STATUTES
(Statutes approved by the Second AECEF General Assembly in 1997)
I. INTRODUCTION
Europe at the end of the 20th century is imbued with ideas of integration and pan-Europeanism. European culture, with civil and architectural engineering as an integral element, has an unbroken history reaching back thousands of years. European history can provide a solid cultural and spiritual foundation on which to build the future Europe. A precondition for the successful building of such structures is the removal of barriers which have arisen in recent times. It is also essential to create new expressions of European feeling and European life. The free flow of information should be facilitated, as should the broad exchange of cultural and scientific achievements among all the nations of Europe. An attempt must be made to create a set of values which will lead to political, cultural and economic coexistence among nations.
II. NAME AND RANGE OF ACTNITIES
The Association of European Civil Engineering Faculties with the participation of civil engineering faculties from non European countries (hereafter referred to as the Association) is a free association of Civil Engineering faculties and their staffs, research institutes and companies, as well as professional organisations involved in civil engineering. It may also include leading specialists and institutions involved in related areas. The Association has been established as a non-governmental, apolitical and non-profit making organisation.
The Association is first and foremost based on co-operation among European countries. However, the participation of further non European countries is welcomed.
III. AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The aims of the European Association are:
to enhance conditions for close co-operation among Civil Engineering faculties, their research workers and teachers, among civil engineering specialists and institutions from different countries. Special importance is attached to involving all European countries in this cooperation, and to establishing conditions for co-operation within the framework of Europe.
to contribute to dissemination and application of the latest civil engineering research and teaching. Initial priority will be given to the improvement of the environment.
to support the Europe - wide development and spread of new technologies relevant to the field of activity of the Association.
to work toward compatibility among the curricula of Civil Engineering faculties as a starting point for the exchange of students and the mutual acceptance of graduates in civil engineering practice in Europe.
to work toward the implementation of study and lecture visits to foreign universities by teachers, research workers and students.
IV. STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION
The structure of the Association consists of
General Assembly
Board with an elected President
Treasurer elected by General Assembly
Secretary - General
Working Committees set up at the discretion of the General Assembly or Board in compliance with § 10 e).
The General Assembly is the highest body of the Association. Through its mediation members of the Association exercise their right to participate in the Association's activities, make decisions concerning its activities and make comments.
The General Assembly is convened by the President
at least once every two years.
whenever at least 1/3 of members request a meeting.
The announcement of the General Assembly must be made in writing to all members of the Association at least three month prior to the meeting.
The General Assembly session is presided over by the President or by a member of the Board appointed by the President.
The General Assembly has a quorum if at least one half of the members of the Association are present. Decisions are passed on a simple majority vote. In the case that a quorum has not been reached, the session of the General Assembly will proceed with the members present and votes and motions will be carried by a three quarters majority of members present.
a. In situations where decisions must be made in the time between meetings of the General Assembly, the Board is empowered to have its decisions ratified by a mail vote.
The General Assembly has the following rights:
Approval of Association Statutes and possible amendments to them,
decisions on the Association's activities,
election, or possible dismissal, of the President and Board members in accordance with the established rules,
admission of new members,
establishment of working committees.
The President of the Association is elected for a period of four years. The President of the Association
directs the activities of the Association in periods between General Assembly sessions.
represents the Association in all negotiations, or appoints Board members or the Secretary - General to perform these activities.
The Board is an executive organ of the Association. The Board members are elected for period of two years. The Board of the Association
carries out the decisions of General Assembly sessions,
co-ordinates the activities of working committees.
V. ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS
The Association has its permanent headquarters at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague.
With the aim of co-ordinating the activities of the Association the Secretariat is established at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Activity of the Secretariat is directed by the Secretary - General of the Association. The Secretary - General takes part at all sessions of the Board and can be appointed by the President to represent the Association.
The Secretary - General is elected for a period of four years.
VI. MEMEERSHIP
Membership of the Association may be either corporate or individual.
Founder-members of the Association are the higher schools which applied for membership prior to the Meeting of Association Preparatory Committee held in Prague, September 14-15, 1992.
Admission of new members is on the basis of a written application. The Board will analyse the application and decide on acceptance.
VII. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
Members of the Association have the right to
take part in General Assembly sessions,
elect the organs of the Association,
be elected for positions in the organs of the Association,
be elected or appointed members of working committees,
be informed about Association activities.
VIII. TERMINATION OF MEMEERSHIP
Membership of the Association is terminated
on the basis of a written announcement of termination of membership,
on closure of an organisation which is a member of the Association.
IX. ASSOCIATION FUNDING
The finances of the Association shall be managed by the Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board under the general direction of the General Assembly. The accounts of the Association shall be audited annually by two members of the Association, not being Directors of the Board. The auditors shall be elected for a term of one interval at the meeting of the General Assembly.
The Association is a non-profit making organisation. The members of the Association shall have no personal claim of the property of the Association and no portion of such property shall be paid or transferred to any person who at any time is or has been a member of the Association provided that nothing contained herein shall prevent the payment in good faith of remuneration in return for any services rendered to the Association or the reimbursement of out of pocket expenses properly incurred.
Expenses connected with the other activities of Association members will not be covered by the Association.
Expenses connected with the activities of the Association Secretariat are covered by the organisation to which the Secretariat is affiliated until such time as alternative sources of funding are established.
Participation in specialist events of the Association (conferences, symposiums etc.) is covered by the organising institution from fees paid by participants and/or from the organising institution's own means.
Possible fees for financing the activities of the Association are the subject of General Assembly decision following recommendation of the Board.
The Association may obtain funds from voluntary contributions from various organisations or members, firms or personal donations, from its own activities or from other sources.
X. WINDING UP OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association may be wound up on a resolution of the General Assembly supported by 2/3 of the votes cast. In such an event, the General Assembly will make decisions about property and financial settlements.
The Association may enter into agreement for the purpose of amalgamating with other kindred bodies or may enter into voluntary dissolution of the Association. Upon dissolution of the Association or the winding up of its affairs, assets of the Association shall be distributed exclusively to scientific, educational or charitable organisation.
ANNEX I.
Founder-members of the Association of European Civil Engineering Faculties with the participation of civil engineering faculties from non-European countries: