In Athens, at the Academy of Athens Building, located at 28 Panepistimiou Str., this 21st day of November 2024, the Academy of Athens and the other founding members, being ordinary members of the Academy of Athens and signatories of this document, having regard to: a) Article 78 of Greek Law 5120/2024 "Organization of the Academy of Athens" (Government Gazette A/105/2024), b) Articles 78 et seq. of the Civil Code, c) Emergency Law 809/1937 "on archaeological excavations for the complete uncovering of the ancient Academy and on the concession of the site for the establishment of the International Community of Academies" (GovGaz A/325/1937) and d) the will and testament dated 7-4-1937 of Panagiotis Zach. Aristofron, resolved unanimously and agreed upon the following:
1. Formation and name
An association is established under the name "International Community of Academies".
2. “Community” objects
2.1 The Association (hereinafter "Community") is, by its nature, non-profit.
2.2 The "Community" pursues the following objects:
a) The dissemination of the general principles and values of the Academy, founded by Plato, with the cooperation of the recognized Academies around the world and their members and with the collaboration of eminent scientists, representatives of the arts and letters, and internationally renowned educational, cultural or other related institutions.
b) The staging of an international Symposium every four (4) years at Plato's Academy with the participation of members of the "Community".
c) The cooperation, organization of joint programmes and actions and the exchange of ideas and views with Academies around the world, associations of Academies, internationally renowned universities and scientific, research or cultural institutions as well as international organizations and international committees.
d) The staging of scientific and cultural events and actions in Athens and in the cities where Academies are located, under the auspices of those Academies.
e) The announcement and awarding of international prizes and other honours with or without monetary prizes.
f) The contribution to the construction of offices and other building facilities of the "Community" at Plato’s Academy with the cooperation of the Academy of Athens and the competent bodies as part of fulfilling this non-profit object.
3. “Community” registered seat
3.1 The seat of the "Community" is the City of Athens, specifically land owned by the Academy of Athens, at Plato’s Academy (bequest of Panagiotis Aristofron), where the “Community” offices and its other buildings will be erected on the initiative of the Academy of Athens.
3.2 Until the offices at Plato's Academy have been built and set into operation, the "Community” maintains an office and its officers can meet at the Academy of Athens Building in Athens, at 28 Panepistimiou Str., or at such other place as the Board of Directors may determine.
3.3 The "Community" may establish offices in other cities in Greece and abroad, by decision of the Board of Directors.
4. Members of the “Community”
4.1 The "Community" has full, honorary and meritorious members, who are admitted by decision of the Board of Directors, upon their application, and specifically:
a) Full members who can participate are those ordinary members of the Academy of Athens who sign these Statutes, as founding members, and any other ordinary member of the Academy of Athens, provided they apply and accept these Statutes.
b) Honorary members are the Academy of Athens, as a founding member, and the other recognized academies of sciences, arts and letters, provided they apply and accept these Statutes.
c) Meritorious members are the corresponding and honorary members of the Academy of Athens and internationally recognized foreign representatives of the sciences, arts and letters, provided they apply and accept these Statutes.
4.2 The application shall be submitted in accordance with the type and shall contain the information specified by decision of the Board of Directors of the "Community", and a statement that the applicant accepts these Statutes and the Internal Regulations of the "Community". The application shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors within a reasonable time and the candidate member shall be admitted by a decision of the Board of Directors, provided that the Board of Directors determines that the candidate member fulfils the conditions set out in the first paragraph of this article and provided that the registration fees are paid.
4.3 In the event a candidate’s application is rejected, the decision of the Board of Directors must be adequately justified.
4.4 Each member is required to notify the Secretary of the Board of Directors of their identity, home and contact address and email address. Academies are also required to appoint one of their members as their representative to legally represent them in their relations with the "Community", to participate in the Committees (if elected to them) and to attend and vote in the Honorary Member Committee.
5. Rights and obligations of full members
5.1 Full members have the same rights and obligations.
5.2 Full members have the right to participate in the General Assemblies and the committees provided for in these Statutes, to vote in them, to elect the Board of Directors of the "Community" and to be elected to it, as well as to exercise any other right deriving from their membership as full members, as defined in these Statutes and the Internal Regulations.
5.3 Full members are required to contribute to the fulfilment of the "Community's” objects, to participate in its events and actions and to cooperate with other full and meritorious members within the framework of the objects of the "Community" and in order to fulfil them, as well as to participate in Symposia.
5.4 Full members are required to pay an annual subscription, which is set at the beginning of each year by decision of the "Community" Board of Directors and which may not exceed three hundred (300.00) euros each year. This ceiling may be adjusted by decision of the General Assembly of full members.
6. Rights and obligations of honorary members
6.1 Honorary members have the same rights and obligations.
6.2 Honorary members, through their representatives, have the right to participate in the Honorary Members Committee and in the other committees provided for in these Statutes, to vote in them, and to exercise any other right arising from their status as honorary members, as defined in these Statutes and in the Internal Regulations.
6.3 Honorary members have the right to cooperate within the framework of the objects of the "Community" and to participate in its events and actions, in compliance with the terms of these Statutes.
6.4 Honorary Members are required to participate, through their representatives, in Symposia, to pay the expenses of their representatives' participation in Symposia and an annual or other financial contribution, if such a contribution is set by decision of the Honorary Members Committee.
7. Rights and obligations of meritorious members
7.1 Meritorious members have the same rights and obligations.
7.2 Meritorious members have the right to participate in fulfilling the objects of the "Community" and to participate in its events and actions, in compliance with the terms of these Statutes, as well as to attend Symposia.
7.3 Meritorious members are required to co-operate with full members within the framework of the objects of the "Community" and their fulfilment, and to pay the cost of participating in Symposia.
8. Collective bodies of the “Community”
8.1 The collective bodies are divided into "Community" management bodies and cooperation bodies of the Academies, as follows: a) The governing bodies of the "Community" are the General Assembly of the full members and the Board of Directors. These bodies shall have, by presumption of competence, the general administration of the "Community", they manage its resources and assets and exercise the duties and powers provided for in these Statutes.
b) The cooperation bodies of the Academies are the Honorary Members Committee and the Executive Committee. These bodies take decisions and issue opinions on specific matters concerning honorary members and the Symposia, provided that the decisions do not entail financial expenditures for the "Community"; they make recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters which do entail financial expenditure, give opinions on matters concerning the aims, events and actions of the "Community", issue resolutions and exercise the powers provided for in these Statutes.
8.2 The collective bodies of the "Community" may meet by teleconference and take decisions by a majority of the members present, unless otherwise specified in these Statutes.
9. General Assembly of the full members
9.1 General Assemblies are attended by the full members of the "Community" and take decisions on the matters and in the manner set out in Article 10.
9.2 The first annual (ordinary) General Assembly of full members will take place within three (3) months from the registration of the "Community" in the books of the Athens Court of First Instance.
9.3 After the first General Assembly, annual General Assemblies will take place within the first six (6) months of each year.
9.4 The annual (ordinary) General Assembly shall be convened by the Board of Directors at the invitation of the chair or deputy chair at least ten (10) days before the day of the Assembly, and any other Assembly, except the annual Assembly, twenty (20) days before the day of the Assembly. The invitation is sent to the full members of the "Community" by email to the email address they have indicated, and includes the place, date and time of the Assembly as well as the topics to be discussed at the Assembly, as they will be determined each time by the Board of Directors.
9.5 The Board of Directors may, by its decision, convene extraordinary General Assemblies at any time and for any reason. This decision shall be notified to full members and shall serve as an invitation, subject to the time limits laid down in the preceding paragraph.
10. Meetings and decisions of the General Assembly of full members
10.1 The General Assembly of full members, in addition to discussing any other topic determined by the Board of Directors, discusses and decides on the following in particular:
a) Approval of the budget, annual report and balance sheet of the "Community" and the respective reports of the Audit Committee. b) Approval of the annual report of the Board of Directors and the Committees on the activities of the "Community" during the previous year.
c) Election of the members of the Board of Directors and their dismissal for the reasons provided for in Article 15.2.
d) Election of the members of the Standing Committees provided for in Article 18 of these Statutes, and the establishment of scientific or other committees for the execution of specific projects or the preparation of opinions with the participation of the full and meritorious members of the "Community" and/or third parties.
e) Determination of fees to be paid by new full, honorary or meritorious members upon registration, and of the annual or other financial contribution to be paid by full members.
f) Awarding the title of major donor or sponsor to natural or legal persons who have assisted the "Community" with significant donations or sponsorships.
g) Sale of property owned by the "Community", transfer of the "Community's” rights in rem or waiver of rights or claims, following the Board of Directors’ proposal.
h)Removal of a member in accordance with the procedure of Article 22.
i) Appointment of a certified auditor-accountant to conduct a regular or ad hoc audit of the Board of Directors’ management of resources and assets and of the finances of the "Community" in general, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.
j) Approval and amendment of the Internal Regulations of the "Community" and regulations on specific issues, such as the awarding of prizes, the operation of individual services and buildings, supplies, etc.
k) Amending these Statutes in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 23.
l) Dissolving the "Community" in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24.
10.2 The General Assembly has a quorum if at least one-half (1/2) of the full members with voting rights are present or represented.
10.3 If within the first half hour from the appointed start time, a quorum is not achieved, the General Assembly shall be adjourned to another day and time at least twenty (20) days from the day of the adjourned Assembly, and the Chairman of the Assembly shall send a notice with the same agenda items to the full members who were not present, as specified in Article 9.4. At the new Assembly, convened following adjournment, a quorum is constituted only by the full members present, unless a special (greater) quorum is required.
10.4 The Chair of the Board of Directors shall preside over each General Assembly and direct the discussion. If there is no Chair or the Chair is not present, the Vice Chair shall preside and, if the Vice Chair is not present either, one of the full members present shall be elected to preside at the meeting in question.
10.5 Voting shall be by open ballot, unless otherwise specified in these Statutes. Every full member of the "Community" is entitled to vote at the General Assembly, provided that they are in good standing. Full members may vote through another member whom they have appointed as a proxy, by virtue of a special power of attorney, to vote on the matters of a particular General Assembly, provided that proxy has been submitted to the Chair of the Board of Directors by the start of the meeting. No member may represent more than three (3) absent members.
10.6 By special invitation of the Chair of the Board of Directors, which is also notified to full members, the representatives of the honorary and meritorious members may participate in the General Assemblies of full members with the right to express an opinion, but without the right to vote.
10.7 The decision of the Chair of the General Assembly of full members as to whether a person is a full member or has voting rights shall be final and binding on the proceedings of the Assembly. Where elections are to be held for the officers of the "Community", the Election Committee shall take this decision.
10.8 The elections for officers of the "Community" shall be conducted under the supervision of an Election Committee, consisting of three (3) full members, elected each time by that Assembly; the committee shall keep the minutes of the ballot and decide on any question arising in connection with voting. Members of the Election Committee may not stand for election to the Board of Directors. On the basis of the nominations submitted, the Election Committee shall draw up a single ballot containing the names of all the candidates in alphabetical order. Each member present or represented may vote for up to eight (8) nominees, unless the General Assembly decides otherwise. The members of the Board of Directors are elected by receiving the most votes, in order and up to the number of members provided for. After the prescribed number of full members of the Board of Directors has been reached, the next three (3) members who received the most votes shall be elected as alternate members. In the event of a tie for the last position, a draw shall be conducted between the members who have received an equal number of votes.
11. The "Community” Board of Directors
11.1 The Board of Directors is composed of five members who are full members of the "Community” and are elected by the General Assembly for a term of five (5) years.
11.2 The term of office of the Board of Directors begins with the election of its members by the General Assembly of full members and its constitution as a body. The members of the Board of Directors shall retain their status and exercise their duties until the day the new Board of Directors is constituted as a body. The General Assembly, which elects the members of the Board of Directors, shall also elect three (3) alternate members to serve in the cases referred to in Article 15.
11.3 The members of the outgoing Board of Directors are eligible for re-election if they stand for re-election. The remaining full members are eligible for election if they are nominated by at least five (5) full members, present in person at the Assembly where the Board of Directors is elected.
12. Meetings of the Board of Directors
12.1 The members of the Board of Directors shall meet at the invitation of its Chair at the headquarters of the "Community" or at the Academy of Athens Building.
12.2 The first meeting of the Board of Directors after the General Assembly of full members which elected it will take place no later than fifteen (15) days from the day of its election, after new members are notified by the one getting the most votes. At the first meeting, the Board of Directors will be constituted by electing the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
12.3 Invitations to the meetings of the Board of Directors are sent to Board members by email to the email address they have indicated, at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting.
12.4 At least two (2) members of the Board of Directors may, by written request, signed and addressed to the Chair, request a special meeting of the Board of Directors to consider matters specified in the request. In this case, the Chair is obliged to convene the Board of Directors no later than ten (10) days after receiving the aforementioned request from the members.
12.5 The quorum required for Board meetings and decision making is three (3) members. If there is no quorum present on the day of the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned to the same day and time of the following week and the absent members shall be invited to attend the new meeting.
12.6 If the Chair is absent from a meeting for any reason, the Vice Chair shall substitute. In the absence of both, the members present shall elect from amongst themselves a chairperson for that meeting.
12.7 In the event of a tie, the Chair's vote shall carry.
12.8 The Board may invite any person, whether or not a member of the "Community", to attend a meeting of the Board for the purpose of giving advice on any matter deemed appropriate.
13. Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
13.1 The representation and administration of the "Community", the management of its resources, assets and general affairs and all other powers, other than those falling within the powers of the General Assembly, shall be exercised by the Board of Directors.
13.2 In particular, the Board of Directors has the power:
a) To represent the "Community" before any third party, natural or legal person, and any administrative or judicial authority as well as before the academies and international organizations and associations.
b) To enter into contracts of any nature whatsoever which are related to the objects of the "Community" and to perform any act that serves the management of its resources and assets, in particular to lease or rent real estate, to hire employees and conclude service contracts, to accept donations, sponsorships, etc. and to collect monies or claims from third parties, dues from full or honorary members and fees for participation or representation at Symposia.
c) To accept the registration of members of the "Community", in accordance with the terms of these Statutes. To determine the annual membership fee for full members. To decide on the staging of conferences, lectures, seminars or events. To arrange for the publications of the "Community" on the recommendation of the Publications Committee and the publication of announcements and newsletters. To designate the location and site of the "Community" offices and the establishment of offices in other cities.
d) To cooperate with the academies which have been admitted as honorary members, and with meritorious members, and to decide on the cooperation with institutions and other legal entities pursuing the same or similar objects, and to agree on the terms of cooperation.
e) To appoint Working Groups, consisting of full or meritorious members, to carry out the activities of the "Community" in any specific area or in relation to any specific issue falling within the objects of the "Community". The Chair or Vice Chair shall participate and preside over these groups.
f) To appoint as "Ambassadors of prominence" individuals of renown who have a proven track record in promoting the objects of the "Community", and to assign them specific tasks and missions.
g) To award the title of donor or sponsor to natural or legal persons who have assisted the "Community" with donations or sponsorships, and to propose to the General Assembly the award of the title of major donor or sponsor to natural or legal persons who have assisted the "Community" with significant donations or sponsorships.
h) To make any decision and take any other action it deems appropriate for the pursuit and promotion of the objects of the "Community".
13.3 The Board of Directors, which shall have sole authority, shall decide on any act of management of the resources and assets of the "Community". In particular, the sale of real estate belonging to the "Community", the transfer of rights in rem and the waiver of rights or claims requires a decision of the General Assembly of the full members, which is taken on the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
13.4 The Board of Directors may, by resolution, authorise or delegate the exercise of specific powers to one or more members of the Board of Directors, to other full members of the "Community" or to third parties.
13.5 The "Community" shall be represented before the courts by the Chair of the Board of Directors, who shall bring actions, lawsuits, petitions, appeals, remedies or reliefs, and appoint attorneys.
13.6 The members of the Board of Directors are not entitled to any remuneration for the performance of their duties, but they may receive travel and accommodation expenses in other cities in Greece or abroad for the needs of the "Community", which shall be determined by the Board of Directors, an attendance allowance, if determined by the General Assembly of full members, and remuneration for special services.
14. Duties of the members of the Board of Directors
14.1 In addition to the duties provided for in another article hereof, the members of the Board of Directors shall have the following duties:
a) The Chair of the Board of Directors shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors and the General Assemblies of full members, and shall regularly inform the Board of Directors and the Honorary Members Committee on those matters concerning the pursuit, promotion and enhancement of the objects and activities of the “Community”; the Chair represents the “Community” at conferences, scientific or other events, and ensures compliance with the Statutes, the decisions of the Board of Directors and the General Assembly of full members.
b) The Vice Chair shall replace the Chair in the performance of their duties as defined in the previous paragraph, in the event of the Chair’s absence, impediment or temporary inability to perform them and in such cases as the Board of Directors may determine.
c) The Secretary is responsible for the correspondence of the "Community", for sending of invitations, announcements and notices to the full members and for keeping the minutes and books with the decisions of the Board of Directors and the General Assembly, register books containing the names and contact details of members and lists of full, honorary and meritorious members and for providing copies thereof to members of the “Community” and to any other person who requests them, provided they have a legitimate interest.
d) The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the legally mandated records (books) and data, issuing and receiving receipts relating to the amounts of money received or spent, and membership dues and contributions, and for monitoring account activity and managing accounts jointly with the Chair, as provided for in Article 20.
14.2 Records (books) and data will be kept at the offices of the "Community" and will always be available for review by the Audit Committee and the competent authorities.
15. Removal or suspension of the members of the Board of Directors
15.1 A member of the Board of Directors shall automatically be removed in the event they submit their resignation, are expelled from the "Community", deprived of civil rights, declared bankrupt or be subject to legal guardianship.
15.2 A member of the Board of Directors shall be suspended from office by the General Assembly of full members in the event of an irrevocable prison sentence for any offence, is unjustifiably absent from at least five (5) consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors and in any other case where there is an important reason that prevents that member from exercising their duties.
15.3 If a member of the Board of Directors is removed, suspended or dies, the vacancy shall be filled by one of the alternate members in the order of their election. If there are no alternate members or if such members are unable or refuse to fill the vacancy, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy with any other full member of the "Community", and shall immediately convene the General Assembly to elect a new member to replace the one who was removed.
15.4 Should the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer resign or die, the Board of Directors shall elect one of its other members as a replacement and the vacancy shall be filled by an alternate or other member as specified in paragraph 3 of this article.
15.5 This article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the committees provided for in Article 18, or any other committee established by decision of the General Assembly or the Honorary Members Committee.
16. Honorary Members Committee
16.1 The representatives of the honorary members of the "Community" shall participate in the Honorary Members Committee and shall take decisions on the matters and in the manner set out in Article 17.
16.2 Each Honorary Member (Academy) may participate with only one (1) representative, which it shall designate by a declaration to the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the "Community” and communicated to the Chair of the Honorary Members Committee to be entered on the list of Honorary Members.
16.3 The Honorary Members Committee shall meet for the first time at the invitation of the Chair of the Board of Directors within three (3) months after at least five (5) Academies, including the Academy of Athens, have been accepted as honorary members.
16.4 At the first meeting of the Honorary Members Committee, the representatives of the Honorary Members shall elect the Chair of the Honorary Members Committee for a term of office lasting until the end of the year in which the Symposium is to be held, and at which time a new Chair of the Honorary Members Committee is elected.
16.5 The Chair of the Honorary Membership Committee, who is also called the Chair of the "International Community of Academies", convenes the Honorary Members Committee and the Executive Committee to meet.
16.6 In the event that the Chair of the Honorary Members Committee dies, resigns or is unable to perform their duties, the Chair shall be replaced by the Chair of the Board of Directors, who shall take all necessary actions and convene a meeting of the Honorary Members Committee without delay to elect a new Chair.
16.7 After the first meeting, the Honorary Members Committee shall meet at least once (1) every six months of each year, at the invitation of its Chair. Exceptionally, in the years in which the Symposium takes place, the Honorary Members Committee will meet during the Symposium on the day designated by its Chair.
16.8 The Honorary Members Committee shall be convened at the invitation of its Chair or Vice Chair at least thirty (30) days before the date of the meeting. The invitation is sent to the representatives of the honorary members by email to the email address provided by the honorary members, it is notified to the Chair of the Board of Directors, and includes the place, date and time of the meeting as well as the topics to be discussed at the meeting, as they will be determined each time by the Executive Committee.
16.9 The Executive Committee, by its own decision, may call extraordinary meetings of the Honorary Members Committee at any time and for any reason. This decision shall be notified to the representatives of the honorary members and to the Chair of the Board of Directors and shall serve as an invitation, subject to the time limit provided for in the preceding paragraph.
16.10 The Honorary Members Committee meeting may be attended by the Chair of the Board of Directors or another member of the Board that the Chair may designate, with the right to an opinion.
17. Meetings and decisions of the Honorary Members Committee
17.1 The Honorary Members Committee may, in addition to discussing any other matter determined by the Executive Committee, discuss any matter within the scope of its powers and decide on the following:
a) Approval of the budget for the Symposium on the recommendation of the Executive Committee and determination of the cost of participation of honorary members in the Symposia.
b) Approval of the Executive Committee's annual report on the activities of the "Community" during the previous year.
c) Formulating the general principles and values of the "Community" and adoption of resolutions within the framework of the "Community’s" objects.
d) Formulating an opinion on any matter relating to the sciences, arts and letters which concerns the global scientific or artistic community.
e) The announcement and granting of international awards and other honours with or without monetary prizes, upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee or any other committee that may be appointed for this purpose. As regards financial prizes, the decision of the Honorary Members Committee shall serve as a proposal to the Board of Directors, which shall determine the amount of the prizes within the limits of the "Community" budget and publish the notice in accordance with the decision of the Honorary Members Committee.
f) Organising scientific or cultural events and activities in the cities where the Academies are located, under the auspices of and expenses covered by the Academies, provided that the Academies are able and agree to finance such events and activities.
g) Election of the members of the standing committees provided for in Article 18 of these Statutes, assignment of duties and tasks to the Executive Committee and establishment of other committees to study specific issues, and submission of proposals.
h) Making proposals to the Board of Directors on any matter concerning the “Community” which falls within the competencies of the management bodies.
i) Determination of the annual or other financial subscription of honorary members.
j) Proposals to remove an honorary member in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 22.
k) Approval and amendment of the Honorary Members Committee's Rules of Procedure.
l) Approval and amendment of the Rules of the Executive Committee's Rules of Procedure.
17.2 The Honorary Members Committee shall have a quorum if representatives of at least one-half (1/2) of the Honorary Members are present.
17.3 If within the first half hour of the appointed time, the above quorum is not achieved, the meeting of the committee shall be adjourned to another day and time at least forty (40) days from the day of the adjourned meeting, and the Chair of the Committee shall send a notice to the honorary members who were not present, as specified in Article 9.8. At the new meeting, convened following adjournment, a quorum is constituted by the representatives of the honorary members present, unless a special (greater) quorum is required.
17.4 The Chair of the Honorary Members Committee shall preside over its meetings and direct the discussion. If the Chair is not present at the meeting, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the "Community" may preside and, if that Chair is not present either, one of the honorary member representatives present shall be elected to preside at that meeting.
17.5 At meetings of the Honorary Members Committee, any matter relating to the objects of the “Community” may be discussed, even if there is no quorum or relevant item on the agenda, but no decision shall be taken; any representative of an Honorary Member shall have the right to make announcements in relation to the objects of the “Community” and the sciences, arts and letters generally, which the Chair of the Honorary Members Committee may bring up for discussion at a Committee meeting, if the Chair deems it necessary or if requested by at least five (5) of those present.
17.6 All balloting shall be open unless otherwise specified in these Statutes. Any representative of an honorary member of the "Community" shall be entitled to vote in the Honorary Members Committee, provided that honorary member is paid up. The representatives of honorary members may only vote in person.
18. Standing Committees of the "Community"
18.1 The Standing Committees of the "Community" are:
a) The Executive Committee, consisting of seven (7) members, and specifically the Chair of the Honorary Members Committee, three (3) members elected by the Honorary Members Committee, and three (3) members elected by the General Assembly, for a five-year term of office. The Executive Committee shall render an opinion on any matter concerning the honorary members of the "Community” within the remit of the Honorary Members Committee, make recommendations to the Honorary Members Committee on the matters provided for in these Statutes, perform the tasks and any work assigned to it by the Honorary Members Committee, coordinate the joint events and actions of the honorary members and, in cooperation with the Board of Directors and/or the Working Group that it may appoint, oversee the staging of the Symposia.
b) The Publications Committee, consisting of five (5) members and specifically the Chair of the Board of Directors, two (2) members, elected by the Honorary Members Committee, and two (2) members, elected by the General Assembly, with a five-year term of office. The Publications Committee is in charge of the publications and the website of the "Community", it renders an opinion on any matter concerning the publications of the "Community", makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on the prices and the manner of their distribution, and reviews the objections of "Community" members concerning the works under publication.
c) The Audit Committee, consisting of three (3) full members elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term of office. The Audit Committee controls the management of the "Community's" finances and the expenditures of the Symposia in accordance with legislation in force, these Statutes and the "Community's” Internal Regulations. The Audit Committee may request from the Chair of the Board of Directors or the Treasurer any information concerning the management of resources and assets and the financial management of the "Community” in general, and to inspect the records (books) and data of the "Community", copies of the bank statements and any other document. If it finds irregularities in the management or a violation of the law, of these Statutes or of the "Community’s” Internal Regulations, it shall instruct the Board of Directors to remedy them and, in case of non-compliance, it shall request the convening of an extraordinary General Assembly of full members and may recommend the appointment of a certified auditor-accountant. The Chair of the Audit Committee, or another member of that Committee appointed by the Chair, attends the annual General Assembly of full members and the extraordinary ones called by the Audit Committee itself, makes recommendations on the topics under discussion and provides any relevant information.
18.2 In the event that the Honorary Members Committee has not elected, for whatever reason, and until it has elected a Chair and members of the Executive Committee and the Publications Committee, these Committees shall be constituted and meet validly only with the members elected by the General Assembly.
18.3 In all other respects, Article 12 of these Statutes shall apply mutatis mutandis to the constitution and meetings of the Committees.
19. Resources and assets of the "Community"
19.1 The resources of the "Community" are:
a) The dues and ad hoc contributions of full members and dues of honorary members and, when established, the registration fees of new members.
b) The proceeds from the development and exploitation of the movable and immovable assets of the "Community" and the consideration for its concession or sale.
c) Revenue from grants or other financial aid.
d) Inheritances, legacies, donations and sponsorships.
19.2 The management of resources and assets may not be entrusted to a committee or any other body other than the Board of Directors.
19.3 All assets and income of the "Community" belong to it, and no member has any right or claim to them.
20. Financial issues
20.1 The financial year shall coincide with the calendar year, except for the first one beginning with the registration of the "Community" in the books of the Court of First Instance and ending on 31 December of the same year.
20.2 The Chair of the Board of Directors shall open a bank account under the name of the “Community” which shall be jointly managed by the Chair and the Treasurer. All cheques, remittances and other means of payment will be issued and executed only using the above bank account and will be valid only if they bear the signatures of both the Chair and the Treasurer.
20.3 The Chair of the Board of Directors and the Treasurer jointly, following a decision of the Board of Directors, may open another bank account under the name of the "Community" in Greece or abroad specifically for the collection and management of the costs of participation or appearing at Symposia.
20.4 A numbered receipt shall be issued by the Treasurer for any collected amount and that amount shall be deposited in the bank account of the “Community”.
20.5 The budget, annual report and balance sheet of each year shall be prepared by the Board of Directors with the assistance of a competent accountant, and submitted by the Chair of the Board of Directors to the Audit Committee at least thirty (30) days before the annual (ordinary) General Assembly, in order for the Audit Committee to prepare its financial report on them and submit it to the annual (ordinary) General Assembly.
21. Resignation of a member
21.1 Any full, honorary or meritorious member may submit their resignation to the Board of Directors, which shall be valid automatically for the future and irrespective of its acceptance.
21.2 The resignation shall be submitted in writing, shall be irrevocable and shall result in the suspension of the member and the permanent withdrawal of the resigning member from the "Community". The submission of the resignation does not release the member from the obligation to pay the annual membership fees due at the time of resignation.
21.3 A member who has resigned is not permitted to apply to become a member again.
22. Expulsion of a member
22.1 The General Assembly of full members may expel a full or meritorious member for good cause with the consent of the Board of Directors, upon the request of at least one third (1/3) of the full membership of the "Community”.
22.2 The General Assembly of full members may expel an honorary member only for good cause with the consent of the Executive Committee, upon the request of the Honorary Membership Committee or at least one half (1/2) of the honorary members of the "Community".
22.3 Good cause means in particular:
a) Non-payment of the annual dues for at least three (3) years.
b) Any culpable conduct which hinders the functioning of “Community” bodies or the fulfilment of its objects or which compromises the good standing of the “Community” or its full and honorary members.
c) The unjustified absence of full members from General Assemblies and of honorary members from the Honorary Members Committee for a period exceeding two (2) years, and the non-participation of honorary members in two (2) consecutive Symposia.
22.4 Before rendering their opinion on the existence of grounds for expulsion, the Board of Directors or Executive Committee shall invite respectively the full or meritorious member and the honorary member whose expulsion is being considered to allow them to present their views in writing and to provide evidence in their defence.
22.5 The decision to expel shall be taken at a special meeting of the General Assembly of full members by secret ballot and by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of full members present at the Assembly, provided that a majority of the full members of the "Community” who are entitled to vote are present. Exceptionally, no proxy voting shall be permitted at this meeting. The invitation to attend the meeting will state that the topic of expulsion of a particular member will be discussed and will be accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
23. Amendments to the Statutes
23.1 These Statutes may be amended by decision of the General Assembly of full members, taken by open ballot requiring a majority of three-quarters (3/4) of the full members present or represented at the Assembly, provided that a majority of the full members of the “Community” are present at such Meeting.
23.2 Specifically, Articles 1 and 4-8 may be amended by a decision of the General Assembly of full members, taken by a vote in open ballot and by a three-quarter (3/4) majority of all the full members of the "Community".
24. Dissolution
24.1 The "Community" shall be dissolved under circumstances specified by law.
24.2 It shall also be dissolved by decision of the General Assembly of full members, taken at a special session, by open ballot and by a majority of three-quarters (3/4) of the full members present at the meeting, provided that a majority of the full members of the "Community” are present at such meeting. Voting by proxy is not permitted at this Assembly. The invitation to participate in this Assembly will state that the topic of dissolution will be discussed and the relevant proposal of the Board of Directors will be attached.
24.3 Upon dissolution of the "Community", the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors shall be appointed as liquidators and, if they are absent, unable or refuse to act as liquidators, other full members shall be appointed as liquidators by the General Assembly. The liquidators will have the powers necessary for the liquidation and, at the end of the liquidation, will submit a report on it to the Senate of the Academy of Athens.
24.4 The real property and anything else remaining after the liquidation shall be transferred to the Academy of Athens to fulfil the objects of the "Community".
25. Invitations, announcements and notices
25.1 Invitations, announcements and notices of any kind to members of the "Community" shall be made in a timely manner in one of the following manners:
a) by email to the email address indicated by the member, or
b) by sending a registered letter to the address indicated by the member.
25.2 Invitations and announcements specifically addressed to full members may also be made by announcement to the Plenary Session of the Academy of Athens.
26. Emblem, flag and seal
26.1 The "Community" may use an emblem and flag, provided that these are approved by a decision of the General Assembly, following a proposal of the Board of Directors.
26.2 The "Community" shall have a seal bearing its name and any emblem and shall be in such form and shape as the Board of Directors shall determine.
27. Approval and entry into force of the Statutes
These Statutes, consisting of twenty-seven (27) articles, have been approved by the Academy of Athens and the other founding members, who have signed them, and will come into force with the registration of the Association in the books of the Athens Court of First Instance.
