ICNA Constitution and Bylaws

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International Child Neurology Association

Founded on September 12, 1973
During the Xth International Congress of Neurology
Barcelona, Spain

Royal Decree, Constitution and Bylaws

(Last Amended June 2012, Brisbane, Australia)

Registered office:

29 rue de Wynants, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Royal Decree

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Department of Cults, Donations, Legacies and Foundations

2nd Section, No.12134S

Baudouin, King of the Belgians,

To all those present and future, Greetings.

In view of the petition whereby Ms. S. Pelc, M.D., acting in the capacity of Secretary- General of the International Child Neurology Association, seeks civil personality for this international association;
In view of the Articles of Association of the said association;
In view of the law of 25 October 1919, as amended by the law of 6 December 1954, permitting the grant of civil personality to international associations;

On the proposal of our Minister of Justice,

WE HAVE DECIDED AND HEREBY DECREE:

Article 1

Civil personality is granted to the international association "International Child Neurology Association," the registered office of which is at Brussels.

Article 2

The Articles of Association of the said association, appended to the present decree, are approved.

Article 3

Our Minister of Justice is entrusted with the execution of the present decree.

Done at Motril, 14 August 1974

(sgd.) BAUDOUIN

By the king:

The Minister of Justice,
(sgd.) H. VANDERPOORTEN

Constitution

Article 1: Name

An international scientific association is formed. Its name shall be the "International Child Neurology Association," herein after referred to as the "Association."

Article 2: Location

The location of the registered office of the Association shall be the city of Brussels, Belgium.

Article 3: Purpose

The general purpose of the Association shall be:

  1. To create a nonprofit association of child neurologists and members of allied professions from all parts of the world dedicated to promoting clinical practice and scientific research in the field of child neurology and encouraging the recognition of the child neurologist's competence and scope of practice,
  2. To provide at an international level an outlet for exchange of scientific and professional opinions for the benefit and advancement of the neurological sciences in infancy, childhood and adolescence.
  3. To conduct international scientific meetings; to foster international cooperative studies, publications, translations, audio-visual means; and to encourage international exchange of teachers and students in the field of child neurology.

Article 4: Membership

  1. There shall be eight types of membership as follows: active, associate, junior, group, collective, sustaining, honorary, and retired.
  2. Active membership shall be for any physician properly trained, beyond medical school, in neurology, child neurology and pediatrics, and whose main clinical and/or main research activities are well established in the field of child neurology.
  3. Associate membership shall be for any physician or scientist who shows an interest in neurology of infancy, childhood or adolescence, whether in research or in medical care.
  4. Junior membership shall be for any individual in the process of completing their training relevant to the field of child neurology. This includes medical school, residency, fellowship or research training.
  5. Group membership shall be for a group of physicians from developing nations, as defined by the Association, whose main clinical interest are established in the field of child neurology.
  6. Collective membership shall be for those members of regional societies focusing on child neurology with which the Association enters into a bipartite membership agreement.
  7. Sustaining membership shall be for any organization or person who wishes to support financially the aims and programs of the Association.
  8. Honorary membership shall be for any persons with active membership qualifications, who have distinguished themselves in the field of child neurology.
  9. Retired membership can be granted to members in good standing for the previous five years who have completely retired from the practice of child neurology.

Article 5: Rights and privileges of membership

  1. Only fully paid up current members shall be entitled to vote and hold office in the Association.
  2. All types of membership shall be entitled:
    1. to attend the scientific meetings,
    2. to receive or purchase at a reduced price publications of the Association, except for retired members,
    3. to avail themselves of such professional, technical or advisory services as the Association may provide
    4. to be eligible to serve as members of such specialized working committees as the Association may establish.
  3. Active ,associate, junior and group members shall pay an annual subscription.
  4. Members shall have no personal liability for the obligations of the Association.

Article 6: Application for membership

  1. Personal application for active membership shall be submitted by the candidate in writing or electronically on the official ICNA membership application form.
  2. Personal application for associate membership shall be submitted by the candidate in writing on the official ICNA membership application form. The application shall include
    1. curriculum vitae, letters of reference, and support from one member of the Association,
    2. full list of publications, and a commitment to pay the annual dues upon acceptance into membership.
  3. Sustaining membership shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board.
  4. Honorary membership shall require previous approval of the General Meeting.
  5. Retired membership may be granted by the Executive Board upon complete retirement from practice and a written request from the Member.
  6. The Membership Committee shall accept or reject a membership application.
  7. The Executive Board shall determine the type of membership.

Article 7: Resignation, deletion, expulsion, change of class of membership

  1. Resignation shall be tendered to the Secretary by regular mail, facsimile, or email.
  2. Members who are delinquent in their dues or other fees for two consecutive years may be denied rights, entitlements and prerogatives of membership as determined by the Executive Board.
  3. Only fully paid up current members of the Association are entitled to participate in a General Meeting, be nominated or vote for an Officer or Executive Board member of the Association.
  4. Expulsion or suspension of membership may be pronounced by the Executive Board in respect of any activity, prejudicial to the Association, following approval by the next General Meeting.
  5. Change of type of membership may be decided by the Executive Board.
  6. Members terminating their membership, for cause of death or any other reason, shall have no right to the properties of the Association.

Article 8: Governing bodies

The governing bodies of the Association shall be as follows:

  1. General Meeting
  2. Executive Board

Article 9: General Meeting

  1. The General Meeting shall be the sovereign body of the Association.
  2. There shall be a General Meeting at least every four years. It shall be held in such places as to provide for a worldwide balanced participation.
  3. All active members shall have the right to one vote. Elections of the members of the Executive Board and Officers of the Association, together with voting on any items on the Agenda of the General Meeting subject to a vote, shall be conducted by electronic ballot prior to the General Meeting itself. Those active members not responding to the electronic ballot will be mailed a paper ballot paper prior to the General Meeting.
  4. Voting shall be on the majority of members present or represented by proxy, except for modifications to the Constitution and for the dissolution of the Association.
  5. For modifications to the Constitution and for the dissolution of the Association, a two‑thirds majority vote of the active members, present or represented by proxy, will be required for the final decisions.
  6. The General Meeting shall have the following duties, among others:
    1. to approve the reports and decisions of the Executive Board and to give the necessary directives for the future activities of the Association,
    2. to approve the accounts of the past years and endorse the retiring Executive Board's administration,
    3. to examine the paying prospects for the next years,
    4. to approve proposals concerning amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws,
    5. to elect the officers and members of the Executive Board,
    6. and, in general, to legislate on all matters relating to the Association.
  7. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by decision of the Executive Board or at the written request of at least one-third of the active members.

Article 10: Executive Board and Officers

The Executive Board shall comprise between ten and twenty-five active members in good standing providing for a balanced representation from the different groups of nations and continents.

  1. The functions of a member of the Executive Board shall be non-remunerative.
  2. The term of a member of the Executive Board shall extend over the period between 3 consecutive meetings, normally a 4 year period.
  3. The Officers shall be a President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer.
  4. The President-Elect shall be elected at the General Meeting immediately before the term of the President expires.
  5. The President-Elect need not be a member of the Executive Board at the time of the election.
    1. If not, the position can be temporarily carried as supernumerary to the maximum of 25 Board members as elsewhere defined.
    2. If supernumerary, the President-Elect will not have voting rights.
  6. The President-Elect will automatically assume the role of President at the completion of the term of office of the President.
  7. One member of Belgian nationality must be elected to the Board or appointed by the Board.
  8. The meetings of the Executive Board shall be valid if at least five members from different countries are present, of which two are Officers.
  9. Voting shall be on the majority of members present.
  10. Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
  11. In the case of equal vote, the President, or in his absence, the President of the meeting, shall exercise a casting vote.
  12. Duties of the Executive Board shall be amongst others to:
    1. carry out the decisions of the General Meeting,
    2. direct the business of the Association between General Meetings,
    3. determine the date and place of the General and Scientific Meetings and prepare their agendas,
    4. establish the yearly budget and the amounts of the dues for the various types of membership,
    5. take all desirable decisions, especially to safeguard the integrity of the Association.
  13. The Executive Board shall be convened by the Secretary, either by self or presidential initiative, or at the request of five Board members from different countries.
  14. The Executive Board shall meet at least once a year.
  15. The Association shall be represented in all legal actions by its President, or/and its Secretary, or by its duly mandated representative.
  16. The Executive Board may suspend one of its own members found in violation of the Association's purposes. This decision shall be brought before the General Meeting for vote by the membership.

Article 11: Bylaws

For all details and forms of operation and procedure not provided for in the present Constitution, reference shall be made to the Bylaws of the Association.

Article 12: Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws

  1. The Constitution shall only be amended by a General Meeting.
  2. Proposals for constitutional amendments shall be submitted to the Secretary at least six months before the General Meeting.
  3. With the Executive Board approval, they shall be circulated to all active members not less than three months prior to the General Meeting.
  4. Amendments to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the active members, present or represented.
  5. Amendments to the Bylaws shall require a simple majority vote of the active members, present or represented at a General Meeting or, after approval by the Executive Board, by a majority of all Members eligible to vote by mail or electronic ballot.

Article 13: Dissolution of the Association

  1. The dissolution of the Association shall only be decided by an Extraordinary General Meeting convened especially for this purpose by not less than three months advance notice.
  2. The decision shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the active members, present or represented.
  3. The General Meeting shall designate two receivers for the liquidation of the assets of the Association, the net proceeds of which shall be assigned to an international neurological organization pursuing aims close to those of the Association.

Article 14: Suspension of Membership Dues

As of July 2012, membership dues will be temporary suspended for a 2 year term. As a result, Articles (5.1), (5.2), (5.3), (6.2.2), (7.2), (7.3), (10.12.4) as applicable, shall not be valid and into force for such term.

Bylaws

Section I: Objectives

To achieve the objectives of the Association as defined in the Constitution, efforts shall be made in multiple directions:

Article 1: Participation

The largest number of child neurologists and workers in cognate and related fields, from the largest number of countries, shall be encouraged to participate in the activities of the Association.

Article 2: Research

Research in the field of child neurology, as a discipline and profession, and international collaborative studies and working projects on specific child neurology subjects shall be stimulated and/or established.

Article 3: Information

Information and documents on child neurology, whether published or collected by the Association, shall be made available to the membership or be circulated more widely. The circulation of professional information shall be encouraged.

Article 4: Exchange

  1. International working seminars, round tables on selected topics as well as International Scientific meetings open to child neurologists and to specialists in other fields related to child neurology, shall be organized.
  2. International exchange of students and teachers in child neurology shall be promoted. Information on opportunities in this field shall be circulated.

Article 5: Training

The recognition of child neurology as a specialty of its own in medical care, teaching and research shall be promoted among the profession and in medical schools. Models of training curricula and programs and outlines for certification requirements shall be made available to teachers in child neurology and the interests among medical graduates to enter this field shall be stimulated.

Article 6: Development

In general, all means for improving the development of child neurology in various parts of the world shall be studied and encouraged.

Section II: Membership

Article 7: Types of membership

  1. Active membership shall be for any physician primarily active in child neurology, who has completed beyond medical school in specific teaching hospitals, departments or units:
    1. three years of supervised full-time work in general neurology and child neurology (of which at least one year devoted to each), and at least one year of full-time work in pediatrics.
    2. Should part of the above requirements not be met, exceptions can be made upon submission of evidence of special competence in child neurology approved by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Membership Committee.
  2. Associate membership shall be for any physician or scientist, interested in child neurology, whether in research or in medical care, and not eligible for active membership, and whose participation in the Association could be mutually enriching.
  3.  Junior membership shall be for any individual in the process of completing new training at any level (medical school, residency, fellowship, research) relevant to the field of child neurology.
  4. Group membership shall be for any group of physicians from developing nations, as defined by the Association, whose main clinical interest is established in the field of child neurology. Group membership is envisioned to permit greater participation in the Association at a lower cost by such physicians. The terms and benefits of group membership will be established by the Association.
  5. Collective membership shall be for those members of regional societies focusing on child neurology with which the Association enters a bipartite membership agreement. Collective membership is envisioned to permit greater participation in the Association and enhance knowledge dissemination activities. The terms and benefits of collective membership will be established by the Association in negotiation with the involved regional societies.
  6. Sustaining membership shall be for those individuals or organizations (commercial or not commercial) who wish to support financially the aims and programs of the Association.
  7. Honorary membership shall be proposed to the General Meeting only after consideration by the Executive Board.
  8. Retired membership can be granted to Members in good standing for the previous five years who have completely retired from the practice of child neurology.

Article 8: Application for membership

  1. Application for membership shall be in a personal capacity or electronically and be submitted by completing the official ICNA membership application form.
  2. The application form shall be provided by and returned to the Secretary who shall see that all documents required have been sent.
  3. The application shall include a curriculum vitae, letters of reference and support from one member of the Association, a -full list of publications and a commitment to pay the annual dues upon acceptance into membership.
  4. An associate member having acquired the qualifications for active membership shall apply for change of membership status on the official ICNA membership application form

Article 9: Membership Committee

  1. The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary and will have members from at least five different countries.
  2. Applications received shall be forwarded, along with the Secretary's suggestion for the type of membership, to each Committee member.
  3. The applicant will be notified within 2 months of receipt of the application whether it has been successful or not.
  4. The Secretary will notify the Executive Board of this decision and also recommend the type of membership. The final decision on the type of membership shall be made by the Executive Board.

Article 10: Acceptance, resignation, deletion, expulsion, change of type of membership

  1. Active, associate, junior and group membership shall be effective upon admission to membership. and receipt of the annual dues.
  2. Resignation shall be sent to the Secretary by regular mail, facsimile, or e-mail, and shall be effective on confirmation of receipt by the Secretary.
  3. The Treasurer shall initiate corrective action for members with dues or fees delinquent for 18 months. A request for payment and notice of pending action will be sent. If no payment is made in the next six months, the Treasurer shall suspend the benefits of membership and refer the matter to the Executive Board.
  4. Only fully paid up current members of the Association are entitled to participate in a General Meeting, be nominated or vote for an Officer or Executive Board member of the Association.
  5. Should any member, Executive Board member or Officer, be found guilty of infractions against the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association or misconduct, and given the opportunity to present his defense in writing, the Executive Board may decide to suspend or expel such member by a two-thirds majority vote, provided ratification by the next General Meeting. Such member shall be advised in writing. Voting by mail shall be authorized. If an Officer or member of the Board be that member, he or she shall immediately be removed from office, whether suspended or expelled.
  6. Change of membership type may be decided by the Executive Board for active members who no longer meet the requirement for active membership.

Section III: General Meeting

Article 11

The Executive Board shall determine the dates and places of the General Meetings. These meetings shall be held as much as possible in a different country and provide for a balanced international representation and large participation.

Article 12

Preparation of the agenda and order of business shall fall within the province of the Executive Board and in particular of the Secretary. Calling notice shall be sent at least nine months and agenda two months in advance. Active members may submit items to be placed on the agenda providing notification to the Secretary three months prior to the Meeting.

Article 13

The order of business of the General Meeting shall be as follows:

  1. approval of the agenda,
  2. reading of minutes of preceding meeting,
  3. reports of Officers and endorsement of the retiring Executive Board's admini-stration,
  4. reports of Specialized Working Committees,
  5. unfinished business,
  6. new business,
  7. finances,
  8. elections.

Article 14

The President shall preside over the General Meeting with the assistance of the Officers. The President shall control the proceedings, the suspension and closing of discussion. Alteration of order of business shall be approved by a majority vote.

Article 15

Proxies in writing, including by electronic means, shall be handed over to the Secretary before the opening of the meeting.

Article 16

Associate, group, collective, sustaining, honorary and retired members shall be authorized to attend the General Meeting, except for those sessions restricted to active members

Article 17

  1. Votes shall be cast by a show of hands except for membership questions, elections to the Executive Board, modification of the Constitution and Bylaws and dissolution of the Association. 
  2. However, any active member, if sustained by ten other active members present at the meeting, may ask for a vote by secret ballot on any matter.

Article 18

In case of tie-vote, a second vote shall be taken and, if necessary, a third; thereafter the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Article 19

Any resolution submitted by a member to the General Meeting shall be presented in writing.

Section IV: Election of Officers and Executive Board Members

Article 20

Members and Officers of the Executive Board shall be elected in a personal capacity and not as representatives of any country or institution or organization they work for or belong to.

Article 21

Only paying active members shall be eligible as members of the Executive Board, whether present or not at the General Meeting.

Article 22

  1. The President will appoint a Nominating Committee with representatives from each geographic area and announce the appointments to the Membership at least nine months before the next General Meeting of the Association.
  2. No more than two-third of the members of the Nominating Committee will be members of the Executive Board.
  3. The Nominating Committee will deliberate independent of the Executive Board and will present its list of at least two candidates for each position directly to the Membership in the Newsletter distributed six months before the General Meeting.
  4. The Chair of the Nominating Committee, who cannot be a candidate for Officer, will oversee the elections at the General Meeting.
  5. All candidates must state in writing their willingness to serve and accept the responsibilities of their position.
  6. Candidates for Officers will be nominated by the Nominating Committee, with at least two candidates for each Office, and elected by a majority of the votes at the General Meeting.
  7. The immediate Past President shall be an ex officio voting Member of the Executive Board.

Article 23

No one can be nominated or elected as a non-officer Member of the Executive Board for more than three consecutive terms after the adoption of this Article.

Article 24

  1. The election of the other members of the Executive Board shall then follow. To comply with article 10 of the Constitution providing for a balanced representation from the different group of nations and continents within the Board, the results of the voting shall be classified in two ways:
    1. In the order of the number of votes obtained,
    2. In six geographic regions 1) Africa, 2) East Asia-Oceania, 3) West Asia, 4) Europe, 5) North America. 6) Central-South America.
  2. Each country will be assigned to a geographic group by the Executive Board. A majority of members residing in this country may petition the Executive Board for reassignment. A division of a country shall be enunciated into a geographic group in order to ensure that the rich diversity of our membership is represented on the Executive Board. The Executive Board will have final authority in these assignments.
  3. In considering the two classifications the list of the Board members definitely elected shall be established in such a way that none of the geographic groups shall comprise more than one‑third of the Executive Board membership (the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer included). There shall be at least two representatives from each geographic group on the Executive Board.
  4. In the event of an officer of the Board being unable to fulfill his/her role due to death, incapacity, or resignation, the replacement should be the next member with the most votes from the previous election. If two members have the same number of votes then the member from the geographical region with the lesser representation should be invited to join the board. The newly elected person will have full voting rights.

Section V: The Executive Board

Article 25

Meetings of the Executive Board shall be convened at least nine months in advance and occur at least annually. The agenda of the meeting shall be sent two months in advance. The meeting of the Board shall be held in such changing places as to provide for diversified international participation.

Article 26

In the years when a General Meeting is held, the Executive Board shall meet before and after the General Meeting

Article 27

At each of its meetings the Executive Board shall receive the reports of the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and any other members of the Executive Board given particular assignments to complete.

Article 28

The member of the Executive Board who foresees an absence from a meeting of the Board may write to the President, or to the Secretary to make known his or her point of view concerning any matter on the agenda to the attending members.

Article 29

When the Executive Board is convened at the request of five Board members as foreseen in the Constitution, the meeting must take place at the latest six months after the request has been received.

Article 30

The meetings are chaired by the President, or, in his or her absence, by the Secretary. In their absence, another member shall be designated by a majority vote.

Article 31

Failing the quorum foreseen by the Constitution, the Board may pursue its discussions and take provisional decisions which shall not come into force until they have been approved in writing by the majority of the members of the Board.

Article 32

All voting shall be by show of hand, but any member of the Board may ask for a vote to be taken by secret ballot. If the votes are equal, a new vote shall be taken and, if again equal, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Article 33

The President or the Secretary shall be authorized to take a postal or electronic vote from all members of the Board. Members of the Board shall be informed as soon as possible of the results of the voting. The issue will be settled by a majority of all Members of the Board.

Article 34

At each meeting a member of the Board shall be designated to record the proceedings of the meeting. The proceedings shall be read at the next meeting for approval or amendments, signed by the President, and remain in the custody of the Secretary.

Article 35

The Executive Board Members shall pay their expenses for attendance at Executive Board meetings. However, the Executive Board may establish by majority vote procedures for contributing to travel and expenses for its members. The Executive Board may at its annual meeting determine if any remuneration shall be provided for its Officers. Such remuneration will be determined annually at the meeting of the Executive Board.

Article 36

The Executive Board may at its discretion by majority vote grant the necessary authority and powers for the day-to-day management of the Association to a duly contracted Third party and/or Executive Director. Such granting of necessary authority must be reaffirmed at the annual meeting of the Executive Board also by majority vote.

Section VI: Officers and Their Duties

Article 37

The President is the guardian of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association. The President shall preside at the General Meeting, Executive Board and Scientific meetings. The President may appoint Specialized Working Committees, with the approval of the Executive Board. The Secretary is the chairperson of the Membership Committee. The President may sign all certificates and official documents.

Article 38

The Secretary shall supervise the work of the Association, be responsible for all membership questions, prepare the sessions of the General Meeting and Executive Board, ensure liaison between the members and the Association and preserve all archives and records of the Association.

Article 39

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial management of the Association and for keeping the records of account of the Association. His or her duties shall be to establish the annual budget of the Association, collect the dues of the members, control the expenses, establish the annual balance sheet and submit it to the Executive Board and General Meeting. The balance sheet shall be certified by an independent and qualified auditor.

Article 40

The Treasurer shall have in his or her custody all the funds of the Association. He or she shall be entitled, with the approval of the Board, to open such bank accounts as may be necessary. The Treasurer shall sign all documents pertaining to bank operations.

Article 41

The Executive Board may, in accordance with the budget, approve the reimbursement of reasonable expenses, be they for salaries or other expenses, incurred by Officers in the course of their ICNA duties. Appropriate supporting documentation for these expenses must be in the hands of the Treasurer before payment. Those paid will remain employees of their local institutions and not of the Association.

Article 42

Any Officer may recommend to the Executive Board that another Officer be relieved from the responsibilities and duties of the Office. The recommendation must be based on cause, documented in writing. The affected Officer shall be given at least 30 days to respond in writing. The Executive Board will thereafter determine the appropriate action by a two-thirds majority vote taken by mail or electronic means. Any substitute Officer shall be designated as "Acting" and shall return the responsibilities and duties to the original Officer if, upon a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, the cause for substitution is removed. The Membership shall be notified of actions under this article in the next Newsletter of the Association.

Section VII: Budget and Dues

Article 43

Funds of the Association shall be provided by the annual dues and any other income derived from the Association's activities such as publications, contracts, organization of seminars, scientific meetings, etc. The Association may also receive donations, subsidies, legacies and gifts of all kind, and shall have the right to purchase, sell or mortgage real estate.

Article 44

The financial year shall be the calendar year.

Article 45

The treasurer shall record all income and expenses of the Association under their proper heading. The Treasurer shall hire, on behalf of the Association, a certified external auditor, licensed or certified, who will report, in writing, to the Executive Board at its Annual Meeting.

Article 46

Annual dues shall be paid for the calendar year, disregarding the date of payment.

Article 47

  1. Annual dues for active, associate, junior and group membership shall be set every year by the Board.
  2. Sustaining membership dues shall be decided case by case. 
  3. Honorary and retired members shall be exempted from payment of dues.
  4. In the event of resignation, suspension or expulsion, dues paid shall not be refunded.

Article 48

  1. The Board may set different dues within a category of membership, using a standardized index that reflects the ability of members to pay.
  2. All members within a given category will receive all the benefits, rights and prerogatives of their category. regardless of the level at which they pay their dues.

Section VIII: Scientific Meetings and Specialized Working Committees

Article 49

Scientific meetings shall be organized at which clinical and experimental observations on child neurology subjects can be presented. Special efforts shall be made to establish seminars, round tables, etc., serving as a forum for child neurologists and distinguished workers in other medical fields to meet and exchange scientific opinions.

Article 50

The Executive Board may establish on a temporary basis Specialized Working Committees for the study of, in a given time, specific problems of or pertaining to child neurology. A report shall conclude each study, which the Executive Board may decide to publish. The Specialized Working Committees shall comprise a limited number of participants, of which one, at least, shall be a member of the Executive Board.

Section IX: Publications

Article 51

The Association shall be entitled to publish such bulletins, journals, proceedings, leaflets and books as necessary, either by its own means, such as internet home pages, or through a publisher.

An honorary Editor or/and an Editorial Board may be nominated by the Executive Board and shall be chosen among the active members of the Association. The Editor shall participate ex officio in the meetings of the Executive Board.

Section X: Affiliates

Article 52

The Association may at its discretion, by majority vote of its Executive Board, establish affiliation with independent autonomous organizations for the purposes of receiving charitable funds raised by said organizations. Such affiliations need to be reaffirmed by majority vote of the Executive Board annually.

Section XI: Amendments to the Bylaws

Article 53

These Bylaws may be amended by a General Meeting. Proposals for amendments from the membership shall be submitted to the Secretary at least six months before the General Meeting and shall be forwarded to all active paid up members not less than three months prior to the General Meeting with the agreement of the Executive Board. The proposals for amendments presented at the General Meeting shall be approved by a majority vote according to mechanisms outlined in Article 9 Section 3 of the Association's Constitution.

Article 54

These Bylaws may also be amended by a mail or electronic ballot. Proposals for amendments approved by the Executive Board may be submitted for vote to all active paid up members. The voting mechanism shall incorporate strategies that document who has voted while maintaining the secrecy of an individual's vote. A majority vote of all eligible Members is required for acceptance of the proposed amendment.

Article 55

As of July 2012, membership dues will be temporary suspended for a 2 year term. As a result, Section II Article (7.4), (8.3), (10.1), (10.3), (10.4), Section VII Articles (43), (46), (47), (48)shall not be valid and into force for such term.

Article 56: Newsletter

In these bylaws any reference to the Newsletter automatically equates to ICNApedia as well.

 


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