ESBES Working Rules

Membership
Scientists interested in European biotechnology can become a member by sending a request to the secretariat. Members will have the right to receive information on ESBES, to attend the ESBES General Assemblies and ESBES Symposia and to vote for Board Members.

ESBES General Assembly
ESBES General Assemblies are held each year, coinciding with the EFB events (preferable the European Congress on Biotechnology) and the ESBES Symposia.

Board
The Board consists of max. 11 members plus the following ex-officio members: the Section Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Working Group Chairmen, the Working Group Vice-Chairmen and the Secretary. Each Board member will serve a period of three years. Re-election is possible. The Section Chairman serves for a three years period. After three years the Chairman resigns to become Vice-Chairman for one and a half year. The Board elects a Vice-Chairman in order to succeed the Chairman after one and a half year. The Board is endorsed by the EFB Executive Committee. Board member candidates will have to submit a profile stating of which EFB member Society they are a member. The Board will always have the right to change the Chairman if necessary. In that case a majority vote of the Board members is required.

Elections
Elections are organised every three years during the ESBES Symposia or the EFB Congresses. One month before the elections the list with candidates is made available on the ESBES website. Voting will take place at the ESBES General Assembly. Postal/Email Vote is also possible. Each Section member will vote for two Board members.

Finances
The finances of ESBES will be handled by the Secretary and overseen by the Board.

Working Group Information
ESBES members can propose a Working Group by submitting a business plan. ESBES members can decide to become an active member of one or two Working Groups. Registrations will be handled by the ESBES Secretary. Working Groups have to provide an outline of the objectives, if possible with an action plan and time schedule, deliverables, milestones and budget, plus a suggestion for financial resources. The Board is required to endorse or dissolve each Working Group. Working Group leaders report annually to the Board.

These working rules are open for further amendments as needed, for which approval of the EFB Board is required.