I – Name, domicile and object of the association

Art 1.

The European Federation of Parasitologists (abbreviated EFP), created on November 14, 1966 in Jablonna/Warsaw (Poland), is a European consortium of any scientific organization involved in any aspect of the study of parasites and parasitic diseases. This is an association in accordance with Article 60 and subsequent articles of the Swiss Civil Code and this association is registered at the transparency register of the European Union.

The EFP is an autonomous scientific organization. It is a member of the World Federation of Parasitologists, through which it is affiliated with the International Union of Biological Sciences.

Art 2.

The principal purpose of the EFP is to promote scientific research in parasitology in Europe.

The key functions of the EFP are:

• the promotion of scientific studies relating to parasite and parasitic diseases in animals and humans;

• the organization of a European Multicolloquium for Parasitology (EMOP) every four years for presentation of research findings, reports, and workshops on relevant subjects. In addition, the EFP may organize or assist in the organization other national or international conferences, symposia, colloquia or workshops that deal in whole or in part with various aspects of parasites and parasitic diseases;

• the encouragement of talented students by supporting and recognizing their contributions to parasitological research through scholarships to attend the EMOP and Young Scientist’s Awards for outstanding research submitted for presentation at EMOP.

The EFP cooperates with international organizations (e.g., WHO, OIE, FAO, eCDC, EFSA, EU Commission) and national organizations and may accept donations from such institutions to support or promote the function of the EFP.

II – Membership

Art. 3

Any scientific organization, from any European country or group of countries, may be a member of the EFP if it is involved in any aspect of the study of parasites. Multinational organizations whose interests focus on a specific aspect of parasitology may also be members on the condition that the organization is based in Europe. Non-European organizations may also become members if they have strong relationships with European organizations. Under exceptional circumstances and notwithstanding, the remaining clauses of article 3, the general meeting may elect an individual or institute to temporary membership of the EFP pending the formal establishment in the country of that individual or institute, of a parasitological society or other parasitological organization. Such temporary members will have no voting rights in the EFP.

Art. 4

Applications for membership must be submitted by writing to the Executive Board. Decisions on admission will be made at the next General Meeting after receipt of the written application. There has to be a period of at least two months between the reception of the application and the General Meeting. Any member may resign from the EFP on the condition that the member gives three months’ notice before the end of the calendar year and that all obligations to the EFP have been fulfilled. The Executive Board can propose suspension of members from the EFP if they no longer uphold the interests of the EFP or do not pay the annual subscription. Any member can be admitted or suspended by the General Meeting on the basis of a two-thirds voting majority of the members present

Art. 5

Each member pays an annual subscription; the amount is fixed by the Executive Board and agreed during a General Meeting with two-thirds voting majority of the members present. Suspended member according to Art. 4 cannot vote for the decisions taken during the general assembly and for all other votes which may be required.

III – Organization

Art. 6

The components of the European Federation of Parasitology are:

A – The General Meeting of the members

B – The Executive Board

C – The Auditors

A – The General Meeting

Art. 7

The General Meeting is the ultimate decision-making body of the EFP.

Each member nominates one delegate. The delegates together constitute the General Meeting. One delegate may only represent one member. An Executive Board member cannot represent the member society of which he is a member.

Art. 8

The General Meeting has the following powers:

a) Admission and suspension of members
b) Decisions concerning place and dates of the next General Meeting and EMOP
c) Appointment of the Executive Board and the Auditors
d) Acceptance and final verification of the functions performed by the Executive Board during its term
e) Decisions concerning the acceptance and modification of the articles of the EFP
f) Decisions concerning changes in the amount of the annual subscription
g) Decisions concerning matters which are forwarded by other components of the EFP
h) Decisions concerning the dissolution of the EFP
i) Appointment of Expert Commissions to undertake special tasks within the remit of the EFP

Art. 9

The General Meeting is called as often as required, but at least once every four years. It normally meets every two years during international meetings which occur at regular intervals, i.e. the World Congress (ICOPA) and the European Multicolloquium. Invitations to the General Meeting are issued by the Executive Board. The Executive Board is required to call a General Meeting if at least ten (non-suspended) members so desire. The invitations to the General Meeting are to be mailed at the latest two months before the opening of the General Meeting. The invitation has to state the Agenda of the Meeting. At the beginning of the Meeting urgent points can be added to the Agenda if the present members of the board agree.

Decisions can also be made by postal or emailed ballots. Such a ballot is valid only if at least sixty percent of all members have participated.

Art. 10

The President, or in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents, takes the Chair of the meeting.

The Secretary, or in his absence, another member of the Executive Board nominated by the Chairman, takes the minutes of the meeting.

The General Meeting makes its decisions by open ballot unless one or more members request a secret ballot. Decisions about elections are made by secret ballot if there are more candidates than vacant places.

The decisions and elections of the General Meeting are made by a simple majority of the votes cast. In case of a tied vote, a new voting round is organized. If there is again a tied vote, the decision will be made by lot. For all other ballots with tied votes, the President has the casting vote.

However, any modification of the Articles of the Association may only be made by a two-thirds majority of the non-suspended members present

B – The Executive Board

Art. 11

Every four years, the General Meeting elects an Executive Board consisting of nine members. No member can be elected for more than two consecutive terms of any office. Subsequent re-election of the member may occur only after abstaining from office for one term. A reasonable gender balance should be considered.

The General Meeting elects from amongst its members at least one President, two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and three members at large. After the end of his term of office, the previous president will remain a member of the Executive Board (but not the Council of the Executive Board) as Former President for one term. The President, 1^st Vice president, Secretary and Treasurer constitute the Council of the Executive Board.

Members of the Executive Board have no vote at the General Meeting.

Art. 12

The Executive Board is the EFP’s managing body. It handles all of the EFP’s business unless, under exceptional circumstances, the General Meeting decides otherwise.

Art. 13

The members of the Executive Board are not entitled to any remuneration for their activities. Except special circumstances approved by the whole board, they may not claim refunding of expenses from the EFP.

Art. 14

The meetings of the Executive Board are convened by the President or by request of a member of the Executive Board, if necessary. The Secretary produces the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board. Decisions are made by a majority of the members of the Executive Board. Decisions may be made by postal or mail ballot. In case of a tied vote, the President shall decide the outcome.

Art. 15

The Executive Board is responsible for maintaining relations with other associations with similar objectives.

C – The Auditors

Art. 16

The General Meeting elects two auditors for a period of four years which will have to validate the accounts of the treasurer.

IV Finances

Art. 17

The EFP is empowered to accept donations from international or national or other organizations (e.g., WHO, OIE, FAO). Each year or during each EMOP, members will pay theirs fees proportionally to the numbers of members of their respective national societies.

These funds will be managed by the Treasurer and will be used to finance the student scholarships to attend EMOP and to finance the Young scientists awards delivered every 4 years during the EMOP. Funds could also be used to maintain the web pages or any action approved by the whole board. Scholarships to attend the EMOP and Young scientist’s awards can be provided only to persons from non-suspended members.

Art. 18

The liabilities of the EFP are limited to the assets of the EFP.

The joint signatures of the President and another member of the Executive Board are sufficient to engage the EFP in a binding agreement following a majority vote from the General Meeting in favor of such an agreement.

Art. 19

At least once every two years, the auditors must examine the Treasurer’s accounts, and recommend the approval or disapproval of these accounts to the Executive Board. However, it is the responsibility of the General Meeting to give its final acceptance of the Treasurer’s accounts.

V – EMOPs

Art. 20

Every 4 years, members have to present a bid for the future organization of EMOP. Candidatures can be solicited by members of the board.

Art. 21

Bidding for EMOP implicates to disseminate the bid file to the members of the General Assembly. This file should include: a brief report on the status of parasites and parasitology and on research groups working on parasites in the candidate country, approximate dates and place of the venue, the names and affiliation of the local organizing committee, an overall provisional program, proofs of Institutional and private scientific or economical support, details about transportation and accommodation support, conference fees (as minimal as possible), dissemination of information, proceedings publications.

Art. 22

The final decision, if several bids are presented will be made by a ballot. The majority of the ballots decides the issue. EMOP candidatures can be presented only by non-suspended members.

VI – Liquidation

Art. 23 old 19

If the General Meeting decides by a vote of at least two-thirds of the registered members to dissolve the EFP, the liquidation is carried out by the members of the Executive Board, unless a special liquidator is nominated.

The General Meeting which has decided to dissolve the EFP must then proceed to a decision as to the subsequent use of the EFP’s assets available at that time.

VII – General Operating Procedures

Art. 24

The EFP is prohibited from permitting any intervention of a religious, racial or political nature in its activities and decisions.

VIII – Revision of by laws

Art. 25

The By-Laws of the EFP may be revised by a majority vote in a quorum of at least two thirds of active Members (i.e., members in good standing with payments) including 5 board Members present at any properly scheduled general meeting held during the EMOP or any other international meeting.

Revised at Belgrade, Serbia, 14 October 2021