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European Society of Arachnology |
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Statutes | Regulations | Ethical Rules Statutes of the European Society of Arachnology25th July 2002 Purpose of the Association1. The association, named the "Société européenne d'Arachnologie" and founded in 1980, is a scientific association that aims to support the study of arachnology, to promote the development of this science and to facilitate exchanges between researchers or institutes. The administration is subject to French law (statute of 1st July 1901, decree of 16th August 1901). 2. It is apolitical and non-confessional. 3. Its duration is unlimited within the restrictions of articles 44 onwards. 4. The legal seat is in Nancy (France). The localisation of the legal seat can be changed according to article 49. Means5. The activities of the association consist mainly of meetings, seminaries, colloquia, publications, research, courses as well as all other means that favour the fulfilment of the association's aims. 6. The activities undertaken must in no case be contrary to the ethics of the association. 7. The funds of the association are composed of members' subscriptions, bequests, gifts, subsidies from national, regional or private organisations as well as any other sources that do not infringe the laws in force. 8. The administration of these funds is entrusted to the association's Council. Administration9. The association is composed of 3 sections: the General Assembly, the Council and the Bureau. 10. The General Assembly is the supreme legislative organ of the association. 11. The association is administered by a Council, constituted according to articles 31 and following. 12. Working groups can be constituted to take care of particular, temporary tasks. Members13. The association is composed of four categories of members 14. Membership is open to all arachnologists or those interested in furthering the study of arachnology, subject to approval by the council. In cases of doubt, the council will refer applications to the General Assembly for a decision. 15. The members undertake to respect the statutes, the regulations and the ethical rules of the association. 16. The annual financial contribution of the members is fixed according to article 29. 17. Honorary members are named by the General Assembly based on proposals made by the Council. This honorific title is awarded to those who have rendered outstanding services to the association or who have marked European arachnology by an exceptional scientific activity. The title of honorary member confers the right to take part in the association without being bound to pay the annual contribution. 18. Membership of the association is terminated by: 19. The member concerned by the expulsion is informed in writing of the decisions taken by the Council and of the propositions which will be made concerning them to the General Assembly. The member will then have 30 days to counter the decision in writing to the President. The President will then establish a commission to examine the dossier comprised of the Bureau and of two members chosen by the person concerned. This commission is the last instance concerning the expulsion. Function and responsibilities of the General Assembly20. The General Assembly consists of the following individuals: titular members, honorary members and donors. Judicial persons may only be represented by one delegate. 21. The General Assembly meets at least once per year and each time that it is convoked by the Council or by at least one quarter of the members. 22. Each person present has the right to one vote at the General Assembly as well as when postal votes (sent to all members) are organised by the Council. Decisions are taken by the majority of those present and/or by postal votes. 23. The agenda for General Assemblies is decided by the Council. Only those items that appear on the agenda may be put to a vote. Each member may request that a particular item appear on the agenda. The request must be made to the Council 2 months before the date of the General Assembly. 24. Members are convoked by the Secretary at least 1 month before the date of the General Assembly and will receive the agenda. The association's bulletin may be used to convoke the members if it is distributed within the above delay. The Council may organise a vote by mail if the item on the agenda is primordial to the life of the association. 25. The Bureau of the General Assembly is that of the Council. 26. The General Assembly is kept informed of the Council's deliberations and of the financial, scientific and moral situation of the association. 27. The General Assembly votes the results of the previous financial year and the budget for the coming year. It deliberates the other items on the agenda and nominates new members of the Council if necessary. It also approves the regulations of the association. 28. The annual report and statement of accounts are sent to all members each year. 29. The amount of die annual contribution is fixed by the General Assembly and inscribed in the regulations. 30. The General Assembly ratifies all expulsions proposed by the Council. Function and Responsibilities of the Council31. The association is administered by a Council of 12 titular or honorary members. 32. The members of the Council are initially elected for 3 years by secret ballot at the General Assembly. They may be re-elected every 3 years. The election may take place by postal vote, which must be organised at least one month before the poll. 33. The Secretary shall proceed, in writing, to appeal for candidates at least 2 months before the poll each time that one or more members of the Council completes a term of 3 years or resigns. The bulletin may be used for this appeal if it is distributed within the above time limit to all members. 34. It is not necessary to apply for the position of member of the Council. A member who is elected without having applied may refuse the position. He is then replaced according to article 35. 35. In the case of a vacancy, the Council may temporarily replace its members. The final replacement must be confirmed by the following General Assembly. The mandate of members so elected is terminated when the replaced member's mandate ends. 36. The Council chooses from its members, by secret ballot, a Bureau consisting of: a president, a vice-president, a general secretary, a treasurer and an assistant treasurer. 37. The Bureau is elected for one year and the members may be re-elected during their mandate. 38. The President may not be in office for more than 6 consecutive mandates (years). 39. The Bureau manages current affairs and is responsible for the efficient circulation of information. The treasurer must keep the accounts up to date and inform the President if expenditure exceeds the budget or if there are serious problems. 40. The Council meets at least once per year and each time it is convoked by its President or by one quarter of its members. The presence of half of the members (6) is necessary for valid decisions, which are taken by a majority vole. The President's vote is decisive. 41. Minutes of the meetings are taken by the Secretary or his/her representative. They are signed by the President and the Secretary. 42. The Council may ask one or several members of the association to act as consultants. 43. Members of the Council must inform the President if they are unable to be present at a meeting. Absence at two meetings without prior excuse will be considered as a resignation. Dissolution and modifications44. The association may only be dissolved by the General Assembly specially convoked for this purpose. 45. At least half of the voting members must be present. The dissolution may only be pronounced if three quarters of these members so decide. Members who cannot be present may demand a postal vote, in which case the Bureau sends them the necessary documents. 46. If the opinion of half of the voting members has not been obtained, a second Assembly may be convoked at a minimum of 2 months later. The decisions taken at that time will be independent of the quorum. 47. In the case of dissolution, the assets will be deposited in full in favour of the International Society of Arachnology (ISA). If this is no longer possible, the General Assembly will designate the beneficiary. 48. The statutes may be modified by a majority of two-thirds of the members present at the General Assembly; the regulations by a simple majority. General provisions49. Ordinary expenditures are sanctioned by the Treasurer or the President. Extraordinary expenditures are sanctioned by the President and the Treasurer. Both their signatures are indispensable. 50. In all legal proceedings, the association is represented by the President and the Secretary or, if necessary, by the Vice-president and a member of the Council. In every case, the representatives must be in possession of their civil rights. 51. No member of the association is personally responsible for the commitments made by the association. Only the association in its entirety can be responsible for its commitments. 52. The association has regulations that fix the rights and obligations of its members and stipulate the points that are important but liable to be modified. The regulations can be modified at any time and are subject to approval by the General Assembly. 53. All members must be informed of any change in the regulations. 54. All members receive a copy of the statutes, the regulations as well as those of the ethical rules. 55. The statutes, the regulations and the ethical rules are available in English, German and French. Enforcement56. The modifications to the statutes have been legally approved by the General Assembly and came into force on 25th July 2002. Statutes | Regulations | Ethical Rules RegulationsAnnual financial contributions:The annual financial contributions of the members are: Colloquia and seminaries:Every year, the association may be co-organiser of scientific meetings. The organisers may request grants by applying to the Bureau. Grants:The association grants subsidies for scientific meetings. The organisers of colloquia and seminaries may obtain grants by asking the Bureau. Working groups:At present, the following working groups are in place: Ethical rulesThe association decrees some ethical rules, which form part of the regulations. These rules have the following goals: Newsletter (Bulletin):The newsletter (Bulletin) must be sent to all members at least once a year. Reimbursement:The members of the Council and of the working groups may be paid partly for the participation in meetings, if they are organised outside colloquia, congresses or seminaries. The amount will be divided in proportion to the travelling/accommodation expenses of each participant. Members receiving external financing for attendance must notify this to the Bureau, in order that the subsidies can be adjusted equitably. Enforcement:The modifications to the regulations have been legally approved by the General Assembly and came into force on 25th July 2002. Statutes | Regulations | Ethical Rules Ethical rules1. The association is aware that human, demographic or economic pressure on natural and semi-natural biotopes has been increasing. It is also aware that some biotopes have become scarce or have disappeared in an alarming way. These threats are a reality and put in danger the biodiversity and the real foundations of the ecological equilibrium of our planet. 2. In this perspective, the members of the association undertake to carry out their research with a maximum of precautions in order to gather the arachnological materials in the least harmful way possible in relation to the predetermined scientific aims. 3. Local legislation, which protects biotopes and species, and more particularly the laws regulating the exportation of animals and plants, must be respected. 4. The members of the association must pay close attention to threatened biotopes and strive to cause as little disturbance as possible. Fragile biotopes should only be visited when necessary. 5. The number of animals captured must be limited as much as possible. In sparsely populated areas, the members of the association gather no more than the material they need for their studies. 6. The members of the association undertake not to trade animals and plants for terrariophily and aquariophily, nor to develop or encourage this kind of trading in any way. 7. The members of the association guarantee the validity of the scientific data presented or published. 8. The members of the association must quote, in their publications, the collaborations between researchers and/or institutes, the lending of material, the infrastructure put at the members' disposal, or any other means used to obtain a scientific result. 9. These ethical rules are an integral part of the regulations. Secretariat:Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Département Systématique et Évolution, 61 rue Buffon, F-75005 PARIS, France |
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