I. Description and Objectives

1. The International Union of Materials Research Societies (hereafter referred to as IUMRS) is constituted as an international union of technical groups or societies which have interest in promoting interdisciplinary materials research. The aim of the IUMRS is exclusively not for profit.

    

2. The objectives of the IUMRS are:
   1. To facilitate international cooperation among materials research organizations.
   2. To contribute to the advancement of materials research in all its aspects.
   3. To advance the multidisciplinary nature of materials research internationally.
   4. To promote information exchange among national or regional societies with interests in interdisciplinary materials research, and to work to coordinate their activities.
   5. To promote communication of international materials research activities through appropriate media.
   6. To publish international communications and reviews.
   7. To encourage well established materials research symposia to rotate through available meeting sites of materials research societies.
   8. To promote materials science education on the global scale.

       

3. The IUMRS shall have the power:
   1. To develop criteria for the establishment of a union of materials research organizations.
   2. To foster the establishment of national or regional groups or societies whose primary interest is in interdisciplinary materials research.
   3. To provide information to developing materials research societies or groups concerning services which may be available from established societies or groups.
   4. To define criteria for the endorsement by the IUMRS of international materials research meetings.
   5. To participate in organizing and provide sponsorship for international materials research meetings and related events such as workshops, summer schools, topical meetings, etc., on subjects falling within the purview of the IUMRS.
   6. To create standing commissions and other committees for special projects.
   7. To adhere to the International Council of Scientific Unions.
   8. To participate in Joint Commissions with other Unions or other scientific bodies in matters of interest to the IUMRS.

II. Membership

1. General
   1. Members of the IUMRS are Adhering Bodies which represent societies, or associations of societies, whose purpose is to promote interdisciplinary materials research. The terms “member” and “Adhering Body” as employed in these statutes shall be considered to be synonymous.
   2. Membership in the IUMRS shall be effective when the nature and membership of the Adhering Body have been reported to, and accepted by, the General Assembly. An Adhering Body must advise the General Assembly of any major change in the list of societies or groups purported to be represented by the Adhering Body.
   3. Membership in the IUMRS shall be limited to no more than one Adhering Body from a nation or distinct geographical region as defined by the General Assembly.
   4. Any number of societies from a nation or region may join together to form an Adhering Body to participate in the IUMRS.
   5. Participation in the IUMRS shall be in one of several categories, with corresponding voting powers and financial obligations associated with each category, as detailed below.
      
      

      Category of Participation	I	II	III	IV	V
      Number of Votes	1	2	3	4	5
      Number of Unit Contributions	nominal fee	1	3	4	5

      
      The category of participation is subject to approval for each Adhering Body by the General
      Assembly.
      
   6. The highest category available to an Adhering Body must be approved by the General Assembly,
      with reference to the following criteria:
      
      1. In order to be eligible for Category III, an Adhering Body must have been an active IUMRS
         Member for at least 5 consecutive years; to be eligible for Category IV, an Adhering Body
         must have been an active IUMRS Member for at least 20 consecutive years.
      2. Only Founding Members of IUMRS are eligible for Category V.
      3. The highest approved category for any Adhering Body must be consistent with its current level of activity. Such activity shall be assessed on the basis of (i) the vitality and impact of UNOFFICIAL COPY – CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF IUMRS FOR OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 3 its service to the local and global materials communities; and (ii) its effective participation in IUMRS activities, governance and outreach. Such an evaluation shall be based on the record of the prior three year period.
         
   7. An Adhering Body may choose to participate in any category equal to, or below, the highest
      category approved by the General Assembly (see Article II.A.6)
      
   8. The highest category available to an Adhering Body may be raised or lowered by the General
      Assembly, in order that its category shall remain consistent with the criteria of Article II.A.6.

       

2. Application for Membership
   1. A request for membership by an Adhering Body shall be sent by letter to the Secretary of the IUMRS. The request should provide background information on the societies or organizations represented by the Adhering Body and the request should specify the category of participation desired.
   2. Membership may be conferred only by approval of an application by the General Assembly, by a simple majority vote.

       

3. Cessation of Membership
   1. An Adhering Body may withdraw from the IUMRS by giving three months advance written notice to the IUMRS Secretary. The Adhering Body is responsible for its financial obligations to the IUMRS until the withdrawal becomes effective by a majority vote of acceptance by the General Assembly or until three months have elapsed after the date of receipt of the annual assessment notice sent by the IUMRS Secretary, whichever period is shorter.
      
   2. The membership of an Adhering Body is automatically suspended if it has not paid its financial obligations for a period of two consecutive years, provided that it has received a warning six months in advance. Membership can be reinstated by the General Assembly following payment of previous financial obligations. Membership in the IUMRS ends automatically if the Adhering Body is dissolved for any reasons.
      
   3. By a two-thirds vote of the total voting power of all Adhering Bodies, whether or not present at the meeting of the General Assembly at which the vote is taken, an Adhering Body can be expelled from membership if (a) the Adhering Body is deemed to be no longer representative of the materials research activities in that country or region, or (b) the Adhering Body has not participated in the activities of the IUMRS for a period of two consecutive years, or (c) the Adhering Body has not made a written report of its activities to the General Assembly of the IUMRS for a period of two consecutive years.

       

4. The Founding Adhering Bodies
   
   The Founding members of the IUMRS are Adhering Bodies representing the Materials Research Society, the European Materials Research Society; the Chinese Materials Research Society; the Mexican Materials Research Society; the Materials Research Society of Taiwan; the Materials Research Society of Japan; the Materials Research Society of India; the Australian Materials Research Society, and the Materials Research Society of Korea.

    

5. Rights and Duties of Members
   1. Each Adhering Body is responsible for its own internal structure and organization.
   2. Each Adhering Body is responsible for and free to determine its own activities and is required to give the IUMRS effective prior notice of its technical meetings, workshops, summer schools, and other scheduled programs that are of interest to the international materials research community. This prior notice should be included in the annual report to the General Assembly of the IUMRS.
   3. Each Adhering Body chooses its delegates for meetings of the General Assembly, subject to the limitations in the number of delegates set by the General Assembly. The number of votes accorded to an Adhering Body is determined by its category of participation. The Adhering Body determines how to divide the available votes among its delegates.

III. Professional Associate Membership

1. General
   1. Professional Associate Membership may be held by individual professional societies or associations of such societies, and national academies, whose topical interest is relevant in materials research, and who support the goals of IUMRS.
   2. Professional Associate Membership is open to organizations from any country.

       

2. Application for Professional Associate Membership
   
   1. The basic criterion for admission to Professional Associate membership is evidence that the organization supports the general goals of IUMRS, and/or considers IUMRS to be an important resource. It must also be clear that, as a Professional Associate, the organization will be beneficial to IUMRS and its mission.
      
   2. A request for Professional Associate Membership must be sent by letter to the Secretary of the IUMRS, providing supporting evidence about the organization.
   3. The Executive Council of IUMRS may approve a request for Professional Associate Membership, after considering a recommendation by the Commission on Membership. The General Assembly shall be informed of this action by the Executive Council.

       

3. Rights and Obligations of Professional Associates
   1. Professional Associates are encouraged to participate in the activities and programs of IUMRS and its Commissions, and to support its mission.
   2. Each Professional Associate will receive copies of Agendas, Minutes and Attachments relating to IUMRS General Assembly Meetings.
   3. Professional Associates are eligible for special benefits, including receiving all IUMRS publications, and prominent listing in appropriate IUMRS publications and on the IUMRS web site. Further benefits may be determined from time to time by the Executive Council.
   4. The Professional Associates shall be collectively represented in all functions of the General Assembly. The Professional Associates’ Representative or delegation shall be designated by the Professional Associates.
   5. The voting power of the Professional Associates’ Representative or delegation will be one vote when the number of Professional Associates in good financial standing is between 1 and 50. This will increase to two votes when Professional Associates number between 51 and 100; it will increase to three votes when there are more than 100 Professional Associates.
   6. Each Professional Associate will be assessed an annual membership fee, equal to one half of the Unit Contribution that applies to the Member Categories (Article II.A.5).
   7. The Professional Associates’ Representative(s) may not participate in the election of Officers of IUMRS, and are not eligible for election as Officers.

       

4. Termination of Professional Associate Membership
   1. The membership of a Professional Associate is automatically suspended if it has not paid annual fees for more than 18 months. Membership may be reinstated by the Executive Council upon payment of the fees owed.
   2. Membership of a Professional Associate may be terminated by action of the General Assembly, if the Member is deemed to be no longer satisfying the admission criteria of Article III.B.1.

IV. Affiliated Organization Membership

1. General
   
   1. Affiliated Organization status may be held by (a) businesses or corporations having a global presence and wishing to participate in, and support, the international activities of IUMRS; (b) consulting organizations active in global materials issues; (c) research laboratories (government, corporate or independent); (d) government (or other) agencies that fund materials research; and (e) organizations that promote or fund international exchanges and interactions related to materials research.
   2. Affiliated Organization status is open to organizations from any country.

       

2. Application for Affiliated Organization Membership
   
   1. The basic criterion for admission to Affiliated Organization membership is evidence that the organization supports the general goals of IUMRS, and/or considers IUMRS to be an important resource. It must also be clear that, as an Affiliated Organization, the organization will be beneficial to IUMRS and its mission.
      
   2. A request for Affiliated Organization Membership must be sent by letter to the Secretary of the IUMRS, providing supporting evidence about the organization.
      
   3. The Executive Council of IUMRS may approve a request for Affiliated Organization Membership, after considering a recommendation by the Commission on Membership. The General Assembly shall be informed of this action by the Executive Council.

       

3. Rights and Obligations of Affiliated Organizations
   1. Affiliated Organizations are encouraged to participate in the activities and programs of IUMRS and its Commissions, and to support its mission.
   2. Each Affiliated Organization will receive copies of Agendas, Minutes and Attachments relating to IUMRS General Assembly Meetings.
   3. Affiliated Organizations are eligible for special benefits, including receiving all IUMRS publications, and prominent listing in appropriate IUMRS publications and on the IUMRS web site. Further benefits may be determined from time to time by the Executive Council.
   4. The Affiliated Organizations shall be represented collectively by a non-voting Representative or delegate in all functions of the General Assembly. The Affiliated Organizations’ Representative or delegation shall be designated by the Affiliated Organizations.
   5. Each Affiliated Organization will be assessed a minimum annual membership fee, equal to one fourth of the Unit Contribution that applies to the Member Categories (Article II.A.5). An organization may be exempted from this fee by action of the Executive Council, if special circumstances apply.
   6. The Affiliated Organizations’ Representative is not eligible for election as an Officer.

       

4. Termination of Affiliated Organization Membership
   1. The membership of an Affiliated Organization is automatically suspended if it has not paid annual fees for more than 18 months. Membership may be reinstated by the Executive Council upon payment of the fees owed.
   2. Membership of an Affiliated Organization may be terminated by action of the General Assembly, if the Member is deemed to be no longer satisfying the admission criteria of Article IV B-1.

V. Structure and Organization

The work of the IUMRS shall be conducted by (a) the General Assembly, (b) the officers of the IUMRS constituting the Executive Council, and (c) the Commissions.

1. General Assembly
   
   1. The General Assembly is the highest authority of the IUMRS and is composed of delegates appointed by the Adhering Bodies. The principal tasks of the General Assembly are to guide the work of the IUMRS, elect the members that form the Executive Council, , and to create Boards or official positions or representatives, as required to conduct the business of the IUMRS. The General Assembly has responsibility for the direction of all affairs and activities of the IUMRS.
      
   2. The General Assembly shall
      
      1. approve Adhering Body membership fees and assessments
      2. elect the members of the Executive Council
      3. approve applications for membership
      4. determine the time and place for the next meeting of the General Assembly
      5. determine the number of delegates Adhering Bodies may send to meetings of the Assembly
      6. delegate to the Executive Council those operational responsibilities that it deems appropriate.
   3. The General Assembly shall have the power
      1. to amend these statutes and to formulate and amend by-laws on any matters not covered by the statutes
      2. to establish any board, official position or representative that it may deem necessary for the work of the IUMRS
      3. to dissolve any board, official position or representative appointment previously established when it is no longer deemed necessary
      4. to cancel the membership of any Adhering Body in accordance with statutes II.C.2 and II.C.3
   4. The General Assembly shall normally meet at least once per year, preferably at the site of a meeting hosted by an Adhering Body. The General Assembly sets the time and place for the next meeting. A quorum for a General Assembly meeting shall be the presence or representation by proxy of delegates representing two-thirds of the Adhering Bodies. Motions can be presented to the General Assembly by any delegate. Motions are accepted by a simple majority of the votes cast unless otherwise noted in the Statutes. Special meetings can be called by the Executive Council with at least two months written notice. Motions can also be presented to the General Assembly by mail ballot provided that sufficient background information is included.
      
   5. The voting power of an Adhering Body at meetings of the General Assembly shall correspond to its category of participation as follows:
      
      

      Category of Participation	I	II	III	IV	V
      Number of Votes	1	2	3	4	5

      
      An Adhering Body may vote only if it is in good financial standing.
      
   6. The meetings of the General Assembly will be conducted according to the procedures outlined by Robert’s Rules of Order, and the General Secretary will serve as Parliamentarian in deciding procedural issues during the conduct of the General Assembly meeting.

       

2. Executive Council
   1. The Executive Council consists of the officers of the IUMRS. These are (a) the President, (b) the first Vice-President, (c) the second Vice-President (d) the Secretary, (e) the Treasurer, and (f) the Immediate Past President. The General Secretary serves as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Executive Council.
   2. The first and second Vice-presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer are elected by the General Assembly. The first Vice-President automatically becomes the President when his/her term as Vice-President is completed, and becomes Immediate Past President when his/her term as President is completed. The first Vice-President and second Vice-President are elected for twoyear staggered terms. The Secretary and Treasurer are elected for two-year staggered terms.
   3. Officers must be delegates of Adhering Bodies and no more than two officers can represent one Adhering Body.
   4. The Executive Council is responsible to the General Assembly for overseeing and managing the activities of the IUMRS in conformity with the spirit and letter of the statutes. The President presides over the meetings of the General Assembly. The Treasurer administers the finances of the IUMRS and prepares the budget. Special meetings of the General Assembly can be called by the Executive Council. The Executive Council acts by authority delegated by the General Assembly and is responsible for management of the business of the IUMRS.
      
   5. The Executive Council is responsible for preparing an agenda for meetings of the General Assembly and distributing the agenda no later than one month prior to the meeting.
   6. The Executive Council is responsible for the establishment and oversight of Commissions having specific functions integral to the work of the IUMRS. Such Commissions are responsible to the Executive Council. A Commission may be dissolved by the Executive Council if it is no longer appropriate to the needs of the IUMRS.
      
   7. The Executive Council is responsible for appointing Chairs and members of Commissions, in accordance with criteria specified in the By-Laws.
   8. The Executive Council is empowered to approve applications for sponsorship, co-sponsorship or endorsement of international meetings, workshops and other related events or activities. The Council shall respond to such applications in a timely way.

       

3. Commissions
   
   1. Commissions are committees or other bodies created by the Executive Council for specific tasks. They are responsible to the Executive Council.
   2. The Chairperson and members of the Commission are appointed by the Executive Council.
   3. The Chairperson is responsible for reporting the activities of the Commission to the Executive Council and the General Assembly.
   4. A Commission shall be sustained as long as it continues to serve an appropriate function for IUMRS. A Commission may be dissolved by action of the Executive Council if it is no longer appropriate to the needs of IUMRS.

VI. Finances

1. The Executive Council through the Treasurer shall be responsible to the General Assembly for all the
   financial affairs of the IUMRS. The Treasurer is responsible for preparing a budget extending at least until the next meeting, which must be approved by the General Assembly.
2. The Chairperson of each Commission is responsible to the Executive Council for any expenditure of
   funds by his Commission.
3. The General Assembly sets the Unit Membership Fee in terms of a currency to be designated by the Executive Council. The General Assembly may reassess this Unit Fee from time to time. The membership fee that an Adhering Body is required to pay and the number of votes accorded to the Adhering Body are linked to the category of participation as follows:
   
   

   Category of Participation	I	II	III
   Number of Votes	1	2	3
   Number of Unit Contributions	nominal fee	1	3

VII. Liability

1. The IUMRS is liable only to the extent of its assets. The Adhering Bodies are not individually liable
   for the IUMRS debts and liabilities.
   
2. Liabilities of the Adhering Bodies are limited to the payment of their annual subscription fee and to
   any other contributions they may have pledged.
3. No officer of the IUMRS shall be individually liable for the corporate debts and liabilities of the IUMRS.
4. The IUMRS shall not accept liability for any personal loss, damage, or accident sustained by an
   individual, not being an employee of the IUMRS, engaged in any activity, including travel, on behalf of the IUMRS or of any Adhering Body.
5. The IUMRS is prohibited from making any representation or commitment, financial or otherwise, in
   the name of any Adhering Body without the written consent of that Body.
6. The IUMRS shall not accept liability resulting from actions or obligations made by any Adhering Body.

VIII. Dissolution of the IUMRS

The IUMRS shall not be dissolved except on a motion presented at a General Assembly. A two-thirds majority vote is required for dissolution. In the event of dissolution of the IUMRS, net assets will be
divided among current Adhering Bodies according to their category of participation.

IX. Amendments to the Statutes

Amendments to the statutes can be made by the General Assembly. A two-thirds majority of the votes represented at the General Assembly is required for approval.

X. By-laws

The General Assembly may enact, by a majority of the votes represented, regulations or bylaws to
administer the IUMRS.

XI. Legal Forms, Duration, Domicile, Language, Seat

1. The IUMRS is organized under the name of International Union of Materials Research Societies. It is governed by the laws of the legal domicile of the IUMRS and the present statute.
2. The duration of the IUMRS is not limited.
3. The legal domicile of the IUMRS is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
4. English is the official language of the IUMRS. English text or records shall be considered the official and binding records of the IUMRS. E. The Seat of the IUMRS shall be the place of residence of the President of the IUMRS.