Constitution and by-laws of
the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Section 1: Name and Domicile
The EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (hereinafter referred to as the "ECNP") is constituted in accordance with Article 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Law (Schweizerisches Zivilgesetzbuch) and is domiciled in Basel, Switzerland.Section 2: Objectives
2.1 ObjectiveIt is the objective of the ECNP to stimulate high quality experimental and clinical research in neuropsychopharmacology, with special emphasis on coordinating and promoting the scientific activities and standards between countries in Europe.
2.2 Means to Attain the Objective
The ECNP brings together all persons involved in or interested in the scientific study of neuropsychopharmacology by arranging scientific meetings, seminars, and study groups.
The ECNP provides guidance and information to the public on matters relevant to neuropsychopharmacology.
The ECNP further provides a format for coordination and for development of common standards in Europe.
Section 3: Members
The membership of ECNP is individual. Any person actively engaged or interested in the scientific study of neuropsychopharmacology may apply for membership of the ECNP. Every member will be entitled to attend all Meetings of the ECNP.There will be five categories of membership.
Members of each category should hold qualifications considered appropriate by the Executive Committee.
3.1 Ordinary Membership
Any worker in any relevant discipline, resident in Europe, may apply and be accepted for ordinary membership of the ECNP. Only ordinary members have the right to vote at Meetings and to hold office in the Executive Committee.
3.2 Honorary Membership
Honorary membership may be awarded to persons of distinction by a General Meeting upon recommendation by the Executive Committee.
3.3 Associate Membership
Associate membership will be available to those who are actively engaged in or interested in research in neuropsychopharmacology, but not fulfilling the requirements for ordinary membership. Associate membership is terminated after a period of four years.
3.4 Corresponding Membership
Corresponding membership will be available to persons who are introduced to the ECNP by at least two ordinary members.
3.5 Corporate Membership
Industrial organisations interested in becoming corporate members of the ECNP may be admitted by the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Resignation of Members
Any member is entitled to resign the membership by giving written notice of such intention at least three months before the end of the calendar year.Section 5: Expulsion of Members
Members who are considered to have acted in such manner as to bring discredit upon the ECNP, or who have failed to pay their subscription for two years can be expelled by the Executive Committee. The grounds for such expulsion need not to be disclosed.Members who are expelled by setting forth the reasons will, however, be entitled to appear before the Executive Committee and petition for restitution. If such petition is dismissed by the Executive Committee, the member may have recourse to the next General Meeting which will decide in the last instance on the member's restitution or repulsion.
Section 6: Effect of Resignation or Expulsion
Members who resign or are expelled from the ECNP lose all right over the common property of the ECNP.They continue to be liable to pay a proper proportion of their subscription according to the period of their membership.
Section 7: Financial Resources
The funds of ECNP are furnished by:7.1 Members' subscriptions;
7.2 Voluntary contributions, donations, and subsidies;
7.3 Gifts and grants;
7.4 Legacies and charitable bequests;
7.5 Interests on the assets of the ECNP.
Section 8: Organs of the ECNP
The organs of ECNP are:8.1 The General Meeting of members;
8.2 The Executive Committee.
Section 9: The General Meeting of Members
The General Meeting of members is the highest organ of the ECNP.The Meeting is summoned by the Executive Committee at least 3 months before the date of the Meeting. The members will be invited and informed of all motions for debate at the Meeting in writing by ordinary mail.
The members shall submit to the Secretary of the Executive Committee any motions supported by at least ten ordinary members at least thirty days prior to the Meeting.
An Ordinary General Meeting is to be held at least every two years. Extra-ordinary General Meetings will be summoned, given twenty-eight days notice to the members, whenever a General Meeting or the Executive Committee so decide, or on written demand, addressed to the Executive Committee and stating the purpose of such Meeting, of at least ten percent of the members or 50 members. The Executive Committee informs the members of such a request within seven days from its receipt.
Section 10: Powers of the General Meeting of Members
The General Meeting of members decides on:10.1 The election of the President and the other officers
(Vice-President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer) and the councillors of the Executive Committee;
10.2 The acceptance of the management report, the balance sheet and the profit and loss account of the ECNP as well as the report of the Auditors; discharge of the managing organs;
10.3 The decision on complaints against the managing organs;
10.4 The appropriations of the proceeds;
10.5 The annual subscriptions to be paid by members;
10.6 The amendments of the constitution;
10.7 The winding up or merger of the ECNP;
10.8 All other affairs which by law, this Constitution or decision of the Executive Committee are reserved to the General Meeting;
10.9 Motions of members which have been submitted to the Secretary of the Executive Committee at least thirty days before the date of the Meeting.
Section 11: Proceedings at General Meetings
The General Meetings will be chaired by the President or the Vice-President of the Executive Committee, and a Secretary appointed by the Executive Committee will keep minutes. An appropriate number of scrutineers will be elected by a show of hands by a majority of the ordinary members.The General Meetings will be governed by regulations issued by the Executive Committee.
No business can be transacted at a General Meeting unless it is listed on the agenda.
Section 12: Quorum
The minimum number of ordinary members who must be present for the valid transaction of business shall be 30 for Ordinary General Meetings or 40 for Extraordinary General Meetings.Resolutions will be passed by a majority of members present at the Meeting and entitled to vote.
Section 13: Resolutions and elections
Elections and resolutions will be passed by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by at least five percent of the ordinary members present at the Meeting.Section 14: The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee will be composed of twelve members: the Officers President, Vice-President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary and Treasurer, and six Councillors.The Executive Committee has the right to co-opt three additional Councillors.
The term of office will be three years. The Officers Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and the Councillors can only be re-elected once to the elected position. The Officers President and President-Elect cannot be re-elected to the elected position. Any member of the Executive Committee can only be re-elected for four terms, with the exception of the President.
The Executive Committee meets at least once between the Ordinary General Meetings. The conditions for its summons will be fixed by the President.
The presence of at least seven voting members is required to constitute a quorum.
Decisions will be passed by a majority of votes. The Executive Committee may vote by circulating letters, but each member is entitled to demand the treatment of a subject in a Meeting.
There will be kept proper records of the deliberations of the Executive Committee.
Section 15: Powers of the Executive Committee
The members of the Executive Committee have the right and are under the duty:15.1 to manage all affairs of the ECNP which are not specifically assigned to the General Meeting, and especially to safeguard the interest of the ECNP in general;
15.2 to execute the resolutions passed by the General Meeting;
15.3 to represent the ECNP; each Officer of the Executive Committee is entitled to sign jointly with the President or the Vice-President;
15.4 to summon a General Meeting;
15.5 to organize the activities of the ECNP within the scope set forth in the Constitution or in resolutions of the General Meeting;
15.6 to draw up the rules and regulations necessary for the conducting of the affairs of the ECNP.
Section 16: The Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee in office to nominate candidates for the future Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee is constituted of seven members of which one should be the Past President and of which at least three members must be recruited from outside the Executive Committee. Its members are not eligible for the Executive Committee.The Nominating Committee will take into account the scientific standing and the geographical distribution of members in coming to their recommendation for the officers and the members of the Executive Committee.
Suggestions of the Nominating Committee can be overruled by vote at the General Meeting of members, if an alternative suggestion for nomination has been put forward by at least fifteen ordinary members.
Section 17: Closing of accounts
The financial year of the ECNP begins on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December of the same year.Annual subscriptions must be paid annually in advance and will fall due on the 1st of April.
Section 18: The Auditors
Professional Auditors will be appointed by the Executive Committee for a term of office of two years, at the expiration of which they will be re-eligible.The auditors control and verify the inventory and accounts, the book-keeping and the funds of the ECNP. They report to the General Meeting in writing about the balance sheet and the result of their auditing.
Section 19: Winding Up
A General Meeting at which at least one half of the ordinary members are present may pass a resolution on the winding up of ECNP, or on a merger of the ECNP with another organization, provided that at least a two-thirds majority of the ordinary members present is in favour of such a resolution, and further provided that such a resolution is confirmed by a two-thirds majority at another General Meeting to be held not less then twenty-eight days later.Section 20: Effective Date
This constitution has been amended and adopted by the General Assembly of Tuesday, 3 October 1995, and has come into effect on the same day.Venice, this third day of October 1995
President: S.A. Montgomery
Secretary: Chr. Köhler