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Statutes of the International Council of Ophthalmology, Part 1
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On this page:
- Preamble
- Article 1 - Constitution
- Article 2 - Aim
- Article 3 - Domicile
- Article 4 - Membership
- Article 5 - Delegates
- Article 6 - General Assembly
- Article 7 - Responsibilities of Delegates
Part 1: Preamble through Section 7
Preamble
The International Council of Ophthalmology arises from the World Ophthalmology Congress and the former International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies.
The International Council is the forum through which the educational and practical requirements of ophthalmologists, the national societies of ophthalmology, and the separate specialist ophthalmic societies can be represented internationally.
These statutes reflect the intention of the International Council of Ophthalmology to adjust its structure and to advance its aim. These statutes were adopted by the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies in New Delhi (on the 3rd of December 1962) and modified by this organization in Paris on the 18th of May 1974, in San Francisco on the 4th of November 1982, in Amsterdam on 23rd of June 1998, in Sydney April 22, 2002, in New Orleans, October 23, 2004, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 21, 2006 and in Hong Kong, China, June 27, 2008.
Article 1
Constitution
The International Council of Ophthalmology (hereinafter called the "Council") is an association constituted in conformity with Article 60 and onwards of the Swiss Civil Code and may be registered in the Commercial Register of Zurich, Switzerland.
Article 2
Aim
The aim of the International Council of Ophthalmology is to promote the science of ophthalmology among all peoples and nations, and in furtherance of this to ensure permanent cooperation between representative Ophthalmological Societies of different countries and the various international bodies concerned with the organization of educational, scientific and cultural matters. For these purposes the Council shall elect certain members to the Board of Trustees of the International Council of Ophthalmology (hereinafter called the "Board”). The officers shall form the executive committee ("Vorstand") in the sense of the Swiss Civil Code.
Article 3
Domicile
The Council has its registered domicile in Zurich, Switzerland. The duration of the Council is unlimited.
Article 4
Membership
An Ophthalmological society recognized as of good standing shall be entitled to join the Council as an affiliated society subject to the approval of the Board provided it has paid its due subscription.
Article 5
Delegates
Each society joining the Council shall appoint one of its members as delegate who shall hold office during the interim between one World Ophthalmology Congress (hereinafter called the "Congress") and the next Congress, unless a new delegate is appointed. If there is any change in the delegate, the Secretary-General of the Council should be notified immediately. The name of the delegate to attend the meeting of the Council shall be confirmed to the Secretary-General of the Board immediately after appointment and at least six months before each Congress.
Article 6
General Assembly
At each Congress or at least every two (2) years, the Council delegates shall meet with the members of the Board to form the General Assembly. The President of the Board shall be the Chairman of the General Assembly and shall have the authority to convene the General Assembly at any time with at least thirty (30) days notice, if he or she deems it necessary. Additionally, the General Assembly shall be summoned by the President of the Board on demand of a fifth of the delegates or at least fifteen (15) delegates. The General Assembly transacts the business of the Council not specifically assigned to any other body of the Council, and elects the ordinary members of the Board. The General Assembly has a non-transferable right to revoke the Board members at any time. The Council delegates and the Board members shall have equal voting powers. The Chairman shall have a vote and be able to cast a second vote in the event of a tie.
Article 7
Responsibilities of Delegates
The further duties of a delegate shall be:
(a) To act as a liaison officer between the Board and his or her society in the interval between two Congresses
(b) To bring to the attention of the Board and the General Assembly matters which might affect the practice of ophthalmology in their country or worldwide.
(c) To supply the Secretary-General of the Board, periodically or on request, with the names and addresses of the ophthalmologists of his or her country or taxing authority and such other matters as are required.
(d) To be responsible for collecting and forwarding, or arranging for the collecting and forwarding, of the annual subscription of his or her society to the Treasurer of the Board.
Next: Part 2: Article 8 to 17 of the Statutes
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