The constitution and by-laws are important as they reflect the fundamental principles of our Society and provide a framework of rules by which the ISPN is governed. A by-laws committee, comprising Dr Carrea (Chairperson), Mr Till (London) and Dr Rougerie (Paris) was established at the Founders Meeting in 1971. Tentative by-laws were written and adopted and the current version was approved at the 14th Annual Meeting in Madrid in 1986.
The by-laws are reviewed annually by a standing committee and the Chairperson reports to the Executive Board. If substantial amendments are to be considered, these must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the Society and will be considered at the following regular meeting. Such amendments require a two thirds majority vote in order to be adopted.
Minor amendments may be made at any meeting of the Executive Board, if supported by a two thirds vote; such amendments were made at the 31st Annual Meeting (Monaco) and the 34th Annual Meeting (Taipei).
All members of the ISPN are encouraged to read the Constitution and By-laws and feel free to contact Graham Fieggen, current Chairperson of the Standing Committee.
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.
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)
Amended by Executive Board at the Business Meeting of Society in September 2006 (Taipei)
This society will be known as "The International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery".
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.
We will strive to achieve this by:
The classes of membership of the Society shall be:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
The word "term" in the following sections refers to the one year interval between the ends of two successive Annual Meetings.
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.
The President of the Congress shall be Chairperson of the Annual Meeting. He/she shall hold office for one year and cannot be re-elected for the same office.
The Secretary of the Society shall hold office for one term and can be re-elected.
The Treasurer shall be elected for one term and can be re-elected.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Every regular Annual Meeting of the Society shall include, in the following order, the three successive sessions:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 for open 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The necessary funds to achieve the objectives of the Society shall be raised through:
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.
The order of procedures of the Executive Business Meeting of the Society (Article V, Section 3a) shall be as follows:
The rules contained in the current edition of 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..
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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