Constitution and By-Laws 2017

1. Preamble

The International Corrosion Council consists of representatives of the countries interested in increasing the benefits to be derived from the advancement of Corrosion Science and Engineering. The members of the Council should collaborate under conditions of complete cordiality, frankness and fair play in order to accomplish a given task to the exclusion of personal or commercial interest.

2. Objectives

The following are the objectives of the International Corrosion Council:

2.1 To stimulate, on an international plane, research in corrosion science and engineering and to encourage the broad dissemination of the results.
2.2 To promote co-operation and friendship among and between corrosion scientists and engineers in every country.
2.3 To provide an organisation within the framework of which corrosion scientists and engineers can meet to exchange ideas, discuss results of their studies and publish their findings for the common good.
2.4 To conserve equipment, materials and natural resources and to improve operating safety of structures by focusing attention on the waste of materials and loss of life which result from unrecognised and uncontrolled corrosion.
2.5 To bring to the attention of all agencies in every country the importance of providing for and supporting research in corrosion science and engineering.
2.6 To encourage the practical application of research results, particularly through education and training of engineers, and to facilitate communication between corrosion specialists and other engineers. In pursuit of these objectives, the Council will organise periodically an “International Corrosion Congress”.

3. International Corrosion Council

An International Corrosion Council I.C.C., composed of not more than two voting representatives from each of the member countries, shall be responsible for implementation of the objectives and for drawing up all policies and rules under which the activities of the Council including the “International Corrosion Congress” shall operate. The Council also has the responsibility for all necessary planning between Congresses and for assuring the perpetuation of the Congresses.

BY-LAWS

4. Council Officers and Executive Committee

4.1 The officers of the Council shall be the Chairman, the first Vice-Chairman and the second Vice-Chairman.
4.2 The Chairman shall preside at Council meetings. When the Chairman is absent the first Vice-Chairman automatically assumes the responsibilities of the Chairman and in his absence the second Vice-Chairman acts as Chairman. In the absence of all three elected officers a Chairman for that meeting shall be elected by those present from among their number.
4.3 The officers of the Council together with the immediate Past-Chairman and a Secretary shall act as an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall act for the Council between meetings of the latter.
4.4 The Council on the advice of the Executive Committee shall appoint a Secretary for a term until the end of the next Congress. It would be a person close to the Chairman of the Council. Financial support for this Secretariat must be arranged by the Council.
4.5 The work of the Executive Committee, including the Secretariat will be funded mainly from (a) a fee from Congresses (see 8.3.3) and (b) a levy on member societies determined by the Council.

5. Council Membership

5.1 Each member country is entitled to two representatives on the Council.
5.2 Representatives on the Council shall, where possible, be persons affiliated with a nationally recognised corrosion society or with societies having a significant interest in corrosion. If no corrosion society exists, membership may be proposed by a national society, by a University, by a major research organisation or by a major industry with interests in corrosion or allied subjects. It would be recommended that one of the representatives would be a reputed corrosion scientist belonging to the University or to a major research organization of the country and the second a corrosion engineer from a major company with interests in corrosion or allied subjects.
5.3 More than one society within a country having an interest in corrosion can be represented on the Council, provided that there shall be no more than two Council representatives from that country. If more than two representatives are proposed the responsible societies shall be required to resolve the situation.
5.4 The Council must be informed of the appointment of representatives by a letter mailed to the Chairman of the Council, with copies to the other members of the Executive Committee, from a responsible officer of the national society (Appointing Body).
5.5 If a representative cannot attend a Council meeting, he may appoint a proxy. Notification in writing of this appointment must be delivered to the Chairman of the Council at the meeting.
5.6 A representative will remain a member of the Council until replaced by the appointing body of his country. Confirmation of previous appointments or new appointments should take place every six years.

6. Election of Officers

6.1 The first Vice-Chairman at the expiration of his term shall automatically become Chairman.
6.2 No later then eighteen months before the next scheduled International Corrosion Congress, the Chairman of the Council shall appoint a Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for Vice-Chairmen. These candidates shall be nominated from the members of Council appointed under Sections 5.1 to 5.6
6.3 The Nominating Committee shall be appointed from members of Council and consist of a Chairman and two to four members. Not more than one member of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed from any member country. Members of the Executive Committee shall not be eligible for appointment to the Nominating Committee.
6.4 Not later than thirteen months before the start of the scheduled Congress, the Nominating Committee shall submit to the Chairman of the Council a report indicating the names of at least two candidates for Vice-Chairmen of the Council with a brief biographical sketch for each nominee. With their report, the Nominating Committee shall submit a copy of a letter from each candidate stating he will serve if elected. The immediate Past-Chairman is not eligible for re-election as Vice-Chairman.
6.5 Twelve months before the start of the next Congress, the Chairman of the Council shall circulate to all members of the Council the report of the Nominating Committee.
6.6 The report of the Nominating Committee shall state the right of the Council members to make additional nominations by petition. A nomination by petition shall bear the signatures of not less than six members of the Council. To be included on the ballot, a nomination by petition must be received by the Chairman of the Council not later than seven months before the start of the next Congress.
6.7 Not later than six months prior to the opening date for the next scheduled Congress, the Chairman shall circulate to all voting members of the Council a ballot paper for the election of Vice-Chairman. A return-address envelope marked “Ballot” will be included. The marked envelope shall be signed by the voting council member. The names of the candidates will be listed in an alphabetical order on the ballot paper. In order for his ballot to be valid, a member shall indicate his order of preference for all candidates listed. The ballot paper shall not be signed by the member. Ballots to be counted must be in the hands of the Chairman, delivery by post to the Secretary, personally or by a valid proxy, before the first Council meeting of the Congress. In order to facilitate the participation of the Council members, voting could be also done by email to the Secretary sending the anonymous ballot paper. The Secretary will keep confidentially, and will give to the Chairman of the Council only the list of ICC members who voted by email and the anonymous ballots received, in order to join them to the ballots received from ICC members by mail or directly (or by proxy) in the meeting.
6.8 The Chairman shall deliver the ballots unopened at the meeting of the Council scheduled during the Congress. He shall, at that Council meeting, appoint three tellers who shall open and count the ballots. The tellers shall add up the numbered preferences (1ˢᵗ, 2ᶮᵈ, 3ʳᵈ, etc.) for each candidate and report to the Council. The candidate with the lowest total shall be declared the first Vice-Chairman and the candidate with the second lowest shall be declared second Vice-Chairman. In the event of a tie the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.
6.9 The terms for first and second Vice-Chairmen shall begin on the last day of the Congress at which they are elected and expire on the last day of the subsequent Congress.
6.10 In the event the Chairman leaves office or is unable to serve before expiration of his term, the first Vice-Chairman shall automatically become Chairman serving out the remainder of the former Chairman’s term plus the following three year term. Election of the first Vice- Chairman would then proceed normally at the next Congress.
6.11 In the event that both the Chairman and the first Vice-Chairman are unable to serve until expiry of their terms for any reason, the Past- Chairman, or failing him the second Vice-Chairman, shall appoint a Nominating Committee and nominations will be made for the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen. In such a case, the second Vice- Chairman, or failing him, the past-Chairman shall continue as Chairman pro tem until the last day of the next Congress.
6.12 The outgoing Executive Committee may, in consultation with the incoming Chairman, nominate a Secretary who, on confirmation by Council, shall hold office until the end of the next Congress in the first instance. The secretary shall be eligible for renomination. Handover from one Secretary to the next shall be at a time agreed with the Executive Committee.

7. Selection of Congress Host Country

7.1 The Council shall be responsible for organising an International Corrosion Congress to be held about every three years and within a period of four years.
7.2 In so far as possible, the Council shall select host countries in different parts of the world and not schedule consecutive congresses in the same continent.
7.3 Any Council member may submit an invitation to host a Congress.
7.4 All invitations must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Council, with copies to the other members of the Executive Committee. The invitation must contain a signed letter of the Body of the country which will assume primary responsibility for the financial support and for the organisation of the Congress.
7.5 To be considered, invitations must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Council not less than seven months prior to the next scheduled Congress.
7.6 Not later than six months prior to the next scheduled Congress, the Chairman of the Council shall circulate, to all members of the Council, information about the invitations received in time (Section 7.5).
7.7 At its regular meeting, after due discussion, the Council shall elect, or confirm, the host country for the next Congress from among the invitations submitted (Sections 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6). Elections by secret ballot may proceed in one or more runs, until a majority of more than 50% of the valid votes is obtained by one country. In each successive run, the country receiving the lowest number of votes in the previous run will be struck off. Voting will continue until one country receives more than 50% of votes.
7.8 In the spirit of the objectives of the International Corrosion Council, access to all International Corrosion Congresses must be possible to all bona fide participants. Any problems concerning entry visas or other entry restrictions to the country holding the Congress should be brought to the attention of the Chairman of the Council. If in the opinion of the Executive Committee, unjust denials have been made, the International Corrosion Council recognition and endorsement of that Congress will be withdrawn.

8. Rules for Organising a Congress

8.1 Organising Committee: The President and the Members of the Organising Committee shall be appointed by the body that will assume primary responsibility for the Congress. The Organising Committee is responsible for the support, organisation and operation of the Congress, within the framework of these rules.
8.2 Congress Officers: The President of the Congress shall be a corrosion scientist or engineer residing in the country where the Congress will be held. The first Vice-President shall be the Chairman of the Council, and the second Vice-President shall be the first Vice-Chairman of the Council. The Honorary Committee of the Congress shall be composed of up to fifteen recognised corrosion scientists or corrosion engineers, selected from the countries represented on the International Corrosion Council, and approved by the Executive Committee of the Council. They will normally be appointed from a list submitted by the two representatives of the country that will serve as host for the Congress.
8.3 Financial Responsibility

8.3.1 The association, organisation or other body responsible for arranging the Congress shall be responsible for financial support of the Congress. Where required the host country will render every possible assistance to secure the most economical air fares and accommodation. Registration fees will be held to the lowest possible level.
8.3.2 The five members of the Executive Committee of the Council and the invited lecturers should be guests of the Organising Committee while attending the Congress including at least the travel expenses (economy return air fare between the individual’s home country and the site of the Congress), hotel room, registration fee, banquet and other official Congress functions.
8.3.3 No later than three months after the Congress, the Organising Committee shall provide to the Executive an amount equal to 5% of registration fees to reimburse the Executive for its expenditure between Congresses.

8.4 Language will be English.
8.5 Programme: Not later than two years prior to the date for convening a Congress, the Organising Committee shall submit to members of the Executive Committee a comprehensive outline of the plans for the Congress. The outline shall include: 1. Sessions to be included in the Congress programme. 2. Probable session Chairmen. 3. Plans for soliciting papers. 4. Probable plenary lecturers. 5. Tentative schedule of social events. 6. Planned Congress fees
8.6 Within three months after receipt of the organisation plans, the Executive Committee will inform the President of the Congress of their acceptance, suggestions and/or proposed revisions.
8.7 The Organising Committee shall keep the Executive Committee of the Council informed of progress being made in all aspects of the Congress during and throughout its organisation, operation and conclusion.
8.8 The President of the Congress shall submit to the Chairman of the Council, before the end of the Congress, a list of total registrants and a list of papers presented, both arranged according to the country of origin.
8.9 Publication Policy
8.9.1 Abstracts and/or proceedings with the communications and plenary lectures, to be presented at the Congress shall be made available in electronic format to registrants who have paid their registration fee.
8.9.2 The organisers may require that preprints of communications and plenary lectures to be presented at the Congress are in the hands of the Organising Committee at a prescribed time prior to the opening of the Congress.
8.9.3 Plenary lecturers may be required to hand the completed manuscript to the Organising Committee before the end of the Congress.
8.9.4 The copyright of papers shall reside with the Congress Organising Committee, but right of publication other than in the Congress Proceedings will not be unreasonably refused.
8.9.5 The proceedings shall be published in English.

9. Meetings of the International Corrosion Council

9.1 The Council shall meet at least once during each Congress
9.2 A quorum shall consist of more than 25% of the member countries, either attending or represented by proxies.
9.3 All decisions taken at a Council meeting must be affirmed by a majority vote of those present.
9.4 It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman to notify each member of the Council of an impending meeting of the Council and to invite submission of items for the agenda at least three months prior to the proposed meeting date.
9.5 It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman to furnish the agenda for the Council meeting to each member of the Council at least one month in advance of the meeting.
9.6 The Executive Committee should meet (personally, conference call, etc.) at least once each year between Congresses.

10. Amendments

10.1 Any amendment to the Constitution and Bye-laws shall require at least one month advance notice to all Members of Council. This notice shall show the amended clause and the existing clause whenever applicable
10.2 Amendments to the Constitution and Bye-laws may be introduced by the Executive Committee, or by joint petition of any five member countries
10.3 To become effective, amendments to the Constitution must receive a two-thirds majority vote of all members of the Council. The vote may be taken at the Executive Committee’s option either during a regular meeting of Council or by a letter ballot addressed to each individual member of Council. Should the proposed amendment not be resolved either by two-thirds for or one-third against on any one vote, the proposal shall be revised and re-submitted for subsequent voting until resolved. Amendments to the Bye-laws must receive a majority vote of all members of the Council.