Constitution of the
International Society of
Photosynthesis Research
Article 1 | Article
2 | Article 3 | Article
4 | Article 5 | Article
6 | Article 7 | Article
8
Article 1: Name
The name of the organization shall be the
International Society of Photosynthesis Research.
Article 2: Object
- The organization of the triennial International
Congress on Photosynthesis.
- Cooperation in the organization of sections devoted
to photosynthesis and related disciplines at
international conferences.
- Facilitation of publication of matters relating to
the study of photosynthesis including an official society
journal.
- Promote activities which foster international
cooperation in scientific research and education.
Article 3: Membership
Membership shall be open to all individuals actively
engaged in or interested in the study of photosynthesis or
related topics.
Article 4: Conduct of the Affairs of
the Society
- The affairs of the Society shall be controlled by an
Executive Committee, consisting of the President,
Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 12 area
representatives.
- The Executive Committee shall have the power to:
- a) Make By-Laws and other regulations appropriate
for the conduct of the business of the Society and the
furtherance of its aims and objectives;
b) Appoint members to the standing committees, and
appoint ad hoc committees;
c) Levy a membership fee, payable by all members. The
amount of this subscription shall be subject to
determination at the General Business Meeting, held
during each International Congress;
d) Prepare and approve a budget for the Society;
and
e) Select International Congress meeting site; and
appoint a Host from that site. The Executive Committee
can refer the site selection to the membership at
large at the General Business Meeting.
- The President shall be elected to a term of three
years, and cannot be re-elected. Upon completion of the
term, the President becomes the Past-President for a term
of three years. The President conducts the business of
the Society in conjunction with the Executive Committee.
The President will consult with the Executive Committee
on all matters of consequence.
- The Past-President is the Chairperson of the
Nominating Committee, and is responsible for organizing
the activities of this committee. The Past-President is
also the co-Chair (with the Host) of the Meeting Program
Committee.
- The Secretary carries out the correspondence of the
Society, distributes other information to the members,
and is a member of the Meeting Program Committee. The
Secretary is elected for a term of three years, and can
be re-elected once.
- The Treasurer is responsible for the financial
affairs of the Society. The Treasurer shall present a
report on the finances to the General Business Meeting.
The Treasurer is elected for a term of three years, and
can be re-elected without restriction.
- Area Executive Committee Members (i.e., Executive
Committee members who are not officers) are elected for
six-year terms with half elected each three years and
cannot be re-elected. There shall be at least two
Executive Committee members elected from each of three
geographical areas: the Americas, Europe, and the
remaining countries. The Executive Committee shall
determine the exact composition of each geographical
group and the number of Elected Executive Committee
Members representing each group, attempting to equalize
representation based on the number of members in each
group. These assignments should be reevaluated every 3
years prior to the call for nominations from the
membership and prior to the deliberations of the
Nominating Committee. Members may vote on all Executive
Committee candidates regardless of geographical
area.
Article 5: Elections
- There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of
the Past-President as Chairman, and three other members.
The Executive Committee Geographical Area Representatives
shall select one person from their respective
geographical area to serve on the Nominating Committee
for a term of three years coinciding with the cycle of
the International Congress. These selected members cannot
be members of the Executive Committee.
- The Nominating Committee shall call for nominations
from the Society membership about 1 year prior to the
International Congress coordinating with first mailing
announcing the Congress. A member may nominate only one
person for each office. For each position the member
receiving the highest number of nominations, and agreeing
to run and then to serve if elected, is to appear on the
ballot. A person nominated for more than one office shall
appear on the ballot only for the highest position, in
the order: president, secretary, treasurer, executive
committee member. The Committee shall provide one
additional nomination for each position, the nominee
agreeing to run and serve if elected. There shall be no
indication of the source of the nominations.
- Election shall occur by mail ballot at least 30 days
prior to the International Congress coordinating if
possible with a scheduled Congress mailing. Each member
has one vote and will be able to vote for President,
Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee Members
from all geographical areas.
Article 6: Standing
Committees
- There shall be three Standing Committees of the
Society: the Nominating Committee, the Meeting Program
Committee, and the Publications Committee. Standing
Committees must obtain approval from the Executive
Committee for any decisions which would financially
encumber the Society.
- The Meeting Program Committee shall be responsible
for organizing the program for the triennial meeting of
the Society. The Committee shall be co-chaired by the
Past-President and meeting site Host. The Committee will
consist of six other members, two from each of the three
geographical areas as selected by the Executive
Committee. The Host will appoint and chair a local
organizing committee. The Committee, in consultation with
the local organizing committee, shall determine the form
of the meeting, select invited symposium participants,
and aid the Host in any way possible to ensure the
success of the meeting.
- The Publications Committee shall be responsible for
any publications produced or sponsored by the Society.
The Committee shall consist of six members. Three members
of the Committee will be appointed by each incoming
President to a term of six years. The President will
chair the Committee.
Article 7: Meetings
- The Society shall sponsor an International Congress
on Photosynthesis every third year. The Society shall
endeavor to have the meeting rotate among the three
geographical areas.
- There shall be a General Business Meeting of the
Society at each International Congress on Photosynthesis.
The President shall present a report on the affairs of
the Society. The Treasurer shall present an audited
account of the finances. Announcement of the results of
the election of officers shall occur.
Article 8: Amendments
The Constitution can be amended at any General Business
Meeting by a two-thirds vote of the membership in
attendance. The Executive Committee or a group of 25 members
may propose changes by giving at least three months notice.
Constitutional amendments shall be the first major piece of
business at the General Business Meeting, and if enacted,
shall take force immediately.
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