ISAP by-laws

Article 1: THE SOCIETY

1.1 Name
The name of the Society is "International Society for Applied Phycology", hereinafter referred to as "the Society" or "ISAP".

1.2 Objectives The Society is a non-profit organisation aiming to promote research and dissemination of knowledge concerning the utilisation of algae.For these objectives, the ISAP shall promote the following activities:
  1. Organise triennial meetings, encouraging wide participation from academia and industry
  2. Form an informed source of expertise among members who could provide an accurate, disinterested opinion concerning algal products or relating to environmental impact of algae
  3. Form links and affiliations with existing national and regional organisations of applied phycology
  4. Promote exchange of students and researchers
  5. Apply for special grants and donations from international bodies, governments and industry to support activities of the Society
  6. Issue a newsletter to publicise activities
  7. Organise workshops and training programs
  8. Support culture collections of algae
  9. Organise exhibitions of commercial algal products and similar pertinent exhibits along the triennial meetings

Article 2: MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Categories of Membership Membership shall consist of Ordinary Members, Corporate Members, Student Members and Honorary Members.2.1.1 Ordinary Members
Any person interested in the objectives of the Society shall be granted Ordinary Membership upon application to the Society through the Treasurer/Secretary, to become effective following payment of the annual dues.
2.1.2 Corporate Members
Corporate membership shall be granted to any company upon application to the Society through the Treasurer/Secretary, to become effective upon receipt of the annual dues.
2.1.3 Student Members
A Student Member shall be a full time bona fide student, training with the object of qualifying in the field of applied phycology. Student Membership may be granted for a maximum of five years, but must be renewed annually. Membership will be granted when the annual dues are received by the Treasurer/Secretary and also a letter confirming the study status from the students' immediate supervisor.
2.1.4 Honorary Members
Honorary Members shall be persons whom the Society specially desires to honour in consideration of exceptional service rendered by them to Applied Phycology. Any Ordinary Member of the Society may nominate suitable candidates for consideration by the Executive Committee. The title "Distinguished Applied Phycologist" will accompany such an award, which will also be presented during triennial conferences of the Society. Honorary members shall pay no dues.
2.2 Liability The liability of members for the debts and engagements of the Society is limited to the amount of any unpaid subscriptions.

2.3 Termination of membership The Executive Committee may terminate membership if it is convinced that such membership is not to the advancement of the Society, or by receipt of a written resignation from a member.

Article 3: ANNUAL DUES
3.1 Subscriptions All members, except Honorary Members, shall pay annual dues. Annual subscriptions shall become due on 1 January each year. The dues for each category of membership shall be determined by the Executive Committee subject to the ratification by members at a General Meeting. The annual dues will be used to cover expenditures connected with running the Society as well as to promote activities decided by the Executive Committee.

3.2 Defaulters Any member whose annual subscription remains unpaid for two years may, by resolution of the Executive Committee, be excluded from the Society. Notice to this effect shall be sent to the member in writing three months prior to the termination of his/her membership. Such exclusion shall not relieve the member of the liability for the payment of any outstanding monies. Any person whose membership has so ceased may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, and on payment of all fees due, be reinstated.

3.3 Remission of subscriptions The Executive Committee may, in exceptional circumstances, reduce or remit the subscriptions due by any member.

3.4 Student Members Student Members will be granted a 50% reduction of the annual dues of an Ordinary Member.

Article 4: GOVERNANCE
In conformity with the By-laws, the management of the affairs of the Society shall be vested in the Executive Committee.

4.1 Composition of the Executive Committee All regular members of the Society in good standing will elect, during the triennial meetings and by postal ballot, an Executive Committee (E.C.) of 18 persons to conduct the affairs of the Society. The postal ballot will be organised by the Treasurer/Secretary, 4 months prior to the triennial meeting: Two months for calling nominations and two months for the ballot. Candidates receiving the greater number of votes shall be declared as dually elected. Most persons in the Executive Committee should come from different countries, to ensure a well represented international organisation. Any vacancy among elected members of the Committee may be filled by a regular member of the Society co-opted by the E.C. Should there be no such a member, the vacancy shall be filled at the next regular election.

4.2 Office Bearers The Office Bearers of the Society are the President and two Vice-Presidents (the President-elect and the outgoing President). The President will appoint a Treasurer/Secretary. During the triennial meetings the newly elected Executive Committee elects the President-elect.

4.3 Terms of office of Executive Committee Members With the exception of the President and the Vice-President-elect, members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for one term, i.e. the period between triennial congresses, starting at the end of the Society congress and ending at the end of the following congress. Members of the E.C. could be elected for several, but a maximum of two consecutive, terms. The President will serve for one term only, where after he will serve for one term as Vice-President (outgoing). The Vice-President-elect will serve three terms following election.

Article 5: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
5.1 The President The President, or, in his absence one of the Vice-Presidents will preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and General Assembly Meetings of members. The President will compile a triennial report on the activities of the Society that will be read at the General Assembly of members at the triennial congress.

5.2 Treasurer/Secretary The Treasurer/Secretary shall conduct the business and maintain the records and files of the Society. The Treasurer/Secretary will also be responsible for the collection, keeping and disbursement of all funds and the keeping of books and accounts. All assets, property and funds of the Association shall be held and registered in the name of the Society. The Treasurer/Secretary shall administer the funds of the Association in accordance with the directions of the Executive Committee, to whom he/she shall be responsible. An audited statement of the Society funds will be presented by the Treasurer/Secretary at triennial congresses.

5.3 Indemnity Each member of the Executive Committee shall be accountable only in respect of his own actions and not for the actions to which he has not expressly assented. No member of the E.C. shall incur any personal liability in respect of any loss or damage incurred through any act, matter or thing done, authorised or suffered by him, being done in good faith for the benefit of the Society, although in excess of his legal power. 

Article 6: MEETINGS
General member meetings will be held during triennial congresses at a time and place as determined by the E.C. Items for the General Meeting may be submitted by any Member. All motions, signed by the proposer and seconded, should be handed to the Treasurer/Secretary at least 48 hours before the General Meeting in order to be pinned to the notice board in time.Meetings of the E.C. shall be held at a time and place as determined by the President, but usually during triennial congresses. A quorum in all cases, will be those members present at the meeting.
 

Article 7: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the By-laws may be proposed by any member of the Society and must be submitted in writing to the E.C. Each proposal shall be considered and referred to the members for consideration. A single majority by the members present at a triennial meeting will suffice for the proposal to become effective.

Article 8: AWARDS
The E.C. may at its discretion decide to confer awards at congresses to worthy recipients. The E.C. will consider any nomination made to it at least one calendar month prior to a triennial congress.

Article 9: PUBLICATIONS, COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUPS AND SYMPOSIA
The Society may publish a newsletter, whose frequency will be determined by the editor and the E.C. The E.C. may appoint sub-committees to handle special assignments or tasks. Furthermore, the E.C. may organise special Working Groups or Symposia to deal with well-defined topics or professional issues of interest.