Source: https://www.ilae.org/about-ilae/history-and-archives/appendix-iii-constitution-and-bylaws/amp;/amp%3B
Timestamp: 2018-01-21 12:47:43
Document Index: 451040623

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 4', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 2']

Appendix III, Constitution and By-Laws // International League Against Epilepsy
Appendix III, Constitution and By-Laws
CONSTITUTION FOR INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE AGAINST EPILEPSY (1912)
[N.B. There is an English and a German version which are, however, not exactly the same. The English version is presented, and it is shown how the German version differs.]
The League intends by the cooperation of all countries, to make the epilepsy-problem the object of special study and to make practical use of the results of such study.
By papers, demonstrations and personal exchange of ideas the knowledge of the disease may be advanced, its deleterious effect diminished.
For representation and furthering its business affairs the League elects an international committee, consisting or a president, a vice-president, a secretary, two assistant-secretaries and a treasurer. The election of the committee is to be at a general meeting and by majority.
(In the German version it also stipulated that the vote is secret.)
Publication, in order to have approval of the League, must be signed by the president or the vice-president, and the secretary or, if delegated by the latter, by an assistant-secretary.
In addition to the international committee there should be appointed in all civilized countries a national committee that should further in its own domain the purposes of the League.
(In the German version it also stipulates that the national committees should perform the same inquiries as the League.)
In the international committee only members of the national committees can be elected. Every 3 years there shall be an election of the members of the international committee.
(This last sentence "Every … committee." is replaced in the German version by a separate article VII: "Every three years the two presidents (president and vice-president) and the assistant-secretaries will step down. However, they can be re-elected.")
Any person, who is interested either scientifically or practically in the work of the League, can become a member of the League.
Who wishes to become a member of the League, should inform the secretary of the national committee, such names than being passed upon by the respective national committees.
(In the German text the national committee hands a list of the candidate members to the international committee. Ultimately, the general assembly votes about the admission of each individual, which will occur when 4/5 of the votes cast either by oral or written ballot are in favour.)
The annual dues of each member shall be 5 dollars, 20 shillings, or the corresponding amount of other countries paid in advance.
(In the German version 10 Mark.)
The members receive the organ of the League (the quarterly periodical: Epilepsia, the first number of the 4th volume of which will be issued January 1913) free of charge at home.
(The German version adds: "If someone, notwithstanding repeated exhortation does not pay his annual dues, the president may propose his disaffiliation to the general assembly.")
The League may elect honorary members, whose names shall be submitted by the respective national committees to the secretary of the League. The names of such persons, if approved by the international committee, are submitted to the next regular meeting, 4/5 of the votes being required.
There shall be a meeting of the international committee immediately previous to each regular meeting of the League. Only those members present at each meeting shall have the right to vote, at least three being necessary for a quorum.
(The German version adds: "If there is a tie the president has a casting vote.")
In the absence of a regular meeting of the international committee the president or vice-presidents, if acting as president, with the secretary shall have power to obtain a decision on urgent matters by correspondence with the members.
(In the German version only the president is named.)
In such instances such matters shall be presented to the next regular meeting of the League.
The president of the League shall at the first session of each regular meeting appoint a committee of at least 3 members, who shall receive invitations regarding the place of the next meeting. This committee has to report at the next session of the same regular meeting. As soon as the place of the next meeting is decided upon, the president shall than appoint a program-committee of at least 3 members, who shall be responsible for the preparation of the program for the next regular meeting of the League. The chairman of that committee shall be member of the national committee of the country in which the next general meeting is to be held.
(Instead of this article the German version has a rather different content: "In the meeting of the board (= international committee) prior to the general assembly a decision is taken about the Agenda and Order of the general assembly as prepared by the president.")
At each regular meeting of the League the international committee shall present a report in regard to the business transacted by them since the last regular meeting. In the general meeting 12 members shall form a quorum.
(The text of this article is also rather different in the German version: "The general assembly takes decisions about the submitted propositions and documents, about the place and time of the next meeting and carries out the necessary elections. In the general meeting 12 members shall form a quorum. At the conclusion of the business meeting the scientific presentations will take place which have been scheduled, as far as they have not been presented in the sessions of the ongoing Congress.")
Persons, wishing to present papers or other matter, shall submit at least 3 months before the regular meeting the titles to the secretary of the respective national committee, sufficiently early, so that he may submit the same to the chairman of the program-committee at least 2 months before the next regular meeting.
(In the German version the time of submission is such that they can be send to the president of the ILAE [and not the chairman of the organizing committee] 4 weeks before the general assembly.
Also the German version stipulates that: "Urgent proposals may also be submitted in writing during the general assembly provided that these are supported by at least 8 members. Whether the matter is urgent will be decided by the general assembly.")
The general secretary and the assistant secretary of the permanent commission for the international medical congresses shall be non-voting members of the international committee of the League.
Epilepsia, 1st Series, Vol.2 (4), 1910, p.321-323 (German version)
Epilepsia, 1st Series, Vol.3 (3), 1911, p.317-319 (English version)
[NB. The announcement of the German version of the constitution says that it has to be ratified in Zurich, September 1911; however, there is confirmation inter alia from the annual report of the Schweizerische Anstalt für Epileptische that 1912 is the correct date.]
Constitution for the International League Against Epilepsy (1939)
Article I. Name and Object
This organization shall be known as the International League Against Epilepsy. Its object is to coordinate the activities of those who are interested in the better care and treatment of epileptics, and to stimulate interest in the social and scientific aspects of the disease.
The primary consideration for membership is an active interest in the objectives of the League. In countries which contain a branch organization membership in this branch automatically carries membership in the International League. Members who reside in countries without a branch carry membership in the League directly. Membership lapses automatically with the non-payment of dues. The dues shall be such as the members or the officers from time to time may fix. In countries with an organized branch a portion of the membership fees may be retained for the use of a branch. Non-medical persons may be associate members of a branch or may form a separate Laymen's League at the discretion of each branch.
The officers shall be president, vice-president, treasurer, general secretary, and editor of Epilepsia. Two offices may be combined. Officers shall be elected at the time of the international meetings. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the president after consultation with other officers. In the case of death or resignation of an officer the remaining officers shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy. Each branch of the League shall elect one of its members to serve as a national vice-president of the International body.
The League shall hold meetings at a time and place to be designated by the officers. Any number present at the appointed time shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Matters which the officers consider sufficiently important may be voted on by mail.
Ratified at Lisbon, September 8, 1953
The name of this international organization shall be the International League Against Epilepsy (hereinafter called 'The League').
The object of the League shall be the advancement and dissemination, in all countries, of knowledge concerning the epilepsies in every field, the encouraging of research into the cause and cure of the epilepsies and the promotion of better treatment and care for persons suffering from these diseases.
Article III. Head Office
The head office of the League shall be where the Secretary-General resides; for the first period of four years at Heemstede, Holland.
The membership in the League shall be by membership in national organizations primarily devoted to the problems of epilepsy, which shall be known as branches of the League and, in countries where no such national organization exists, by direct application to the League and approval by the majority of the General Assembly.
The national branches should be primarily medical organizations, which may include in their membership laymen interested in the problems of epilepsy. The national organizations shall be voted into the League as branches upon the approval of the executive committee and a majority vote of approval of the General Assembly.
Article V. Methods of Working
The methods of working shall consist in:
The establishment, in all countries, of branches of the League.
The establishment and maintenance of an efficient cooperation with international institutions active in the field of public health and social care.
The publication and distribution of a journal called Epilepsia.
The maintenance of a secretariat-general, to which all national branches shall contribute.
The organization of a meeting of the General Assembly, at least once in four years, at the time and place of the International Neurological Congress.
Any other methods consistent with the objectives of the League.
The League shall be administered by a General Assembly, a Committee and an Executive Committee.
The General Assembly shall be composed of the members of the various national branches and of the League.
The Committee shall consist of the officers. The officers of the League shall consist of:
A president who shall preside at all meetings, and appoint all special committees.
A president-elect.
Two vice-presidents, who shall assume the duties of the president in his absence in order of seniority.
A secretary-general.
An editor of the journal Epilepsia.
Chapter vice-presidents who are the accredited representatives of their national branches.
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, the President-Elect, the two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary-General, the Treasurer and the Editor of Epilepsia.
During the meeting of the General Assembly the officers (except the Chapter vice-presidents) shall be elected for a period of four years by a majority of the votes cast by the national branches through their Chapter vice-presidents. The number of votes which each national branch may cast shall be dependent on the number of members in good standing of its organization: one vote for every 100 members or fraction thereof, with a maximum of four.
A list of candidates for office shall be submitted by the Executive Committee. The national branches may nominate additional candidates through their Chapter Vice-Presidents. The Chapter Vice-Presidents shall be designated by their national branches. The officers shall retire after four years' service. The Secretary-General and the Editor of the journal Epilepsia shall serve two terms and after that be re-eligible.
Article VII. Meeting of the General Assembly
The General Assembly shall meet at the place and about the time of the International Neurological Congress.
Each meeting of the General Assembly shall consist of:
A scientific program, dealing with the problems of epilepsy.
A business meeting with an agenda as follows:
Report by the Treasurer
Reports by the Chapter Vice-Presidents
Budget of the following fiscal years
Election of the officers according to the rules fixed in Article VI.
Any other meetings deemed advisable at that particular time.
Article VIII. Meeting of the Committee
The Committee shall meet at the same place and date as the General Assembly. It may be convened at any time upon the written request of three of its members and upon notice given by the Secretary-General at least a month in advance of the scheduled meeting.
Article IX. Meetings of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall meet as often as deemed necessary.
Article X. Official Languages
The official languages of the League shall be English and French, and all matters of business shall have a translation into the other language, if not of the whole text, of, at least, a summary. The speakers, however, shall have the right to speak in the language of their choice, providing they supply a translation in one of the two official languages.
Each branch shall pay to the International League one-third of the sum collected from the dues of its members.
Individual members shall pay an annual due of $5.00 direct to the Treasurer of the League. Membership shall lapse automatically if the dues for a particular calendar year have not been paid by the end of the year following.
The dues shall be used to further the objectives of the League as authorized by the Committee.
Special Committees, in unlimited numbers, may be appointed by the President of the League and ratified by the Executive Committee. The Special Committees may act as such through commissions or representatives duly appointed.
Article XIII. Amendment of Constitution
The present Constitution may be amended by a two-third vote of the General Assembly.
Amendments may be initiated by the Committee, Executive Committee, or any twenty members of the General Assembly. Due notice of such amendments shall be given to all members by the Secretary-General at least one month before the meeting of the General Assembly.
International League Against Epilepsy Constitution*(1973)
The name of this international organization, founded on August 30, 1909, in Budapest, is the International League Against Epilepsy (hereinafter called "the League").
Article II. Reorganization
The League is reorganized as of September 9, 1973, upon adoption of this Constitution.
The advancement and dissemination throughout the world of knowledge concerning the epilepsies.
The encouragement of research concerning the epilepsies.
The promotion of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for all persons suffering from these disorders.
The improvement of education and training in the field of the epilepsies.
Article IV. Methods
To that end, but without restricting the main objectives of the League and insofar as the same shall be wholly charitable, the League shall:
Encourage the establishment and maintenance of national societies which will be the national members of the League (hereinafter designated "Chapters").
Seek to establish and maintain effective cooperation with other international organizations active in the field of the medical sciences, public health, and social care, who are, or may become, concerned with problems related to the epilepsies.
Promote publications concerning the epilepsies and arrange for the publication of the journal of the League, Epilepsia.
Organize or sponsor international congresses, symposia, or other meetings, in particular the International Congress of the League, to be held at the time and place as prescribed in the By-Laws.
Appoint special commissions or individuals for the purpose of studying specified problems related to the aims of the League and making recommendations for implementation of specific activities.
Develop and apply other methods consistent with the objectives of the League.
Article V. Legal Status
The League is an incorporated, non-profit international organization constituted in accordance with law.
The League is non-political and non-sectarian.
The Headquarters of the League shall be the office of the Secretary-General.
Membership in the League shall be by membership in national professional organizations devoted primarily to the problems of the epilepsies. These national organizations shall be known as Chapters of the International League Against Epilepsy. For the time during which there is not yet a Chapter in a given country, an individual from that country who is not a member of another Chapter may become a member of the League by direct application to the Secretary-General and approval by the Executive Committee.
There shall be only one Chapter in each country. When there is more than one eligible organization in a country, the Executive Committee shall recommend for membership that organization which, in its opinion, can best accomplish the objectives of the League.
The Chapters shall be voted into the League upon the approval of the Executive Committee and a two-thirds vote of approval by the General Assembly. Pending approval by the General Assembly, a national organization may be provisionally admitted to the League by decision of the Executive Committee.
By applying for membership, a national society agrees to fulfill all obligations of Chapters as stated in this Constitution and By-Laws. National Chapters are autonomous societies, but their Constitutions must not contain articles inconsistent with the Constitution of the League.
Membership becomes effective only when the applicant has paid to the Treasurer the first annual dues.
A Chapter may withdraw from membership provided it gives notice in writing to the Secretary-General six months before the end of the fiscal year. The Chapter will be responsible for the payment of all dues up to the date on which the withdrawal takes effect.
On recommendation of the Executive Committee, membership may be terminated by the General Assembly with a two-thirds majority vote if the Chapter fails to pay its annual dues or if, for any other reason, it no longer fulfils the stated requirements for membership.
Article VII. Administration
The League shall be administered by the Executive Committee, the Council, and the General Assembly.
Article VIII. The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers, the immediate Past-President, the Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia, and the President and Secretary-General of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (hereinafter called the "Bureau"). It shall conduct the affairs of the League, subject to ratification by the Council and General Assembly (Articles IX-2, X-2).
The Officers shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary-General. They shall be nominated by a Nominating Committee, appointed by the Executive Committee. After approval by the Executive Committee, this slate shall be presented to the General Assembly for election. Other candidates may be presented by Chapters through their Chapter Vice-Presidents.
The Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia shall be responsible for editing Epilepsia in accordance with the general policies established by the Executive Committee. He shall be appointed by the Executive Committee, subject to ratification by the Council.
The term of office of the Executive Committee is the fiscal period, ordinarily from the end of one International Congress of the League to the end of the next. The President and the immediate Past-President shall serve one term. The Vice-Presidents and the Secretary-General may be re-elected for one additional term. The Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and may be reappointed at the end of each term. His appointment may be terminated at any time, subject to ratification by the Council. Should any vacancy in the Executive Committee occur, it shall be filled by the Executive Committee, subject to ratification by the Council.
The Executive Committee may hold meetings at any time or in any place which may be convenient to its members; it may conduct its business by mail.
The Executive Committee shall have the power to formulate at any time By-Laws not in conflict with the Constitution, subject to ratification by the Council.
Article IX. The Council
The Council shall consist of the members of the Executive Committee plus one delegate from each Chapter, such delegate to be designated by the Chapter in accordance with its Constitution and to be designated its Chapter Delegate (or Vice-President).
The Council shall be advisory to the Executive Committee in the formulation of policy. It shall be called upon to ratify new By-Laws submitted by the Executive Committee and shall approve the appointment or termination of appointment of the Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia. If necessary in the period between two General Assemblies, it shall approve other major decisions as submitted by the Executive Committee or Chapters and which are ordinarily under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly.
The affairs of the Council will ordinarily be carried out by mail, but it may be convened for important and urgent matters by the Executive Committee, or at the request of at least 25 percent of the Chapter Delegates. A notice of at least 90 days must be given before a proposed meeting.
Article X. The General Assembly
The General Assembly shall be convened during each International Congress of the League. Its membership shall consist of the Council and, for each Chapter, of additional delegates so that the total number of delegates is equal to the number of votes of the Chapter. A written list of the delegates of each Chapter must be submitted in advance to the Secretary-General of the League by the Secretary of each Chapter. Should the number of delegates present at a meeting be fewer than those allocated to a Chapter, the Chapter Delegate (Vice-President) shall cast the additional votes.
The General Assembly shall receive and consider for vote of approval, the reports of the Secretary-General, the Treasurer, the Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia, and chairmen of Committees and Commissions.
It shall vote on proposals submitted to it by the Executive Committee.
It shall approve the admission of new Chapters or the termination of membership of a Chapter (VI-3, 7).
It shall approve the budget for the following fiscal period submitted by the Executive Committee, and shall set the annual contribution to be made by the Chapters, and by individual members.
It shall elect the new officers for the next fiscal period after submission of a proposed slate by the Executive Committee and any other nominations submitted by Chapter Delegates.
It shall set the time and place of the next Congress, after recommendation by the Executive Committee.
All members of Chapters and individual members may attend the General Assembly, but only members of the Assembly may speak and vote. Exceptionally, the presiding officer, with the approval of the General Assembly, may invite a non-member of the Assembly to speak, but not to vote.
Article XI. Epilepsia
The Editorial Board of Epilepsia shall consist of the Executive Committee and Regional Editors appointed by the Committee.
The Editorial Board shall appoint Editors. The term of office for all Editors is four years and appointment expires automatically. Any Editor may be reappointed.
The Executive Committee shall approve all contracts related to the publication of Epilepsia.
Each Chapter shall pay to the League, before April 1 of each year, the annual dues which shall be proportional to the number of members, and shall be fixed for each fiscal period by the General Assembly.
To this purpose, the Secretary of each Chapter shall send to the Secretariat of the League, in January of each year, a list of the members of the Chapter.
Individual members shall pay an annual amount to the Treasurer of the League, this amount also to be fixed by the General Assembly.
The League shall have the authority to accept and administer gifts, legacies, movable or immovable properties, donations, and assets of any kind without any restriction as to the amount or value.
The assets of the League shall be used to further the objectives of the League as authorized by the Executive Committee.
No portion of the assets of the League shall be paid directly or indirectly to any Officer or any member of the League or its Chapters except for payment of expenses made in the interest of the League.
Proper books of account shall be kept by the Treasurer, and they shall be certified by a qualified auditor at the end of each fiscal period.
Article XIII. Special Commissions
Special commissions in unlimited number may be appointed by the President of the League as recommended by the Executive Committee. The President and Secretary-General of the League shall be ex officio members of each Special Commission.
No expenses shall be incurred by a Commission on behalf of the League without consent of the Executive Committee.
Article XIV. International Bureau for Epilepsy
The International Bureau for Epilepsy (hereinafter called the "Bureau") shall serve, for the League, as its agency for social aspects of the epilepsies and shall be a medium for contact with lay organizations devoted to these problems. The Bureau shall operate under the provisions of its own Constitution and By-Laws.
The Secretary-General of the League shall be a Vice-President of the Bureau, and the President or his delegate shall be an officer ex officio of the Bureau.
The President and the Secretary-General of the Bureau shall be members of the Executive Committee of the League.
The Executive Committee of the League shall be the Professional Advisory Board of the Bureau. The Bureau shall have the option of appointing an additional three professional members with special expertise in the social aspects of the epilepsies.
This Article shall become effective only when the necessary provisions are incorporated into the Constitution of the Bureau.
Article XV. Dissolution or Amalgamation
The League may be dissolved or may amalgamate with another body having similar objectives on proposal of the Executive Committee, ratified by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly.
In the event of dissolution, the assets of the League may not be divided among its members but shall be transferred to one or more other international organizations of similar interests, as agreed by the General Assembly.
The present Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. Amendments may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by 25 percent of the Chapter Delegates (Vice-Presidents). Such amendments must be submitted to the Secretary-General at least 90 days before the next General Assembly, and due notice of such amendments shall be given to all Chapters by the Secretary-General at least 60 days before the meeting of the General Assembly.
*This revision adopted September 1973, Barcelona
International League Against Epilepsy By-Laws* (1973)
The Executive Committee is empowered by the Constitution (Article VIII-6) to draw up such By-Laws as are necessary to achieve the objectives of the League, subject to their not being in conflict with the Constitution and to their ratification by the Council.
The Secretary-General shall keep a book containing the current By-Laws, in which all modifications are entered as they are made.
The Chapter in each country should be a professional, primarily medical, organization whose principal concern is with the problems of epilepsy. In some countries the appropriate organization has a mixed professional and lay membership. Such an organization may be the national Chapter, but only professional members may serve as Chapter Delegates (Vice-Presidents). If no appropriate autonomous medical or medical-lay organization exists, the national Chapter may be the section on epilepsy of a neurological society or the section on neurology of a general medical society.
II. Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee, the Council, and the General Assembly, and shall appoint special committees and commissions.
The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President, and the First Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in his absence. In case of the inability of the First Vice-President to serve, his place shall be taken by the Second Vice-President.
The Secretary-General shall conduct the affairs of the League under the direction of the Executive Committee.
The Treasurer shall administer the accounts of the League.
III. The Council
Unless otherwise indicated, matters brought before the Council shall be decided by majority vote of those responding to mail ballot, or attending an official meeting. The number of votes accorded to each Delegate shall depend on the number of professional members in good standing in his Chapter; one vote for every 100 members. An additional vote shall be due for a fraction exceeding 50. There shall be a maximum of 4 votes for any Chapter.
IV. Epilepsia
The Editorial Board shall advise the Editors on matters of general policy and arbitrate on matters referred to it by the Editors, but shall leave the day-to-day conduct of the Journal entirely to the Editor-in-Chief and the Regional Editors, working with the publisher.
The Executive Committee shall approve or terminate any contract with a publisher, decide on subscription price, format, frequency of appearance, number of pages, and so forth. It shall approve the publication of other than the usual manuscripts, such as supplements, proceedings, and translations of summaries. It shall determine the budget of Epilepsia.
The Editor-in-Chief shall take all steps necessary to fulfill the aims of the League through its journal Epilepsia. He shall conduct the day-to-day business of the Journal in conjunction with the Regional Editors and the publisher, and shall have final responsibility for the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts. He may call a meeting of the Editorial Board in special situations. He may recommend a budget for Epilepsia on request of the Executive Committee and shall render a detailed account of expenses incurred.
V. Special Commissions
Each Commission shall have a Chairman and a Secretary, and shall receive and acknowledge written instructions.
The term of office of each Commission shall expire at the end of the General Assembly, but it may be renewed in the same or a revised composition by the new President of the League.
The Chairman of each Commission shall make interim reports and recommendations to the Executive Committee as deemed necessary and, at the end of the fiscal period, to the General Assembly.
The International Congress of the League shall be held ordinarily each 4 years at about the time and at or near the place of the International Congress of Neurology. When deemed advisable by the General Assembly, another time or place may be chosen.
The International Congress shall include a meeting of the General Assembly for conduct of the business of the League, and a scientific session.
The League may sponsor or support, wholly or in part, other meetings relevant to its objectives. Such a meeting shall not be designated an International Congress of the League.
VII. Fiscal Period
The fiscal period ordinarily shall extend from the adjournment of one General Assembly to the adjournment of the next. Under unusual circumstances, this may be changed by the Executive Committee, but it shall not be shorter than 3 years, nor longer than 5 years.
International League Against Epilepsy Constitution* (1985)
In 1985 various changes in the constitution were ratified by the General Assembly. Only those articles which were changed in regard to the 1973 constitution will be reproduced here.
The By-Laws of 1973 and 1985 are exactly the same.
The Officers shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary-General. The Executive Committee is to appoint a Nominating Committee which is to conduct the election procedure in two stages. The Nominating Committee shall request each Chapter to nominate one candidate for President irrespective of nationality or geography, and then the Nominating Committee shall choose three candidates by a plurality of votes (preliminary voting). Should two or more candidates receive equal votes, the Committee has the final choice. After ascertaining the willingness of the candidate to serve, the Committee shall submit the slate to each Chapter and each Chapter will be requested to vote (each Chapter has from 1-4 votes depending on the number of members in good standing). This mail ballot represents the final voting process. In case of a tie, the vote shall be repeated. Following completion of the Presidential election the Nominating Committee shall request each Chapter to submit four names en bloc as candidates for first Vice-President, second Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary-General, thus formulating a total of 12 candidates based on a plurality on the basis of preliminary voting. Having received a letter of acceptance from each candidate, the Committee shall then submit the slate to each Chapter for voting by mail. Each Chapter has from 1-4 votes depending on the number of members in good standing. If two or more candidates obtain the same number of votes either in the preliminary or in the final voting, the Nominating Committee shall have the right to determine the final choice.
[N.B. Although article IX has remained exactly the same, this is inconsistent with a slight change made in article X.1. In this paragraph, in 1985, the word Vice-President has been removed ("... the Chapter Delegate [Vice-President] shall cast the additional votes"). While this change had to prevent the misunderstanding that the Chapter Delegate was automatically a Vice-President of the ILAE executive, it was neglected to remove this word from article IX.1. The synonym Vice-President for Chapter Delegate was removed from Article XVI.]
The Editorial Advisory Board of Epilepsia shall consist of the Executive Committee.
The Editorial Advisory Board shall appoint the Editor-in-Chief. The term of office for the Editor-in-Chief is 4 years and appointment expires automatically. The Editor-in-Chief may be reappointed.
The Editorial Board shall consist of editors appointed by the Editor-in-Chief. The term of office of the editors is usually 4 years and appointment expires automatically. Any editor may be reappointed.
The Editorial Advisory Board shall approve all contracts related to the publication of Epilepsia.
*This revision adopted September 1985, Hamburg
International League Against Epilepsy Constitution* (1997)
[N.B. In this Constitution, there are again some changes of content and some of formulation. Throughout, reference to "The Council" has been eliminated. All tasks allocated to the former Council are taken care of by the General Assembly. The former article IX dealing with the Council has been eliminated and the numbering has shifted accordingly. As International Congresses are now biennial the fiscal period is redefined as a period of 4 years.]
Article I. Name (not changed)
The League is reorganized as of July 1997, upon adoption of this Constitution.
Article III. Objectives (not changed)
(The part of paragraph 3 in italic was added for the 1997 Constitution.)
3. Promote publications concerning the epilepsies and arrange for the publication of the journal of the League, Epilepsia, and other League educational and informational materials.
(Paragraph 3 abandons the requirement that the Headquarters be at the office of the Secretary-General.)
3. The location of the League's Executive Office will be decided upon every four years by the Executive Committee.
(Paragraph 1 has been substantially changed.)
Membership in the League shall be by membership in national professional organizations composed of members who are professionals in the field of patient care or research in epilepsy and whose principal concern is with the problems of epilepsy. It is strongly urged that each member country develop both an ILAE and an IBE Chapter. There must be valid reasons for exemptions from this recommendation which would result in a mixed professional and lay membership for a period of time and only professional members of a mixed organization constitute the basis of dues and votes and can serve as Chapter delegates of ILAE.
The minimum membership of a Chapter is 9 professionals which is deemed to be the minimum number that would allow the required rotation of President, Secretary-General and Treasurer.
(The part in italic has been added.)
The Chapters shall be voted into the League upon the approval of the Executive Committee and a two-thirds vote of approval by the General Assembly. Pending approval by the General Assembly, a national organization may be provisionally admitted to the League by decision of the Executive Committee which will entitle the national Chapter to all rights of membership except the right of vote.
(This paragraph 6 has been inserted.)
The Secretary of each Chapter shall send to the Secretary-General of the League in January of each year an update of names and addresses of each of its members as of December 31 of the previous year.
(= former paragraph 6, has been shortened.)
A Chapter may withdraw from membership by giving notice in writing to the Secretary-General.
(The text of the former paragraph 7 has been retained.)
Article VII. Administration (not changed)
Article Vlll. The Executive Committee
(There is a change in wording, and reference to the Council has been eliminated.)
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the League, the President and Secretary-General of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (hereinafter called the "Bureau") and the Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia. The Executive Committee shall conduct the affairs of the League subject to ratification by the General Assembly.
(The ranking of the Vice-Presidents is taken out. It is stipulated that the Nominating Committee as far as they have influence on the election process [which is only in the case of ties] should regard the geographic distribution of the Executive Committee. The part in italic is changed with respect to the previous Constitution.)
The Officers shall be a President, a Past-President, a Secretary-General and a Treasurer. In addition, there will be two Vice-Presidents. The Nominating Committee should regard the geographic distribution of the Executive Committee members when proposing a slate of officers. The Executive Committee is to appoint a Nominating Committee which is to conduct the election procedure in two stages. The Nominating Committee shall request each Chapter to nominate one candidate for President irrespective of nationality or geography, and then the Nominating Committee shall choose three candidates by a plurality of votes (preliminary voting). Should two or more candidates receive equal votes, the Committee has the final choice. After ascertaining the willingness of the candidate to serve, the Committee shall submit the slate to each Chapter and each Chapter will be requested to vote (each Chapter has from 1-4 votes depending on the number of members in good standing). This mail ballot represents the final voting process. In case of a tie, the vote shall be repeated. Following completion of the Presidential election the Nominating Committee shall request each Chapter to submit four names en bloc as candidates for first Vice-President, second Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary-General, thus formulating a total of 12 candidates based on a plurality on the basis of preliminary voting. Having received a letter of acceptance from each candidate, the Committee shall then submit the slate to each Chapter for voting by mail. Each Chapter has from 1-4 votes depending on the number of members in good standing. If two or more candidates obtain the same number of votes either in the preliminary or in the final voting, the Nominating Committee shall have the right to determine the final choice. The Nominating Committee will, with the advice and consent of the President-Elect, appoint the Secretary-General, the Treasurer and two Vice-Presidents from the newly elected slate which must be approved by the General Assembly.
The term of officers of the Executive Committee is the fiscal period, which is four years. The President and the immediate Past-President shall serve one term, the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer may be re-elected for one additional term. The Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and may be reappointed for a maximum of three terms. His appointment may be terminated at any time, subject to ratification by the General Assembly. Should any vacancy in the Executive Committee occur, it shall be filled by the Executive Committee, subject to ratification by the General Assembly.
(This is a new paragraph.)
No person may occupy a seat on the Executive Committee for a period exceeding a maximum of 16 years.
(not changed = former § 5)
(= former § 6) The Executive Committee shall have the power to formulate at any time By-Laws not in conflict with the Constitution, subject to ratification by the General Assembly.
Article IX. The General Assembly
(This paragraph has been shortened.)
The General Assembly shall be convened during each International Congress of the League. Its membership shall consist of the official delegate of each Chapter who carries the total number of votes of that Chapter.
(This paragraph has been inserted to take care of a function of the former Council. It has replaced the former paragraph 6 as apparently it was considered that approval of the elected slate of officers is covered by paragraph 3.)
Between meetings of the General Assembly, should urgent business arise requiring General Assembly action, this shall be carried out by mail as determined by the Executive Committee.
Meetings of the General Assembly are open unless a number exceeding 10 percent of the delegates present requests the Chair to close the meeting to observers. Only delegates may speak and vote. Exceptionally, the presiding officer, with the approval of the General Assembly, may invite a non-delegate to speak, but not to vote.
Article X. Epilepsia
(In the previous paragraph the congruence of the Executive Committee and the Editorial Advisory Board was established. In the previous Constitution the latter term was used in subsequent paragraphs. In this Constitution it is the former term which is chosen.)
The Executive Committee shall appoint the Editor-in-Chief. The term of office for the Editor-in-Chief is 4 years and appointment expires automatically. The Editor-in-Chief may be re-appointed though the maximum term is 12 years.
All financial responsibilities of Epilepsia reside with the Treasurer and the Executive Committee of the League.
Each Chapter shall pay to the League, before April 1 of each year, the annual dues which shall be proportional to the number of members as of December 31 of the previous year, and shall be fixed for each fiscal period by the General Assembly.
(The former paragraph 2 has been removed as its contents were taken care of by the new Article VI, paragraph 6.
(Also paragraph 3, which dealt with individual members, who do not exist any more, has been removed. The numbering of this, the former paragraph 4 and the next paragraphs have changed accordingly.)
(not changed = former § 4)
(not changed = former § 6)
(= former § 7) Proper books of account shall be kept by the Treasurer, and they shall be certified by a qualified auditor at the end of each fiscal year.
Article XII. Special Commissions
Annual budgets and financial reports of the Commissions must be approved by the Executive Committee.
Article XIII. International Bureau for Epilepsy
(The wording has changed; furthermore, the President can not be replaced by a delegate.)
The President and the Secretary-General of the League shall be ex officio members of the Bureau Executive Committee.
The President and the Secretary-General of the Bureau shall be ex officio members of the Executive Committee of the League.
Article XIV. Dissolution or Amalgamation (not changed)
Article XV. Amendments (not changed)
*This revision adopted July 1997, Dublin
International League Against Epilepsy By-Laws* (1997)
The preamble has not changed.
The first By-Law discussing the criteria for Chapters has been removed.
I. Duties of Officers.
The President, Secretary-General and Treasurer shall act as Management Committee in between meetings of the Executive Committee. Their actions shall be subject to ratification by the Executive Committee.
(not changed = former § 2)
(not changed = former § 3)
(Not changed, except replacement of the term Council by General Assembly.)
Unless otherwise indicated, matters brought before the General Assembly shall be decided by majority of vote of those attending an official meeting. The number of votes accorded to each Delegate shall depend on the number of professional members in good standing in his Chapter; one vote for every 100 members. An additional vote shall be due for a fraction exceeding 50. There shall be a maximum of four votes for any Chapter.
III. Epilepsia
(Not changed, except for replacing the term the Editorial Advisory Committee by its equivalent the Executive Committee).
IV. Special Commissions
Each Commission shall have a Chair appointed by the President. The Chair allocates the functions of the Commission, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and shall receive and acknowledge written instructions.
(Not changed, except for Chair instead of Chairman).
(The change abandons the relation with the World Congress of Neurology.)
The International Congress of the League shall be held ordinarily every 2 years, in conjunction with the Bureau.
(The former paragraph 2 has been removed.)
The text of the former § 3 (now § 2) has not changed.
Vl. Dues Payments (This is a new By-Law.)
The Constitution of the ILAE stipulates that the Secretary of each Chapter send to the Secretariat of the League, in January of each year, a list of the members of the Chapter as of December 31 of the previous year. Each Chapter will then receive an invoice for dues from the Treasurer of the League, based on Chapter memberships, payable by April first of that year. The current rate of payment is US$3.00 per member. As per Constitution (Article VI, sub 8), this shall be interpreted with regard to non-payment of dues as follows: "If a Chapter fails to pay for the first time, the Treasurer shall request an explanation and present the case at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. When a Chapter fails to pay its annual dues twice (consecutively) without the written consent of the Executive Committee, the Chapter will be proposed to the General Assembly for disaffiliation".
VII. Co-operation with the International Bureau for Epilepsy
(The former By-Law VII dealt with the definition of the Fiscal Period has been removed. The present By-Law VII is new.)
Each League Chapter shall co-operate with the national Chapter of the Bureau to ensure maximum efficiency in promoting quality of life for people with epilepsy.
Each League Chapter shall promote the establishment and/or assist in establishing a Chapter of the Bureau, if such a Chapter does not exist.
Current Constitution & Bylaws