Statutes of the European Contact Lens Society of Ophthalmologists (ECLSO)

The ECLSO is a Society under Federal German law and registered with the Vereinsregister in Munich. Only the German version is contestable in law. This English translation is for information purposes only.

1. Name and Registration

   The Association is named European Society of Contact Lens Ophthalmologists. It is based in Munich. It is registered with the Registry of Associations in Munich.

2. Objects of the Society

   The object of the Society is to promote contact lens practise and the study of related areas both scientifically and professionally amongst Ophthalmologists in Europe.

3. Membership

   Only Ophthalmologists can become members of the society.
   There are three classes of members:

   • Individual Members
   • National Group Members
   • Honorary members

   The Pręsidium may, upon written request of the Candidate and with the support of two (member) Ophthalmologists, accept individual Members from countries where no national group exists.

   Memberships may be terminated by:

   • Resignation
   • Death
   • Expulsion

   Resignation should be noticed in writing to the Pręsidium with three months notice before the end of the attendant year. Death of a Member immediately terminates his membership.

   A member who has committed a serious violation of the interests of the Society may be expelled by the Pręsidium after the Member has been heard. Any individual Member (or National organisation) defaulting on payment of dues for two years is automatically expelled from the Society.

4. Administration of the Society

   The Administration of the Society shall rest with the following organs:

   • The " Vorstand "
   • The " Pręsidium "
   • The " Annual General Meeting "
5. The Vorstand

   The Vorstand, a single person, is the representative of the Society in legal matters. The Vorstand must carry out instructions given to him by the Pręsidium and general Assembly of Members.

6. The Pręsidium

   The Pręsidium shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, the General Secretary and the Treasurer who must not represent their respective countries.

7. Powers & Terms of Office of the Vorstand & Pręsidium

   The Vorstand is elected for five years by the General Assembly and is eligible for re-election. The President and the two Vice-Presidents are elected for four years and are eligible for re-election. The General Secretary and the Treasurer are elected for six years and are eligible for re-election.

   The candidates for office in the Pręsidium are proposed by the members of the Pręsidium in office and elected by the General Assembly. The Pręsidium makes its decisions at meetings called by the President or General Secretary. The Pręsidium is competent to pass resolutions if at least three Pręsidium members are present of whom one must the President or General Secretary. The adoption of resolutions as the result of a postal ballot sent by the General Secretary is permitted.

   The Pręsidium shall also have as members the elected representative of each European national group with a membership of more than ten. In the case of equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting (President, first Vice-President, second Vice-President, etc.) shall hold the casting vote. The Pręsidium makes its decisions by a simple majority.

8. The General Assembly

   An Annual General Meeting shall be held once a year, at the same time and place as the Scientific Congress, if one is being held that year.

   The duties of the General Assembly are above all:

   • To consider the Annual Report and the Annual accounts of the Pręsidium.
   • To give a Vote of Confidence to the Pręsidium
   • To elect or re-elect the Vorstand and members of the Pręsidium.

   General Meetings are to be announced in writing by the General Secretary giving at least four weeks notice with details of the (proposed) agenda.

   Each member present shall have one vote.

   Voting by proxy is not allowed.

   The General Assembly makes decisions by a simple majority vote members present. Modification of the Statutes or dissolution of the Society requires the vote of three quarters of the Members present

   In general the Annual General Meeting takes place in conjunction with a scientific Congress of the Society at which both scientific and professional problems of contact lens practice are reported on and debated.

   Only Ophthalmologists may take part in such a Congress after payment of an appropriate Registration Fee.

9. Membership Fees

   Members are obliged to pay Subscriptions.

   The amount of the Annual Subscriptions is fixed by the Pręsidium and approved by the General Assembly.

   Subscriptions are due for payment on the first of January each year.

10. Records of Meetings

    The Minutes (of all meetings) must be approved and signed by at least two members of the Pręsidium.

11. Dissolution of the Society

    Dissolution of the Society may only be resolved at a General Meeting of Members by a majority of votes as laid down in Article 8. Except by contrary decision of the General Assembly, the Vorstand, President and General Secretary shall act together as liquidators on behalf of the Society.

    The net assets of the Society after liquidation shall be transferred to (the account of) the International Red Cross.

    These Statutes were approved by decision of the General Assembly on 17.4.1982 and amended by the General Assembly on 22.5.1993 and on 16.9.1994.