Statutes of the European Academy of Andrology

1

Name and Definition

1.1

The name of the society is "European Academy of Andrology" (hereinafter referred to as EAA). EAA is an association of scientists and clinicians active or interested in andrology. Andrology is defined as the branches of science and medicine dealing with reproductive functions of the male under physiological and pathological conditions. Included in this definition shall be all related specialized branches of science and medicine. The territorial scope of EAA is worldwide, with a clear emphasis on Europe.

1.2

EAA will first be registered in the Federal Republic of Germany with its seat located in Münster/Germany. The Executive Council may later decide to transfer the seat to another European country.

1.3

EAA is a non-profit organization as defined by §50.2 of the Public Tax Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. Any profits can only be used for purposes in agreement with the statutes. The members receive no shares of any profit, nor will they receive other compensation. This also applies in the event of withdrawal from EAA or dissolution of EAA. No person shall profit from expenses alien to the purpose of EAA or by inappropriately high renumerations.

2

Objectives
The objectives of the EAA shall be:

2.1

To take all measures required to raise the scientific standards of andrology in Europe by encouraging basic research in all fields of andrology and focusing this work on areas of clinical importance and need, including male contraception.

2.3

To frame guidelines for national and European commissions concerned with the qualifications and training of andrologists.

2.4

To establish a clinical training programme for physicians who wish to become specialists in andrology.

2.5

To publish an international journal with a high scientific standard.

2.6

To encourage a dialogue between scientists and clinicians active in the field of andrology and to organize scientific meetings in Europe.

2.7

To develop strategies for increasing public awareness of andrology and the special problems relating to male fertility, fertility disorders and contraception.

3

Membership

3.1

Regular members (Academicians)
Regular membership as an Academician is open to all scientists and clinicians with an international reputation in andrology. The application for membership must be supported by two Academicians. The application must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and a list of publications. The Executive Council decides on the application.

3.2

Affiliated members
Affiliated membership is open to scientists and clinicians with a clear interest in andrology. The application must be supported by two Academicians and must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and a statement on the interest in andrology. The Executive Council decides on the application. Affiliated members may become regular members upon application if the criteria are met.

3.3

Associated members
Associated membership is open to individuals working as technical assistants or nurses to andrologists. Their application must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae emphasizing the applicant's activities related to andrology. The application must be supported by two regular members. The Executive Council decides on the application.

3.4

Supporting members
Supporting membership may be conferred on individuals, companies, corporations or foundations to wishing to support the activities of EAA financially and in other ways. The Executive Council decides on membership.

3.5

Honorary academicians
The title of Honorary Academician may be conferred for distinguished services in andrology. The general assembly will decide about proposals for honorary membership.

3.5

Membership fees
All fees are fixed by the General Assembly. The membership fee for regular and affiliated members will include subscription to the EAA journal. The fees for associated members shall be lower than for regular and affiliated members. The EAA journal will be offered to associated members at a reduced rate. Honorary members will not pay a fee and can subscribe to the journal at the same reduced rate as associated members.

3.7

Termination of membership
Membership shall be terminated by withdrawal or expulsion. For individual members it shall also be terminated by death and for juridical persons by dissolution of the same. Withdrawal of membership must be declared in writing. It becomes effective at the end of the respective calendar year. If a member fails to pay his/her dues for 2 years, the Executive Council has the right to terminate membership.

3.8

Expulsion from membership
Members working against the interest of EAA may be expelled from the Society by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council. Before action is taken the member must be permitted to present his case to the Executive Council either in writing or in person.

4

General Assembly

4.1

Frequency and summoning of General Assembly meetings

4.1.1

A General Assembly of the members shall take place when required by the interests of the EAA. The Assembly shall, as a rule, be held in connection with an European/international congress or meeting of andrology and shall take place at least every 4 years. On the request of one-tenth of the regular members the officers shall summon an extraordinary General Assembly.

4.1.2

The Assembly shall be summoned in writing at least three months in advance. For the invitation the signature of one EAA officer is sufficient. The invitation shall contain the agenda.

4.1.3

The decisions of the General Assembly will be documented in the minutes which will be drafted by the rapporteur and signed by the chairman and the secretary. The chairman of the General Assembly is the President or, in his absence, another member who has been elected by the General Assembly by simple majority. The rapporteur is the Secretary or another person who has been elected by the General Assembly by simple majority vote.

4.2

Voting
All regular and all honorary members have one vote. Each supporting member is entitled to delegate one representative with one vote for the General Assembly. Affiliated and associated members may attend the General Assembly, but have no vote. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot only. Other issues shall be decided by open vote but, if decided by a simple majority of the General Assembly, by secret ballot. Every General Assembly properly summoned shall constitute a quorum regardless of the number of members present.

4.3

Tasks
The General Assembly shall at the meeting:

4.3.1

Receive a report from the President concerning the activities of EAA since the last General Assembly.

4.3.2

Receive a report from the Secretary.

4.3.3

Receive a report from the Treasurer including a statement on the society's accounts.

4.3.4

Elect from the candidates the President, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations for the officers must have been received by the secretary at least 8 weeks before the commencement of the General Assembly. All regular members can be nominated. The officers can be re-elected once at the discretion of the General Assembly. The elections are based on majority votes. If in the first counting no candidate receives the majority, the candidate receiving most votes in the second round shall be elected.

4.3.5

Elect from among the regular members by a majority vote of those present four individuals as members of the Executive Council with due regard to a geographical and scientific representation. Nominations are proposed at the General Assembly. Executive Council members will be elegible for a second term.

4.3.6

Determine the annual fees for regular, affiliated and associated members.

4.3.7

Elect two auditors who will present their reports at the following General Assembly.

4.3.8

Consider other matters which arise from the objectives stated under §2. Members should ensure that any matters they wish to place on the agenda should be sent to the secretary at the earliest possible date and in any event not later than 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the General Assembly.

5

Executive Council

The affairs of the EAA shall be managed by an Executive Council between meetings of the General Assembly.

5.1

Formation
The Executive Council shall consist of the three officers of the Academy (President, Secretary, Treasurer), four members elected by the General Assembly, the immediate Past-President and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal.

5.2

Duties

5.2.1

To determine the activities of the EAA in accordance with the stated objectives (see §2).

5.2.2

To decide on membership applications.

5.2.3

To nominate the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal who will become a member of the Executive Council ex officio. The Executive Council will oversee the affairs of the journal as outlined in the publication bylaws.

5.3

Specific tasks
The Executive Council may entrust individuals or establish committees to conduct specific tasks (e.g. nomination committee).

5.4

Voting
Each member of the Executive Council shall have the right to one vote. Decisions of the Council shall be taken by majority vote. In the event of a tied vote the president shall cast the deciding vote.

5.5

Meetings

5.5.1

The Executive Council shall be free to hold its meetings wherever and whenever it wishes. The meeting may be summoned at the request of the president or of four other members of the Executive Council.

5.5.2

The secretary shall notify each of the members of the Executive Council of a meeting at least 3 months in advance. The agenda shall be circulated to the Council members at least 6 weeks in advance of the meeting.

5.5.3

The meetings and decisions shall be noted in the minutes by the secretary. The minutes are approved by the president and the secretary and shall be sent to all Executive Council members.

5.8

Alternative decision taking
If the Executive Council cannot meet, decisions may be taken in writing. Six weeks shall be allowed to pass between the sending out of the ballots and the counting of the votes.

6

Officers

6.1

President, Secretary and Treasurer are the officers of the EAA. Two officers jointly are entitled to represent EAA.

6.2

The terms of office shall last for 4 years. Re-election is possible once.

6.3

Contracts, documents or any instruments in writing requiring the signature of EAA shall be signed by the President and one other officer and all contracts, documents and instruments in writing so signed shall be binding upon EAA without further authorization.

6.4

In the absence of the President, the Secretary shall preside over Executive Council and General Assembly meetings.

6.5

Should the President leave office before the end of the official term, the Secretary shall become temporary president until the Executive Council can appoint a successor to finish the current term. This appointed president remains electable for full term by the next General Assembly meeting.

7

Modification of the statutes and winding-up.

7.1

Modification of the statutes and dissolution of EAA require a two third majority of the General Assembly and can only be decided upon if the Executive Council has proposed the modification or dissolution to the General Assembly.

7.2

In case of dissolution of EAA or discontinuation of its original purposes any funds shall be used for tax-privileged purposes. Decisions concerning the future use of the funds require approval of the tax office.

8

Effectiveness
EAA was founded on May 7, 1992 at a meeting in Castle Elmau (Germany) when the 15 persons listed below were nominated to draft the statutes and bylaws. The statutes and bylaws were signed by these persons by September 30, 1992.
Dr. Brian Cook, London, UK
Dr. Trevor Cooper, Germany
Dr. Michel Drosdowsky, France
Dr. Rune Eliasson, Sweden
Dr. Vidar Hansson, Norway
Dr. Ilpo Huhtaniemi, Finland
Dr. Bernhard Jegou, France
Dr. Krysztof Kula, Poland
Dr. Ebo Nieschlag, Germany
Dr. Martin Ritzen, Sweden
Dr. Fokko Rommerts, Belgium
Dr. Mario Serio, Italy
Dr. Richard Sharpe, UK
Dr. Niels Erik Skakkebaek, Denmark
Dr. Mario Stefanini, Italy