BlueBook 2009.qxd:1 - European Society of Pathology

14
agenda of a regularly scheduled General Assembly. The member in question has the
right to be heard by the Executive Committee.
Article 6 - MEMBERSHIP FEE
The annual membership fee is fixed by the General Assembly, after a proposal by the
Executive Committee.
Article 7 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly is the supreme body of the Society. It supervises the activities
of the Executive Committee.
7.1 - Competence
1. At the General Assembly, the report of the President, as well as recommendations
of the Executive Committee and Advisory Council, shall be presented and discussed
for approval by the General Assembly.
2. The Treasurer will present the accounts and the Finance Committee will present
its report, all for final approval by the General Assembly.
3. The editors of the official publications of the ESP may be requested to provide
information.
4. The activities of the working groups, commissions and committees of the ESP shall
be briefly reported.
5. The General Assembly has the sole authority to change the statutes.
6. The General Assembly has the sole authority to approve and dismiss the Executive
Committee members.
7. The General Assembly has the sole authority voluntarily to liquidate the Society
and decides on the way the Society will be dissolved and how the assets will be settled.
8. The General Assembly has the sole authority to nominate and expel members.
9. The General Assembly has the sole authority to approve and to change the
byelaws.
10. The General Assembly has the sole authority to designate the venues of the forthcoming
congresses.
11. The General Assembly has the sole authority to approve the contracts with the
affiliated journals.
12. The General Assembly has the sole authority to recognise the working groups.
7.2 - Composition
The General Assembly is composed of all the ordinary and trainee members; each
ordinary member holds one vote. Retired ordinary members and honorary members
can participate in the General Assembly, but hold no vote.
7.3 - Meeting and convocation
The General Assembly meets under the guidance of the President at each congress
of the E.S.P., at a site specified in the notice of meeting. The General Assembly may
also be called upon request of one third of the members of the ESP. A notice of meet-
ing including the agenda is sent out by the Secretary of the Executive Committee by
letter, fax, e-mail or any other way of communication at least three months prior to
the meeting. The working language is English.
7.4 - Decisions
A meeting of the General Assembly should be attended by at least 10% of the members.
All issues not provided for in these statutes shall be taken by a simple majority
of the members present or represented at the General Assembly, the president having
the casting vote in the event of a tie. A member who holds a specific mandate
may represent up to three other ordinary members at the General Assembly.
No valid decisions can be made on items not mentioned in the agenda. If the meeting
of the General Assembly is not attended by at least 10% of the ordinary members
of the Society, a new meeting of the General Assembly will be scheduled under the
same conditions as the above-mentioned, and this assembly
can take a final and valid decision on the proposal after approval by a simple majority
of the members present and represented, the president having the casting vote
in the event of a tie.
The resolutions of the General Assembly are entered in a register, signed by both the
President and the Secretary, and recorded by the latter, who will deposit the register
at the working address of the Society on behalf of the members. The decisions shall
be communicated to all Society members.
Article 8 - CHANGES IN THE STATUTES AND LIQUIDATION OF THE SOCIETY
Irrespective of the articles 50§3, 55 and 56 of the law on non-profit societies, international
non-profit societies and foundations, any proposal to amend the statutes or
to liquidate the Society shall emanate from the General Assembly or at least 5% of
all ordinary members. Any proposal to change or amend the statutes or liquidate the
Society shall first be submitted to the Secretary in writing for consideration by the
Executive Committee.
If the Executive Committee agrees with such a proposal, it must be put to the
General Assembly.
The Executive Committee must give to all members of the Society at least three
months notice of the meeting of the General Assembly which will make a final decision
on the proposal. No decision shall be taken without an affirmative vote by a
two-thirds majority of the members present and represented at the meeting of the
General Assembly of the Society. At least 25% of the ordinary members must be present
or represented at this General Assembly.
Changes in the statutes or liquidation of the Society is valid only after approval by
the authorities, according to article 50§3 of the law and after the formalities for publication
in the ‘Bijlagen tot het Belgisch Staatsblad’ are fulfilled, according to article
51 §3 of the law. The General assembly decides on the way in which the Society will
be dissolved and how its assets will be settled. After liquidation, the net assets of the
Society shall be transmitted to a non profit organisation with a similar aim as the
ESP or to a charity.
15