Statutes of European Society for Soil Conservation

1.1  This international society of public utility is named

"European Society  for Soil Conservation (ESSC)". It is registered at the District Court of Trier.

1.2  The place of registration is Trier.
 

2.1  The ESSC is an interdisciplinary, non-political association,

which is dedicated to investigating and realizing soil conservation in Europe.

2.2  The ESSC pursues its aims in the scientific, educational and

applied sectorsby supporting investigation on soil degradation, soil erosion and soil conservation in Europe, by informing the public about major questions of soil conservation in Europe, by collaborating with institutions and persons involved in practical conservation work in Europe.

2.3  The ESSC aims at coordinating the efforts of all parties

involved in the above cited subjects: research instituions; teachers and students of geo-sciences; agriculture and ecology; farmers; agricultural planning and advisory boards; industries and governmental institutions.

3.1   The Society pursues exclusively and directly aims of public

utility as defined in Section 51 (and subsequent Sections) of the Finance Act (FRG). Its activities are of a non-profitmaking character. It is dedicated to promoting soil conservation in 
Europe.
The funds of the Society may be used exclusively for the 
objects laid down in the statutes. The members of the 
Society receive neither dividend nor any other remuneration
by virtue of membership status of the Society.

3.2   Furthermore no person may receive expenses for activities

not directly in furtherance of the aims of the Society or any disproportionaly high reimbursements. Al officers of the 
Society do their work in an honory capacity.

4.1   Membership of the Society is open to anyone agreeing with

its aims and ready to promote them. It is open to both private citiziens or juridical persons.

4.2   Applications for membership are to be made in writing to the

Executive Committee of the Society which then considers them.

4.3   Membership is terminated if the membership subscription is

not paid by the end of the year.

4.4   Members are not entitled to any share in the assets of the

Society.

5.1   The membership subscription will be fixed annually by the

Council for both private citizens and juridical persons.

5.2   The current rate of subscription: please to see here
 

6.1   The members receive the ESSC newsletter.
 

7.1   A member can be expelled from the Society if he acts

intentionally against the interest of the Society. The ESSC 
Council decides on expulsion, by a 2/3 majority of the 
members present being necessary for its enactment.

8.1   The bodies of the Society are the Executive Committee, the

ESSC Council, the General Meeting of all the members and the
Editorial Board.

9.1   The executive Committee consists of

a)    the president
b)    2 - 3 vice-president
c)    the secretary
d)    the treasurer
e)    the editor-in-chief (as observer)
f)     2 - 7 members of the council
 
The secretary and the treasurer may be the same person. The editor-in-chief is nominated by the president and ratified by the council for four years. He participates in the sessions of the Executive Committee as an observer, but he has the right to vote in all questions which concern the newsletter of the ESSC.

9.2  The president and the secretary are the legal representatives

of the Society, as defined in Section 26 BGB (West German Statute Book). Each of them has the right to represent the Society seperatly.

9.3  The Executive Committee is elected by the Council from its
       members for four year.

9.4  Meetings of the ESSC Executive Committee should take place

when deemed necessary. The president will convene the Executive Committee at last weeks in advance in writing.

9.5  Resolutions of the Executive Committee will be passed by a

simple majority of the members present. In the case of equality of the votes (deadlock) the president gives the casting vote. There is a quorum in the Executive Committee if at least one half of the members are present. the resolutions of a meeting can be revised by a majority of two thirds of the members present.

10.1  The ESSC Council consits of 20 - 25 members. They are

elected by the General Assembly of the members for four years. Every country should be represented with not more than 4 members per country.

10.2  The ESSC Council

a)   decides all questions relating to the statutes
b)   elects the Executive Committee
c)   receives the business report of the Committee
d)   receives the report on the closing of accounts
e)   fixes the membership subscription
f)    adjudicates appeals brought against rejection of
      admission to membership by the Executive Committee
g)   decides on the expulsion of members
h)   decides on the disbandment of the Society
For decisions a) and h) a 2/3 majority of the Council members present is necessary. For all other decisions a simple majority of will suffice. In the case of equality of the votes (deadlock) the president gives the casting vote.

10.3  The president will convene the Council on the occasion of

ESSC-Congresses, which take place in general every four years. Further meetings of the Council should take place when deemed necessary. The president will give at least one month in advance the agenda of a Council meeting in writing.

10.4  A quorum in the Council exists if at least one half of the

members are present. Resolutions of a meeting can be revised by a majority of two thirds of the members present.

10.5  The minutes of the Council meeting must be signed by the

president and the secretary of the meeting.

11.1  General Meetings are convened on the occasion of

ESSC-Congresses, which take place in general every four years.

11.2  The General Meeting receives the business report of the

Council and elects the members of the Council.

 
11.3  Resolutions of the General Meeting are passed by the

majority of the members present. Resolutions of a meeting can be revised by a majority of twothirds of the members present.

12.1  The Editorial Board of the ESSC consists of the

Editor-in-Chief and of one editor per country. Its task the publication of the newsletter. The Editorial Boards is a subcommittee of and is responsible to the Executive Committee.

12.2  The editors are elected by the Council for four years.
 

13.1  Resolutions concerning the disbandment of the Society can

be taken by the ESSC Council by a majority of two thirds of the members present. Reasons for its disbandment might, in particular, be the achievement of its aims or the suspension of its legal status.

14.1  If a liquidation of the assets of ESSC is necessary,

the members of the ESSC Executive Committee are the liquidators.

15.1  After liquidation the remaining assets of ESSC are to be

devolved upon the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", which has to its aims of public utility.

 
These statutes were agreed by the Executive Committee at its meeting at Barcelona, 6./7.5.1989 and by the Council at its meeting at Zürich, 21.10.1989.