Article 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be the European Association of Aquatic Sciences Libraries and Information Centres (EURASLIC).
Article 2. Objectives
The objectives shall be to provide an organization for the exchange of ideas and views on issues of mutual concern; for the presentation of views and proposals to other organizations; for the building of links with other regional and international aquatic sciences library and information centre networks; and for the undertaking of mutually beneficial projects.
Article 3. Membership
Section 1. Eligibility
Membership shall be open to all European persons and European organizations having an interest in library and information science as it is applied to the aquatic sciences and related disciplines.
Section 2. Personal Membership
Any eligible person may become a Personal Member on the payment of the appropriate annual fee. Personal Members shall have the right to vote and to hold any office.
Section 3. Institutional Membership
Any eligible organization may become an Institutional Member on the payment of the appropriate annual fee. Institutional Members shall nominate one person with the right to vote and to hold any office.
Section 4. Associate Membership
Associate Membership shall be open to those European persons or European organizations that are not able to pay for Personal or Institutional Membership, or those who are not eligible for geographic reasons. European persons who are Associate Members or who represent a European organization that holds Associate Membership, may vote and hold office. Associate members who are not eligible for geographic purposes, may not vote or hold office, and shall pay for services that they receive.
Section 5. Honorary Membership
Any eligible member may be nominated for Honorary Member status for exceptional services to the Association. Any Member may nominate another Member for Honorary Member status and the Membership will be asked to vote in accordance with Article 9, Section 4 and Section 5 of these Bylaws.
Section 6. Membership fees
The Executive Board shall establish annual membership fees and charges for services, subject to the approval of the Membership.
Article 4. Executive Board
Section 1. Powers
The Executive Board shall have the power and authority to manage the affairs and property of EURASLIC. It shall determine policies within the limits of the Bylaws, and shall take actions to carry out the objectives. It shall perform such functions as are directed by the Membership.
Section 2. Composition
The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers: the President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer and two (2) elected Representatives of the Membership. The Newsletter Editor, Website Manager, Discussion List Moderator, Archivist and Past President will serve as non-voting ad hoc members of the Board subject to any constraints specified in Article 6, sections 1, 3 and 4. The Executive Board may appoint up to three additional non-voting ad hoc members to the Board as they deem necessary to enhance the functions of the Board. These additional ad hoc members may not necessarily be members of Euraslic.
Section 3. Meetings
The Executive Board shall meet during the course of each EURASLIC Conference. At other times it shall normally work by correspondence. Additional meetings may be called by any two members of the Executive Board. The quorum shall be fifty percent (50%) of the Executive Board members.
Section 4. Voting
Decisions shall be taken by majority vote of those voting, whether at a meeting or by correspondence, with the President (or the Vice-President standing in) having an additional casting vote in the case of a tie.
Section 5. Vacancies
Vacancies in the Executive Board, except in the office of President, shall be filled by appointment by the President, subject to the approval by majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board. If there is a vacancy for President, the Vice-President shall become President, and shall appoint a new Vice-President, subject to the approval by majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board.
Section 6. Term of Office
All members of the Executive Board shall serve for a term of two (2) years, and may stand for a consecutive term in the same office. They may stand for election in subsequent terms for any other office. The term of office shall commence at the adjournment of the EURASLIC Business Meeting or at the end of the day of election.
Article 5. Duties of Officers
Section 1. President
The President shall preside at all meetings of EURASLIC and of the Executive Board; shall sign all contracts and other legal documents; shall represent EURASLIC at meetings of other organizations, or if unable to attend shall designate a member of EURASLIC to attend; and shall be responsible for any other business as may be required by the Executive Board.
Section 2. Vice-President
The Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of the duties of the Presidency; shall assume the President's duties in the absence or withdrawal of the President; and shall be responsible for any other business as may be required by the Executive Board.
Section 3. Executive Secretary
The Executive Secretary shall keep a record of all EURASLIC meetings, including those of the Executive Board; shall be responsible for the proper and legal mailing of notices to members; for the tabulation of all ballots; and for any other duties as may be required by the Executive Board.The Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the Executive Board for such period of time as the Board shall determine. The Executive Secretary shall serve as a non-voting member of the Euraslic Board.
Section 4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall manage the funds of the Association; shall establish accounting procedures for the handling of those funds; shall be responsible for the keeping of the funds in such banks, investments etc., as are approved by the Executive Board; and shall be responsible for the keeping of accurate records of all members. Regular reports on the financial position of the Association shall be prepared, as the Executive Board shall determine. An annual statement of accounts shall be prepared each year. At the expiration of the term of office, the Treasurer shall deliver over to the new Treasurer all books, money and other property belonging to the Association, or in the absence of a successor, to the President.
Section 5. Members Representatives (2)
The Members Representatives act as a link between the member(s) and the Executive Board. The Members Representatives will communicate to the Board, and enter on the Board Meeting Agenda if necessary, any views, questions or problems raised by one or more of the members, and solicit the Board for a response.
Article 6. Other Official Positions
Section 1. Newsletter Editor
The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for the preparation of the EURASLIC Newsletter, and shall be appointed by the Executive Board for such period as the Board shall determine. The Newsletter Editor shall serve as non-voting ad hoc member of the Euraslic Board.
Section 2. National Representatives
Each National Group within EURASLIC shall be asked to elect a Representative to act as a link with members in that country and any National Association; to represent the views of those members and National Association to EURASLIC; to distribute such documents as may be requested; to solicit new members; and any other duties as the Executive Board shall request.
Section 3. Website Manager
The Website Manager shall be responsible for the development and management of the Euraslic Website under policy agreed by the Executive Board, and shall be appointed by the Executive Board for such period of time as the Board shall determine. The Website Manager shall serve as non-voting ad hoc member of the Euraslic Board.
Section 4. Past President
The Past President will continue to serve in an advisory capacity as a non-voting ad hoc member of the Board, for the two-year period following their term of office.
Section 5. Archivist
The Archivist shall be responsible for acquiring, organising and preserving documents and other materials relating to the history and development of the Association and its activities, under policy agreed by the Executive Board. The Archivist shall be appointed by the Executive Board for such period of time as the Board shall determine. The Archivist shall serve as a non-voting ad hoc member of the Euraslic Board.
Section 6. Discussion List Moderator
The Discussion List Moderator is responsible for managing the Euraslic Discussion List on the web.
Article 7. Committees
The Executive Board shall establish such Committees as it finds desirable, and shall delegate such powers and functions as it finds necessary. Such Committees shall be responsible to the Executive Board.
Article 8. Nominations and Elections
Section 1. Frequency of Elections
The elections shall be held every two (2) years either at the EURASLIC Business Meeting or by post if there is no such meeting.
Section 2. Nominating Committee
The Executive Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee, no later than three (3) months before the date of the election, consisting of three (3) members, none of whom shall be members of the Executive Board.
Section 3. Nominations
The Nominating Committee shall present to the Executive Board a list of nominations for the vacant offices. The Committee shall obtain the written acceptance of each nominee prior to the submission of its list. Any member of EURASLIC may submit suggestions for nominations for the consideration of the Nominating Committee. Ballots shall be mailed to the membership no less than thirty (30) days prior to the EURASLIC Business Meeting or date of election.
Section 4. Balloting
Elections shall be by printed ballot mailed to each Association member thirty (30) days before the EURASLIC Business Meeting or date of election; returned mail ballots should be received by the day before the EURASLIC Business Meeting or date of election. The candidate who receives the largest number of votes for any office shall be elected. In the event of a tie the President shall have a casting vote, except in the case of the office of President, when the most recent President shall have a casting vote.
Article 9. Meetings
Section 1. Regular Meetings
The EURASLIC Business Meeting shall normally be held every two (2) years to coincide with the EURASLIC Conference.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special Meetings may be held at the request of the Executive Board or by request of twenty percent (20%) of the Members of the Association. Notice of a Special Meeting shall specify the business to be transacted, and no other business shall be considered.
Section 3. Notification of Meetings
At least thirty (30) days notice of all meetings should be sent to members by the Secretary.
Section 4. Quorum
A Quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of the members. Voting shall be by simple majority of those voting, with the President (or Vice-President standing in) having a casting vote if necessary.
Section 5. Proxy Votes
If any member is unable to attend a meeting, they may appoint another member to vote in their place. A member may not have more than five (5) proxy votes.
Article 10. Funds, Contracts, Property
Section 1. Funding
Funds for Association expenses shall be derived from fees, grants and receipts from sources that are consistent with the objectives of the Association as a not-for-profit organization.
Section 2. Financial Year
The financial year shall run for twelve months from 1st January to 31st December
Section 3. Agreements and Contracts
Any agreement or contract entered into by the Association shall be approved by the Executive Board.
Section 4. Permanent Address
The Permanent Address of the Association shall be:
EURASLIC
Institut Océanographique
195 rue Saint-Jacques
75005 PARIS, FRANCE
Article 11. Amendments
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by (a) the Executive Board, or (b) ten percent (10%) of the membership. Two thirds of those voting shall approve a change to these Bylaws. Voting may take place at a Meeting or by postal ballot.
Article 12. Dissolution
A proposal to dissolve this Association may be proposed by (a) the Executive Board, or (b) ten percent (10%) of the membership. Two thirds of those voting must approve such a proposal. Voting must be by postal ballot to all members. Any property or other assets of the Association shall be liquidated or sold, and the proceeds distributed to one or more similar organizations selected by the Executive Board.
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