Revised 19th Sep 1995 - The European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP) shall have as its aims
a) To foster the European tradition of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry;
b) To facilitate and extend the bonds between physicians practising Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in European countries;
c) To spread the results of research and experience in this branch of medicine by publishing reports and organising scientific conferences and meetings;
d) To collaborate with international organisations with the same or related aims.
- ESCAP shall be the federative body of the national societies for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in European countries, consisting of those societies who wish to belong to the Society and are recognised by the Society.
- ESCAP shall be composed of
a) Ordinary members
b) Honorary members
- Membership is open to national societies of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Europe from within nation states recognised by the United Nations. Ordinary members are all physicians residing in Europe working in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, either in their practice or in research, by virtue of their membership of national societies of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry incorporated in ESCAP.
Normally each European country shall be represented by one society. However in unusual circumstances, particularly when countries are divided by language differences, it may be acceptable for more than one society to be members from one country. In these circumstances, the societies shall decide which of them has the right to vote where only one vote is available. In general, theoretical differences in approach shall not be regarded as reasons for having more than one society representing a country. Any disagreements or differences that cannot be sorted out amicably within the country concerned shall be decided by the Board by simple majority vote.
- Persons who have made outstanding contributions to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or in a field bordering on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry may be made honorary members.
- Applications for membership should be addressed to the President and dealt with by the Board in compliance with Article 4. Members of ESCAP may nominate candidates for honorary membership (Article 5). The Board shall decide, by a simple majority vote, whether membership shall be granted, in compliance with the provisions in Article 4.
- The membership dues to be paid by national societies shall be fixed by the Board. The national societies shall pay an annual fee corresponding to the number of their members in accordance with Article 15.
- Membership of ESCAP shall terminate:
a) On the ordinary member's death
b) On a written request for resignation addressed to the President
c) On decision of the Board because of acts prejudicial to the interests of ESCAP
d) On non-payment of dues by the national society despite two reminders
- ESCAP shall organise a main conference every three or four years, which will incorporate a meeting of the General Assembly. The President, Secretary and Treasurer shall present their reports, and the Board of ESCAP will be elected at this meeting.
- The Board of ESCAP shall be composed of members acting in the following capacities:
a) President
b) Vice-Presidents, ten at the most
c) Secretary
d) Treasurer
- The President shall be elected at each General Assembly. He or she shall not be eligible for re-election. Vice-Presidents shall be eligible for re-election but subject to half being replaced by new officers at every General Assembly.
The Secretary and Treasurer should be elected by the Board from among the maximum of ten Vice-Presidents. The immediate past President should be an additional member of the Board.
Should any officers retire before the date of the next General Assembly, the Board is empowered to choose their successors, and these shall remain in office until the next General Assembly. Whenever votes are equally divided, the President shall have the casting vote. At least five members of the Board must be present for its decisions to be valid.
- The President and the Vice-Presidents shall be elected after consulting the national societies, regard being paid to regional interests and claims. The Vice-Presidencies should preferably be assigned in consecutive order from one country to another.
- The Board shall manage the business of ESCAP. It shall administer its finances and organise its conferences and meetings. The President shall be the legal representative of ESCAP. He or she may appoint another member of the Board to act for him or her.
- The invitations to conferences and meetings shall be sent to all members of the Society at least two months before the date of the conference or meeting in question. An agenda with accompanying documents should also be sent to national societies at least two months before the General Assembly.
- All members of ESCAP have the right to attend the General Assembly. Each country represented in ESCAP shall be granted the following number of votes:
- One vote for up to 60 full members
- Two votes for 61 to 150 full members
- Three votes for more than 150 full members
Decisions shall be carried by a simple majority vote. The proceedings of the General Assembly and the decisions taken shall be recorded, and the minutes signed by the President and Secretary, or their substitutes.
- A two-thirds majority of the voting members is required for any amendment in the constitution.
- ESCAP cannot be dissolved or combined with another organisation unless a third of all the voting members so agree, and unless the step is authorised by two-thirds of the members present at the following General Assembly. Should ESCAP be dissolved, the disposition of its assets shall be decided upon by a two-thirds majority of the members at the last General Assembly.
- These articles were adopted by the members at the General Assembly in Utrecht on 19th September 1995.
|
