Declared on ....25./05/1999........ at Plama D Majorca ................ N°.............

Article 1 : Name

The European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians (ESLAV), hereafter known as “the Society” is created as a non-profit organisation according to the French Law of July 1^st, 1901 and the Decree of August 16^th, 1901.

Article 2 : Objectives

The objectives of the Society shall be to promote and disseminate expert veterinary knowledge within the field of laboratory animal science.

The object shall be achieved through:

·        Meetings, lectures, discussions, and publications;

·        The advancement of veterinary knowledge and skills in subjects connected with the breeding, health, welfare and use of laboratory animals;

·        Collaboration and exchange of information with other Societies and allied scientific disciplines;

·        Active encouragement of its Members to provide training for veterinarians practicing or wishing to practice in the field of laboratory animals, both at the under- and postgraduate level.

The official language of the Society is English.

Article 3 : Registered Office

The registered office is located at the Pfizer Reasearch Center, Pocé sur Cisse, 37401 Amboise Cedex, France.

The registered office can be moved, if needed, by simple decision of the Governing Board.

Article 4 : Life Span

The life span of the Society is unlimited.

Article 5: Members

Membership to the Society shall be open to veterinarians regardless of nationality.

The different categories of members (ordinary members, honorary members, students …) are specified in the Bylaws.

Article 6 : Subscription and Cancellation

Candidatures and Resignations shall be addressed to the Secretary who will submit them to the Governing Board.

Membership in the Society will be lost through resignation, loss of life, or cancellation due to non payment of membership fee or for serious reasons as decided by the Governing Board, after due consideration of explanations provided by the member.

Each application shall be supported by two actual members and agreed by the Governing Board.

Article 7 : Fee

Membership fees are payable on a yearly basis. The membership fee will be proposed by the Governing Board and determined at the Annual General Meetings.

Article 8: Resources

The resources of the Society are composed by:

-         membership fees;

-         sponsorship or any resource or grant which would not be contradictory with applicable legislation;

-         any other income.

Article 9: Governing Board

9.1.           The Society is governed by a Governing Board which consists of members elected for 1 (one), 2 (two) or 3 (three) years depending on the duty occupied.

9.2.           The Governing Board consists of the President, the President Elect or the Past President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and at least 4 (four) Ordinary Members.

9.3.           The duties of Secretary, Treasurer and Ordinary Members are occupied for 3 (three) years, whereas the duty of the President is held for 2 (two) years. The duties of President Elect and Past President are held on alternative year.

9.4.           Voting members of the Society shall be eligible for election as officers and members of the Governing Board. The Governing Board Members shall be elected at the General Meetings.

Article 10: Governing Board Meetings

The President shall be the Chairperson of the Governing Board meetings, and in his absence the Past President or the President Elect will deputize.

The Governing Board shall meet once every six months at a meeting called by the President, or at the request of two thirds of its membership.

During the Governing Board Meetings, the Governing Board could invite some observers, members of the Society or not.

Minutes of this meetings shall be written by the Secretary. These documents shall be signed by the President and kept by the Secretary.

Article 11: Payment - Reimbursement

Governing Board Members shall not receive any payment.

However, they can be reimbursed for their expenses with written proof.

Article 12: General Meeting

The General Meeting is composed by all the paying Members.

General Meetings will take place once a year following notification issued by the President or the Secretary at least 8 (eight) weeks in advance by email and/or direct mailing and by posting it on the Societies web site. The agenda items will be included on the notification, but subjects can be submitted to the Secretary up to 6 (six) weeks before the meeting.

General Meetings will be held in various parts of Europe, the venues to be selected by the Governing Board, bearing in mind the wishes of the membership.

The President shall be the Chairperson of these meetings and will be assisted by the Governing Board Members.

At the General Meeting, members of the Governing Board are elected, reports from the Governing Board are presented on the functioning of the Society, account reports are approved, and agenda items are discussed.

Decisions on the internal functioning of the Society are taken with a simple majority of the votes of members present or represented.

Minutes of these meetings shall be written by the Secretary. These documents shall be signed by the President and kept by the Secretary.

Article 13: Extraordinary General Meeting

An Extraordinary Assembly General meeting shall be organised on request of at least 1/3 (one third) of its Members or on request of the Governing Board in accordance with the procedures specified in article 12.

No business shall be transacted at the Extraordinary General Meeting other than that for which the meeting was called.

Minutes of these meetings shall be written by the Secretary. These documents shall be signed by the President and kept by the Secretary.

Article 14: Bylaws

Bylaws are drawn by the Governing Board, approved at the General Meeting and applicable to all members for the ordinary functioning of the Society.

Article 15: Dissolution

In case of dissolution decided by at least two thirds of the members present or represented at a General Meeting, one or several liquidators will be appointed and the assets, if present will be assigned according to article 9 of the (French) law of the 1st of July 1901 and the decree of the 16th of August 1901.

Any residual assets should be distributed in accordance with the objectives of the Society in accordance with article 2.

Lahti, May 21^st, 2003

            Anne-Dominique DEGRYSE                       Caroline JOHNER

            ESLAV President                                         ESLAV Secretary

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