Article 1: NAME

In accordance with art. 60 & ss. of the Swiss Civil Code, a non-profit association has been founded under the name of the Société Internationale d'Oncologie Gériatrique.

Article 2: SITE

The Association has presently its head office in Switzerland. On proposal of the Board of Directors, the General Assembly may decide to establish the head office in another city or country and establish subsidiary offices in other countries. Such offices shall report directly to the head office, and shall remain under control of the Board of Directors.

Article 3: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association  is to:

• advance the art, science and practice of oncology in elderly patients.
• disseminate knowledge in order to maintain a high common standard of healthcare in elderly cancer patients.

Article 4: SPECIAL AIMS

The special aims of the Association are to:

• improve research in the field of geriatric oncology.
• promote education in geriatric oncology, in order to ensure a high standard of qualification for health professionals.
• maintain liaison with other medical and health professionals associations, cancer leagues, universities and, where appropriate, the pharmaceutical industry.

Article 5: MEMBERS

Members of the Association shall include full members, honorary members, junior members, emeritus members, corresponding members and associate members.

Full Members shall be health practitioners managing elderly patients with cancer or researchers dedicated to study of cancer and aging

Honorary Members are elected by the General Assembly, on proposition by the Executive Committee, for their distinguished service to geriatric oncology.

Junior Members are future full members in training (for a maximum of 3 years). Annual due is reduced.

Emeritus Members are retired members. Annual due is reduced.

Associate Members are physicians, scientists and members of health allied professions  who do not fulfill the requirements to be a full member.

Article 6: STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIETY

The Society encompasses the following bodies:

• General Assembly
• Board of Directors
• Executive Committee

Article 7: GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly shall be the supreme governing body of the Association. The General Assembly is open to all members, but Junior, Honorary, Emeritus and Associate Members have no right to vote. The General Assembly shall meet at least once a year. The agenda for the General Assembly must be notified to the members at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting. The vote at the General Assembly is personal and can not be delegated by proxy.

Article 8: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall conduct the affairs of the Association in accordance with the policies determined by the General Assembly. The Board of Directors shall comprise the members of the Executive Committee, the Steering Committee of National Representatives, and the Chairpersons of the Permanent Committees. It can act by mail or electronic means of communication.

Article 9: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

An Executive Committee shall be created to facilitate the work of the Association and to expedite application of decisions of the Board of Directors and the General Assembly. It can act by mail or electronic means of communication.

This Committee shall be composed of the President, the Past-President, the President-elect, the Treasurer, the Chairperson of the National Representatives and, as a non-voting member, the Executive Director. The Executive Committee shall meet, in person or using telecommunications, at least three times a year.

9.1 President: The President leads and represents the Association. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the General Assembly, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

9.2 Past-President and President-elect: The Past-President and the President-elect shall serve as Vice-Presidents. They shall act for the President in the latter's absence and shall carry out such duties as may be assigned to them by the President.

9.3 Treasurer: He/she shall be responsible for the financial administration of the Association. He/she shall prepare an annual financial report.

9.4 Executive Director: An Executive Director shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, on proposition of the Executive Committee. He/she will serve for a fixed term and might be re-appointed. His/her duties consist in the execution of routine activities of the Association as outlined by the Executive Committee. A Society providing organizational services may be appointed instead or to help the Executive Director.

Article 10: ELECTIONS AND DURATION OF TERMS

The President, the President-elect and the past-President shall hold office for 2 years. The Treasurer, the Chairpersons of the Permanent Committees should hold office for 3 years; they can be re-elected once for a further term.

All these Officers are elected by a simple majority vote of the General Assembly, based on proposal of the Nominating Committee. Nominations from the floor shall be permitted.
 
Article 11: PERMANENT COMMITTEES

There are four Permanent Committees, each one presided by one Chairperson. The Chairperson is elected by the General Assembly, the members are appointed by the Executive Committee. They can act by mail or electronic means of communication.

Functions and responsibilities of each Committee are as follows:

11.1 National Representatives Committee: It will be composed by a representative from each country. The Representative acts as intermediary between members and applicants of each country and the Association. They should inform about specific SIOG national developments in the field of Geriatric Oncology and ought to be helpful to various other committees. Its members shall elect a Steering Committee composed by three members, which will represent the Committee in the Board of Directors. The members of the Steering Committee will hold office for three years, re-election is not allowed. Each year at least one of the Steering Committee members will be replaced.

11.2 Educational Committee: It shall be responsible for the educational activities of the Association, such as Continuous Medical Education, SIOG Courses, etc. The Committee is solely responsible for granting SIOG label to national or international educational events.

11.3 Fellowship & Award Committee: It shall be responsible for the selection of the candidates for the SIOG Fellowships. This Committee shall also be responsible for the nominations for the different SIOG Awardees.

11.4 Publication Committee: It shall oversee all publications of the Association, including the official journal. The Committee is also responsible for nominating one or more candidates for the position of editor of the journal. The editor will be elected by the Board of Directors for a period of five years: He/she might be re-elected only once.

Article 12: AD HOC COMMITTEES

The President shall organize different ad hoc Committees in relation with the needs of the Association. The President must at elections with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee appoint a Nominating Committee. It shall consist of five members with a majority of non-Board members. The Nominating Committee will propose one or more candidates for the different officers positions.

Article 13: FINANCES

All members shall pay annual dues fixed by the General Assembly. The financial liability of members is limited to payment of their annual dues. Dues shall be paid immediately upon election as a member of the Association and thereafter before July 1st of each year. Non-payment of dues for a period of more than one year constitutes loss of membership; former members shall be reinstated upon payment of dues. The Association's resources include annual dues, donations, educational grants, income from publications, advertisements, congresses, meetings and courses organized by the Association, etc. The annual fee will include the subscription to the Society's journal. The members of the Executive and the Executive Director shall hold the signature to the account, in single signature up to amounts determined by the Executive, and in double signature as indicated.

The accounts of the Society shall be revised by two external reviewers, who shall be non-members of the Society. They may represent the bank holding the accounts.

Article 14: ANNUAL MEETING AND CONGRESSES

The Association shall hold an Annual General Assembly. The Agenda for the General Assembly must be notified in writing to the members by the President at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting.

The venue of the SIOG Congress is decided by the Executive Committee.

Article 15: INDEMNIFICATION

Officers of the Association are expected to act on a voluntary basis, having their expenses related to SIOG activities reimbursed.

Article 16: AMENDMENTS

Proposals for amendments to these by-laws may be submitted in writing to the President not later than three months prior to the Annual Meeting; such proposals must be included as an item on the Agenda. Adoption of amendments shall require the approval of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting at the General Assembly.

Article 17: DISSOLUTION

The Association shall be dissolved if a resolution to this effect is supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at the Annual Meeting. Proposals of such resolutions must be submitted in writing to the President not later than one month prior to the Annual Meeting. Such resolutions must contain provisions whereby any assets remaining after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association, but shall be turned over to one or more similar non-profit organizations.

Article 18: LEGAL ISSUES

The Association being incorporated under Swiss law, its statutes in French language are the official version and all legal issues are of competence of Swiss courts.

Article 19: LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF SIOG

The legal representative of SIOG towards the authorities and for all financial aspects is its Executive Director.  The President of the Society has the same right.  The Treasurer has the right of signature for the bank accounts of the Society.  All these individuals can sign, with single signature, for amounts up to 20.000 Euro.  Otherwise, the Executive Director signs together with the President or the Treasurer.