Bylaws of the Swiss Society for Photon Science

Purpose

Art. 1

A scientific organization named Swiss Society for Photon Science (“SSPh”) is founded according to ZGB Art. 60 ff. This organization has its head office at the Photon Science Division of the Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland. 

Art. 2

The purpose of the organization is:   
  • to promote the development of photon science and its further applications using facilities open to academic and industrial users; 
  • to promote the scientific exchange of ideas in the field of photon science and technology; 
  • to promote young scientists;
  • to advice Swiss Federal Institutions regarding strategic planning and evaluation processes;
  • to cultivate multidisciplinary relations with other societies belonging to the Swiss Academy for Natural Sciences and the Swissphotonics TNT;
  • to cultivate relations with international associations and organizations in the field of photon science;
  • to represent the organization in particular regarding optimal access to national and international photon sources as well as participation in corresponding scientific committees.  

 

Membership

Art. 3

Anyone interested in photon science can join. Legal persons or entities interested in advancing the society’s aims can be admitted as joint members.   

The executive committee decides who will be admitted. 

Art. 4

The SSPh can assign honorary memberships to persons, who made significant and outstanding contributions to the field of photon science. On the appointment of honorary members the executive committee decides. 

Art. 5

Cancellation of membership requires written notice and has to be addressed to the executive committee by the end of a calendar year. Members whose payments are in arrears for two consecutive years are considered to have resigned. 

Art. 6

The general assembly will exclude members after a request by the executive committee. Those affected by the exclusion will be granted a reasonable opportunity to state their opinion. 

Art. 7

The membership expires:

– in the case of natural persons by resignation, expulsion or death

– for legal persons or entities  by resignation, exclusion or dissolution

Art. 8

For the pursuit of the purpose of the society the society requests a membership fee of the members. Presently the annual membership fee for individuals amounts to CHF 20.- and life-long membership fee for individuals to CHF 500.-, for legal persons or entities to CHF 250.-. The society does not request a membership fee from student members.

 

Organization 

Art. 9

The organs of the SSPh are:  

  • the general assembly
  • the executive committee
  • the auditors

Art. 10

The society hosts an annual meeting of members that constitutes the meeting of the general assembly; members will be informed about the agenda and invited four weeks in advance.  

All elections are open and are decided by simple majority. All members are eligible to vote. In the event of a tied vote the president will have the final vote. An extraordinary meeting of the general assembly will be scheduled if ordered by the executive committee or requested by one fifth of all members. 

Art. 11

Executive organ is the executive committee. The executive committee consists of a president, a treasurer, a secretary and a maximum of two other members. All members of the executive committee are elected by the general assembly for a period of 2 years. The president can serve a maximum of two periods and board members a maximum of three periods.

Executive committee’s meetings are held on request. The president invites participants two weeks in advance. All votes are decided by simple majority of all participating executive members. In the event of a tied vote the president has the final vote.  

Selected persons or members of other institutions can be invited to executive meetings where they have advisory functions without voting rights.

Art. 12

The SSPh annual financial statement has to be prepared by the time the general assembly meets and has to be verified by certified accountants who are elected by the general assembly for a period of three years. The general assembly approves annual financial statements.

The society’s annual financial year corresponds to a calendar year.

Art. 13

The society is bound by the collective signature of the president together with another member of the executive committee.

Art. 14

Only the assets of the society are liable for the debts of the society. The members are not personally liable for the society’s obligations. 

 

Change of statutes 

Art. 15

Proposals and changes to bylaws have to be presented to the member’s assembly by the executive committee and must be approved by at least 2/3 of all members present at the meeting. 
 

Dissolution of the society

Art. 16

The society can be dissolved if 2/3 of all members present apply for it. In this case a secret ballot has to take place where all members of the society cast their vote. If a majority of 2/3 of all participating members in the ballot votes for dissolving the society, dissolution is decided. 

Art. 17

Should the society be dissolved, the society’s capital must be used in a way that complies with its original purpose, which will be decided by the general assembly requesting the dissolving. 
 

Final provision

Art. 18

The bylaws have been approved at the founder’s meeting held on October 11th, 2019. Changes to the bylaws, namely in Art. 2, 8 and 11, have been approved at the annual meeting of the assembly held on September 10th, 2021.

 

Bern, May 17th, 2022

For the executive committee of the SSPh: 

The president                                                    The secretary
 

 

Prof. Thomas Feurer                                         Prof. Daniela Rupp

The original of the bylaws is on file with the PSI Scientific Affairs.