Corporate governance
Principles of
corporate governance
We wish to communicate our goals and principles at all times and to keep the general public up to date about developments in our field of activities. We likewise wish to maintain close, personal relationships with the authorities, with both public and private institutions and with the media, to stand up for improvements in the most important basic conditions, and to promote worthwhile leisure activity options.
Leissigen Youth Hostel
The Corporate Governance guidelines of the Swiss Youth Hostels consist of the Articles of Association, the organisational regulations (OGR), the Code of Conduct (CoC) and the regulations of the Employee Committee. These form the basis for effective and efficient governance, which is guided by the specifications of the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance.
The accounting complies with the Swiss GAAP ARR professional recommendations and gives a true and fair view of assets, financial position and results. The Executive Board and the Management Team have instituted internal precautions in order to ensure conformity of the organisation’s annual accounts with the applicable financial reporting requirements and to ensure proper reporting. A functioning system of controls is implemented internally.
Bodies of the association
As of 1 April 2023
Delegates
The members choose 20-80 delegates for four years. Their powers include modification of the Articles of Association, ratification of the annual report, approval of the actions of the bodies, election of members of the Executive Board, President and statutory auditors, as well as nomination of honorary members.
Elected until 31 December 2023
Avesani Giancarlo, Melano | Bianchin Patricia, Neuchâtel | Bollhalder Rolf, Teufen | Buschor Trudi, Moosseedorf | Fuchs Edwin, Zollikon | Fuchs Michel, Zollikon | Furger Christine, Arlesheim | Furrer Daniel, Lucerne | Giacomazzi Gaia, Zurich | Gisler Alfred, Lucerne | Graf Katarina, Chur | Gruber Veronika, Gelterkinden | Haag-Lochmann Helen, Hirzel | Haug-Kern Esther, Zurich | Haug Tobias, Zurich | Keller-Giovanon Helene, Ossingen | Koch Isabelle, Schaan | Lang Andrea, Zurich | Liechti Nina, Grosshöchstetten | Lutz Béatrice, Birsfelden | Meier Nicole, Zurich | Meyer Stefan, Arbon | Montandon Jonathan, Zurich | Mottier André, Ste-Croix | Müller Karin, Bonstetten | Müller Tim, Bonstetten | Palme Sabine, Zug | Ramsperger Rolf, Neuhausen am Rheinfall | Schoch-Sutter Carmen, Märstetten | Schwyter-Faist Yolanda, Zezikon | Senn Annemarie, Volketswil | Städler-Bischof Esther, Wattwil | Steiger Thomas, Muttenz | Steinmann Rolf, Cham | Störi Thomas, Muttenz | Straubhaar Sarah, Neuchâtel | Strehler René, Zurich | Strehler Tim, Zurich | Streuli Cornelia, Steinhausen | Surber Sébastien, Aadorf | Thut Tobias, Kriens | Uhlemann Luzia, Untervaz | Vogel Manon, Hinwil | Weber Guido, Bern | Weber Kathrin, Bischofszell | Zürcher Eva, Gonten
Executive Board
The Executive Board is the highest management body and is chosen by the assembly of delegates for a term of four years. The members can be re-elected, but are subject to a restriction of tenure of 12 years. It consists of a total of at least 8 to a maximum of 12 members. The Board defines the strategic orientation and reviews the operative implementation.
Abegg Thomas (since 17.04.2010) | Denzler Corinne (since 13.03.2015) | Gallo Mathias (since 29.11.2019) | Juon Gian Marco (since 06.03.2020) | Kulcsár Thomas (since 06.04.2018) | Michel-Abegg Corinne (since 27.11.2015) | Reutlinger Frank (since 23.11.2018) | Schneuwly Yves (since 23.09.2022) | Spiess Rahel (since 11.06.2016) | Tauber Gomez Stephanie (since 23.09.2022) | Wyss Andreas (since 25.09.2021)
Chairmanship
Reutlinger Frank, President (since 15.06.2019) | Denzler Corinne, Vice President (since 01.01.2016)
Elected until 31 December 2023
Audit Committee
Wyss Andreas, Chairman | Kulcsár Thomas | Schneuwly Yves
Elected until 31 December 2023
Steering Committee
Reutlinger Frank, Chairman | Abegg Thomas | Gallo Mathias | Juon Gian Marco | Spiess Rahel
Elected until 31 December 2023
Management Team
The Management Team is in charge of the management of the Swiss Youth Hostels. The members are appointed by the Executive Board. The CEO heads the Management Team. The Director of Operations is their Deputy. The Management Team is responsible for implementing the idealistic and strategic goals defined by the Executive Board. It defines the operative goals and monitors their achievement.
Bunte Janine, CEO, Chair of Management Team (since 01.01.2019) | Estermann Philipp, Director Operations, Deputy CEO (since 01.10.2020) | Leu Katharina, Director Sales (since 24.06.2019) | Eisele André, Director Marketing & Communication (since 01.09.2019) | Walter Laura, Director Finance & Controlling (since 01.08.2021)
Employee Committee
The Employee Committee represents the interests of all employees to the CEO and the Executive Board.
Christen Nicole, Sales Manager (since 01.11.2022) | Meier Daniel, Manager Stein am Rhein Youth Hostel (up to 31.12.2022) | Kaufmann Dennis, Manager Baden Youth Hostel (since 01.01.2023) | Kirtskhalia Tatia, Revenue & Channel Managerin (up to 31.10.2022) | Wettstein Tobias, Manager Basel Youth Hostel | Zürcher Ueli, Manager Interlaken Youth Hostel (President)
Elected until 31 December 2023
Auditing body
Bommer + Partner Treuhand, Bern
Is elected every year by the assembly of delegates.
Honorary members
Kern Jack, Zurich | Kurmann Stephan, Hirzel | Lüdi Heinz, Effretikon | Müller Christoph, Fällanden | Wälle Robert, Lucerne
Remuneration of committees
Delegates
Work as a delegate of the Swiss Youth Hostels is on a voluntary and honorary basis and is not compensated financially. Any resulting actual expenses are reimbursed.
Every year, delegates receive 21 accommodation coupons allowing free usage of youth hostels operated by the Swiss Youth Hostels Association.
Executive Board
The members of the Executive Board provide their services based on the corporate governance guidelines for non-profit organisations in Switzerland, the Swiss NPO code and other relevant regulations on a voluntary and honorary basis. The work of the Executive Board is not compensated. Any resulting actual expenses are reimbursed. For their voluntary activities, the members of the Executive Board receive 42 accommodation coupons every year that allow free visits to own youth hostels. If the President or a member of the Executive Board performs more than 100 hours of voluntary work within one calendar year, they are entitled to compensation for every further hour.
In 2022, the President and members of the Executive Board worked 643 hours (prior year: 809), 496 (prior year: 635) of which were non-remunerated.
Remuneration of fees and reimbursement of expenses in the amount of CHF 37,477 (prior year: CHF 35,163) was paid out. Of this sum, the President received CHF 22,677 (prior year: CHF 22,963).
Auditing body
In 2022, fees for auditors amounted to CHF 38,075 (prior year: CHF 45,240).
Risk assessment
The Executive Board and general management have dealt with the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, the energy shortage and the general economic situation, including inflation over the past financial year. The consequences of the pandemic on the assets and financial situation of the organisation are still evident, even though the capital situation greatly improved due to the positive annual result and the organisational capital is once again in the positive range.
Due to the entry into force of the Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency in relation to Minerals and Metals from Conflict-Affected Areas and Child Labour (221.433) on 01.01.2023, the Management Team introduced appropriate processes and carried out checks on the suppliers. As no reasonable suspicion of child labour was identified, the Swiss Youth Hostels are exempt from due diligence and reporting obligations in line with the Ordinance.
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