CONSTITUTION OF THE FRENCH PROTEOMICS SOCIETY, FPS
(revised and adopted in the September 4th 2020, Special General Assembly Meeting)
I - Purpose and composition of the association
Article 1 -
The association referred to as “French Proteomics Society, FPS” (formerly “Société Française d'Electrophorèse et d’Analyse Protéomique, SFEAP”) is a scientific and technical association. Its aim is to encourage, promote and implement activities to support the development of methods for separating, characterizing and quantifying peptides and proteins. Its duration is unlimited. Its headquarters are based in Saint Nazaire les Eymes, France.
Article 2 -
The association is primarily active through:
- the organizing of courses, conferences, symposia, congresses, expositions and all forms of education pertaining to the scientific and practical problems stated in the objectives in section 1;
- publications and newsletters;
- the allocation of fellowships, prizes and awards.
Article 3 -
Members of the association are permanent members, associate members, honorary members or benefactor members. This last category corresponds either to organizations or to persons. The number of members is unlimited.
Annual dues are set by decision of the General Assembly. The title of honorary member may be awarded by the Board, after approval by the General Assembly, to persons who provide or have provided services to the Association. This title gives the bearer the right to be part of the General Assembly without being required to pay dues.
Article 4 -
Membership in the Association can be terminated:
- by resignation;
- by the General Assembly for absence of paying dues or for grave misbehavior, following report from the Board of Directors. The member in question will first be demanded to provide their explanations.
II - Administration and operation
Article 5 -
The association is run by a council whose membership, set by a decision of the General Assembly, is between 10 members and at least 20 members. Council members are elected by secret ballot for three years, by members whose dues are up to date.
In case of vacancy, the council shall provide temporary replacement of missing members by internal ballot. The powers of the replacing members so elected shall expire at the end of the term of the replaced members. Members are renewed every three years. Outgoing members are not immediately eligible for reelection after two consecutive terms. The council selects among its elected members, by secret ballot, a board consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. In case of equal vote numbers during this ballot, priority will be given to the person who received the more votes during the council election process. The President can hold only one term of three years.
Article 6 -
The council shall meet at least once every six months, and whenever it is convened by its President, or on request of one quarter of its members. The presence of at least one third of the council members is necessary in order for decisions to be valid. The proceedings of the sessions must be recorded and signed by the President and the Secretary. The proceedings must be established without empty spaces or cross-outs on numbered sheets and kept at the headquarters of the Association.
Article 7 -
Members of the Board shall receive no remuneration for the functions entrusted to them. Only reimbursements for expenses are possible when accompanied by justifications (subject to verification). Such reimbursements are subject to the decision of the Board, acting without the presence of interested parties. Officers remunerated by the Association may be called forward by the President to attend in an advisory capacity at meetings of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors.
Article 8 -
The General Assembly of the Association includes permanent, honorary, and benefactor. The General Assembly meets once per year, upon convening by the Board of Directors or at the request of at least one quarter of its members. Its agenda is set by the Board. Its office is that of the Board of Directors.
The General Assembly decides on the financial situation and well-being of the Association; approves the accounts at the end of the financial year; votes on the budget for the following financial year; deliberates on items placed on the agenda; and if applicable, provides for the renewal of the Board of Directors. An annual report and accounts are published each year.
Article 9 -
The President represents the Association within its public capacity. The President authorizes expenditures. The President can delegate authority within the pre-established conditions. In case of legal representation, the President can only be replaced by a representative acting by proxy. Representatives of the Association shall be in full possession of their civil rights.
Article 10 -
The deliberations of the Board of Directors relating to acquisitions, exchanges and transfers of real estate necessary for the objectives of the association, mortgaging the said real estate, leases exceeding nine years, commitment of goods that are parts of donations and loans must be approved by the General Assembly.
Article 11 -
The deliberations of the General Assembly regarding the acceptance of gifts and bequests are valid only after administrative approval, given as provided by Articles 910 of the ‘code civil’, Article 7 of the ‘loi du 4 février 1901’ and the ‘décret numéro 66-388 du 13 juin 1966’. The deliberations of the Board of Directors relating to transfers of real estate and personal property depending on the endowment, to the creation of mortgages and loans, are only valid after administrative approval.
III - Dotaned funds and annual resources
Article 12 -
The annual proceeds of the Association are comprised of:
- dues and subscriptions of its members,
- subsidies from the state, departments, municipalities and public institutions,
- income from gifts, the use of which was authorized during the financial year,
- resources created in exceptional circumstances and, if applicable, with the approval of the competent authority,
- income from payments charged for services rendered.
Article 13 -
Accounting records are to be kept, showing annually an operating account, the income statement and balance sheet.
IV Amendment of the statutes and Dissolution
Article 14 -
The Constitution may be amended by the General Assembly on the proposal of the Board, or on the proposal of one tenth of the members making up the General Assembly. In both cases, the proposed changes are listed on the agenda of the next General Assembly, which must be sent to all members of the Assembly at least 15 days in advance. In all cases, the statutes can only be changed by a two-thirds majority of members present.
Article 15 -
The General Assembly must include one half of its members in office plus one additional member if specially convened to decide on the dissolution of the Association, as provided in the preceding article.
If this proportion is not reached, the Assembly is convened again in fifteen days, at which time it may validly deliberate regardless of the number of members present. In all cases, the dissolution can only be passed by a two-thirds majority of members present.
Article 16 -
In case of dissolution, the General Assembly will appoint one or more commissioners charged with liquidating the assets of the Association, who shall allot the net assets to one or more establishments as referred to in ‘article 35 de la loi du 14 janvier 1933’.
V - Monitoring and bylaws
Article 17 -
The President shall notify within three months all changes in administration or management of the Association to the Prefecture or sub-prefecture of the district where the Association has its headquarters.
Upon any request from the Minister of Interior or the Prefect, the records of the Association and its accounting records are presented, without moving, to themselves or their delegate or to any functionary accredited by them.
