International Society for Aerosols in Medicine

Statutes of the International Society for Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM)

§ 1: NAME and SEAT of the SOCIETY

• The name of the society is "International Society for Aerosols in Medicine" (ISAM), and was founded in 1970. The society is registered in 35285 Gemünden (Wohra), Wohraer Str. 37, Germany as an association.

§ 2: PURPOSES of the SOCIETY

• The International Society for Aerosols in Medicine exclusively and directly engages in - non-profit activities – as defined in the "tax-privileged purposes" section of the Tax Code.

• The society is altruistic and does not primarily pursue economic profitability. All activities of the society serve humanitarian and peaceful purposes.

• The purpose of the society is the promotion of science, research and education in the area of international aerosol research in medicine.

• The statutes’ purposes are in particular carried out through: international scientific meetings (congresses, symposiums), research projects, assignment of research contracts, various kinds of publications (magazines, proceedings), creation of study groups for certain tasks, recommendation of selected research projects, introduction of new research results from aerosol medicine in practice, consultation in the training of co-workers and promotion of professional training within the scientific field, co-operation with societies which have an interest in aerosol research in medicine, interdisciplinary co-operation through exchange of information in all areas of international aerosol research in medicine.

• The society’s capital may be used only for statutory purposes. Members do not receive an allowance from the society.

• No member can draw any advantage through expenditures that are against the purposes of the society or contradict its non-profit character.

§ 3: MEMBERSHIP

• Types of membership:
  • full member
  • honorary member
  • promoting member
  • member with reduced membership dues

• Full members are individuals or organizations who are 1) actively involved in the research and practice of the application of aerosols in medicine or 2) who are interested in the application of aerosols in medicine, and agree with the purposes of the society.

• Honorary members are individuals generally recognized for their achievements in science, education, practice and other vocational areas in the special-interest fields of the society.

• Promoting members are individuals, institutions, companies and societies that promote the society and support it financially.

• Reduced membership dues can be granted upon request (e.g. for retired members or for reasons of financial hardship).

• Membership for full and promoting members, as well as for those with reduced membership dues, requires the approval of the President and Secretary-General, after membership dues (as specified by the ISAM Executive Board) have been paid.

• All members are entitled to participate in the meetings of the society and to receive all necessary scientific, vocational and organizational information from the society.

• Full members, honorary members, and members with reduced membership dues - who have fulfilled all obligations of the society have the active and passive right to vote. The right to vote can be exercised either personally or by a proxy who has been nominated in writing. The maximum number of votes of any proxy is five.

• Termination of membership occurs upon non-payment of membership dues by decision of the Executive Board, which must be confirmed by the General Assembly. A full member shall also have the right to resign his or her membership.

• Membership applications (for full members, promoting members, and members with reduced membership dues) must be submitted, together with membership dues, to the Secretary-General.

• Membership dues must be paid in January of each fiscal year (the society’s fiscal year corresponds with the calendar year).

• Membership dues are specified by the ISAM Executive Board and must be confirmed by the General Assembly. Honorary members are exempt from paying membership dues.

§ 5: GOVERNING BODIES of the SOCIETY

• The society has the following governing bodies:

• • the General Assembly (§ 6) and
  • the Executive Board (§ 7).

§ 6: GENERAL ASSEMBLY

• The highest ISAM - committee is the General Assembly of society members. It is called by the President, usually in conjunction with the ISAM congress. Date and time, as well as the agenda, are communicated to each member by the President and the Secretary-General at least three months prior to the General Assembly. The General Assembly constitutes a quorum, regardless of the number of members present.

• The General Assembly receives reports from the Executive Board and decides on the following items:
  • election of new Executive Board;
  • discharge of old Executive Board;
  • confirmation of honorary members;
  • changes to the statutes;
  • confirmation of the dismissal of members;
  • dissolution of the society; and
  • membership dues.
• Full members, honorary members, as well as members with reduced membership dues are eligible to vote. Decisions are made by a simple majority of votes. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

• Decisions regarding changes to the statutes and dissolution of the society require a two-thirds majority vote.

• When special issues arise, a confidential ballot can be cast via mail after the Executive Board’s approval. When requesting such a vote, no changes are possible. The postal vote must be received by the Secretary-General no later than four weeks prior to the start of the General Assembly.