Proposal for the amendment of the Constitution

 

A proposal to amend the Constitution is presented to members (see documents below).

 

This proposal is supported by all the members of the current Council and by several additional members to meet the required support of at least fifteen members of at least seven different nationalities. (see list)

 

 

PROCEDURE

Following the procedure described in the current Constitution (article 18), a Revision Committee will be appointed at the first General Assembly meeting in Cape Town to examine the proposed amendments. This Committee shall have the power to make minor modifications to the proposed amendments, provided these do not alter the intent. Comments from members sent by email will be compiled and communicated to this Committee. At the second General Assembly meeting in Cape Town, there will be a vote on the proposed amendments. If approved by at least two-thirds of the members present at the General Assembly, the amendments will be submitted to a final vote by internet of all IUSSP members. The revision shall become operative if a majority of votes have been cast in its favour.

 

RATIONALE

This revision does not seek to fundamentally alter the way the IUSSP functions. Its principal aim is to clarify, simplify, adapt the Constitution to new technologies and, last but not least, allow the IUSSP to adapt more easily to changes in the scientific and funding environments, if needed. Indeed, in the current Constitution, most changes require a General Assembly (which occurs only every 4 years).  

 

The main changes would be:

      • The creation of a by-laws section, which can be changed by Council rather than through a Constitutional revision. The aim is to increase flexibility but also to include some additional written rules to guide the Council. These by-laws would include: a) articles dealing with the specific procedures pertaining to membership management, – these describe the way IUSSP functions since having switched to using online membership software; b) articles dealing with the details of the electoral procedures. 
      • The possibility to organize an Online General Assembly of members, if the membership needs to be formally consulted without having to wait several years.
      • The possibility for the IUSSP to affiliate with other organizations without calling a General Assembly and the possibility for organizations to affiliate with the IUSSP (but without granting them voting rights).
      • A simplification of the Constitutional revision process.
      • The clarification of roles of the Council members, Officers and Executive Director.

 

DOCUMENTS