Statutes of The International Union of Air Pollution Prevention
and Environmental Protection Associations

Adopted 15 August 2000. Amended 2003, 2004.

This statute replaces all earlier Statutes and Bye-laws by the Union.

THE UNION

1. The name of the Union shall be the “The International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations” (IUAPPA).

2. The Union is a non-political, non-profit-making organisation, registered for the time being in the United Kingdom.

3. OBJECTS OF THE UNION

3.1 The Objects of the Union shall be to promote progress in the prevention and control of air pollution, the protection of the environment and the adoption of sustainable development.

3.2 The Union may seek to further its objectives by any relevant means, including:

  • Advancement of knowledge and practical experience of sustainable development, environmental and air quality management.
  • Provision of an organisation which may gather, collate and distribute the experience and knowledge of its members and the general community.
  • The delivery and holding of lectures, exhibitions, public meetings, classes and conferences to disseminate knowledge of environmental matters, especially air quality, including causes, effects, measurement, legislative aspects and control of pollution.
  • Contact and liaison with organisations with similar interests in all countries.
  • Collaboration with other professional, trade, industrial and community organisations in the promotion of the interests of the Union.
  • Printing and publication of any paper, periodical, book or leaflet that the Union may think desirable.
  • Representations to the Governments of the day concerning the Objects of the Union.
  • Provision of scholarships, bursaries, monetary grants, awards and prizes for the purpose of encouraging the study of subjects or disciplines which, in the opinion of International Board, are relevant to the Objects of the Union.
  • Promotion of co-operation among member organisations in any matters relevant to the above mentioned Objects of the Union.
  • All such lawful acts, matters and things as are incidental to the attainment of any of the above mentioned Objects of the Union.

4. MEMBERSHIP

4.1 There shall be five grades of membership as follows:-

  • Full Members
  • Associate Members
  • Observer Members
  • Supporting Members
  • Honorary Members

Members shall receive copies of the IUAPPA Newsletter, other communications and publications and such other privileges as the International Board and/or Executive Committee may from time to time decide.

4.2 Qualifications for Membership

4.2.1 Full Members

Full members of the International Union are professional, industrial or voluntary associations which are non-political and non profit-making, and concerned with the maintenance of clean air and related objectives described in clause 3 and which contribute financially to the Union in accordance with the conditions of clause 5.1. Such member organisations shall have the right to be represented on the International Board and shall have one vote.

4.2.2 Where there is already a Full Member organisation in a country, other applicant organisations for Full Membership may be admitted at the discretion of the International Board with the endorsement of the current Full Member organisation.

4.2.3 Associate Members

Associate Members are those organisations, including regional groupings of organisations, whose objectives are in accordance with those expressed in clause 3, but which do not in every respect fulfil the conditions laid down in clause 4.2.1. Such organisations shall, at the discretion of the International Board, pay an annual subscription to the Union at a rate to be decided in each case. Associate members shall have the right to attend meetings of the International Board as an observer, but shall have no vote.

4.2.4 Observer Members

In order to encourage the foundation and growth of non-government organisations whose objectives are similar to those outlined in clause 3, the Union, may accept as Observers, organisations which do not in all respects fulfil the conditions of clause 5.2.1 and which are as yet unable to contribute financially to the Union as required by clause 6.1. Such organisations shall be allowed to attend meetings of the International Board but shall have no vote. Observer status shall be reviewed at the end of three years.

4.2.5 Supporting Members

The International Union shall, at the discretion of the International Board, invite organisations who contribute project or other funds or in other ways support the work of the Union, but who do not satisfy the conditions of clause 5.2.1, to accept Supporting Membership for the period of support or such other period as the International Board shall decide. Supporting Members shall have the right to attend meetings of the International Board as observers but shall have no vote.

4.2.6 Honorary Membership

The International Board may award honorary membership to any person or organization in recognition of their work for the objectives of the Union. Honorary Members shall have the right to attend meetings of the International Board as observers but shall have no vote.

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS

5.1 Each Full Member shall pay an annual subscription. The amount of the subscription to be paid by each shall be determined by the International Board.

5.2 Associate Members shall pay an annual subscription at the discretion of the International Board.

5.3 The level of subscriptions shall be reviewed at least every three years and any recommendations for revised subscriptions submitted to the International Board for approval with the annual budget.

6. RESIGNATION, SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Any member shall have the right to withdraw from the Union, but at the end of a fiscal year only (December). Six months notice of withdrawal shall be submitted in writing, such notice being accompanied by any monies due to the Union.

6.2 Full Members whose subscriptions are more than two years in arrears may be suspended from Full Membership by the International Board and shall forfeit the right to vote.

6.3 The International Board shall, by a decision of a duly constituted meeting of the Board with a two-thirds majority support, vote to remove any member whose annual subscription has remained unpaid for a period of more than two years.  Within fourteen days of having been notified of such a decision, the member will have the right to submit a written case detailing grounds for objection to removal from membership. Following due consideration of the written case, the decision of the Board in relation to the written case will be final.

6.4 Where an Observer fails to maintain contact with the Union for a period exceeding three years the Executive Committee may recommend to the International Board that Observer status should be withdrawn.

7. GOVERNANCE OF THE UNION
7.1 The Union shall be governed by the International Board and the Executive Committee assisted by the Secretariat. The International Board shall determine the policies of the Union and the Executive Committee, with the assistance of the Secretariat, shall be responsible for their implementation.

7.2 International Board

7.2.1 The International Board consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, Immediate Past President, Honorary Treasurer, together with one authorised representative from each Full Member of the Union.

7.2.2 Each former President is eligible to be a member of the International Board. They shall not be entitled to vote but carry the title “Past President and Member of the International Board”.

7.2.3 The business of the Union shall be decided by resolutions passed by the International Board. Each member entitled to vote shall have one vote.

7.2.4 The International Board may alter the Statute by a decision of three-quarters of the Board members present at a properly constituted meeting, or in a postal ballot.

7.2.5 The International Board may dissolve the Union by a decision of three-quarters of the Board members present at a duly constituted meeting. In such an event, any properties and monies belonging to the Union shall be shared out among the members in proportion to the amount previously subscribed by each member.

7.2.6 The International Board shall be chaired by the President or, in his absence, by a Vice-President.

7.2.7 The Board shall meet annually, or more often as required by the business of the Union, whenever possible in conjunction with a world congress, or regional conference of IUAPPA.

7.2.8 Three months notice of any Board meeting shall be given, together with a preliminary agenda of items to be considered.

7.2.9 The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be one-quarter of the total number of members of the International Board, one of whom must be the President or a Vice-President.

7.2.10 Resolutions shall be passed by a majority of votes except as otherwise provided.

7.2.11 A Board member who is unable to attend a meeting may vote by proxy providing that he has given full written authority for another Board member (in attendance) to vote on his behalf. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

7.2.12 Where it is desirable to conclude a matter requiring the International Board’s agreement by resolution or vote, the President may authorise the Director General to seek the Board’s agreement by electronic mail, telefax or post, as appropriate. All members shall be informed of the results of any such ballot as soon as possible.

7.2.13 The International Board may establish sub-committees for such purposes as it may consider appropriate. Such committees shall report annually to the International Board and their membership and continued existence shall be confirmed by the International Board at its annual meeting

7.3 Executive Committee

7.3.1 The Executive Committee consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, the Immediate Past President, the Hon. Treasurer and the Director General, together with a representative of  the organising committee of the next congress who will be invited to be a coopted member of the Committee.

7.3.2 The Executive Committee may co-opt up to three additional members, and in doing so shall have regard, so far as reasonably practicable, for regional balance.

7.3.3 With the exception of the Director General, members of the Executive Committee act in an honorary capacity only.

7.3.4 The Executive Committee is authorised to conduct Union business on behalf of the International Board according to the Statute, and such policies and guidelines as the International Board may from time to time determine. It may decide its own rules of operation.

7.3.5 All business conducted by the Executive Committee requires ratification by the International Board.

7.3.6 The Executive Committee shall meet as often as required by the business of the Union, but at least once in each calendar year.

7.4 Honorary Officers

7.4.1 The member association leading the organisation of the next world congress shall be invited to appoint the President of the International Board.

7.4.2 The International Board shall elect rom within its own ranks up to five Vice-Presidents, of whom

  • one shall be from the country leading the organisation of the next congress. He or she shall have special responsibilities in respect of that congress, and shall deputise for the President in the event of incapacity;
  • one shall be from the country or countries responsible for the next following world congress;
  • up to three further Vice-Presidents may be elected having due regard for regional balance.

7.4.3 The International Board shall elect an Hon. Treasurer who will be responsible to the International Board for ensuring proper account is kept of the Union’s funds.

7.4.4 The appointment of the Present, and the election of all or some of the Vice-Presidents and of the Hon. Treasurer shall take place at the International Board meeting held during a world congress. The International Board may elect any further Vice-Presidents with due regard to statute 7.4.2 at any subsequent Board meeting.

7.4.5 The President, Vice-Presidents and Hon. Treasurer shall serve a term of office of three years which shall be from one world congress to the next, subject to the following exceptions:

  • The term of office of a Vice-President elected at an international Board meeting subsequent to that which follows a world congress shall commence at the meeting at which election takes place and terminate at the same time as the President, other Vice-Presidents and Hon. Treasurer.
  • The Vice-Presidents and Hon. Treasurer shall be eligible for re-election for a second and final term.

7.5 Secretariat

7.5.1 The Secretariat shall consist of a Director General and such other staff as approved by the Executive Committee.

7.5.2 The Director General shall be responsible to the Executive Committee and to the International Board for the general conduct of the Union’s business, including:

  • Preparation and revision of the Union’s Business Plan for approval by the International Board.
  • Coordination of fundraising, and research activities.
  • Representation of the Union at international and regional meetings.
  • Preparation of annual budget, collection of annual subscriptions, administration of funds and keeping of accounts. Liaison with the Hon. Treasurer.
  • Organisation of meetings of the International Board and of the Executive Committee, including preparation of agendas and supporting documents and minutes for all such meetings.
  • Liaison with the President and with the Executive Committee.
  • Liaison with members and providing assistance in the recruitment of new members.
  • Advising of and liaison with organisers of world clean air congresses and regional conferences.
  • Promotion and exchange of information on all matters related to the functions/objectives of the Union to members through a Newsletter, other publications agreed by the International Board, and such other means, including electronic media.

8. FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS

8.1.1 The Director General is responsible, in liaison with the Hon. Treasurer, for preparing the annual budget of the Union together with supporting documents, for approval by the International Board.

8.1.2 Except as provided by the annual budget or where authority has been delegated by the International Board, the funds of IUAPPA may not be committed without the prior agreement of the Hon. Treasurer or, if this is impracticable, by two members of the Executive Committee from different member associations and the Director General.

8.1.3 After the end of each financial year the Director General shall prepare for the Executive Committee and the International Board, a balance sheet drawn up in accordance with proper accounting practice.

8.1.4 The accounts shall be audited annually and duly signed by an independent qualified auditor, appointed by the International Board.

8.1.5 The fiscal year of the Union shall start on 1 January and end on 31 December of the same year.

8.1.6 The liability of members is limited; in the event of the Union being dissolved, such liability shall be equally shared and shall not exceed the minimum annual subscription.

8.2 Every Executive Committee Member or other officer of the Union shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Union against any liability incurred by him in that capacity in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgement is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application in which relief is granted to him by the court from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Union.

9 LANGUAGE

9.1 The principal language of IUAPPA shall be English. However all official documentation which includes the undermentioned, shall be translated into French and such other languages as may from time to time be determined by the International Board:

  • The Statutes of the Union,  and any amendments thereof;
  • Guidelines for organising conferences and congresses;
  • Guidelines for the use of the Development Fund;
  • Guidelines for honours and awards;
  • Agendas of the International Board and of the Executive Committee; supporting papers and minutes in whole or in part;
  • Such other communications, guidelines and publications of IUAPPA as the Executive Committee shall decide.

9.2 Announcements, Calls for Papers and Programmes for World Congresses and Regional conferences of IUAPPA  should be provided in English and, if desired, the language of the host organisation. Organisers should use their best endeavours to provide such documentation in French and other relevant languages.

9.3 All plenary sessions at world congresses shall be conducted in English and if desired, the language of the host organisation. Consideration should be given to providing translation facilities into French and other relevant languages if reasonably practicable.

9.4 Plenary sessions at regional conferences may be conducted in the language of the host member, with translation into English provided if circumstances allow.

10. WORLD CONGRESSES & REGIONAL CONFERENCES

10.1 The International Board shall approve the venue and timing of world congresses and regional conferences. In the case of a world congress this should be agreed a minimum of five years in advance and for a regional conference no less than one year in advance.

10.2 The venue of world congresses may be any appropriate place approved by the International Board, not necessarily within the national boundaries of the member organisation or organisations entrusted with organising the congress.

10.3 The member organisation, or organisations, to which the Board entrusts preparation of the congress or regional conference shall be responsible for the organisation and funding  of the congress or regional conference in all its aspects, and in accordance with the appropriate guidelines set out in the IUAPPA Handbook.

10.4 The organising member(s) shall be responsible for the publication of a report on the proceedings of the congress or regional conference.

10.5 No international meeting or world congress organised under the auspices of the Union shall be held in any country from which attendance of the representatives of any other member association would be barred.

11. CO-OPERATION

11.1 Member associations are encouraged to cooperate formally or informally, either bilaterally or in regional groupings, for discussion of matters of regional or mutual concern. Such bodies shall be invited to become Associate Members of IUAPPA.

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