshops, in which overseas Koreans
(kyopos) from all over the world come together in Korea to develop
concepts of networking together and exchange ideas and experience.
The workshop is free of charge and OKF pays 50% of the plane ticket.
KGN is responsible for the selection of participants from Germany
for the annual workshop for Korean professionals.
Besides the workshop the two organizations exchange pieces of
information on a regular basis.
9. Is
KGN an independent association?
KGN cooperates with various institutions and partners, however
KGN is an independent association, especially when it comes to
defining objectives and deciding on the implementation of its
planned activities.
KGN is not part of any umbrella organization.
10. Do
all the members of all the association's bodies work on an honorary
basis?
All members of the executive and advisory board work on an honorary
basis. Expenses are only reimbursed upon presentation of receipts.
11. Who
can give active support to KGN?
All members are welcome to play an active part in the areas and
projects of interest, since the activities and character of KGN
should be shaped by its members. Members can get information on
current projects by looking at the KGN website or contacting the
members of the executive board (see Contact us on the website).
12. Can
I play an active part even if I do not live in Frankfurt (headquarters)?
Definitely yes! KGN is a national, not a regional association.
About 50% of its members do not live in Frankfurt and most of
the work and communication is being done by e-mail, because of
the need to communicate project statuses to the whole project
team as quickly as possible in order to meet deadlines. Occasional
project meetings supplement and complete the teamwork.
13. What
is the legal form of KGN?
KGN is registered in the official register of societies and associations
at the Frankfurt district court.
14. How does my KGN Webmail work?
Each KGN Member owns an email address, which reads as follows:
firstname.surname@KGNetwork.org.
Once you receive the necessary data you have access to your emails from the URL www.kgnetwork.org/webmail.
Access via Email Client.
Alternatively, you can access to your Emails via Email Clients such as Outlook or
Eudora.
The IMAP/POP/SMTP server addresses read as follows: www.kgnetwork.org
The Username is your full email address(Firstname.Surname@KGNetwork.org).
For any further questions, please contact the Webmaster.
