INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PRODUCTION RESEARCHCONSTITUTION

2011‐08‐03

Article 1 – Name
The organization is the International Foundation for Production Research, hereafter referred to as theFoundation.

Article 2 – Aims
The Foundation aims are the advancement of Production Research by:1) the organization of the biennial global conferences “International Conference on Production Research”(ICPR) as well as biennial conferences or meetings of the three regions
2) the support of the relevant international journals, especially the International Journal of Production
Research.
3) the support of research projects4) co‐operation with other organizations in this field
5) providing a forum for identifying new trends in Production Research with the intention that several
international research teams be set up, each investigating a new topic in depth ‐ their findings to bereported at subsequent ICPR
6) the support of networking of researchers from all over the world7) support of young scientists

Article 3 – Duration
The Foundation is established for an indefinite period.

Article 4 – Termination of Board Membership
1) The membership normally expiries after 2 years of inactivity as researcher in the field of productions
research or after 4 years of inactivity in ICPRs (either global or regional).
2) Participation can be terminated by the participant by giving a one year’s notice. The termination can only
be done in writing before the end of a calendar year.
3) The Board can also terminate participation, if the participant can no longer be considered representativein its country in the field of Production Research after appropriate consultation.

Article 5 – Organizational Structure1) The affairs of the Foundation are regulated by a Board whose membership shall be determined according
to Article 6 and by the executive committee Article 9.
2) The Foundation consists of three regional groups with separate chairpersonsa) Africa, Europe, Middle East Region (AEM)b) Asia‐Pacific Region (APR)c) Americas Region (AR)Article 6 – Board
1) The Foundation aims to have two representatives of each country relevant in production research asBoard member.
2) Each Board member may recommend representatives of countries to the chairperson of the region.
3) The regions decide on the recommendation of a candidate to the Board.
4) The voting rights on the Board are defined as one vote per member. The decision to invite an individual
participant to become a Board member is taken with an absolute majority of the registered voterspresent.
5) The Editor of the International Journal of Production Research will normally be invited to serve as amember of the Board.
6) IFPR Fellows serve as a member of the Board.
7) There is no membership fee to be paid to the foundation and members of the Board do not enter into any
other financial obligation.

Article 7 – Board Authority
1) The Board meets at least once every two years, during the biennial conference in the country where theconference is held and sufficient voters. The Executive Committee (Article 9) can call additional Board
meetings at appropriate locations with sufficient notice. The Board members will be convoked in writing.
2) The Board can also make decisions without meeting, under the condition that relative proposals havebeen sent to all Board members, that all Board members have given their vote in writing, and that noBoard member has objected to this mode of decision making.

Article 8 – Conference Locations
During each biennial conference the Board decides where future conferences will be held. It is aspired toalternate between the three regions.

Article 9 – Executive Committee
1) In general the Executive Committee follows the decision of the Board.
2) The Executive Committee consists of the following persons elected by the Board membersa) The President (elected for two years)b) The Secretary General (at the same time president elect, elected for two years)c) The Past President (serving in the executive committee for two years)d) The chairpersons of the three regions AEM, APR, AR (the regions may decide on the legislative periodindependently)e) The Organizer of the next ICPR (active for two years, elected at the Board Meeting)3) Such other persons as the Board thinks suitable to serve.
4) The President and the Secretary are authorized to represent the Foundation in law and otherwise.
5) The President and the Secretary are responsible for the affairs of the Foundation.
6) The Executive Committee meets when so determined by a majority of its members.
7) The membership of the Executive Committee normally expires after two years at the time of the next
biennial Board Meeting or when membership on the Board ends, if that is earlier. Replacements forunexpired terms may be made by the President.

Article 10 – Voting
Unless otherwise specified in this Constitution, the Board and the Executive Committee make decisions byabsolute majority of registered voters present. Abstentions are not registered as votes.

Article 11 – Modifications of the Constitution and Dissolution
The Board can decide to modify the Constitution or to dissolve the Foundation. Three quarters of the registeredvoters are required to do so.

Article 12 – ProxyIn all meetings of the Board, but not in those of the Executive Committee, a member of the Board can replace
himself/herself by a written proxy.

Article 13 – Bylaws
The Board is entitled to lay down Bylaws with a view to the carrying into effect of this Constitution, and canmodify the Bylaws. The Bylaws may not be in contravention of the Constitution.

Article 14 – Fellowship
The Board may elect members or former members who have been outstandingly active and committed to thefoundations aims as fellows.

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PRODUCTION RESEARCH
Usage of the savings

2011‐08‐03

Current Situation
1.
Current balance: $ 43.245,48
2.
So far there have been earnings but no spending
3.
The bank account is at Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) Company (BBT.com)
At the long term1) IFPR shell be an organization without money
2) Future ICPRs shell not make a payment to the IFPR account but shell be bound to spend $15 per fullparticipants on best paper awards and prizes for young scientists
3) If they don’t do so the money has to be transferred to IFPR for sponsorship of prizes in the next ICPRs
At the medium term
1) Use a separate bank account of the FpF1 for the current savingsa) the money is transferred by a designated donationb) the money transfer can only instructed by the executive committee in writingc) the continuous signature authority is ensured by the FpFd) no fiscal problems with full filling the requirements of a nonprofit associatione) the Board minutes have to be sent to the FpF to announce the elected executive committeef) the current savings shell be used for sponsorship of prizes for young scientists at future ICPRs
2) The current savings shell be spent on prizes and young scientists activities in the upcoming ICPRs or suchother matters that shall be decided by the Board.
3) Except in exceptional circumstances the Executive Committee is authorized to make expenditures only
according to a budget, approved by the Board. Budgets must be approved every two years.
4) The President and/ or Secretary General shall represent the Board in financial matters over this term.
5) There shall be no management fee associated with the account and no interest to be accrued to theaccount.

1 A registered nonprofit alumni association of the Fraunhofer IAO and IPA »Association for promotingproduction research« (German: »Verein zur Förderung produktionstechnischer Forschung e.V.«)