Aims of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

1.1 The name of the Federation is the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

1.2 The aims of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are:

a. to promote international co-operation in biochemistry and molecular biology, and particularly,

b. to promote international co-operation in research, discussion and publication in biochemistry and molecular biology

c. to promote international standardization of methods, nomenclature and of symbols used in biochemistry and molecular biology,

d. to promote high standards of biochemistry and molecular biology throughout the world, and

e. to contribute to the advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology in all matters which involve international relations.

1.3 For all these purposes the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has        power to

a. adhere to the International Council for Science

b. organize or sponsor International Congresses of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, International Conferences on Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and other international meetings and conferences on subjects which fall within the purview of the Federation

c. promote the international publication of works in biochemistry and molecular biology;

d. assist the development and organization of new and existing disciplines within the area of biochemistry and molecular biology;

e. assist the training and education of biochemists and molecular biologists;

f. encourage the application of the practical aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology for the benefit of the society;

g. cooperate with national, regional, and international bodies whose aims are consonant with those of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;

h. create an organizational framework appropriate to the fulfilment of the aims of the Federation;

i. formulate and adopt Statutes and By-Laws to which the activities of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology shall conform.

Members, Associate Members, Special Members and Associated Organizations

2.1 The members of the Federation are its Adhering Bodies, each of which represents a Scientific Community.

2.2 The associate members of the Federation are its Associate Adhering Bodies, each of which represents a Scientific Community.

2.3 The term "Scientific Community" in these Statutes and in the By-Laws shall be applicable to the biochemists and molecular biologists of a country or of an otherwise defined geographical area that has an independent budget for scientific purposes.

2.4 The term "Scientific Community" in these Statutes shall also be applicable to any group of communities, each in a country or in a defined geographical area that has an independent budget for scientific purpose, which, by written agreement, together set up or nominate a single Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body to act for them jointly.

2.5 There shall be only one member or associate member of the Federation for each Scientific Community, or for each group of Scientific Communities which, under the provisions of Statute 2.4, agree to act jointly.

2.6 The term "Adhering Body" or "Associate Adhering Body" in these Statutes shall be applicable only to an Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body which has been admitted to membership or associate membership in the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

2.7 An Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body shall be an Academy, Research Council or similar body, or a Scientific Society or group of Scientific Societies, within a Scientific Community.

2.8 Each Adhering Body shall be responsible for the payment of the Annual Subscription to the Federation on behalf of its Scientific Community.

2.9 An Associate Adhering Body is not required to pay an Annual Subscription to the Federation.

2.10 Each Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body shall form or nominate a committee for international relations in biochemistry and molecular biology which shall advise on or be responsible for its representation in the affairs of the Federation. An existing Committee or body may be nominated as the committee for international relations in biochemistry and molecular biology by any Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body. Where the words ‘committee for international relations in biochemistry and molecular biology’ are used in these statutes and By-Laws they shall be held to cover any Committee for international relations in biochemistry and molecular biology whose Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body has been admitted to membership in the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

2.11 Applications for membership or associate membership in the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology shall be sent to the General Secretary and shall be accompanied by a statement of the nature of the Scientific Community and of the proposed Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body and of the composition of the proposed committee for international relations in biochemistry and molecular biology. If the application is for membership, the number of the Group in which adherence is proposed shall be stated. If the application is for associate membership, the proposed Associate Adhering Body shall provide complete information justifying the need for exemption of payment of dues during the initial period of membership, the length of which is defined in Statute 2.18. The reception by the General Secretary of an application for membership or associate membership in the Federation shall be considered to be a proposal for the amendment of By-Law 1. This proposal, together with the comments of the Executive Committee thereon, shall be sent by the General Secretary to all the delegates appointed under the provisions of Statute 4. The proposed alteration of By-Law 1 shall then become effective if no adverse vote shall have been received by the General Secretary by post within a period of four months of his posting to the delegates the notification of the proposal. If the General Secretary receives one or more valid adverse votes, he shall refer the matter to the next Ordinary General Assembly under the provision of Statute 2.13.

2.12 Membership in the Federation of any Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body shall be effective only when agreement has been reached for the amendment of By-Law 1 by the inclusion therein of the name of the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body.

2.13 If approval is not given to a proposed amendment of By-Law 1 under the provisions of Statute 2.11, the General Secretary shall inform all the delegates and associate delegates of the number of votes cast by postal ballot against the proposed amendment. Copies of such written reasons shall be distributed by the General Secretary to all the delegates and associate delegates at least one month before an Ordinary General Assembly. The proposed amendment of By-Law 1 shall be included by the General Secretary in the Agenda or Supplementary Agenda and shall be the first item of business of the General Assembly. A majority of the votes cast by the Ordinary General Assembly is required for admission to membership or associate membership.

2.14 Any proposed change in the nature of the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body or in the number of the Group in which adherence to the Federation is effective by an Adhering Body shall be presented by the existing Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body to the General Secretary. Under the provisions of Statute 7.3c, the Executive Committee shall thereupon decide whether or not Membership or associate membership in the Federation by an Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body respectively shall continue without confirmation or whether approval by the delegates of the proposed change or changes shall be sought. Such approval shall be sought by the means, laid down in Statute 2.11, whereby a new application for membership or associate membership is considered.

2.15 Adherence to the Federation by each Adhering Body shall be under the provisions of one of the three Groups, numbered I and II and III. The amount of the Annual Subscription payable by the Adhering Body to the Federation shall be determined by the provisions of Statutes 5.4h and 9.2 and of By-Law 18, and the maximum number of delegates eligible to take part in each General Assembly on the nomination of the Adhering Body shall be that determined by the provisions of Statute 4.2

2.16 Each Adhering Body shall have the right to request the General Secretary to bring before a General Assembly for consideration any matter which falls within the aims of the Federation as defined in Statute 1.

2.17 Any Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body which has hitherto fulfilled its obligations may apply to withdraw from membership in the Federation on giving three months’ notice of intention to withdraw to the General Secretary. The withdrawal shall become effective at the stated date unless the Executive Committee rejects the notice of withdrawal for a serious reason, the nature of which has been communicated to the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body in question before the stated date. An Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body which withdraws from the Federation, or any A dhering Body or Associate Adhering Body whose membership has been terminated under the provisions of Statutes 5.5 c or 5.11 c, loses all rights and privileges of membership or associate membership in the Federation.

2.18 The tenure of an Associate Adhering Body shall be for a period during which its associate delegate has had an opportunity to attend two Ordinary General Assemblies. Within six months after the second General Assembly, an application for membership in the Federation or extension of associate membership shall be submitted by the Associate Adhering Body as described in Statute 2.11. Alternately, the Associate Adhering Body may submit notice of termination of membership (Statute 2.17). Where the application is for membership, the provisions of Statutes 2.11, 2.12 and 2.13 shall apply. Where the application is for extension of associate membership, the Associate Adhering Body shall provide complete information justifying the need for exemption of payment of dues during any additional three-year period. An application for extension is to be reviewed by the Executive Committee which shall make its recommendation to the delegates. The General Secretary shall conduct a mail ballot of the delegates with votes to be received within 4 months from the date of despatch of the ballot. A two-thirds vote of approval is required, with at least 50% of the delegates voting. If a vote of approval is not secured, or if an application for membership or extension of associate membership is not received by the due date, the associate membership shall lapse. Extensions of associate membership for subsequent three-year periods shall follow the same procedure as for the first three-year renewal.

2.19 No member of the Federation can apply for associate membership.

2.20 Special Members are industrial organizations and production units, research and development institutions and laboratories, and any other bodies or individuals interested in the aims of the Federation having been approved under the following conditions.

2.21 Each Special Member shall be responsible for the payment of annual subscription to FASBMB in one or more units.

2.22 Special Members receive advance notices about congresses and symposia sponsored by FASBMB, and other appropriate information.

2.23 Special Members shall be admitted by the Executive Committee on the recommendation of the Special Membership Committee.

2.24 Special Members can apply to withdraw from membership on notice of intention to withdraw to the General Secretary, but the subscription fees already paid to the Federation shall not be refunded.

2.25 Existing international organizations whose aims and purposes are in harmony with those of the Federation may be admitted into membership of the Federation as Associated Organizations.

The Executive Committee, having satisfied itself that the aims and activities of an organization seeking to become an Associated Organization of the Federation are in harmony with those of the Federation, may recommend acceptance of the organization by the General Assembly provided that:

a. the period of existence of the applicant organization has been adequate to establish its stability and the quality of its activities;

b. the statutes and by-laws of the organization do not conflict with those of the Federation;

c. the activities of the organization neither duplicate nor are in conflict with the legitimate functions of the Federation.

The method of admission by the delegates to the General Assembly shall be the same as that prescribed for Adhering Bodies and Associate Adhering Bodies in Statutes 2.11-2.13.

Administration

3.1 The work of the Federation shall be conducted by:

a. The General Assembly

b. The Executive Committee

c. The Committees, and other bodies set up under the provisions of the Statutes and B y-Laws.

The composition and functions of these bodies are defined in the Statutes and By-Laws and the application of the Statutes in this respect is laid down in detail in certain of the By-Laws

3.2 The work of the Federation shall be directed by the General Assembly, which is composed of delegates appointed by the Adhering Bodies together with the Executive Committee.

3.3 The Executive Committee shall be the body with continuing responsibility for the affairs of the Federation and shall be answerable to the General Assembly in this respect.

3.4 Under Statute 8.6 the President shall be responsible to the Executive Committee for decisions upon matters within the competence of the Federation which the President may make in order to ensure the smooth development of the day-to-day activities of the Federation.

Delegates and Associate Delegates

4.1 Each Adhering Body shall have the right to appoint a delegate or delegates and each Associate Adhering Body the right to appoint one associate delegate to the General Assemblies of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The appointed delegate or delegates or associate delegate shall normally act from the opening of one Ordinary General Assembly until the opening of the next, or until the General Secretary has been notified of the appointment of a new delegate or delegates or associate delegate by the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body. If the appointment of a new delegate or delegates or associate delegate has not been presented to the General Assembly by an Adhering Body or an Associate Adhering Body before the opening of a General Assembly the previously appointed delegate or delegates or associate delegate shall be deemed to have been reappointed by the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body in question.

4.2 Each Adhering Body shall have the right to appoint delegates in a number determined by the number of the Group in which its adherence falls. An Adhering Body in Group I shall have the right to appoint one delegate and an Adhering Body in Group II shall have the right to appoint not more than two delegates and an Adhering Body in Group III shall have the right to appoint not more than three delegates.

4.3 Each of the delegates present at a General Assembly shall have one vote only. One person shall not serve as a member of more than one delegation.

4.4 The associate delegates shall participate but shall not have a vote at the General Assembly.

4.5 If no delegate from an Adhering Body can be present at a General Assembly, the views of the Adhering Body on matters under discussion may be sent in writing so as to reach the General Secretary before the opening of the Assembly. Such written views shall be made known to the Assembly by the General Secretary.

4.6 The President, the General Secretary and the Treasurer shall not be delegate of an Adhering Body and shall have no vote at a General Assembly, except that the President, as Chairman of a General Assembly, may exercise a casting vote (Statute 5.13). The President Elect, and the members of the Executive Committee, shall have no vote at a General Assembly by virtue of holding office in the Federation or membership in the Executive Committee. Nevertheless, if the President Elect or another member or members of the Executive Committee shall have been appointed a delegate by an Adhering Body the person(s) in question shall have the right to vote as a delegate at a General Assembly.

General Assembly

5.1 A General Assembly shall be a meeting of the delegates appointed under the provisions of Statute 4 by the Adhering Bodies or Associate Adhering Bodies together with the Executive Committee. An Ordinary General Assembly shall take place once every three years and shall normally be held in association with an International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology arranged under the auspices of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. An Extraordinary General Assembly may be summoned at any time under the provisions of Statute 5.10.

5.2 The date and place of an Ordinary General Assembly shall be decided by the Executive Committee with due regard to the provisions of Statute 5.1 and notice of it shall be sent in writing by the General Secretary at least twelve months before the proposed date, to all delegates, to the Chairman of all Committees set up by the Federation and to the Chief Representative of the Federation on Joint Committees and other joint bodies and to the Executive Committee.

5.3 When at a General Assembly a proposal for an amendment of the Statutes is to be considered, the proposal shall be sent by the General Secretary to all delegates and associate delegates at least six months before the date of the Assembly.

5.4 An Ordinary General Assembly shall:

a. elect the Nominating Committee;

b. elect the Officers;

c. elect to vacancies in the membership in the Executive Committee;

d. elect two delegates as auditors of the Federation’s finances;

e. receive from the General Secretary a report on behalf of the Executive Committee, on the activities of the Federation and of its Committees, Joint Committees and other bodies;

f. receive an audited statement of the Income and Expenditure of the Federation for the triennium ending December 31 in the year preceding that in which the Ordinary General Assembly is held;

g. receive a budget for proposed general expenditure of the Federation for the triennium beginning January 1 in the year in which the Ordinary General Assembly is to be held and approve it or refer it to the Executive Committee;

h. determine the monetary value of the unit subscription to the Federation for the three-year period beginning on January 1 following the Ordinary General Assembly;

5.5 An Ordinary General Assembly may:

a. adopt or amend the Statutes;

b. adopt or amend the By-Laws;

c. terminate the membership of any Adhering Body or associate membership of an Associate Adhering Body in the Federation for any serious cause. Before such action shall be taken the delegates of the Adhering Body or associate delegate of an Associate Adhering Body in question shall have been given an opportunity of explaining the matter under review in writing to the Executive Committee; this statement, together with the Executive Committee'’ comments thereon, shall be laid before the General Assembly. Termination of the membership of any Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body shall require the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of those delegates present and at least one-half of the number of votes of all delegates, whether they be present or not. If the two-thirds favourable vote does not represent at least one half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of the Adhering Bodies, a mail vote shall be taken and a two-thirds majority of the votes received within ninety days following the mailing of the ballots shall be required for the termination of membership to become effective provided that 50% or more of he delegates reply;

d. decide on all other questions which fall within the competence of the Federation.

5.6 In the matter of the election of a Nominating Committee (Statutes 6.2-6.6), an Ordinary General Assembly shall be eligible to receive nominations from the Executive Committee and from delegates to an Ordinary General Assembly.

5.7 In the matter of election of Officers and other members of the Executive Committee, an Ordinary General Assembly shall be eligible to receive nominations from the nominating Committee and from any six delegates present at the Ordinary General Assembly acting jointly (Statute 6.10).

5.8 An Ordinary General Assembly shall elect two of the delegates present at the meeting as auditors of the Federation’s finances. The elected auditors shall serve from the end of the General Assembly at which they were elected until the end of the next Ordinary General Assembly.

5.9 The Agenda of an Ordinary General Assembly, including any supplementary Agenda, shall be presented by the General Secretary to each delegate and associate delegate in writing before the meeting. No other item shall be considered by the General Assembly and put to the vote unless a proposal for the inclusion of such an additional item be approved by the votes of at least two-thirds of the delegates present.

5.10 An Extraordinary General Assembly shall be summonsed by the General Secretary if he or she is unanimously requested to do so by the Executive Committee. In addition, at the request of at least one-half of all the delegates, communicated in writing to the President, the General Secretary shall be required by the President to call an Extraordinary General Assembly. The time and place of an Extraordinary General Assembly shall be fixed by the President and the summons to it shall be despatched to all the delegates and associate delegates by the General Secretary at least three months before the proposed date.

5.11 An Extraordinary General Assembly may:

a. adopt or amend the Statutes;

b. adopt or amend the By-Laws;

c. terminate the membership of any Adhering Body or associate membership of an Adhering Body or associate membership of an Associate Adhering Body in the Federation for any serious cause. Before such action shall be taken the delegate or delegates of the Adhering Body or associate delegate of the Associate Adhering Body in question shall have been given an opportunity of explaining the matter under review in writing to the Executive Committee; this statement together with the Executive Committee’s comments thereon, shall be laid before the Extraordinary General Assembly. Termination of the membership of any Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body shall require the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of those delegates present and at least one-half of the number of votes of all delegates, whether they be present or not. If the two-thirds favourable vote does not represent at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of the Adhering Bodies, a mail vote shall be taken and a two-thirds majority of the votes received within ninety days following the mailing of the ballots shall be required for the termination of membership to become effective, provided that 50% or more of the delegates reply;

d. discuss all other questions which fall within the competence of the Federation.

5.12 The Agenda of an Extraordinary General Assembly, including any supplementary Agenda, shall be presented by the General Secretary to each delegate and associate delegate in writing before the meeting. No other item shall be considered by the Extraordinary General Assembly and put to the vote unless a proposal for the votes of at least two-thirds of the delegates present.

5.13 Except where otherwise provided in the Statutes and By-Laws, decisions of a General Assembly shall be determined by a simples majority of the votes cast. In the event of an equal division of votes, the Chairman shall then vote and make the final decision (Statute 8.5b).

5.14 In all its decisions, a General Assembly shall be guided by the tradition of free international scientific cooperation.

Executive Committee: Comparison and Appointment

6.1 The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers, who shall be the President, the President Elect, the General Secretary, and the Treasurer and up to six additional members with assignments for fulfilling the aims and objectives of the Federation as laid down in Statutes 1 and 7.

6.2 Candidates for election as officers or as other members of the Executive Committee shall be chosen by a Nominating Committee.

6.3 The members of the Nominating Committee are to be elected at an Ordinary General Assembly according to the procedures prescribed in Statutes 6.4-6.6.

6.4 In the matter of the election of a Nominating Committee an Ordinary General Assembly shall be eligible to receive nominations from the Executive Committee and from delegates to an Ordinary General Assembly. Each nomination from the delegates shall be supported by at least two delegates from at least two Adhering Bodies. Six months before the date of an Ordinary General Assembly, the General Secretary shall invite delegates to submit nominations for membership of the Nominating Committee. Every nomination shall be accompanied by a signed statement from the nominee stating acceptance of nomination, so as to reach the General Secretary at least three months before the date of the Ordinary General Assembly.

6.5 The Nominating Committee shall consist of the President and one other member of the Executive Committee and five other members elected by the delegates to the Ordinary General Assembly from among their members. In preparation for this election, the Executive Committee shall draw up a list of nominations, consisting of all those nominated by the delegates in accordance with Statute 6.4 together with additional nominations that the Executive Committee may wish to make. The Executive Committee shall send a list of nominations to the delegates one month before the Ordinary General Assembly, in which six members whose names appear on the list of nominations shall be elected by ballot, the person who obtains the most votes shall act as the chairman of the Nominating Committee and the person receiving the lowest number of votes to act as an alternate. Before the election, the Executive Committee shall make known tot he delegates its recommendations concerning those to be elected, having due regard to Statute 6.6. No member of the Nominating Committee may be a candidate for he Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee shall take office at the end of the Ordinary General Assembly at which it was elected. A new Committee shall be elected at each Ordinary General Assembly. Individual members of the previous Committee may be re-elected for a second term of service provided that no more than three members are so elected.

6.6 In the election of members of the Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee and Ordinary General Assembly shall pay regard to the desirability of equitable representation of Adhering Bodies within the membership of the Nominating Committee as a whole.

6.7 The members of the Executive Committee are to be elected at an Ordinary General Assembly according to the procedures prescribed in Statutes 6.8 - 6.11.

6.8 In the matter of election of Officers and other members of the Executive Committee, the General Secretary not later than ten months before the next Ordinary General Assembly shall call upon the Adhering Bodies to nominate candidates to fill the vacancies that will occur at the time of the next following Ordinary General Assembly or on the first day of January succeeding the next following Ordinary General Assembly. Each nomination shall be separately made in writing for each candidate. Each nomination shall be accompanied by a signed statement from the nominee stating acceptance of nomination for the proposed assignment (see Statute 6.9) so as to reach the General Secretary at least six months before the time of the Ordinary General Assembly. The General Secretary shall forward these nominations to the chairman of the Nominating Committee.

6.9 The Nominating Committee shall propose new candidates for the Executive Committee and the General Secretary shall circulate their names to the delegates no later than three months in advance of the Ordinary General Assembly. Accompanying each nomination shall be a proposal for the assignments to be performed by the nominee. Delegates to the Assembly shall have the right to nominate additional names using the provisions of Statute 6.10.

6.10 In the matter of election of Officers and other members of the Executive Committee, an Ordinary General Assembly shall be eligible to receive nominations from the Nominating Committee (Statute 6.9) and from any six delegates present at the Ordinary General Assembly acting jointly. Each nomination from the delegates of an Ordinary General Assembly shall be separately made in being signed by at least six of the delegates due to be present at the Assembly and delivered to the General Secretary. Every nomination shall be accompanied by a signed statement from the nominee stating acceptance of nomination for the proposed assignment (see Statute 6.9) so as to reach the General Secretary at least two days before the time of the Ordinary General Assembly. A list of all the valid nominations received shall be provided by the General Secretary for each delegate and associate delegate present, before or at the beginning of an Ordinary General Assembly.

6.11 In the election of members of the Executive Committee, the Nominating Committee (Statute 6.7-6.10) and Ordinary General Assembly shall pay regard to the desirability of equitable representation of Adhering Bodies within the membership of the Executive Committee as a whole. Normally three new members shall be elected to the Executive Committee at each Ordinary General Assembly to provide for both rotation and continuity of its membership.

6.12 The elected members of the Executive Committee, with the exception of the Officers, shall hold office from the end of the Ordinary General Assembly at which they were elected until the end of two subsequent Ordinary General Assemblies. The General Secretary and Treasurer shall hold office from the first day of January succeeding the Ordinary General Assembly at which they were elected until the first day of January succeeding two subsequent General Assemblies. After completion of one term, members of the Executive Committee with the exception of he President and President Elect shall be eligible for re-election for a second term. With the exception of the Officers, the second term shall date from the end of the Ordinary General Assembly at which re-election took place until the end of the next Ordinary General Assembly. The second term of the General Secretary and Treasurer shall date from the first day of January succeeding the Ordinary General Assembly at which re-election took place until the first day of January succeeding the next Ordinary General Assembly. The President Elect shall hold office from the end of the Ordinary General Assembly at which he was elected until the end of the next Ordinary General Assembly. This will complete his term of service. No person shall be eligible to serve for more than nine consecutive years as a member of the Executive Committee except that the terms of service of persons elected as Officers shall not be limited by reason of prior service on the Executive Committee, but will be limited to a total period of 15 years of continuous service on the Executive Committee. No person who has served on the Executive Committee shall be eligible to be a member of the Executive Committee for a period of two years after resignation or retirement from office.

Executive Committee: Functions

7.1 The composition of the Executive Committee of the Federation is defined in Statute 6.1.

7.2 The Executive Committee shall normally meet not less than once each year. The Executive Committee will decide on the place of the meeting, giving consideration to rotation through the different regions. Ordinarily, a meeting will be held in conjunction with an International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and, where possible, with a meeting of a regional organization. The Agenda, including any supplementary Agenda, shall be presented by the General Secretary to each member of the Executive Committee in writing before the meeting.

7.3 The Executive Committee shall:

a. implement the aims and objectives of the Federation as defined in Statute 1 and as prescribed for the Officers in Statute 8;

b. conduct an annual review of the workings of the Federation, make plans for the future and render an annual report to the Adhering Bodies, Associate Adhering Bodies and delegates;

c. decide whether any proposed change in the nature of an Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body or the number of the Group of an Adhering Body requires approval by the delegates under the provisions of Statute 2.14;

d. in accordance with the provisions of Statute 5.5c and 5.10, communicate to a General Assembly its opinion of any proposal to terminate the membership in the Federation of any Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body for any serious cause, and of any explanation of the matter provided by the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body;

e. as soon as possible after the resignation or death of a General Secretary or Treasurer, appoint a replacement to act until a new General Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, has been elected and installed at the closing of the next Ordinary General Assembly;

f. decide the date and place of an Ordinary General Assembly with due regard to the provisions of Statute 5.1;

g. set up such committees and editorial boards as are necessary for the purposes of the Federation, determine their terms of reference and receive their annual reports;

h. appoint the members of committees, editorial boards and representatives of joint committees and other bodies and approve or disapprove the proposed co-option of members of the committees and editorial boards;

i. receive the budgets of the Committees of the Federation and, if desirable, comment thereon to the Chairman of each Committee;

j. conduct each three years, a review of each committee;

k. designate the currency in which the unit subscription to the funds of the Federation shall be expressed;

i. receive from the Treasurer a proposal for the appointment of a registered accountant as auditor, and either approve it or refer it back to the Treasurer;

m. receive from the Treasurer an audited account of the income and expenditure of the Federation for each year of the triennium ending on December 31 in the year preceding that in which the next Ordinary General Assembly is held;

n. receive from the Treasurer no later than March 1 of the current calendar year, a working budget for the forthcoming calendar year to carry out the plans of the Executive Committee, and either approve it or refer it back to the Treasurer;

o. receive from the Treasurer a budget for the Federation for the triennium beginning on January 1 of the year in which the Ordinary General Assembly is held, and either approve it or refer it back to the Treasurer.

7.4 The Executive Committee may

a. propose to a General Assembly amendments of the Statutes and By-Laws;

b. request the General Secretary to summon an Extraordinary General Assembly (Statute 5.9);

c. request the General Secretary to conduct a mail vote of the delegates of the Adhering Body on a proposed action concerning which the Executive Committee wishes a decision in the absence of an Ordinary or Extraordinary General Assembly. The Proposal shall be explained in detail. Except when otherwise provided in the Statutes and By-Laws, a majority of the votes received within ninety days following the mailing of the ballots shall be required for adoption of a proposal. A proposal cannot be adopted unless 50% or more of the delegates reply;

d. decide about the participants of the Federation in the setting up of any Joint Committee with any other Federation or with other scientific bodies, approve terms of reference of such Joint Committees and appoint the representatives of the Federation thereon;

e. set up any Committee or other body it may deem necessary for the aims of the Federation and formulate the terms of reference of such a body;

f. approve or disapprove the proposed co-option by Committees of any persons so nominated;

g. appoint and reappoint Editors of publications of the Federation for three-year terms in accordance with By-Law 21;

h. confirm the appointment or reappointment of Co-Editors and Assistant-Editors of publications of the Federation where such appointment or reappointment has been made by an Editor (By-Law 22);

i. communicate, through the General Secretary, to a General Assembly its views on matters to be considered by the General Assembly.

7.5 At each meeting the Executive Committee shall, under the provisions of Statute 8.6, receive a report of the actions of the President taken since its last meeting and shall decide upon any further action in these matters.

7.6 All members of the Executive Committee shall have the right to vote at meetings of the Executive Committee. No member of the Executive Committee may have more than a single vote in respect of a motion under consideration by the Executive Committee.

7.7 Except where otherwise provided in the Statutes and By-Laws, decisions of the Executive Committee shall be determined by a simple majority of the votes cast. In the event of an equal division of votes, the Chairman shall then vote and make the final decision (Statute 8.5b).

7.8 In all its decisions the Executive Committee shall be guided by the tradition of free international scientific cooperation.

Officers of the Federation

8.1 The Officers of the Federation shall be

a. the President

b. the President Elect

c. the General Secretary

d. the Treasurer

8.2 Normally not more than one of the Officers shall be appointed from among the members of any one Scientific Community.

8.3 No person shall simultaneously hold two of the offices defined in Statute 8.1.

The President

8.4 The President shall hold office from the close of the Ordinary General Assembly at which he succeeds from President Elect to President until the close of the next Ordinary General Assembly.

8.5 The President shall

a. under the provisions of Statute 6.1 be a member of the Executive Committee;

b. if possible preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at all General Assemblies. In his temporary absence, his responsibilities as Chairman shall be undertaken by the President Elect. If both are absent, the Executive Committee or a General Assembly shall elect one of its members to preside. The Chairman shall not vote except in a case of a tie vote in which case the Chairman shall make the final decision (Statute 5.13 and 7.7).

8.6 The President may decide, after such consultation with other members of the Executive Committee as may seem to him to be desirable, upon matters within the competence of the Federation in order to ensure the smooth development of the day-to-day activities of the Federation. Such decisions shall be reported to the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

8.7 For a period of two years after resignation or retirement from office, a former President shall not be eligible to hold office in the Federation.

The President Elect

8.8 When a vacancy is about to occur in the office of President Elect as the result of the completion of a term of office, the Nominating Committee may nominate a candidate or candidates for consideration by the next Ordinary General Assembly following that at which he took office. The President Elect shall be elected at the opening of the Ordinary General Assembly and shall be installed in office at the end of the Ordinary General Assembly. He shall hold office until the end of the next Ordinary General Assembly at which time he will become President. Previous membership on the Executive Committee shall not limit his term of office.

8.9 The President Elect shall

a. under the provisions of Statute 6.1 be a member of the Executive Committee;

b. in the temporary absence of the President presiding at all meetings of the Executive Committee, and at all General Assemblies;

c. at the request of the President act as official representative of the Federation;

d. in case of resignation or death of the President, the President Elect will become President and will hold office until the end of two subsequent Ordinary General Assemblies. The office of President Elect will remain vacant until the election at the next Ordinary General Assembly.

e. in case of resignation or death of the President Elect, the President will assume the duties of the office and the office will remain vacant until the next Ordinary General Assembly at which time both a President and a President Elect will be elected.

The General Secretary

8.10 When a vacancy is about to occur in the office of General Secretary as the result of the completion of a term of office by the Officer or acting Officer, the Nominating Committee may nominate a candidate or candidates for consideration by the next Ordinary General Assembly. The General Secretary shall be elected at the opening of the Ordinary General Assembly and shall be installed in office on the first day of January succeeding the Ordinary General Assembly. He shall hold office until the first day of January succeeding two subsequent General Assemblies. In accordance with Statute 6.9, previous membership on the Executive Committee shall not limit his term of office. The Executive Committee may, if it thinks fit, appoint a General Secretary to hold office for a second and final period of three years. Such a period shall begin on the day on which he shall have completed the previous period of office and close on the first day of January succeeding the Ordinary General Assembly at which his successor shall have been elected. For a period of two years after resignation or retirement from office a former General Secretary shall not be eligible to hold office in the Federation.

8.11 The General Secretary shall under the provisions of Statute 6.1 be a member of the Executive Committee.

The Treasurer

8.12 When a vacancy is about to occur in the office of Treasurer as the result of the completion of a term of office by the Officer or acting Officer, the Nominating Committee may nominate a candidate or candidates for consideration by the next Ordinary General Assembly. The Treasurer shall be elected at the opening of the Ordinary General Assembly and shall be installed in office on the first day of January succeeding the Ordinary General Assembly. He shall hold office until the first day of January succeeding two subsequent General Assemblies. In accordance with Statute 6.9, previous membership on the Executive Committee shall not limit his term of office. The Executive Committee may, if it thinks fit, appoint a Treasurer to hold office for a second and final period of three years. Such a period shall begin on the day on which he shall have completed the previous period of office and close on the first day of January succeeding the Ordinary General Assembly at which his successor shall have been elected. For a period of two years after resignation or retirement from office a former Treasurer shall not be eligible to hold office in the Federation.

8.13 The Treasurer shall

a. under the provision of Statute 6.1 be a member of the Executive Committee;

b. be responsible to the General Assembly and to the Executive Committee for all the financial affairs of the Federation;

c. be responsible for supervision of the income and outgoings of the funds of the Federation and for its financial records;

d. prepare for presentation to the Executive Committee not later than March 1 of the succeeding year an audited statement of the income and expenditures of the Federation for those calendar years in which he held office;

e. prepare for presentation to each Ordinary General Assembly an audited statement of the income and expenditure of the Federation for the triennium ending on December 31 in the year preceding that in which the Ordinary General Assembly is held;

f. prepare a triennial budget for the Federation, for the triennium beginning on January 1 of the year in which the Ordinary General Assembly is held, and send this at least ten weeks before the date of a General Assembly to the members of the Executive Committee and to the delegates and associate delegates to the Assembly.

g. prepare for presentation to each meeting of the Executive Committee a statement of income and expenditure of the Federation for the period beginning on January 1 of the year in which the meeting is held, and ending not more than two months before the meeting.

 

Finance

9.1 Each Adhering Body shall pay an Annual Subscription to the Treasurer determined in accordance with the provisions of the Group in which it adheres (Statutes 5.4g, 9.2 and By-Law 18). The Annual Subscription shall be paid during the calendar year to which it applies.

9.2 The Unit Subscription shall be stated in terms of a currency to be decided by the Executive Committee (Statute 7.3 k) and the value of the unit in that currency shall be determined by an Ordinary General Assembly for the three-year period General Assembly beginning January 1 following the Ordinary (Statute 5.4h).

9.3 Any Adhering Body which has paid no subscription for two successive years shall be warned by the Treasurer, and its delegate or delegates shall by that fact be thereupon deprived of the right to vote. An Adhering Body whose subscription is in arrears for four years shall by that fact be immediately suspended from membership in the Federation. Such a suspension shall be reported to the next General Assembly by the Treasurer. This report shall be regarded as a proposal to the General Assembly that the membership of the Adhering Body in question be terminated. The membership may then be terminated by the General Assembly under the provision of Statute 5.5c or of Statute 5.10c.

9.4 Funds may not be solicited or accepted on behalf of the Federation or on behalf of any of its Committees from any International, Governmental or other Agency, or from any person, without the previous approval in writing of the Executive Committee. Nevertheless any committee for international relations in biochemistry and molecular biology may, without prior approval of the Executive Committee, seek funds within its own Scientific Community or group of communities for the support of its own activities or in its capacity as host for a General Assembly, Congress or other meeting sponsored by the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

9.5 If, under the provisions of Statute 11.2, a proposal is accepted at a General Assembly for the dissolution of the Federation, the General Assembly shall thereupon appoint a Special Committee to report to the International Council for Science concerning the means of liquidation of the assets of the Federation. The net assets shall be given to one or more, preferably international, organization or institution which shall spend the assets so obtained for purposes as far as possible in accordance with the aims of the Federation as set out in Statute 1.

Domicile and Representation of the Federation

10.1 Legal domicile of the Federation is in the Municipality of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

10.2 The Auditor of the Federation shall be a person or corporation authorized to act as a public accountant, appointed to act by the Treasurer after approval by the Executive Committee.

10.3 All contracts and agreements involving the Federation shall be signed by two of the Officers of the Federation.

10.4 The President shall be the official representative of the Federation on all civil and legal occasions and in all dealings with other organizations. He may in this respect delegate his powers to the President Elect, the General Secretary or, with the approval of the Executive Committee, to any other person.

10.5 The Executive Committee may, on behalf of the Federation, own, buy, and sell real estate, hold mortgages, lend money, and act as guarantor.

Duration of the Federation

11.1 The duration of the Federation is not limited.

11.2 The Federation shall not be dissolved except on the acceptance of a proposal to this effect by two-thirds of the delegates present at a General Assembly. Any motion to dissolve the Federation shall be included in the Agenda of a General Assembly.

11.3 If the Federation is dissolved by the General Assembly, the balance of assets over liabilities will be utilized so far as possible in conformity with the aims of the Federation, specified in Statute 1.2 (Statute 9.5).

Adoption and Alteration of the Statutes

12.1 These Statutes shall come into force immediately after they have been adopted by a General Assembly. Adoption of the Statutes shall require at least two-thirds of the votes of those delegates present at the General Assembly, and at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of all Adhering Bodies, whether or not all such delegates are present.

12.2 Proposals to a General Assembly for amendment of the Statutes may be made by the Executive Committee and by any Adhering Body, provided that the General Secretary is notified in writing at least eight months before a General Assembly is expected to be held.

12.3 Any alteration of these Statutes shall become effective only if all Adhering Bodies have been informed of such a proposal at least six months before a General Assembly, if at least two-thirds of the votes of those delegates present shall have been cast in favor of the proposal, and the favourable votes amount to at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of all Adhering Bodies, whether or not all such delegates are present. If the two-thirds favourable vote does not represent at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of the Adhering Bodies, a mail vote shall be taken and a two-thirds majority of the votes received within ninety days following the mailing of the ballots shall be required for adoption of the amendment to the Statutes, provided that 50% or more of the delegates reply.

Adoption and Alteration of the By-Laws

13.1 The By-laws shall come into immediately after they have been adopted by a General Assembly. Adoption of the By-Laws shall require at least two-thirds of the votes of those delegates present at the General Assembly, and at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of all Adhering Bodies, whether or not such delegates are present.

13.2 Proposals for alteration of the By-Laws may be made by the Executive Committee. Proposals for alteration of the By-Laws, except of By-Law 1, may also be made by an Adhering Body. Proposals for the amendment of By-Law 1 may be made by an intended Adhering Body or an Associate Adhering Body under the provisions of Statute 2.11. All proposals for amendment of the By-Laws shall be sent to the General Secretary in writing. A proposed alteration of the By-Laws shall become effective if all Adhering Bodies have been informed by the General Secretary if the proposal to alter a By-Law or By-Laws and no adverse vote has been received by the General Secretary within a period of four months of his notification of the proposal. If the General Secretary receives one or more valid adverse votes he shall refer the matter to the next Ordinary General Assembly. The proposal shall then be voted upon by those delegates resent as though it was a proposal for an alteration of the Statutes under the provisions of Statute 12.3.

Membership and Delegates

Membership

1. The members of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are listed at the end of the By-Laws.

Delegates (Statute 4)

2. The delegates or associate delegates shall have the duty of ascertaining the views of the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body which nominate them, if requested to do so by the General Secretary, on any matter within the purview of the Federation. The General Secretary shall send, to the Responsible Officer of the Adhering Body or Associate Adhering Body, a copy of every letter addresses to the delegates and associate delegates which contains such a request.

General Assembly and Executive Committee

General Assembly (Statute 5)

3. The Agenda for an Ordinary General Assembly shall be sent by the General Secretary to all delegates and associate delegates in writing at least six months before the date of the General Assembly. Copies of any supplementary Agenda shall be provided by the General Secretary for each delegate and associate delegate before or at the beginning of the Ordinary General Assembly. No other item shall be considered by the General Assembly and put to the vote except under the provisions of Statute 5.9.

4. The Agenda for an Extraordinary General Assembly shall be sent by the General Secretary to all delegates and associate delegates in writing at least three months before the date of the General Assembly. Copies of any supplementary Agenda shall be provided by the General Secretary for each delegate and associate delegate before or at the beginning of the Extraordinary General Assembly. No other items shall be considered by the Extraordinary General Assembly and put to the vote except under the provision of Statute 5.12.

Executive Committee (Statute 7)

5. The General Secretary shall despatch to each member of the Executive Committee a notice of a meeting of the Executive Committee at least three months before the proposed date. The Agenda shall be sent by the General Secretary to each member of the Executive Committee in writing at least one month before the date of the meeting. Copies of any supplementary Agenda shall be provided by the General Secretary for each Executive Committee member before or at the beginning of a meeting of the Executive Committee.

President

The President (Statute 8.4-8.7)

6. The President shall

a. under the provisions of Statute 5.9, require the General Secretary to summon an Extraordinary General Assembly, if the President has been requested in writing by at least one-half of all the delegates to call such a General Assembly, and fix the time and place thereof;

b.under the provisions of Statute 7.5, report to each meeting of the Executive Committee the decisions taken under Statute 8.6 since its last meeting.

7. The President may

a. consult by mail, the members of the Executive Committee upon any matter within the competence of the Federation, or request the General Secretary to do so on the President’s behalf;

b. consult by mail the delegates of Adhering Bodies and associate delegates of Associate Adhering Bodies upon any matter within the competence of the Federation, or request the General Secretary to do so on the President’s behalf.

General Secretary and Treasurer

The General Secretary (Statutes 8.10 and 8.11)

8. The General Secretary shall

a. act as Secretary at all meetings of the Executive Committee, and all General Assemblies. He shall distribute the Agenda and keep the Minutes of all meetings of which he is Secretary;

b. normally be responsible for the maintenance of communications between the Federation and its Adhering Bodies and Associate Adhering Bodies and between the Federation and other Federations, similar bodies and organizations, and between the Federation and the International Council for Science;

c. report annually, on behalf of the Executive Committee, about the activities of the Federation and of its Committees, Joint Committees and other bodies (Statutes 5.4e and 7.3b).

The Treasurer (Statutes 8.12 and 8.13)

9. When requested to do so by members, associate members, special members, associated organizations, an authorized officer of the International Council for Science or of any other organization that has contributed to the funds of Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Treasurer shall provide for the requesting officer an audited statement of the expenditure of the funds provided by the International Council for Science or by the other organization in question.

10. Before December 1 of each calendar year the Treasurer shall ascertain the financial liabilities of the Federation which arise from the activities of its Committees and from all other Federation responsibilities. By December 1 of each year at the latest the Treasurer shall prepare a working budget for the forthcoming calendar year, which he shall submit during the month of December to the Executive Committee for its approval.

Committees and Joint Committees

11. The term joint Committee shall be understood to include all Joint Commissions with other Federations.

12. The Chairman and members of the Committees shall normally be appointed by the Executive Committee under the provision of Statutes 7.3h and 7.4e. Such an appointment shall be for a maximum period of six years. They may be reelected for a single second term of three years. Where a person elected Chairman of a Committee is already a member of the Committee, his total term of service may be extended to a maximum of 12 years. Subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, Committees may co-opt members during the period between one meeting of the Executive Committee and the next and may thus fill vacancies which arise from resignation or death of members (Statute 7.4f).

13. An Editor and Co-Editor shall be a member of any Committee set up in respect of the relevant publication.

14. The Committee shall be responsible to the Executive Committee and shall report to it (Statute 7.3g). Each Committee shall have freedom to formulate its own rues and procedure within the framework of the Statutes and By-Laws of the Federation and of the approved terms of reference of the Committee.

15. The report of a Committee to the Executive Committee shall, at the request of the General Secretary, be prepared by the Chairman of the committee and reach the General Secretary not later than six weeks before the date of a meeting of the Executive Committee. The report of a Joint Committee shall be prepared by the Chief Representative of the Federation (By-Law 16) and shall reach the General Secretary not later than six weeks before the date of a meeting of the Executive Committee. Such reports shall be dispatched by the General Secretary to the members of the Executive Committee at least three weeks before the date of a meeting of the Executive Committee.

16. The representatives of the Federation on Joint Committees and on other joint scientific bodies shall be appointed by the Executive Committee under the provisions of Statutes 7.3h and 7.4d. For each such body, one representative shall be designated by the Executive Committee as the Chief Representative of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The obligations of the Chief Representatives to report shall be the same as those of the Chairman of a Committee of the Federation (By-Law 15).

17. Any officer of the Federation may attend a meeting of a Committee, Joint Committee, or of any other body set up under the Federation, but unless such an officer has been appointed an ordinary member of the Committee, Joint Committee, or other body the officer shall have no right to vote.

Finance (Statute 9)

18. Each Adhering Body shall pay an Annual Subscription the amount of which, under the provisions of Statute 9.2, shall be determined by the number of the Group in which adherence has been admitted (Statute 2.15). For the purpose of determining the amount of the subscription Group I shall be divided into two sub-groups while Group II shall be divided into two sub-groups while Group II shall be divided into five sub-groups and Group III into ten sub-groups. The amount of the Annual Subscription, in terms of the Unit Subscription (Statutes 5.4g and 9.2), shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions:

Adhering Bodies in Group I, sub-group A, shall pay annually two unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group I, sub-group B, shall pay annually three unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group II, sub-group A, shall pay annually four unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group II, sub-group B, shall pay annually six unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group II, sub-group C, shall pay annually eight unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group II, sub-group D, shall pay annually ten unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group II, sub-group E, shall pay annually twelve unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group A, shall pay annually sixteen unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group B, shall pay annually twenty unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group C, shall pay annually twenty-four unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group D, shall pay annually thirty-two unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group E, shall pay annually forty unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group F, shall pay annually forty-eight unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group G, shall pay annually fifty-six unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group H, shall pay annually sixty-four unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group I, shall pay annually seventy-two unit subscriptions;

Adhering Bodies in Group III, sub-group J, shall pay annually eighty unit subscriptions (Table I).

19. Five months before the Executive Committee meeting that takes place in the year before an Ordinary General Assembly (Statute 7.2) the Chairman of a Committee, or the Chief Representative of the Federation on a Joint Committee or other scientific body shall submit to the Treasurer a budget relating to the activities of the Committee or Joint Committee or other scientific body for the triennium beginning on January 1 of the year in which the Ordinary General Assembly is held. The Chairman of a Committee, or the Chief Representative of the Federation on a Joint Committee, or another scientific body shall be responsible to the Executive Committee for any expenditure of Federation funds on behalf of the Committee or another scientific body.

20. The records of the finances of the publications of the Federation shall be kept separately from those of the General Expenditure of the Federation. Editors of the publications of the Federation shall be responsible to the Executive committee for any receipts or expenditure of funds by them on behalf of their publication.

Publications of the Federation

21. The Editors of publications of the Federation shall be appointed by the Executive Committee for an initial term of not more than three years (Statute 7.4g). Reappointments may be made by the Executive Committee for terms of not more than three years. The number of reappointments shall not be limited.

22. Co-Editors and Assistant Editors shall be appointed by Editors for terms of not more than three years. They shall be eligible for immediate reappointment for terms of up to the same length. Under the provisions of Statute 7.4 h the appointments and reappointments shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The number of reappointments shall not be limited.

Associated Organizations (Statute 2.25)

23. The Federation shall invite Associated Organizations to send representatives to meetings of relevant Federation bodies when joint activities are to be discussed.

The Federation shall offer assistance in publicizing meetings of Associated Organizations.

The Federation may invite Associated Organizations to advise on Federation activities that would be of direct interest to the Organizations.

The continuance of membership of each Associated Organization shall be reviewed by the General Assembly at each of its triennal meetings.

Interpretation of the Statutes and By-Laws

24. In these Statutes and By-Laws words importing the male sex shall be interpreted as including the female sex.