By-Laws of the International Association for Biologicals

Version 11 Nov 2009

ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP – DUES

The minimum annual contribution from a Member Society is US$1000.

The minimum annual contribution from a Supporting Organization is US$1000. Privileges and benefits afforded to Supporting Organizations shall not conflict with any part of the Constitution or the present By-laws and shall be applied equally to all Supporting Organizations.

ARTICLE II – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Compensation.
The Board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.

Section 2: Board Elections.
Upon adoption of the present By-laws, the Board shall be composed of members representing the following scientific fields: six (6) Human Biologicals; and six (6) Veterinary Biologicals; the remaining members may be drawn from either field. Subsequently, the Board should take into account the relative representation of the various scientific fields represented in the membership of the Association, and shall determine the appropriate balance every two (2) years in advance of the next election.

One of the two (2) Vice Presidents ordinarily will be elected to the Presidency.

Section 3: Notice.
An official Board meeting requires that each Board member has received written notice two weeks in advance.

Section 4: Vacancies.
When a vacancy on the Board occurs mid-term, the Secretary may receive nominations for a replacement member from one or more Board members three weeks in advance of a Board meeting. These nominations shall be sent to Board members with the regular Board meeting agenda, to be voted upon at the next Board meeting.

Section 5: Resignation, Termination and Absences.
Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A Board member shall be dropped for excess absences from the Board if she/he has two unexcused absences from Board meetings in a year. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a three fourths vote of the remaining Board members.

Section 6: Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board shall be called upon the request of the President or one third of the Board members. Notices of special meetings shall be sent by the Secretary to each Board member postmarked no later than two (2) weeks in advance.

ARTICLE III – COMMITTEES

Section 1: Organization of committees
Unless the present By-laws provide otherwise,

- the Chairmen and Vice-chairmen of all committees shall be appointed by the Board upon nomination by the Nominating Committee;
- the Chairman of each Committee shall decide on the number of members of such committee and appoint the members with the agreement of the Executive Committee;
- only Board members may be appointed as Chairmen of committees.

Section 2: The Scientific Conference Committees
The scientific activities of the Association shall be the responsibility of the Scientific Conference Committees, representing special interests within the fields of Human Biologicals and Veterinary Biologicals.

Any Individual Member of the Association in good standing may be appointed as chairman of a Scientific Conference Committee.

The two (2) Vice Presidents shall be responsible for the overall function of the Scientific Conference Committees under their respective jurisdiction and shall decide, after consulting the Executive Committee, upon which Scientific Conference Committees to create, maintain or dissolve.

The Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Scientific Conference Committees, shall be appointed by the relevant Vice President with the agreement of the Executive Committee. However, committees on special subjects, as designated by the Board, may be chaired by the Vice-Presidents themselves. All Scientific Conference Committees shall function under the direction of their respective Chairmen. The Scientific Conference Committees shall have as many members as the Chairmen deem necessary and appoint, with the agreement of the appropriate Vice President.

The Chairman, with the assistance of the Program committee shall be responsible for selecting the topics and the setting-up of the Scientific program. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the logistical organization. The Vice Presidents shall report to the General Assembly regarding the scientific activities undertaken by the Scientific Conference Committees

Section 3. The Publications Committee
The Publication activity of the Association shall be the responsibility of the Publications Committee.

Any Individual Member of the Association in good standing may be appointed as Chairman of the Publications Committee.

At the beginning of each calendar year, the Chairman shall submit to the Executive Committee for approval a list of the Publications, which are planned for the following year together with a budget. The Chairman will then be responsible for achieving each Publication upon schedule and within the budget as well as for marketing the Publications in conjunction with the Association's publishers. The Chairman shall report to the General Assembly regarding the publications activities undertaken.

Section 4. The Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for the current membership and for taking steps to promote IABS membership worldwide.

Section 5. The Finance and Resource Development Committee
The Finance and Resource Development Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer. It is responsible:

- for assisting the Treasurer in managing the Association’s finances, including the preparation of the budget, salary allocations, and reviewing the auditors’ report.
- for developing plans for the long-term financial health of the Association, including grants from other organizations and bequests

Section 6. The Strategic Planning Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee is responsible for broad continuing review of the Association’s mission, competitive position, opportunities, and identifying initiatives and/or changes in direction that should be undertaken to benefit the Association.

Section 7. The International Cooperation Committee
The International Cooperation Committee is responsible for maintaining relationships with WHO, OIE and other organizations such as regulatory/control agencies and industry with which the Association has worked in the past, and to foster new relationships that could be beneficial to both parties.

Section 8. Nominating Committee
Unless the Constitution or the present Bylaws provide otherwise, the Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating candidates for the Board and for the Chairmen and Vice-chairmen of Committees. Nominations of candidates for the Board shall be submitted to the Board, which shall decide whether to submit them to the General Assembly or not.

ARTICLE IV – AMENDMENTS

Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended when necessary by a two thirds majority of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary at least three weeks before a Board meeting so that the proposed changes can be included with regular Board announcements.

The first By-laws were approved by the General Assembly meeting on 6th November 2006 in Lyon and amended on November 11th, 2009.

Permanent office of the
International Association for Biologicals I A B S
79, Avenue Louis-Casai
CH-1216 Cointrin-Geneva
Switzerland

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