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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Approved by Executive Board at the Business Meeting of the Society in September 1986 (Madrid)
Amended by Executive Board at the Business Meeting of the Society in September 2003 (Monaco)
The Nominating Committee of the Society was established in its present form at the XIV Congress of the Society in Madrid on 2nd October 1986, under Article VII, Section 8.
Article I - Name
This society will be known as "The International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery".
Article II - Mission Statement
The Mission of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery is to improve the health and welfare of children requiring neurosurgical care throughout the world by scientific research and close international cooperation irrespective of class, color, creed or economic condition.
Vision Statement: We will strive to achieve this by:
a. Promoting and supporting effective social, clinical and scientific communication between pediatric neurosurgeons, basic scientists, political and governmental bodies throughout the world.
b. Developing and cementing relationships with other international organizations committed to the improvement in the health and welfare of the sick and underprivileged child.
c. Promoting and developing training schemes at a national and international level in pediatric neurosurgery supported by courses for developing countries and the provision of scholarships and exchange programs.
d. Supporting and promoting continued medical education within the society's membership ensuring the maintenance of the highest levels of scientific and clinical knowledge.
e. Providing practical support to under-resourced colleagues working with underprivileged children in developing countries.
Article III - Membership of the Society
Section 1
The classes of membership of the Society shall be:
a. Active Members
b. Candidate Members
c. Associate Members
d. Corresponding Members
e. Senior Members
f. Honorary Members
Section 2
Active Members
Active Membership shall be open to those neurosurgeons primarily interested in pediatric neurosurgery. Applications for Active Membership shall be made to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee and shall be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation from two Active Members (at least one of whom is from a different institution) of the Society. Applicants for Active Membership are obliged to present a scientific paper at one of the regular meetings of the Society, unless they have already gained wide recognition in the field of pediatric neurosurgery.
Section 3
Candidate Members
Candidate Membership is a temporary category of membership, which is open to neurosurgeons either still in training or recently graduated, who are in accordance with the purposes of the Society and who will participate in its activities. They may not vote. Applications for candidate membership shall be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and the recommendation of two Active Members (at least one of whom is from a different institution) of the Society. Candidate Members may not continue in this category for more than five years, but may at any time become Active Members upon recommendations of the Membership Committee and demonstration that they meet the conditions outlined in Section 2 of this article.
Section 4
Associate Members
Associate Membership shall be open to persons, who hold the degree of medical doctor, are in accordance with the purposes of the Society, and desire to participate in its activities, but do not fulfill the requirements for Active or Candidate Membership. They shall be active in related pediatric specialties (for example, pediatrics, neurology, psychiatry, endocrinology, ophthalmology, neonatology, radiology, or oncology). Applications for Associate Membership shall be made to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee and shall be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation from two Active Members (at least one of whom is from a different institution) of the Society. Applicants for Associate Membership are obliged to present a scientific paper at one of the regular meetings of the Society.
Section 5
Corresponding Members
Corresponding Members shall be individuals who are chosen because of their devotion and contributions to Pediatric Neurosurgery. Application for Corresponding Membership shall be addressed to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, and shall be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation from two Active Members (at least one of whom is from a different institution) of the Society. Corresponding Members shall not be required to pay dues or attend meetings, but are entitled to be informed about the activities of the Society and to participate in the annual Business Meeting of the Society, may not vote and may not hold office.
Section 6
Senior Members
At the age of 60, Active and Associate Members may be appointed to Senior Membership upon the written request of the member and with the approval of the Executive Board. Senior Members shall not be required to pay dues nor attend Annual Meetings of the Society. Senior Members may attend the Annual Meeting of the Society, annual Business meeting of the Society, may vote and may hold only the office of historian. When an Associate Member passes to the Senior category, he or she assumes the title of Associate Senior Member. His/her privileges will be in accordance with those of Associate Members, not Senior Members. Thus, such members may attend the Annual Meeting of the Society, but may not attend the annual Business Meeting of the Society, may not vote and may not hold office.
Section 7
Honorary Members
One who has made an outstanding contribution to pediatric neurosurgery may be elected as an Honorary Member, upon unanimous vote by the Executive Board after the written request of ten or more Active Members of the Society. The ballot for the election shall be held at the Business Meeting of the Society. Affirmative vote of three quarters of those present shall be required for election. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues nor attend Annual Meetings of the Society. Honorary Members may attend Annual Meetings of the Society, but may not attend the annual Business Meeting of the Society, may not vote and may not hold office. Honorary Members shall be able to participate in other activities of the Society and may be members of Standing or Special Committees.
Section 8
Admission to the Society. The applications of all candidates who request admission to the Society must be reviewed and approved by the Executive Board before the names are placed on the ballot for election at the annual Meeting.
Section 9
Membership participation in Society. Active, Candidate, Associate, Corresponding, Senior and Honorary Members may participate in the activities of the Society and may be members of standing or special committees. Only Active and Senior members shall have the right to vote at the Business Meetings of the Society. Only Active Members may be elected to the Executive Board or be Chairman of Standing Committees.
This Section contains sentences outlining rights of members previously contained in Section 8. Previous contents of Section 9 move to newly created Section 10 below.
Section 10
Termination of membership. Membership shall be terminated by resignation, removal from the roll, expulsion, change of professional standing or lack of participation in the Society.
a. Any member wishing to resign from the Society shall submit his/her resignation in writing to the Secretary, who shall present it to the Executive Board at the next meeting.
b. Any member who is more than two years in arrears in payment of dues, in spite of having received at least three notices to pay, shall be removed from the roll of members and notified by the President. Reinstatement of membership will not be allowed unless previously owed dues are paid.
c. A member may be censured, suspended, or expelled from the Society if he is stripped of either his professional license or academic degree, if he or she is proven to have caused damage to the Society by conscious acts, or if there is conclusive evidence that he or she has acted in a manner derogatory to the reputation of the Society or any of its member. A motion for censure, suspension or expulsion must be presented to the Executive Board by at least two members. On receipt of such motion the Secretary will notify the member of the lodged motion and its particulars. The motion will then be presented to the Executive Board at their next meeting. The member charged may be present and may be accompanied by counsel. He or she may present any evidence he or she feels appropriate and will be given the opportunity to call witnesses in his or her defense. The motion will be forwarded to the membership for their consideration only by unanimous vote of the Executive Board. A secret vote will be held at the same Annual Meeting’s Business Meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of the members present will be required to pass the motion.. Before such a ballot, the member shall be given the opportunity to make any statement he or she desires and may be represented by counsel if he or she so desires. There shall be no examination of witnesses or introduction of further evidence before the membership.
Underlined sentences added to clarify rights accused members to defend themselves and to clarify the process of censuring, suspending or expelling a member.
d. A member who changes his or herprofessional standing shall be required to give due notice of his or hernew status. If such notice is not given, a motion for reconsideration of his or hermembership may be presented to the Executive Board by at least two members. The Executive Board may take, at the Annual Meeting, a recommendation for a change in the class of membership or a termination of membership. This will be decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting.
Article IV - Executive Board
Section 1
The control of this Society shall be vested in the Executive Board, which shall manage the affairs of the Society and perform its duties in conformity with the provisions of these By-Laws, its rules and regulations (in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order).
Section 2
The Executive Board shall consist of the President, the President - Elect, the President of the Annual Meeting, the Past-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Chairpersons of the By- Laws, Membership, Program, Liaison, Education, Ways and Means, Audit, Communication, and Ethics & Morals Committees.
Section 3
The word "term" in the following sections refers to the one year interval between the ends of two successive Annual Meetings.
Section 4
The President shall hold office for one term and cannot be re-elected. The President-Elect shall also be elected for one term but will be the President for the succeeding term.
Section 5
The President of the Congress shall be Chairperson of the Annual Meeting. He/she shall hold office for one year term and cannot be re-elected for the same office.
Section 6
The Secretary of the Society shall hold office for one term and can be re-elected.
Section 7
The Treasurer shall be elected for one term and can be re-elected.
Section 8
Nine additional Executive Board Members shall be the Chairpersons of the By- Laws, Membership, Scientific Program, Liaison, Education, Audit, Ways & Means, Communication, and Ethics & Morals Committees, respectively . They will hold office for one term and may be re-elected.
Section 9
The Historian shall be appointed by the Executive Board upon recommendations of the Nominating Committee, as a non-voting member of the Executive Board. The Historian shall preserve the archives of the Society and shall prepare from time to time a report at the request of the Executive Board.
Article V - Meetings
Section 1
The regular meetings of the Society shall be held at a time and place proposed by the Executive Board at least 2 but no more than 5 years in advance of the proposed meeting. It shall be the charge of the Executive Board to arrange a meeting annually.
Section 2
The Annual Meeting of the Society shall take place in rotation in various countries, by invitation of the active members of the Society. Such invitations shall be made for at least two years before the proposed Meeting.
Section 3
Every regular Annual Meeting of the Society shall include, in the following order, the three successive sessions:
a. A meeting of the Executive Board presided by the President of the Society.
b. A Scientific Meeting, presided by the President of the Congress.
c. A Business Meeting of the Society, presided by the President of the Society.
Section 4
Special Executive Board Meetings, additional to the Annual Executive Board Meetings, may in exceptional circumstances be called by the President of the Society at the request of the Secretary, the Past-President and at least one Executive Board member
Section 5
The membership present at the Business Meeting of the Society shall constitute a quorum for business. At the meetings of the Executive Board, the majority (8) of the members of the Executive Board (15) shall constitute a quorum for business.
Article VI - Executive Authorities
Section 1
The officers of the Society, including the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, shall constitute the fifteen members of the Executive Board, as established in Article IV, Section 2.
Section 2
The Executive Board shall have the general supervision of the affairs of the Society and shall perform those duties specified in these By-Laws. It is subject to the orders of the Society and none of its acts shall be in conflict with action taken by the Society.
Section 3
The President of the Congress shall be responsible for making arrangements and providing facilities for the Annual Meeting. He/she shall have the right to appoint others who will assist in arrangements for this meeting. The President of the Congress will strive to manage the budget of the Annual Meeting such that there is no financial loss to the Society. The President of the Congress shall work in close agreement and co-operation with the Chairperson of the Scientific Program Committee, which is ultimately responsible for the content of the scientific program of the Annual Meeting.
Article VII – Standing Committees
Section 1
The By-Laws Committee shall consist of the elected Chairperson and two active members appointed by the Executive Board. It shall be the duty of this Committee to review the Constitution and By-Laws, to seek proper advice when indicated, and make recommendations as to changes.
Section 2
The Membership Committee shall comprise the elected Chairperson and two other active members appointed by the Executive Board. It shall be responsible for considering nominations for membership. It will study every particular case in accordance with Articles II and III of this Constitution and shall make recommendation for further action to the Executive Board.
Section 3
The Scientific Program Committee shall comprise the elected Chairperson and an ex- officio member (the Chairperson of the Communication Committee) with the addition of any other members of the Society requested by the Chairperson of the Committee and approved by the Executive Board. The Scientific Program Committee shall be responsible for preparing the scientific program of the meeting as indicated in Article V. The Program Committee will allow generous time discussion in the scientific program, shall decide the latest date for submission of manuscripts, establish the means of abstract submission and inform the membership of same, select from submitted abstracts papers for oral or poster presentation, and organized the order of oral presentations. It shall work with the Meeting President to determine the length of time for the oral presentations so as to accommodate to the Meeting President’s plans for special presentations and social events. It shall make available to the Chairperson of the Communication Committee and the editorial office of the Society’s official journal such material as may be decided by the Executive Board.
Section 4
The Liaison Committee shall be composed of the elected Chairperson and other active members representing Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America, appointed by the Chairperson and Executive Board. It shall be the duty of the Liaison Committee to study areas of common interest and also the Committee shall make recommendations for activities to be considered by the Executive Board.
Section 5
The Education Committee shall comprise the elected Chairperson and as many members as he/she may wish, subject to approval by the Executive Board. The Education Committee shall be responsible for gathering information, conducting personal or co-operative studies or surveys, and for organizing any special meeting, which would enable it to accomplish the purposes of the Society.
Section 6
The Communication Committee shall comprise the elected Chairperson and as many active members as he/she may wish, subject to approval of the Executive Board. Subject to direction of the Executive Board, the Chairperson of the Communication Committee shall be responsible for the Society’s website and for the publication of a yearly newsletter.
Section 7
The Ethics & Morals Committee shall comprise the elected Chairperson and as many active members as he/she may wish (with approval of the Executive Board). Subject to direction of the Executive Board, the Chairperson of the Ethics & Morals Committee is vested with full responsibility for evaluating specific situations and making recommendations to the Executive Board for consideration and action.
Section 8
The Nominating Committee
There shall be a Nominating Committee comprising the members of the Executive Board, augmented by the two past presidents who are not members of the Executive Board and who were most recently in office, and two members of the Society, not members of the Executive Board who shall be elected annually at the preceding regular meeting of the Society and who shall not be eligible for consecutive re-election. The three immediate past presidents and the two elected members shall constitute a Nominating Subcommittee, of which the past president most recently in office shall be the chairperson. This Subcommittee shall request nominations for all offices, which shall be submitted in writing not later than three months before the annual meeting. The nominating Subcommittee shall prepare a slate of officers and committee chairmen who shall be presented to the Nominating Committee for assessment and approval before submission to the annual Business Meeting. The slate of the Nominating Subcommittee can be modified by the Nominating Committee by adding names but not by deleting names. Members may suggest other candidates in writing prior to or by nominating at the annual meeting. The candidates will be voted on individually at the annual Business Meeting.
Section 9
An Auditing Committee of three members shall be appointed by the President of the Society before each regular meeting and shall have the duty of auditing the Treasurer's accounts at the close of the calendar year in which that regular meeting was held. The appointed Chairperson shall then report to the next Annual Meeting.
Section 10
Ways and Means.
A Ways and Means Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and two members appointed by the President for one term. It will be their responsibility to identify worthy recipients of scholarships to attend the annual meeting and present these applicants to the Executive Board for its approval.
Section 11
Such other Sub-Committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President of the Society of the Executive Board from time to time, as deemed necessary to carry out the work of the Society. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all the sub-committees.
Article VIII - Executive Board Membership
No member of the Executive Board except for the President and the President of the Congress (Chair of the Annual Meeting) can serve more than five consecutive years on the Executive Board.
Article IX – Journal
The Executive Board will designate the official journal of the society. It will advise the journal’s publisher on its preferences with regards any replacement of the editor-in-chief. The Executive Board expects the editor-in-chief to attend its meetings as a non-voting member and to advise it on the journal’s health and activities.
Article X – Funds
The necessary funds to achieve the objectives of the Society shall be raised through:
a. membership fees as determined by the Executive Board.
b. grants, donations, legacies and gifts.
c. proceeds of the activities organized by the Society.
Article XI - Amendment of By-Laws
These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Society by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendments have been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Minor amendments and additions to this Constitution, which do not controvert or alter the sense of the present document, may be made at any meeting of the Executive Board on the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present.
Article XII - Rules and Regulations
Section 1
The order of procedures of the Executive Business Meeting of the Society (Article V, Section 3a) shall be as follows:
1. The call to order.
2. The reading of the minutes.
3. Unfinished business.
4. Reports of the Officers and Committee Chairmen.
5. Election of new members.
6. Election of Officers and Committee Chairmen.
7. Appointment of Committees.
8. New Business.
Section 2
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, shall govern the Society in all cases where they are applicable and where they are not inconsistent with their By-Laws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt..
Section 3
Speakers invited by the Program Committee shall have the right to attend the scientific meeting with the same privileges as other members of the Society but shall pay no registration fees. Physicians and those persons approved by the Organizing Committee who wish to attend the scientific meeting may do so after paying the established fee for the meeting. They shall be entitled to receive the scientific material prepared for that Congress .
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