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ISBR by-laws [Page 1] ARTICLE I. Purposes Section 1. Purposes. This not-for-profit corporation, the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) is formed to promote scientifically sound biosafety research by improving communication among scientists who study plants, animals, and microbes with new characteristics due to altered DNA and produced using modern biotechnology. These organisms often are known as "genetically modified organisms" (GMOs) and/or "living modified organisms"(LMOs). By fostering communication and technical exchange among experts, the ISBR supports the science used in biosafety assessment processes and promotes constructive dialogue on important science-based biosafety issues associated with GMOs. To that end ISBR may engage in the following activities: • Organizing and sponsoring international symposia, seminars and conferences on biosafety issues with GMOs. At least one international symposium open to any individual interested in the biosafety of GMOs shall be organized every two years. • Sponsoring of scientific publications that include original work describing advances in the field of biosafety research. This may include publication of a scientific journal, publication of proceedings of symposia and meetings, as well as translations of existing work in the area. • Supporting a multidisciplinary approach to ensuring the safety of GMO products through scientifically sound risk assessment that supports regulatory decision-making. ARTICLE II. Members Section 1. Membership Types. All individuals or corporations or other entities interested in the advancement and promulgation of knowledge relevant to biosafety of GMOs are eligible to join the Society. An individual, corporation, or other entity that has fully paid the designated membership fees for a year shall be considered a member during that year. Two classes of membership shall exist: regular and sustaining. Sustaining members shall include learned societies, corporations, and national and international organizations. Section 2. Privileges of Members. Members shall have the right to vote in electing the ISBR elected officers, to receive discounted registration fees for symposia and for publications, and to provide suggestions to the Executive Committee about the management of the ISBR. ARTICLE III. Officers Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers shall include a President and a President-Elect. The immediate Past-President shall remain an Officer of the Corporation. The Secretary and Treasurer shall also be elected by ISBR members. Officers' terms shall always run from one biennial symposium to another, taking into account the number of years specified in the text. Section 2. President. The President shall be elected to a two-year term by ISBR members as the Chief Executive Officer of the Society and shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee. The President shall • preside at all meetings of the Society and of the Executive Committee; • appoint all committees not otherwise provided for in the By-laws; • fill all vacancies in appointive positions; • provide general direction of the affairs of the Society; and • perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee. The President shall ensure that committee membership and the duration of committee appointments are posted with current information on the ISBR website. The President shall not serve in that office more than a single two year term within a period of six years. Section 3. President-Elect. For two years prior to assuming the presidency, the President-Elect shall be an active member of the Executive Committee; shall serve as President in case of the death, absence, or inability of the President to serve, which service shall not affect succession to the office of President two years following election as President-Elect; and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall serve as chair. Section 4. Immediate Past-President. The immediate Past-President shall continue to be a member of the Executive Committee for the next two years and shall serve as Chair of the Long-Term Planning Committee during this time. Section 5. Secretary. The Secretary shall • be responsible for keeping the minutes of meetings of the Society and Executive Committee meetings; • attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Corporation; • assist the Election Committee with the election of officers, and • perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall be elected by the ISBR members for a four-year term, renewable for two additional years for a maximum of six years total. [<< Prev] 1 2 3 [Next >>] |