Bylaws (May 10, 2007)

I. Name, Residence, and Aims

Article 1

1. Under the name "Swiss Society for Biomaterials" (acronym SSB) a non-profit association exists with seat in Geneva, in accordance with Article 60 ff. of the Civil Code of Law of Switzerland.
2. The names in Swiss official languages are: "Société Suisse des Biomateriaux", "Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Biomaterialien", and "Societa Svizzera dei Biomateriali".
   

Article 2

1. The Society has the following aims:
   1. To encourage progress in the field of Biomaterials in all aspects, including research, teaching, and clinical applications;
   2. To promote the propagation of scientific information in the field of Biomaterials;
   3. To promote the interaction between the different disciplines of the field of Biomaterials as well as between basic research and applied practice;
   4. To cooperate with other scientific organizations, governmental and private bodies, both national and international, that pursue similar activities;
   5. To develop structured activities on issues involving Biomaterials;
   6. To stimulate the creation of research programs on Biomaterials on a national level.
2. To reach these goals, the following activities are promoted:
   1. The organization of an Annual Meeting at which members of the Society are encouraged to report on their research and development work;
   2. The organization and management of congresses, workshops, and advanced courses on special themes that have been suggested by the members;
   3. The promotion of young Biomaterials scientists active in Switzerland at national and international level;
   4. The setup of "ad hoc commissions" to address urgent problems in the area of Biomaterials;
   5. Information of the members about Biomaterials research and its application in Switzerland and abroad.
3. The Society is an affiliated member of the European Society for Biomaterials. Upon agreement by the General Assembly, the Society may join other related organizations.

II. Membership

Article 3

1. Membership of the Society is open to:
   1. Individuals who are involved or interested in the area of Biomaterials in Switzerland;
   2. Swiss citizens living abroad and involved or interested in the area of Biomaterials; who are involved in the area of Biomaterials or who are interested in the area of Biomaterials;
   3. Academic or private institutions active in Biomaterials research or testing.
2. Membership starts upon payment of the first membership fee.
3. Resignation from the Society is possible with a three month notice.
4. Members can be excluded from the Society if:
   1. They fail to pay their membership fees after repeated reminders from the Executive Committee;
   2. They act deliberately, openly and repeatedly against the goals of the Society.

   After having sent at least one warning by registered mail to the non compliant member, the Executive Committee can decide his/her exclusion.

III. Financing of the Association

Article 4

1. The financing of the goals of the Society is to be provided as follows:
   1. Through membership fees, the amount of which will be submitted by the Executive Committee to the General Assembly;
   2. Through profits from meetings and events;
   3. Through donations or an industry sponsorship program;
   4. Through contributions from public corporations;
   5. Through revenue from the Society's assets.
2. Only the Society's assets are liable.

IV. Organization

Article 5

1. In so far as these regulations do not state otherwise, the rules of Swiss Civil Code of Law, in particular Articles 64 to 69, does apply for the organization of this Society.
2. 2.The Society's business is conducted through:
   1. The Members' General Assembly;
   2. The Executive Committee;
   3. The Auditors.
3. The General Assembly is held once every year. Whenever possible, the General Assembly must take place during the Annual Meeting.
4. An extraordinary General Assembly can be called at any time with a 2 month notice:
   1. By the Executive Committee;
   2. By any Society Member(s) having collected the signature of at least one fifth of the Society Members for that purpose.
5. Under exceptional circumstances, the Executive Committee can ask the Society Members to vote on a topic by email, provided the pros and cons are presented electronically to each Member at least 2 weeks before the voting deadline.

Article 6

1. The Executive Committee consists of at least five members. These will be elected by the members at the General Assembly for a term of two years. Repeated terms of duty are possible.
2. The president is elected by the members at the General Assembly for a one year term of duty.
3. Two auditors are elected by the members at the General Assembly for a two year term of duty.
4. The Executive Committee alone distributes and assigns the duties and functions of its own members. The Executive Committee designates the members with power of attorney for the Society and the extent of their representation.
5. The Executive Committee is responsible for all tasks of the Society unless otherwise stated by law or these bylaws.

Article 7

The two Auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial report, and presenting a written report and a formal recommendation at the General Assembly.

Article 8

In the case of the dissolution of the Society, the remaining assets will be donated to an institution with similar goals. Division of the remaining assets amongst the members is prohibited.

The present bylaws come into effect on May 10, 2007, and replace all former versions.


The Executive Committee