About · Constitution
Constitution
The constitution of the International Association of Bryologists, together with the by-laws made by the Council to carry it into operation.
Council seats
17
officers, editors & 10 regular members
Quorum
9
for any voting decision
Officer term
4 yrs
6 for the Secretary-Treasurer
Regions
6
for geographic representation
Contents
1
Section 1
Name and affiliation
The association shall be called the International Association of Bryologists, hereafter referred to as the Association.
2
Section 2
Means and objectives
The Association is an international, non-profit making society. The financial bookkeeping of the Association is the responsibility of the current Secretary-Treasurer.
The objective of the Association shall be to stimulate and promote international cooperation and communication between bryologists and the study of all aspects of bryology.
This objective shall be served by:
- 1.promoting fuller cooperation between individual workers;
- 2.establishing committees for special purposes;
- 3.organizing meetings and symposia;
- 4.publishing a regular newsletter;
- 5.publishing original research papers in a scientific journal of the Association.
3
Section 3
Membership
All persons actively interested in any phase of bryology shall be eligible for membership.
Membership shall be acquired by written application to the Secretary-Treasurer and payment of the appropriate membership fee.
Non-profit making bryological societies can be affiliated to the Association. Affiliated societies can make use of the channels of the Association without charge. Commercial publishers and others may also become affiliated to the Association by payment of a sum to be determined by the Executive committee.
4
Section 4
Administration
The affairs of the Association shall be controlled by a Council composed of the officers of the Association, namely the President, the First and Second Vice-Presidents, the Immediate Past-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Editor of the newsletter (The Bryological Times) and the Editor-in-Chief of the journal of the Association (Journal of Bryology), and ten regular members. Normally, not more than three members of the Council shall be resident in the same country at the time of their election.
The President, the two Vice-Presidents, the Immediate Past-President and the Secretary-Treasurer shall constitute the Executive Committee.
The officers and regular members of Council shall hold office for a period of four years, except the Secretary-Treasurer who shall hold office for six years. The two Vice-Presidents shall not be elected at the same time. Approximately half of the regular members of Council shall be elected every two years. Immediate re-election is permitted, but after two consecutive periods in the same office an interval of at least one period must elapse before a person is again eligible for the same office.
The Editor of the newsletter and the Editor-in-Chief of the journal shall be appointed by the Council. The Editor of the newsletter shall hold office for a period of two years and the Editor-in-Chief of the journal for a period of four years. Both are eligible for reappointment.
Vacancies occurring between elections, except that of President, shall be filled by the Council. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Immediate Past-President.
The Council may co-opt additional members for special purposes.
The Council may appoint committees and define their composition, duties and powers.
5
Section 5
Meetings and elections
The Association shall normally meet every two years, if possible in conjunction with an International Botanical Congress. A Business Meeting shall be held at each biennial meeting of the Association. Notice of the Business Meeting shall be given to the membership at least four months in advance.
The Council shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast in a mail ballot held at least four months before the Business Meeting.
At least seven months before the Business Meeting, the President shall appoint an Election Committee of three to five members.
The Election Committee shall call for nominations and shall prepare a slate of candidates, striving to reflect the diverse interests and geographic areas of the world’s bryologists.
6
Section 6
By-laws and amendments
The Council may make by-laws for the conduct of the affairs of the Association and may carry the Constitution into operation. By-laws may be made, amended or rescinded by a majority of the Council.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in writing by any member of the Association. A proposed amendment, if approved by a majority of the Council, shall be submitted to the membership in a mail ballot. The amendment shall be adopted if approved by two-thirds of the votes cast.
Appendix
By-Laws
Procedural rules made by the Council under Article 19 to carry the Constitution into operation.
Committees
The committees of the Association are created on a temporary or unlimited basis by the Council. The chairpersons and members of committees are appointed by the Executive Committee, which can also dismiss them. The President and Secretary-Treasurer are ex officio members of all committees. Each committee shall submit an annual report in January to the Secretary-Treasurer.
Quorum of Council
For any decision requiring a vote of the Council, nine persons shall constitute a quorum. Both outgoing and incoming members of Council shall be counted toward the quorum. Participation by electronic or telephone link is permitted. Votes may be taken by email between meetings.
Incoming and outgoing Councillors and officers
The incoming and outgoing Presidents shall decide jointly which items of business belong to the incoming and which to the outgoing Council.
Elections
The slate of candidates shall normally carry at least two candidates for each position. Each candidate shall provide a photograph and a short biographical statement. Candidates for the office of President shall in addition provide a statement of not more than 200 words.
Geographic representation on Council
For the purpose of elections, six geographic regions are recognized. The ballot shall be in two parts. Part A shall be restricted to candidates from regions not currently represented on the Council. Part B shall be open to candidates from all regions.
- 01North America (incl. Mexico)
- 02Europe (incl. Russia)
- 03Asia
- 04Central & South America
- 05Africa & Middle East
- 06Australasia (incl. South Pacific)
Informing the members
The membership shall be kept informed, by email or through The Bryological Times, of the agenda of meetings, of proposals to be voted upon, and of the decisions taken by the Council.