Constitution, Statutes and By-Laws

Amended: IUTOX General Assembly, July 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

*In these Statues and By-Laws unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the masculine gender include the femininie gender and vice-versa.

STATUTES*

Statute I Name
Statute II Purpose and Functions
Statute III Membership
Statute IV Scientific Affairs
Statute V Management
Statute VI Amendments
Statute VII Duration and Dissolution

BY-LAWS*

A. Membership

A-1. Member Societies
A-2. Associate Members
A-3. Institutional Members
A-4. Adhering Body
A-5. Rights of Member Societies
A-6. Rights of Associate and Institutional Members
A-7. Membership Application
A-8. The Membership Committee
A-9. Election to Membership
A-10. Transferability of Membership
A-11. Membership Resignation

B. Council

B-1. Council
B-2. Councilors
B-3. Meetings
B-4. Voting

C. Executive Committee

C-1. Executive Committee
C-2. Mandate
C-3. Nominations
C-4. Election
C-5. Term of Office
C-6. Removal of Executive Committee Personnel
C-7. Vacancies
C-8. Remuneration
C-9. Indemnification
C-10. Time and Place of Meetings
C-11. Notices
C-12. Quorum
C-13. Voting
C-14. Resolutions
C-15. President
C-16. President-Elect
C-17. Vice-President
C-18. Secretary General
C-19. Treasurer
C-20. Directors
C-21. Authority
C-22. Contracts

D. Standing Committees of Council

D-1. Nominating

E. Standing Committees of the Executive Committee

E-1. Membership
E-2. Developing Countries

F. International Congresses

F-1. International Congress of Toxicology (ICT)
F-2. Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries (CTDC)
F-3. Organization of International Congresses (ICTs and CTDCs)

G. Dues

G-1. Levy
G-2. Fiscal Period
G-3. Auditor
G-4. Default
G-5. Obligation at Resignation or Expulsion
G-6. Reduced Membership Dues

H. Documents

H-1. Execution
H-2. Seal

I. Books and Records

I-1. Inspection

J. Affiliation

J-1. Affiliation Statement

K. By-Laws Amendments

K-1. Procedure

*In these Statues and By-Laws unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the masculine gender include the femininie gender and vice-versa.

STATUTES*

Statute I, Name

The name of the organization shall be the International Union of Toxicology hereinafter called the Union. The official abbreviation of this name shall be IUTOX.

Statute II, Purpose and Functions

The purpose of the Union shall be to foster international scientific co-operation among national and other groups of toxicologists and promote world-wide acquisition, dissemination and utilization of knowledge in the science of toxicology, in particular by sponsoring International Congresses on Toxicology (ICTs) and Congresses of Toxicology in Developing Countries (CTDCs) for the benefit of all mankind.

Statute III, Membership

Membership in the Union shall be open to regional, national and international organized groups of toxicologists without respect to affiliation or prior commitment according to the prerequisites of eligibility set forth in the By-Laws. The Union shall adhere to a fundamental membership policy of non-discrimination and affirm the rights of individual scientists in toxicology throughout the world to adhere to Member Society groups without regard to race, religion, political philosophy, ethnic origin, citizenship, language or sex. The Union shall recognize and respect the independence of the internal scientific planning of its Member Societies.

Associate membership status in the Union may be granted upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee to groups who do not qualify as Member Societies and who meet eligibility prerequisites set forth in the By-laws.

Institutional membership status in the Union may be granted upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee to institutions that meet eligibility prerequisites set forth in the By-Laws.

Statute IV, Scientific Affairs

The Union recognizes the principle of the universality of science and resolves to conduct its scientific affairs in a non-political, non-discriminatory manner based on the resolution of free circulation of bona fide scientists adopted by the International Council of Scientific Unions.

Statute V, Management

1. The Union shall be governed by a Council, hereinafter called the Council, of Member-Delegates hereinafter called Councilors, whose eligibility, responsibility and function shall be as defined as the By-Laws and who shall meet for the purpose of transacting the business of the Union.

2. The responsibility of the Council shall be to the Member Societies and its mandate to achieve the objectives set forth in Statute II shall extend to all affairs of the Union.

3. The Council shall have the right to raise funds, appoint committees and seek other ways and means deemed necessary for the proper execution of its mandate.

4. Interim management of Council activities shall be governed by the Executive Committee, elected by and responsible to the Council. The size, composition, organization, tenure and responsibility of the Executive Committee shall be as defined in the By-Laws.

Statute VI, Amendments

Changes in these statutes may be executed by the Council at General Assembly or at a Special Meeting called for that purpose, by a three-fourths majority vote of the ballots cast, provided that the proposed change be submitted in writing to the Secretary-General over the signatures of three Member Societies of the Union in good standing, and that copies of the proposed change shall have been mailed to all Councilors at least 90 days in advance of the meeting, at which a final action is to be taken.

Statute VII, Duration and Dissolution

The Union shall persist until an amendment for dissolution has been passed in accordance with the provisions of Statute VI.

At dissolution, an independent auditor shall be appointed for subsequent settlement of all liabilities incurred by the Union and a disbursement of remaining assets to the World Health Organization, without encumbrance shall take place.

B Y—L A W S*

BE IT ENACTED AND IT IS HEREBY ENACTED AS A BY-LAW OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF TOXICOLOGY —(hereinafter called the Union) THAT:

The following shall be the By-Laws of the Union.

A. Membership

A-1. Member Societies—The International Union of Toxicology shall consist of national, regional and international groups or societies of toxicologists and scientists in related disciplines that shall be referred to as Member Societies. A national and/or regional society or group must be acknowledged as the primary organization of scientists in that discipline of the country or region represented and constituted under applicable rules governing registration of scientific societies.

A-2. Associate Members—Organizations or groups of individuals interested in the advancement of toxicology may be granted associate membership status in the Union without respect to affiliation or prior commitment provided that in the opinion of the Membership Committee that such action will serve to further the objectives of the Union.

A-3. Institutional Members—Institutions interested in providing financial resources to support the activities of the Union may be granted institutional membership status in the Union provided that in the opinion of the Executive Committee that such action will serve to further the objectives of the Union.

A-4. Adhering Body—A Member Society adheres to the Union independently or through the principal national scientific academy, research council institution, association of institutions, scientific society or group of societies enjoined for this purpose duly constituted for a defined geographical area with an independent budget for scientific purposes and in accordance with these By-Laws.

A-5. Rights of Member Societies—Member Societies shall have the right to receive notice to attend and vote at business meetings of the Union, to hold elected office in the Union and to participate in the scientific and business affairs of the Union.

A-6. Rights of Associate and Institutional Members—Associate and Institutional Members shall be listed as members of the Union and shall have the right to receive notice of and attend the General Assembly of the Union, but not have the right to hold elected office or vote. Associate and Institutional Members may participate in all scientific affairs of the Union.

A-7. Membership Application—Applications for membership shall be sent to the Secretary General of IUTOX not later than 6 months before the expected action.

A-8. The Membership Committee—The Secretary General shall submit all duly completed Member Society and Associate applications for membership in the Union to the Membership Committee to study investigate and report to the Executive Committee for its consideration. Majority approval by the Executive Committee shall be required prior to ratification by the Member Societies as detailed in By-Laws A-9.

A-9. Election to Membership—Upon recommendation by the Executive Committee, the Secretary General shall forward to the Member Societies of the Union a slate of proposed new Member Societies and Associate members. The slate shall show the names and qualifications of the applicant group, and the recommendation of the Executive Committee. A two-thirds majority of mail ballots received by the Secretary General within 30 days following forwarding of the slate shall be required for election to Membership. The Secretary General shall notify each applicant group of the vote result.

A-10. Transferability of Membership—Membership in the Union is not transferable under any circumstances.

A-11. Membership Resignation—Resignation without prejudice from the Union will occur 90 days after receipt by the Secretary General of a written declaration to this effect, signed by two officers of the Member Society or group, one of whom shall be the President or his equivalent. All rights, privileges and obligations of Membership in the Union will cease upon resignation except for dues in arrears, which shall be discharged according to the rules set forth in By-Laws G-5.

B. Council

B-1. Council—The effective governing body of the Union shall be the Council. The Council shall consist of persons hereinafter called Councilors, appointed by each Member Society in accordance with the provisions of By-Laws B-2. The Secretary (General), of each Member Society shall forward the name(s) of such Councilor(s) to the Secretary General not later than 90 days before the next assembly of the Council. Only Councilors so validated shall have voting rights at General Assembly, except that by official written notice to the Secretary General, a Member Society may appoint an alternate councilor to serve in the case when a regular Councilor cannot be present at a particular meeting. The Councilors nominated by the Society as delegates to the general assembly will remain in office until the next General Assembly unless the Member Society makes an explicit substitution following the procedure established in these By-Laws.

B-2. Councilors—The number of Councilors to the Council shall be related to the number of toxicologists represented by each affiliated Member Society. There shall be one Councilor for every 200 or fraction thereof. The total number of Councilors shall not be less than one or exceed 5 for any Member Society. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to determine the Councilor strength allocated to each Member Society 180 days prior to each General Assembly. Election of a Councilor to the Executive Committee in accordance with the provisions of By-Laws C-1 and C-2 shall not reduce the voting strength of a Member Society at General Assembly. When this happens, the Member Society will be required to name a new Councilor to fill the vacancy so created.

B-3. Meetings—The Council shall meet at least on the occasion of each International Congress of Toxicology. This meeting shall be called a General Assembly for the purpose of these By-Laws. For special reasons, the President may, with the consent of the Executive Committee, and with 30 days notice to Council, summon an extraordinary meeting of the Council at any other time. He is obliged to do so at the written request of at least one-third of the Councilors.

B-4. Voting—Only validated Councilors acting on behalf of Member Societies may vote at the General Assembly on matters relating to the business of IUTOX. At the General Assembly, a simple majority of votes cast from Councilors present or by written proxy will carry. Executive Committee personnel are not allowed voting privileges at the General Assembly except for the President of the Union who will be required to cast a deciding vote in the case of a tie. As per By-Laws C-1, F-1, and F-2, Member Societies will cast their votes as a block for Execution of Executive Committee members and International Congress hosts.

C. Executive Committee

C-1. Executive Committee—The Executive Committee consists of: a President, a Vice-President, a President-Elect, a Secretary General, a Treasurer, and five Directors. The Council shall elect by secret majority mail ballot, opened at General Assembly and in accordance with the provisions of By-Laws C-3, an Executive Committee composed of Members from Member Societies in good standing, or those members of the existing Executive Committee eligible for re-election (By-Laws C-5).

C-2. Mandate—The Executive Committee shall function as the executive arm of the Union under the general direction of and responsible to the Council. A Councilor voted into office on the Executive Committee shall no longer represent the interests of the Member Society but shall, instead, act in a true spirit of international co-operation. The Executive Committee may appoint members of member societies to commissions, task forces and other groups, as needed, to accomplish the goals of the Union and may fill vacancies in such groups as required.

C-3. Nominations—70 days before the General Assembly the Secretary General shall request Member Societies to send, by 150 days before the General Assembly, a list of nominees for officers and directorships on the Executive Committee to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The names of persons eligible for election defined in section C-1 should be accompanied by short curriculum vitae. 90 days before the General Assembly the Executive Committee and Member Societies will receive from the Secretary General the list of nominees drawn up by the Nominating Committee. Two or more nominees shall be required for each Executive Committee position stated in By-Laws C-1. At this time Member Societies will also receive a ballot. Additional nominations may be made by at least 3 Member Societies in good standing at the General Assembly.

C-4. Election—The Executive Committee shall be elected by a simple majority of votes cast. Member Societies may vote in block by secret ballot either as mail ballots to be received by the Secretary General at least 30 days before the General Assembly or by secret ballot presented to the Secretary General at the General Assembly. Ballots will be examined for authenticity, opened and counted by two scrutineers who shall be Councilors in attendance and elected by the Council for that purpose. In the event of a tie in the election for a place on the Executive Committee, the election shall be completed by a simple majority of the vote of a secret ballot of Councilors present at the General Assembly.

C-5. Term of Office—The term of the other Executive Committee members will begin immediately following the General Assembly at which they are elected and end at the conclusion of the next General Assembly. As noted in By-Laws C-16, the President-elect will accede to an additional three-year term as President.

Subject to By-Laws C-1, the individuals of the Executive Committee may be elected to a new or the same office in the Executive Committee for a further three-year period. After completion of two consecutive three-year terms, personnel of the Executive Committee except for the Secretary General and Treasurer shall not be eligible for further service until an intermission of at least three years has passed. At the discretion of Council and for the purpose of Executive Committee continuity, the Secretary General and the Treasurer will be eligible for a third (and possibly fourth) three-year term of service, only if the office to be occupied will be that of the President-elect or will represent a second consecutive term in the current office.

C-6. Removal of Executive Committee Personnel—The Member Societies of the Union may, by resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a regular or extraordinary meeting of the Council, of which 30-day notice specifying the intention to pass such a resolution has been given, remove any Executive Committee person before the expiration of his term of office, and may, by a majority of votes cast at that meeting, elect any qualified person in his stead for the remainder of his term.

C-7. Vacancies—If an Executive Committee Director resigns his office, or without reasonable excuse absents himself from three or more meetings, or is unable to fulfill obligations of the office, or whose member society is in default, the Executive Committee shall declare his office vacated. The Nominating Committee will propose a suitable candidate to temporarily fill the vacant position, which shall be ratified by the Executive Committee. In the case of a vacancy in the Officer positions (President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary-General, Treasurer or Chair of the Nominating Committee),a special out-of-cycle nomination and election will be initiated within 30 days, either from the time of the departure or the notice given. Should such vacancy occur within 270 days or less of the next General Assembly, the Nominating Committee will follow the procedures described in C-3.

C-8. Remuneration—No remuneration shall be paid by the Union to any Executive Committee individual or Councilor of the Union and expenses shall only be paid as may be determined by resolution of the Executive Committee.

C-9. Indemnification—Every Executive Committee person or Councilor of the Union is deemed to have assumed office on the express agreement and condition that he and his heirs, administrators and estate and effects respectively shall from time to time and at all times be indemnified and saved harmless out of the funds of the Union from and against all costs, charges and expenses which such director sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceeding which is brought, commenced, or prosecuted against him for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing made, done or permitted by him or any other Executive Committee member in or about the execution of the duties of his or their office, and also from and against all other costs, charges and expenses which he sustains or incurs in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof, except such costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his own willful neglect or default.

C-10. Time and Place of Meetings—Executive Committee meetings may be held at such times and at such places as the President, or the Vice-President, if the former is absent or unable to perform the duties, from time to time determines or upon application of any four Executive Committee members. The rules contained in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern conduct of the business meetings of the Union, except where they are inconsistent with the Statutes and By-Laws.

C-11. Notices—Notice of the time, place and date of Executive Committee meetings, together with a draft agenda shall be mailed to each Executive Committee person not less than 30 days prior to the date of the meeting. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time, without formal notice, if all the designated individuals are present, or those absent have waived notice or have signified their consent in writing to the meeting being held in their absence. An Executive Committee meeting may also be held, without notice, immediately following the General Assembly of the Union.

C-12. Quorum—4 Executive Committee members, excluding the President, constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

C-13. Voting—Questions arising at any meeting of the Executive Committee shall be decided by a simple majority of votes from individuals present, excluding the President. Voting by proxy is permitted. In case of equality, the President or his alternate shall cast a deciding vote.

C-14. Resolutions—A resolution in writing, signed within 60 days by all the Executive Committee individuals, is as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Executive Committee duly called and constituted.

C-15. President—The President shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and the Council and, with the Secretary General, prepare their agenda: be an ex officio member of all other committees of the Union; have authority to sign and execute contracts, agreements and other legal documents in the name of IUTOX under such circumstances as shall be indicated by the Executive Committee or the Council; represent IUTOX in all proper ways; and, calling on other members of the Executive Committee as appropriate, manage the affairs of IUTOX between meetings of the Executive Committee.

C-16. President-Elect—The President-Elect will:

(i) participate in activities, vote and act as a member of the Executive Committee;
(i) provide advice and counsel to the Executive Committee;
(iii) chair other committees, meetings and/or act as a liaison officer to the same at the direction of the President.

The President-Elect shall accede to the Presidency following a 3-year term or, in case of a vacancy in the Presidency, following a special out-of-cycle election, as described in C-7.

C-17. Vice President—It shall be the responsibility of the Vice-President, to preside at meetings of the Executive Committee or of the Council in the absence of the President, and to undertake any other duties of the office which the President is unable to discharge. He will:

(i) participate in activities, vote and act as a member of the Executive Committee;
(ii) provide advice and counsel to the Executive Committee;
(iii) chair other committees, meetings and/or act as a liaison officer to the same at the direction of the President; and
(iv) chair the Membership Committee.

C-18. Secretary General—The Secretary General shall keep the records of IUTOX; maintain relationships with organizations adhering to IUTOX and, with the President, prepare the agenda of the meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Council. The Secretary General shall submit a report of the activities of IUTOX to the Council at least 90 days in advance of its General Assembly. He will:

(i) participate in activities, vote and act as a member of the Executive Committee;
(ii) provide advice and counsel to the Executive Committee;
(iii) chair other committees, meetings and/or act as a liaison officer to the same at the direction of the President.

C-19. Treasurer—The Treasurer shall be in charge of the finances of IUTOX and shall prepare a financial report to be circulated to the individuals of the Council before its General Assembly at each International Congress. This report shall cover the three last fiscal years preceding the Congress and be considered by the Council for approval. The report shall be in the hands of the Auditors at least fourteen days before the General Assembly to enable them to present their findings to the General Assembly. He will:

(i) participate in activities, vote and act as a member of the Executive Committee;
(ii) provide advice and counsel to the Executive Committee;
(iii) chair other committees, meetings and/or act as a liaison officer to the same at the direction of the President.

C-20. Directors—Directors shall:

(i) participate in activities, vote and act as a member of the Executive Committee;
(ii) provide advice and counsel to the Executive Committee;
(iii) chair other committees, meetings and/or act as a liaison officer to the same at the direction of the President.

C-21. Authority—The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act for the Council in the intervals between meetings of the General Assembly. The Executive Committee shall also implement decisions taken by the Council and shall have authority to make all administrative decisions relative to such implementations. The Executive Committee shall be guided by the wishes of the Council as expressed at the General Assembly.

C-22. Contracts—Contracts concerning publications or other matters sponsored by IUTOX must be approved by the Executive Committee and signed by the President of IUTOX and, where applicable, by the President of a Congress.

D. Standing Committees of Council

D-1. Nominating—The Nominating Committee shall function as a Standing Committee of the Council, and consist of five Councilors of Member Societies in good standing, no more than one of whom may come from a given Member Society. The Past-President shall head the Nomination Committee ex officio.

The Past-President (ex officio) shall prepare a slate of nominees, call for nominations from the floor, and conduct a secret ballot election of the Nominating Committee by Councilors at the General Assembly. The Past-President shall also be a member and chairman of the Committee without voting rights.

The Nominating Committee, as specified in By-Laws C-2, develops a slate of nominees for the executive Committee to be presented at the next General Assembly of the Council. The Past-President shall inform the Nominating Committee of those members of the Executive Committee who are eligible and wish to offer themselves for re-election and offer advice about the need for continuity within the Executive Committee. Due regard must be paid to continuity of membership from one Executive Committee to the next and to the geographical distribution of the Union Member Societies from which the Executive Committee members originate.

It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to ensure that a full complement of members of the Executive Committee and the Nominating Committee is maintained. The Nominating Committee shall submit to the Secretary General nominations for each vacancy on the Executive Committee 120 days prior to the General Assembly and this list will be sent to member societies 90 days before the General Assembly. Other nominations for vacancies on the Executive Committee may be submitted to the Secretary General over the signatures of Secretaries of at least 3 member societies in good standing at the General Assembly.

E. Standing Committees of the Executive Committee

E-1. Membership—The Membership Committee shall review all applications for member society and Associate membership and shall recommend on the acceptability of all applicants to the Secretary General. The Executive Committee shall appoint the Membership Committee and name its chairman, the Vice-President. The Membership Committee shall consist of three to five individuals, no more than one of whom may come from a given Member Society.

E-2. Developing Countries—The Developing Countries Committee shall initiate, co-ordinate and oversee activities of special interest to Member Societies from developing countries. The Executive Committee shall appoint the Developing Countries Committee and name its chairman among the Directors. This Committee shall consist of three to five individuals, no more than one of whom may come from a given Member Society. The Developing Countries Committee shall report to the Executive Committee.

F. International Congresses

F-1. International Congress of Toxicology (ICT). The Executive Committee shall review applications received by the Secretary General for International Congresses, such invitations must be received by the Secretary General at least 150 days in advance of the General Assembly at which they are to be considered. The Executive Committee report shall be submitted by the President to the General Assembly for discussions and secret vote for decision. Member Societies may vote, in block, by mail ballot to be received by the Secretary General at least 30 days before the General Assembly or by secret ballot cast at the General Assembly.

F-2. Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries (CTDC). The Executive Committee shall review applications received by the Secretary General for CTDC, such invitations must be received by the Secretary General at least 150 days in advance of the General Assembly at which they are to be considered. The Executive Committee report shall be submitted by the President to the General Assembly for discussions and secret vote for decision. Member societies may vote, in block, by mail ballot to be received by the Secretary General at least 30 days before the General Assembly or by secret ballot cast at the General.

F-3. Organization of International Congresses (ICTs and CTDCs). The Executive Committee shall draw up an agreement with the Member Society selected to organize an International Congress. The agreement will specify the organizational arrangements and financial and other responsibilities of IUTOX and the Member Society. The agreement shall be prepared according to guidelines which the Executive Committee shall prepare and make available to Member Societies.

G. Dues

G-1. Levy—Dues may be levied on all Member Societies to cover the financial responsibilities of the Union. The adhering Member Societies shall be asked to pay annual dues in the ratio of 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 units, according to the number of delegates (1 to 5) to the Council. The Council shall determine at each General Assembly (or by a special mail vote of the Council) the value of the dues unit and the currency in which it is to be expressed, and the frequency of payment which shall apply in the interval until the next General Assembly.

Associate members and Institutional members shall be assessed dues set by the Executive Committee.

Associate members and Institutional members shall be assessed dues set by the Executive Committee and ratified by a majority vote of the Council.

G-2. Fiscal Period—The financial year shall be the calendar year. Annual dues shall be paid from the beginning of the calendar year following the election of a Member Society.

G-3. Auditor—The Council shall elect at its General Assembly 2 Auditors whose duty it shall be to study the audit of the Treasurer and report its findings thereon to the General Assembly. The election shall be from a slate of nominees presented by the Executive Committee. Nominations may also be initiated from the floor. If an auditor is unable or unwilling to fulfill his responsibilities, the Executive Committee may appoint a replacement to serve until the next regularly scheduled election.

G-4. Default—Membership in the Union shall lapse in the case of a member society, Associate or Institutional member whose dues are more than three years in arrears as of the end of the fiscal year ending immediately before the year of the General Assembly.

A member society whose dues are in arrears is not a member society in good standing for the purpose of these By-Laws and may not nominate Councilors to the Executive Committee, stand for election to any other office, or vote on any matters relating to the Union.

G-5. Obligation at Resignation or Expulsion—A member society, Associate, or Institutional member that resigns or is expelled from the Union shall be liable for all dues in arrears including those of the current fiscal year calculated on a pro-rated basis relative to the date of leaving. Discharge of these obligations shall be mandatory before reinstatement or re-application for membership can be considered.

G-6. Reduced Membership Dues—A Member Society may request a reduction in their membership dues by a submission to the Secretary General that:

(a) should be signed by three of the elected officers of the Member Society, including the treasurer;
(b) provides information on the current membership and subscription rates of the Member Society, and
(c) demonstrates that the IUTOX dues are an excessive amount of the Member Societies annual membership subscription income.

The President, Secretary General, and Treasurer shall decide, on the basis of the submission, whether to allow the member society to pay reduced membership dues. Reduced membership dues shall usually be calculated as the equivalent of 10% of the member society’s annual membership subscription income and shall be paid according to the provisions in By-Laws G-1 and G-2. The reduced membership dues shall be for a period of 3 years and the member society may resubmit a request for reduced membership dues.

H. Documents

H-1. Execution—All contracts, documents and instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Union shall be signed by the President or Vice-President and by the Secretary General. All checks, drafts, orders for the payment of money, and all notes and acceptances shall be signed by such officer or officers and in such manner as the Executive Committee may from time to time direct and as may be required by the UnionŠs bankers.

H-2. Seal—The seal of the Union shall be affixed by the Secretary General to all contracts, documents and instruments in writing, as may require it.

I. Books and Records

I-1. Inspection—All minute books and books of account shall at all times be open to inspection by the Executive Committee and the Auditor. No member society (not being a director) shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Union except as conferred by law or authorized by the Executive Committee, or by resolution of the Council, whether previous notice thereof has been given or not.

J. Affiliation

J-1. Affiliation Statement—The Union shall be unencumbered to seek, enter into or withdraw from agreements, co-operatives, or affiliations with other Union, Organizations or Groups in pursuit of fulfillment of its objectives. Such activities prior to formalization must be endorsed unanimously by the Executive Committee and ratified by the Council in a manner similar to that required for amendment to the constitution.

K. By-Law Amendments

K-1. Procedure—Amendments to the By-Laws shall be made by the Council. Amendments may only be considered at General Assemblies of the Council held in conjunction with an International Congress on Toxicology. Proposed amendments to the By-Laws must be sent to the Secretary General at least 60 days before the General Assembly at which they are to be considered and must be endorsed in writing by the Executive Committee or by 2 member societies in good standing. The Secretary General shall transmit proposed amendments to all Member Societies at least 60 days before the General Assembly at which they are to be considered. A three-fifths majority vote of the Councilors present and voting shall be required for the adoption of any amendment.