Statutes

1 Name and Place of Registration

The International Society for Forensic Genetics is incorporated with place of registration at Mainz.

2 Aims

(1) The society aims to promote scientific knowledge in the field of genetic markers in human blood. This is to be accomplished by scientific meetings of the society, meetings of regional working parties, and by scientific publications. (2) The society strives for co-operation with other scientific bodies. The society especially is always ready to assist public inquiries.

3 General Usefulness

(1) The society's sole scientific purpose is given in the sense of "beneficiary tax purpose" of the German Tax Code (Abgabenordnung). (2) The society does by no means pursuit an economical purpose. The funds of the society may only be applied for appropriate statutary purposes. The members receive no fees in their capacity as members and also no other allowances out of the funds of the society. (3) No person may be supported in a way inappropriate to the purposes of the society nor benefit of inappropriate allowances.

4 Membership

(1) Any academic graduate, dealing scientifically with genetic markers in human blood, can apply for full membership. (2) Corporate members (e. g. commercial companies) can be enrolled as members, but they do not have the right to vote. (3) Applications for membership must be made to the Executive Committee of the society together with references from two full members. Admission to the society is subject to the decision of the Executive Committee. (4) Membership is terminated by written notice of withdrawal, death or by disqualification. Notice of withdrawal is given by registered letter to the Executive Committee. (5) Scientists, whose contributions are of great importance in respect to haemogenetics and any other persons who especially deserve acknowledgement by the society can be nominated as honorary members. This is subject to the decision of the General Assembly (6) The membership may not be used for advertising purposes. (7) Any scientifically interested person is able to become an extraordinary member without the right of voting, as far as these are not listed up in point (1).

5 Executive Committee

(1) The Executive Committee consists of the President, the Vicepresident, one Representative for all Working Parties, the Secretary and the Treasurer (2) The General Assembly elects the Executive Committee by secret ballot and by a simple majority of votes from the membership. The Treasurer and the Secretary are elected for four years consecutively, the other members for the Executive Committee for two years. If the President is re-elected the Vicepresident is also re-elected automatically for another two years. Only one re-election is permitted. (3) The newly elected Executive Committee takes over its official function on the first January following the election; until then the former Executive Committee remains in office. (4) The Executive Committee is still authorized to pass resolutions, even if one member should withdraw prematurely. The required by-election then takes place at the next General Assembly. (5) The Executive Committee may invite guests tor the Board Meeting.

6 Authorization for Representation

Two members of the Executive Committee represent the society in the sense of �?§ 26 BGB (German Civil Code).

7 General Assembly

(1) The General Assembly pays particular attention to the following:

• Receiving of the annual report, also the annual report of the treasurer,
• Election of members of the Executive Committee,
• Relief of the members of the Executive Committee,
• Appointment of honorary members,
• Establishment of time and place of scientific conventions,
• Decision of regulations if necessary,
• Decision of alterations of statutes and regulations,
• Decision of dissolvement of the society

(2) The General Assembly passes a resolution with a simple majority as long as the statutes do not read differently. (3) As a rule, the General Assembly takes place on the occasion of a scientific convention. Therefore, the Executive Committee must take known, in writing, appointed time of the convention 6 weeks in advance. A topic which does not belong or appear on the agenda can be introduced without resolution, providing 3/4 of the members are in favour of its acceptance. (4) A special General Assembly can be called by the Executive Committee. It must be called for by at least 1/4 of the members who have submitted reasons to the Executive Committee. (5) Upon the decision of the Executive Committee or upon the request of at least 100 ordinary members or upon the decision of 2/3 of the members present at the General Assembly a vote concerning business affairs may be carried out by letter.

8 Scientific Conferences

(1) At least every two years a scientific conference is held. (2) Each member may bring forward proposals concerning the program. The proposals must be received by the Executive Committee at least 4 months in advance. It is up to the Executive Committee to decide the scientific subject of the papers and to choose the speakers. (3) The International Society tor Forensic Genetics can distribute every 2 years, on the occasion of the scientific congresses, the "Scientific Prize of the International Society for Forensic Genetics", according to special statutes.

9 Membership Subscriptions, Auditor, Business Year

(1) A yearly membership subscription is raised, which becomes due at the beginning of the calendar year and the amount of which is fixed by the General Assembly. Changes in the subscription fees become valid at the beginning of the following calendar year. (2) Honorary members are not eligible to subscription fees. For corporate members the subscription fees agreed upon are the minimum and are agreed on an individual basis by self-assessment. (3) At the end of a business year the cash account of the society is checked by two auditors elected from the General Assembly. The latter report to the General Assembly. (4) The Business year is identical with the calendar year.

10 Working parties - Committees - Commissions

(1) Working parties function for the exchange of experience. (2) The General Assembly can conclude the formation of working parties, committees and commissions.

11 Alterations of the Statutes

(1) An application for alteration of the statutes, duly signed by at least 1/5 of the members, must be addressed to the President together with reasons three months before the General Assembly (2) The Executive Committee is also entitled to propose alterations of the statutes with reasons to the General Assembly, the subject of which must be made known to the members together with the invitation to the General Assembly (3) Alterations of the statutes are concluded by the General Assembly in accordance with �?§ 33 BGB (German Civil Code) with a 3/4 majority of the present members. An alteration of the aims of the society is only possible with the agreement of all members.

12 Dissolution of the Society

(1) The dissolution of the society can only be considered after the application of the least 2/3 of the members has been brought before the Executive Committee within three months before the General Assembly takes place. For the conclusion to dissolve the society a 3/4 majority of the present members is required. (2) When the society is dissolved its property falls to the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", who will use it immediately for general utility purposes. The agreement of the relevant revenue office must be obtained beforehand.