By-Laws of the
World Federation of Parasitologists
I – Name
The name will be that as stated in the Constitution.
II – Aims
In addition to the aims as stated in the Constitution, an International Congress of Parasitology shall be held in every four years.
III – Full Membership
In addition to Full Membership status described in the Constitution, the Federation, through its Executive Board, may invite other duly constituted governmental or non-governmental organisations which have an interest in parasitology to have an observer at the meetings of the Council.
To retain active membership in the Federation, Societies must pay the annual dues established by the Council.
Affiliated Societies
Specialist and/or international associations without full membership status may join the Council meetings without the right of vote.
IV – Admission, withdrawal and dismissal
Members are admitted to the Federation by a majority vote of the Council upon submission of a written application to the Executive Board which must list current officers and state current membership. Members can withdraw from the Federation at the end of a calendar year after submitting an official written notice to the Executive Board.
The Executive Board, by written notice, can propose the dismissal of Societies which do not comply with the Constitution or decisions of the Federation. Such dismissal action can be appealed by writing to the Council within 6 months after receiving notification of removal. Council decisions on appeals are final.
V – The Council
The Council of the Federation is as described in the Constitution.
VI – Council Meetings
Council meetings are called by the Executive Board by written notice indicating the agenda four months in advance of such meetings. The names of voting representatives from each Member Society shall be posted 24 hours prior to each Council Meeting. The Council Meetings have the following powers:
- To approve the business reports of the Executive Board.
- To act on motions presented by the Executive Board and by members of the Council.
- To elect the Executive Board by secret ballot.
- To elect financial auditors.
- To determine the date and place of the next International Congress of Parasitology.
The Executive Board may ask individual persons acting as consultants or experts to join the Council meeting, supporting one or more items of the agenda. The observers of governmental and non-governmental organisations shall have no vote or responsibilities in the affairs of the Federation.
VII – The Executive Board
The Executive Board will consist of the following: President, First, Second and Third Vice-Presidents, Past President, 7 Members-at-large, Secretary and Treasurer. The members of the Executive Board shall be elected by the Council during its meeting at the International Congress. In case a Board member was previously a Council member, a replacement shall be provided by the Society involved. They shall serve for a period between two successive International Congresses. Officers will be eligible for election to other offices. Only the Secretary and the Treasurer can be re-elected to their office. Normally, one of the Vice-Presidents shall become President upon election by the Council.
The order of seniority of the Executive Board members is the following: President, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Vice-Presidents, and Members-at-large in descending order according to the number of votes obtained when elected. When the President is unable to serve, the first Vice-President shall act as President until the next ordinary general meeting. When either the Secretary or the Treasurer is unable to serve, they shall replace each other. When another member of the Board is unable to serve, the vacancy on the Board shall be filled according to the vote obtained during the previous election.
Duties of Officers
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Federation. The 1st Vice-President shall be responsible for the appointment of a Resolutions Committee and shall report to the Board these resolutions to be considered by the International Congress at the final Plenary Session. The Past-President shall be responsible for appointing a Nominating Committee which will present a list of nominations for positions on the Executive Board. Other nominations may be made by members of the Council but must be submitted in writing, at least 24 hours before the Council Meeting at which elections will be held. Elections will take place by secret ballot during the Council Meeting.
The Secretary is responsible for mail, archives and convocations for meetings, the duty of noting down minutes, and care of the registers provided by law.
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial concerns of the Federation including receipts, payments, maintenance of records for the different transactions and accounts for stewardship during the Council Meeting. The Treasurer is answerable for the Federation’s ‘properties’ and must provide guarantees for that. Members of the Executive Board cannot serve as members of the Council and have no vote.
VIII – Functions of the Executive Board
The Board, through its Executive Officers, represents the Federation in matters involving other parties, decides on signature rights and appoints Committees needed to carry out the aims of the Federation.
IX – Meeting of the Executive Board
The President, or in his absence, the most senior member of the Board, calls the Executive Board meetings. Not less than four Executive Board members may request a special Executive Board Meeting.
Resolutions are to be decided by majority of the members of the Executive Board present, in a quorum of not less than 7 members. In case of tied votes the President shall cast the deciding vote. Resolutions of the Executive Board may be decided by mail ballot.
X – Mail Ballots and Extraordinary General Meetings
Certain decisions, normally taken at Council Meetings, may be made either by mail ballot or at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
- Mail Ballot: Circulation of a ballot to all Council members. The Secretary shall send to all members of the Council an analysis of the questions together with a ballot paper for voting members. A reasonable time limit, normally three to five months, should be designated by the Executive Board for the return of the ballot papers. A majority of the ballots returned within the specified time decides the issue.
- Extraordinary general meetings: These have to be called by the Executive Board at least 6 months before each meeting. Written notice of such meetings, indicating the agenda, should be sent to all members of the Council. At least one fifth of the members of the Council should have requested the meeting. Such extraordinary meetings will be held in the international seat of the Federation (Switzerland).
XI – Minutes
The minutes of each meeting of the Executive Board and the Council of the Federation must be recorded and signed by the President and by the Secretary, and distributed to the Board and Council Members.
XII – Liabilities
These are detailed in the Constitution.
XIII – Accounting
The accounting year is as described in the Constitution.
XIV – Financial Statement
The financial statement is as described in the Constitution.
XV – Dues
Dues should be reasonable and should cover the legitimate expenses of the Federation.
XVI – Amendments
The mechanism for amending either the Constitution or the By-laws is described in the Constitution.
XVII – Dissolution
Dissolution of the Federation is as described in the Constitution.