European Society for Analytical Cellular Pathology
(ESACP)

ESACP

There appears to be an increasing need for more fundamental knowledge and a clearer understanding of how to apply quantitative and analytical methods for the measurement and identification of normal and pathological states of cells and tissues in biology and medicine. This entails the measurement of structure and the study of functions of subcellular components of complete cells, cellular arrangements and tissue sections with their morphological structural elements. As the measurements generally relate to cells as entities, the field of work may be described as quantitative and analytical cellular biology and pathology.

These subjects are of interest to a wide spectrum of research workers and clinicians in many fields, notably cytopathology, histopathology, oncology, irnmunology, cell biology and genetics. The methods of measurement and data analysis are to an increasing extent computer based, and frequently depend upon complex technology and on involved mathematical methods. They necessitate the collaboration of many different professional disciplines.

It is therefore felt that European efforts in this field can be strengthened and made more effective by the foundation of a society covering this field.

THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR ANALYTICAL CELLULAR PATHOLOGY

hereinafter referred to as the 'Society'.

1.2 The Society extends its activities throughout Europe.

1.3 The Society may remain in existence for an unlimited period - the voluntary dissolution of the SOCETY shall be approved only in accordance with the articles of this constitution.

1.4 REGISTERED OFFICE
The office will be that of the secretary.

2.1 To support activities of already existing national bodies in the field and to collaborate with other international organisations.

2.2 To facilitate the exchange of information and collaboration between cytologists, patho]ogists, biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and medical practitioners in accordance with the above declared aims.

2.3 To study, evaluate and offer guidance on methods used. This may include the interchange of samples and support of collaborative exercises for the effective use of available biological material as well as the interchange of know-how and dedicated software for data acquisition and analysis.

2.4 To promote research and the publication of results.

2.5 To organise scientific meetings.

2.6 To edit the Journal of Analytical Cellular Pathology.

As these aims are exclusively of an educational and scientific nature in the context of cultural and humanitarian objectives, the Society is a notfor-profit organisation and therefore it is expected to benefit from the exemption of taxes and of the receipt of subsidies, should they be granted.

3.1 ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP (full voting rights)
Ordinary membership should be open to individual scientists who are actively engaged in the field of Analytical Cellular Pathology. There should be no restrictions with regard to nationality or country of residence.

3.2 AFFILIATED MEMBER (no voting right)
Such members would receive details of the Society, concessionary registration fees for ESACP meetings and the Journal but have no voting rights. They would generally be members of an affiliated organisation such as ISAC and receive the Journal at a subsidised affiliated Society rate.

3.3 CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP
Industrial companies involved in supplying or developing technology related to analytical cellular pathology would be eligible for corporate membership.

3.4 HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
The Society shall be empowered to elect Honorary Members. This is the highest honor that the Society can confer and shall be restricted to those of eminence in the field of Analytical Cellular Pathology. Honorary Members shall not be liable for payment of the Annual Subscription and they will have no voting rights. (They will receive regular details of the Societie's activities and if they wish may be eligible to receive the Journal)

5.1 by resignation of the member,

5.2 by default of the annual subscription over a full calender year,

5.3 by the Council, at its discretion, if such termination appears to be in the interest of the Society; provided that any person whose membership is proposed to terminate shall have the right to be heard in their own defence.

7.2 The Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected for period between two GMs (usually two to three years) and shall be eligible for re-election for a second and third term.

7.3 At each GM members of the Society shall ratify the continued tenure of all Officers.

7.4 The tenure of any Officer can be ended at any time by a two thirds majority vote of the Council if exceptional circumstances arise.

7.5 Officers who fail to attend three consecutive meetings of the Council without sufficient reason shall be automatically retired.

8.2 Nominations proposed and seconded shall be returned to the Secretary within three weeks. Those nominated must have served on the Council.

8.3 The Secretary shall send ballot papers to all members of the Council at least three weeks before the penultimate Council meeting.

8.4 The ballot papers shall be counted at the penultimate Council meeting. Members of the Council unable to attend the meeting shall be responsible for ensuring that their ballot papers reach the Secretary in time to be taken to the meeting.

8.5 In the event of there being more than two nominations for the Office and if no candidate is given more then a 50 % majority at the first ballot there shall be a second ballot in the Council excluding the candidate with the lowest number of votes. This shall continue until one candidate has a majority of more than 50%.

8.6 The Secretary shall circulate the Council's nominations for Officers to all members of the SOCETY at least two months before the GM. Alternative nominations of any Voting Member of the Society, who has served on the Council, can be made by any two Voting Members of the Society for any Office. These should reach the Secretary within three weeks. In this event the Secretary shall circulate ballot papers to all Voting Members of the Society at least one month before the GM. This ballot shall be counted at the GM; members unable to attend shall be responsible for ensuring that their ballot papers reach the Secretary in time to be taken to the meeting.

RESTRICTION
To prevent excessive representation of any one country on the Council no more than two Ordinary Members of the Council shall be from any one country.

9.1 Each Member of the Council shall serve for a period between two successive GMs (normally four to six years)

9.2 Retiring Members of Council shall be eligible for re-election

9.3 Council Members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings of Council without sufficient reason shall be automatically retired from the Council.

9.4 The Council is empowered to co-opt members to serve on the Council for one year for a specific purpose; Co-opted Members shall have no voting rights.

10.2 Nominations, proposed and seconded by members of the Society, and indicating willingness to serve should be returned to the Secretary within one month.

10.3 The Secretary shall circulate ballot papers not less than one month before the GM.

10.4 The ballot shall be counted at the GM; members unable to attend shall be responsible for ensuring that their ballot papers reach the Secretary in time to be taken to the meeting.

11.1 Committees and to decide their composition. The Council is also empowered to dissolve committees

11.2 Working Parties. These are ad-hoc committees and shall be set up by the Council to deal with specified matters. When the business is completed the Working Party shall be dissolved automatically. The President and the Secretary are ex-officio members of all Committees and Working Parties. The President can ask the Vice President to attend as his deputy. Reports from Committees and Working Parties are made to the Council and are confidential to them.

The Council must give notice in writing to members of the Society of any change of the Constitution and ensure that written objections from members of the Society are taken into consideration. Any alterations of the Constitution must be by a two thirds majority of votes cast in a ballot of all Voting Members of the Society.

16.1 A 'Foundation Council' will be established ad hoc at a Foundation Meeting of interested scientists.

16.2 An Executive Committee will also be elected by those present at the Foundation Meeting.

16.3 The Tenure of both the 'Foundation Council' and the Executive Committee ends at the occasion of the first GM according to articles 8.1. 10.1 and 13.

ESACP