Constitution of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research
(revised 7 July, 2015)
Article 1: Name
The name of the organization shall be the International Society of Photosynthesis Research.
Article 2: Object
- The organization of the quadrennial International Congress on Photosynthesis.
- Cooperation in the organization of sections devoted to photosynthesis and related disciplines at interim conferences between congresses with other photosynthesis-related scientific societies.
- Facilitation of publication of matters relating to the study of photosynthesis including an official society journal.
- Promote activities which foster international cooperation in scientific research and education.
Article 3: Membership
Membership shall be open to all individuals actively engaged in or interested in the study of photosynthesis or related topics.
Article 4: Conduct of the Affairs of the Society
- The affairs of the Society shall be controlled by an Executive Committee, consisting of 3 officers (President, Secretary, and Treasurer), President-Elect, Past President, and 12 area representatives.
- The Executive Committee shall have the power to: a) Make By-Laws and other regulations appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Society and the furtherance of its aims and objectives; b) Appoint members to the standing committees, and appoint ad hoc committees; c) Levy a membership fee, payable by all members. The amount of this subscription shall be subject to determination at the General Business Meeting, held during each International Congress; d) Prepare and approve a budget for the Society, and e) Select the International Congress meeting site; and appoint a Host from that site. The Executive Committee can refer the site selection to the membership at large at the General Business Meeting.
- A President-elect shall be elected to serve a term of 4 years and will then serve as President after the current President’s term is completed. The President-elect shall have the voting rights and responsibilities of an Executive Committee member. The primary responsibility of the President-elect is to assist in organization of the interim meeting and Congress. The Executive Committee shall endeavor to secure nominations from the various interest areas within the photosynthesis community.
- The President shall serve a term of four years, and cannot be re-elected. Upon completion of the term, the President becomes the Past-President for a term of 4 years. The President conducts the business of the Society in conjunction with the other officers. The President will consult with the Executive Committee on all matters of consequence.
- The Past-President is the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, and is responsible for organizing the activities of this committee. The Past-President is also the co-Chair (with the Host) of the Meeting Program Committee.
- The Secretary carries out the correspondence of the Society, distributes other information to the members, and is a member of the Meeting Program Committee. The Secretary is elected for a term of four years, and can be re-elected without restriction.
- The Treasurer is responsible for the financial affairs of the Society. The Treasurer shall present a report on the finances to the General Business Meeting. The Treasurer is elected for a term of four years, and can be re-elected without restriction.
- Area Executive Committee Members (i.e., Executive Committee members who are not officers) are elected for 8-year terms, with half elected each 4 years, and cannot be re-elected. There shall be at least two Executive Committee members elected from each of three geographical areas: the Americas, Europe, and the remaining countries. The Executive Committee shall determine the exact composition of each geographical group and the number of Elected Executive Committee Members representing each group, attempting to equalize representation based on the number of members in each group. The geographical composition of Area Executive Committee Members shall be reevaluated every 4 years. Members may vote on all Executive Committee candidates regardless of geographical area.
Article 5: Elections
- There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of the Past-President as Chairman, and three other members. The Executive Committee Geographical Area Representatives shall select one person from their respective geographical area to serve on the Nominating Committee for a term of four years, coinciding with the cycle of the International Congress. These selected members cannot be members of the Executive Committee.
- The Nominating Committee shall call for nominations from the Society membership about 1 year prior to the election. A member may nominate only one person for each office. For each position the member receiving the highest number of nominations, and agreeing to run and then to serve if elected, is to appear on the ballot. A person nominated for more than one office shall appear on the ballot only for the highest position, in the order: President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Area Executive Committee Member. The Committee shall provide one additional nomination for each position, the nominee agreeing to run and serve if elected. There shall be no indication of the source of the nominations.
- Elections shall be held electronically. Every member will have the opportunity to vote for at least 3 weeks. Each member has one vote and will be able to vote for President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Area Executive Committee Members from all geographical areas.
Article 6: Standing Committees
- There shall be two Standing Committees of the Society: the Nominating Committee and the Meeting Program Committee. Standing Committees must obtain approval from the Executive Committee for any decisions that would financially encumber the Society.
- The Meeting Program Committee shall be responsible for organizing the program for the quadrennial meeting of the Society. The Committee shall be co-chaired by the Past-President and the meeting site Host. The Committee will consist of six other members, two from each of the three geographical areas as selected by the Executive Committee. The Host will appoint and chair a local organizing committee. The Committee, in consultation with the local organizing committee, shall determine the form of the meeting, select invited symposium participants, and aid the Host in any way possible to ensure the success of the meeting.
Article 7: Meetings
- The Society shall sponsor an International Congress on Photosynthesis every fourth year. The Society shall endeavor to have the meeting rotate among the three geographical areas.
- The Society shall cooperate with other photosynthesis-related societies to sponsor interim meetings every fourth year, spaced two years from the last International Congress. The President and President-Elect, working with the Executive Committee, shall be primarily responsible for organizing and coordinating these meetings, and shall make reasonable attempts to ensure that the various areas of photosynthesis are represented.
- There shall be a General Business Meeting of the Society at each International Congress on Photosynthesis. The President shall present a report on the affairs of the Society. The Treasurer shall present an audited account of the finances. Announcement of the results of the election of officers shall occur.
Article 8: Amendments
- The Executive Committee can propose revisions to the constitution at any time. Any group of 25 members may propose changes at the General Business Meeting or via one of their Area representatives.
- The Executive Committee will arrange for voting on amendments by members to be done at the Congress or via the ISPR website (or other electronic means). Amendments to the constitution will pass if two-thirds of those voting are in favor of the amendment.