Statutes

§ 1 Name and Place of Registration

The International Society for Forensic Genetics is a registered society with place of registration in Mainz, Germany.

§ 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 cooperation with other scientific bodies. The society is especially available to assist public inquiries.

§ 3 Non-profit Status

(1) The society's sole purpose is exclusively scientific and non-profit according to the section "beneficiary tax purpose" of the German Tax Code (Abgabenordnung). (2) The society does not pursue an economic purpose. The funds of the society may only be applied for appropriate statutory purposes. The members receive no financial contributions out of the funds of the society. (3) No individual may benefit from expenses inappropriate to the purposes of the society, or receive excessive allowances.

§ 4 Membership

(1) Any academic graduate, dealing scientifically with genetic markers in human blood, can apply for full membership. (2) Legal entities (e. g. commercial companies) can be enrolled as supporting members, but they do not have voting rights. (3) Applications for membership must be made to the Executive Committee of the society and be accompanied by references from two full members. Admission to the society is subject to decision by the Executive Committee. (4) Membership is terminated by written notice of withdrawal, death or by disqualification. Notice of withdrawal is to be submitted to the Executive Committee by registered mail. (5) Scientists, whose contributions are of great importance in respect to forensic serology and any other individuals who especially deserve acknowledgement by the society can be nominated as honorary members. This is subject to decision by the General Assembly. (6) The membership may not be used for advertising purposes. (7) Any scientifically interested person not meeting the criteria under is eligible to become a special member without voting rights.

§ 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, for alternating terms, the other members for the Executive Committee for two years. After a change in the presidency, the former President becomes the Vice President. If the President is re-elected the Vice President will also be asked to stay in office. 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 to 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:

• Receipt of the Executive Committee’s annual report and the annual financial report,
• Election of members of the Executive Committee,
• Relief of the members of the Executive Committee,
• Appointment of honorary members,
• Determination of the dates and locations of scientific meetings,
• Setting the membership fee,
• Resolutions on procedural motions, if necessary,
• Resolutions on alterations of the statutes and society regulations,
• Decisions on the dissolution of the society.

(2) The General Assembly passes resolutions with a simple majority as long as the statutes do not state anything differently. (3) As a rule, the General Assembly takes place during the society's scientific convention. The Executive Committee will issue a written invitation and the planned agenda to the membership 6 weeks in advance. A topic, which does not appear on the agenda, cannot be introduced for a vote unless 3/4 of the members are in favor of the respective motion. (4) A special General Assembly can be convened by the Executive Committee. It must be convened if at least 1/4 of the members submit a justified request to the Executive Committee. (5) Upon the decision of the Executive Committee, or upon request of at least 100 ordinary members, or upon resolution 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) A scientific conference is scheduled at least once every two years. (2) Each member may submit 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 subjects of the presentations and to choose the speakers. (3) Every 2 years, on the occasion of the scientific congress, the International Society for Forensic Genetics can award the "Scientific Prize of the International Society for Forensic Genetics". The award of this prize is regulated by a separate statute.

§ 9 Membership Subscriptions, Auditor, Fiscal Year

(1) A yearly membership fee is raised, which becomes due at the beginning of the calendar year and the amount of which is determined by the General Assembly. Changes in the membership fees take effect at the beginning of the following calendar year. (2) Membership fees are waived for Honorary members. For corporate members the member dues are considered the minimum contribution and agreements are made based on self-assessment. (3) After the passing of each fiscal year, the financial records of the society are checked by two auditors elected by the General Assembly. The latter report to the General Assembly. (4) The fiscal year is identical with the calendar year.

§ 10 Working parties - Committees - Commissions

(1) Working parties promote the exchange of scientific experiences. (2) The General Assembly can decide on 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 1/5th of the members, and including a justification, must be submitted to the President using registered mail at least three months before the General Assembly. (2) The Executive Committee is also entitled to propose justified alterations of the statutes 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 such an application has been brought before the Executive Committee within three months before the General Assembly by at least 2/3rd of the members. For the decision to dissolve the society a 3/4 majority of the present members is required. (2) If the society is dissolved its property is transferred to the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", who must use it exclusively for non-profit purposes. The agreement of the relevant revenue office must be obtained in advance.