INTERNATIONAL FUR ANIMAL SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

(revised 25-08-2016)

- download -

Article - Name

The name of the organization is the International Fur Animal Scientific Association, referred to as the IFASA.

Article II Objectives

  1. To promote the advancement of knowledge of all aspects of fur animal science and the fur industry
  2. To act as a formal link between scientists, the fur breeder associations and governmental agencies on an international level
  3. To be responsible for the arrangements of international fur animal congresses and other international meetings within the field of fur animal science
  4. To cooperate with other international organizations in achieving these aims
  5. To publish Scientifur, a journal devoted to scientific advances in fur animal production

vison expo
All pictures are taken from Beautiful fur animals and their colour genetics by Norodd Nes, Einar J. Einarsson och Outi Lohi with contributions from S. Jarosz and R. Scheelje

Article III Membership

Application for membership shall be approved by the Board.

Types of membership :

  1. Individual membership may be held by any person who is interested in the objectives of the Association
  2. Organizations, companies or institutions can be associated members
  3. Honorary members, elected by the Membership

The membership fee is to be paid to the secretary of IFASA e.g. as part of the IFASA congress invoice. If the fee is not paid by the date of payment specified, the member’s name shall be removed from the list of the membership.

A member may forfeit his membership for failure to act in accordance with the objectives of the Association set out in Article II.

Article IV Meetings of the Membership and Board Members

Membership

The meeting of the Membership will be held in conjunction with the IFASA Congress.

The agenda of the meeting will be published in Scientifur and on the IFASA website.

Board

The Association shall be managed by the members of the Board, according to the guidelines set forth in this Constitution and the policies established by the Membership. The Board shall comprise five to six members, the President, Vice President, a Treasurer, two members and the Past President. The President and two to three Board members shall be elected by the Membership. The Vice President and Treasurer shall be members of the Board designated by the President with the consent of the Board. The members of the Board are elected for a period of four years and can be re-elected. The Board should be diverse and comprise members to provide geographical, scientific and industry representation, including one member from a fur association, one member from North America, one or more members from the Nordic countries and one member from the remainder of the world. The fur association member may be elected by the European Fur Breeders’ Association (EFBA). Election of the Board will take place at the Membership Meeting held at the IFASA international congresses.

The Board shall be responsible for the approval of the projected annual programs and budgets of IFASA. Each Board member has a personal alternate. If one of the board members (or alternates) leaves his/her employment in research program or other relation to fur animal production, the board can appoint their alternate ( and a new alternate) to address the departure. If no alternate has been elected, the board may appoint one until the next membership meeting. If the President is unable to attend the Board meeting, the Vice President will replace him. In absence of both the President and the Vice President, the members of the Board will elect an interim chairman. The quorum for the Board will be four.


Nominations and voting

Nominations for Board members may be made by any individual member. The nominations should reach the secretary not later than thirty days before the election. Voting for Board members will be by secret ballot. The simple majority is sufficient for election to the Board.

The past President remains a regular member of the Board for the subsequent terms.


Article V – Working Groups

The Board of IFASA can, at its discretion and as deemed necessary, establish working groups. The working groups may have their own board, but their by-laws and activities must be in accordance with the IFASA constitution. All members of a working group must be members of IFASA.


Article VI – Publications

The official organ of IFASA is Scientifur.

The official language of IFASA is English.


Article VII – Meetings

The Membership of IFASA shall meet at least once every fourth year, and at the same time as the International Congress.

The Board of IFASA shall meet at least once a year.

Upon a request signed by at least ten members of IFASA representing at least four countries, the Board will be required to communicate with all members and seek their votes on any matter which has been raised.

Between annual board meetings the President together with the Vice President will have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board. The treasurer has the authority to manage the normal financial obligations of IFASA. Other financial commitments will require prior approval at a board meeting or a written approval by the quorum of the Board.


Article VIII – Honorary Members

Honorary members, elected by the Membership.

The Membership may appoint as Honorary Life Members such members as it consider to have made a noteworthy contribution to the work of the Association or to fur animal science.

An individual member can be elected as an honorary member.


Article XI – IFASA’s Congresses

World congresses shall be held every fourth year.

The venue of the next Congress shall be decided at the meeting of the Membership.

Countries that wish to host the Congress should send an invitation to the Board at least sixty days before the Membership meeting.


Article X

An annual report shall be published in Scientifur.


Article XI – Disposal of Assets

If it is decided by two thirds of the members that the Association should be dissolved, the Membership will decide on the disposal of the assets.

The above articles were approved unanimously by the Council in Oslo, August 13, 1992 and revised by the Council in Warsaw, Poland, August 20, 1996. Further revisions were made at the Membership Meetings in ‘s-Hertogenbosh, The Netherlands, September 17, 2004, in Copenhagen August 23. 2012, and in Helsinki, August 25. 2016.