Bylaws

Note:
Due to legal obstacles in the use of the term “Shamanism” encountered during the Society’s registration process in Greece, in the Greek official version of the statute the registered name appears as  “International Society for Academic Research on Religious Systems”. By unanimous decision taken by the members of the Executive Board, the main academic focus of the society will be the study and research of/on shamanism. The English name remains therefore International Society for academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS).

STATUTE OF THE ASSOCIATION NAMED

«INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH OΝ RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS»

CHAPTER I – GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 1

INCORPORATION-NAME-SEAT

An organization called “International Society for Academic Research on Religious Systems” (ISARRS) is being incorporated. Its seat will be the City of Athens. The official languages ​​of ISARRS will be Greek and English.

 

Article 2

OBJECTIVE

The ISARRS aims to promote strictly the academic research and study, in the frame social and anthropological sciences, of Religious Systems through international collaboration of scholars whose research is related to this topic.

This aim is accomplished through:

1. the organization of regular international meetings and conferences,

2. the publication of the proceedings of these conferences,

3. its participation in the establishment of international and regional organizations for research on Religious Systems,

4. the establishment of branches abroad with the same subject and objective,

5. the encouragement and granting of publications of an international interest in the study of Religious Systems (e.g. international reviews, bibliographical bulletin, monographs series, scholarships),

6. taking all the appropriate steps to encourage and expand the academic study of Religious Systems,

7. the connection with regional or international organizations with the same or similar academic subject,

8. the publication of a journal,

9. the maintenance of a website for the promotion of its activities.

Article 3

MEMBERS

Members of ISARRS shall consist of regular and honorary members:

1. Regular members: Any person with an academic and research interest in the field of Religious Systems may become a member of ISARRS by paying the membership fee.

2. Honorary members: The President of ISARRS, upon the approval of the Scientific Committee, may appoint as honorary members those scholars significantly contributing to the study of Religious Systems, who live and work in areas where payment of membership fee would be an impediment. Honorary members shall enjoy all the privileges of membership without paying a membership fee.

Article 4

MEMBERS OBLIGATIONS

Members shall pay the annual membership fee, as it is being determined by the Governing Board and must comply with the terms of this Statute and the decisions of ISARRS organs.

Article 5

MEMBERS RIGHTS

All members in good financial standing shall have the following rights:

1.   receive the publications of ISARRS,

2.   participate in the General Assembly by one vote,

3.   shall be able to vote and be elected at any regular or ad hoc body and

4.   participate in its conference.

ARTICLE 6

MEMBER WITHDRAWAL-EXPULSION

1.   Any member can withdraw ISARRS by addressing an application to the Governing Board, which must approve it without any further requirement

2.   Any member is being expelled from ISARRS after an application by another member to the Governing Board or after the initiative of the Governing Board due to violation of the Statute or any decision of the ISARRS organs. The withdrawal-expulsion is being completed by the General Assembly’s decision.

CHAPTER II – OFFICES

Article 7

OFFICES OF THE ASSOCIATION

The offices of the Association shall be:

(a) The General Assembly

(b) The Governing Board

(c) The Scientific Committee

(d) The Election Committee

(e) The Auditor

Article 8

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1. The General Assembly (G.A.) of the members is the supreme decision-making body of ISARRS, it supervises all other offices and has general decisive authority.

2. The General Assembly is called by the Governing Board in place and time which, in its estimation, facilitates the greater participation of members. In specific:

a. The regular General Assembly is called every two years and specifically at the place and time where the conference of ISARRS is conducted. A call is addressed to all members via email at least 30 days in advance of the conference. It announces the date, time and place and the agenda.

b. The emergency General Assembly is called by a decision of the Governing Board or at the request of two thirds of the in good financial standing members for emergency issues. An invitation is addressed via email to all members at least 21 days in advance to the G.A.. It announces the date, time and place and the agenda.

3. Term for the participation in the General Assembly is to fulfill, till the conduction of the G.A., the financial obligations of membership. The quorum for a vote and decision is set at 50 % of the members, who declare their participation within two weeks after the sending date of the invitation, either via e-mail or by regular mail. The General Assembly decides by a majority of two thirds of the present members. If quorum is not met, the General Assembly shall be convened the following day, at the same time and place and it takes place with the attending members.

4. The meeting of the General Assembly is directed by its Board composed of a President and Secretary, who are elected by rising of hands. Board members shall sign the minutes they wrote up.

5. Decisions of the General Assembly shall be taken by rising of hands or by roll call, never by acclamation. Decisions related to issues of trust, election of organs, accountability and personal issues are to be taken by secret vote. Otherwise they shall be invalid.

6. Decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in Minute Book of the General Assembly.

Article 9

GOVERNING BOARD

COMPETENCES

The Governing Board is the governing body of the ISARRS. In specific:

1. It prepares the works of the General Assembly, calls it and executes its decisions.

2. It edits, at the first quarter of each year, the annual report and balance sheet for the previous year and the current year’s budget.

3. It takes all appropriate measures to promote the objectives of the Society.

4. It establishes the Scientific Committee and, at its discretion, constitutes ad hoc working groups and committees for the study of specific issues.

5. It calls, jointly with the Scientific Committee, the Conference of ISARRS.

6. It manages any property of the Society.

Article 10

GOVERNING BOARD

CONSTITUTION – SERVICE – REPLACEMENT OF MEMBERS

The Governing Board consists of five members: the President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer and one member.

1. The members of the Governing Board are appointed for two (2) years, which may, by reasoned decision in accordance with Article 12 paragraph 7, be extended.

2. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be appointed by vote among the Board members.

3. In case of a withdrawal of a member of the G.B. or in the event of an impediment for a period longer than three months, the G. B. calls by its President or its replacer the first named runner-up candidate to occupy the same seat on the Board.

Article 11

BOARD

OPERATION

1. The Governing Board shall meet when called by the President or at the request of one third of its members, submitted in written form. The meeting may take place by electronic means. The invitation is addressed via email to all members at least seven days in advance. It announces the date, time and place of the meeting and the agenda. At each meeting minutes shall be kept and signed by the President and the General Secretary.

2. In order the decisions to be valid, the presence of at least three (3) members is required. Decisions are to be taken by simple majority of those present. In case of a tie, the vote of the President exceeds.

Article 12

BOARD

COMPETENCIES OF MEMBERS

1. The President: Calls the meetings of the G.B., coordinates the activities of ISARRS and is its legal representative. Manages the financial affairs of ISARRS, in collaboration with the Treasurer. The President must provide regular reports on the financial status of the ISARRS to the G.B. and the General Assembly.

2. The Vice President: Acts as President when the President is unable to do so.

3. The Treasurer: Is in charge of the financial management of ISARRS and keeps the record of income and expenses. Together with the President they manage the financial affairs of ISARRS and represent it to any financial institution, either jointly or separately.

4. The Secretary: Keeps the Minute book of the meetings of the General Assembly and the Governing Board, as well as the Member Register.

Article 13

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

1. The Scientific Committee (SC) is an advisory body of ISARRS with the following responsibilities:

a. the editing of any publication

b. the organising of the conference, which may be assigned to a third person or an academic institution,

c. the binding recommendation for connecting with research and academic institutions.

2. The SC consists of nine members who are appointed by the Governing Board. The members of the Scientific Committee shall be academics at the moment of their appointment or in the past. There is no restriction in being a member of the G. B.  and a member of the S.C. at the same time.

3. The meetings are called by invitation, addressed via email to all members at least three days in advance. The invitation announces the date, time and place of the meeting and the agenda. The meeting may take place by electronic means.

4. The SC has a quorum when at least five members are present and decides by a simple majority of the present members.

Article 14

AUDITOR

The Auditor is elected during the Regular General Assembly of the ISARRS. He/She audits all the financial data of ISARRS, prepares an annual audit report and submits it to the Governing Board and the Regular General Assembly.

CHAPTER III – ELECTIONS

Article 15

1. The Governing Board, before the completion of two (2) years from its election, calls the regular General Meeting, with the main subject of the Elections and specifically announces the place and time where the ISARRS conference will be conducted. The G.A. elects the members of the Election Committee (E.C.) and decides upon the procedure for the conduct of the elections for the appointment of new members of the Governing Board and the Auditor.

2. The Election Committee has the overall responsibility of the electoral process until the release of the results and the announcement of the successful candidates. The E.C. consists of three (3) members and one (1) alternate member; those members shall be elected by secret vote or by unanimous decision. The E.C. oversees that the elections are conducted under the provisions of the statute and based on the member register; it adjudicates over any dispute or objection submitted.

3. The General Assembly decides on the voting procedure. In the case of a unanimous decision it shall elect the members of the Governing Board and five (5) alternate members. In particular it elects the members that occupy the office of President and Vice President.

4. In the absence of a unanimous decision the elections shall be carried out by secret vote. The candidate first in votes shall be appointed President and the second in votes candidate, respectively, Vice President. In case of a tie, the seat shall be assigned by lottery.

5. In case of replacement, resignation or demise or suspension of a member of the Governing Board or the Auditor, the first alternate candidate shall be called to take up the office.

6. In case of an impediment to the conduction of the Regular General Meeting, the mandate of its offices shall be extended until takes place.

CHAPTER IV – TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 16

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The annual membership fee shall be determined by the Governing Board, as well as the acceptable methods of payment.

1. The proceeds from the annual membership fees and the conferences of ISARRS consist the capital for its operation, publications, conferences and current expenses consistent with its purposes.

2. No financial obligation in excess of funds available in the treasury shall be assumed by the Governing Board, in the name of ISARRS, except of those for the purpose of this article, estimated to be collected from annual membership fees and other accounts receivable for the current year and which can be considered as available funds.

Article 17

BOOKS OF ISARRS

The ISARRS keeps the following books:

a) Members registry.

b) Minute book of the meetings of the General Assembly and the Governing Board.

c) Income-expenses book.

Article 18

STATUTE AMENDMENT

The amendment of the statute shall be decided ​​by the General Assembly of the members. The quorum for vote and decision is set at 50% of the members. The decision shall be taken by a majority of three fourths of the members participating in the General Assembly.

Article 19

DISSOLUTION

1.   At the request of four fifths of the ISARRS members, the Governing Board shall call the General Assembly to dissolve it. The General Meeting of the members has a quorum when 50 % of the in good financial standing members attends and decides by a majority of four fifths of the present members. In this case the assets of ISARRS, upon the decision of the General Assembly, are to be placed at the disposal of another international scientific society of similar scientific character.

2.   If members are less than ten ISARRS is being automatically dissolved.

3.   In no case can assets of ISARRS be distributed among its members.

Article 20

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. For any matter not regulated by this Statute, the General Assembly has the competence of deciding.

2. The stamp of ISARRS shall be round. In its periphery the name of ISARRS shall appear and in the centre, the foundation date.

 

Athens, 30/4/2014