SECTION 1: Principal Office
The registered office of the International Xenotransplantation Association (the “Association”) shall be that of The Transplantation Society (the “Society”), located in the City of Dover, County of Kent, State of Delaware, USA, and a registered agent in charge thereof shall be appointed by Council.
SECTION 2: Other Offices
The Association, through the Society, may also have offices at such places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Council of the Society may from time to time determine or the business of the Society may require.
SECTION 1: Categories of Membership
There shall be five categories of membership—Full, Associate, Trainee, Emeritus, and Honorary.
Full Members shall be investigators in the broad field of xenotransplantation who have contributed by their work to the advancement of knowledge in the field. A requirement of Full Membership is that the person must be a Member of the Society. Full Members shall be eligible to vote at the Business Meetings of the Association and to be an Officer or Councilor of the Association.
Associate Members shall be persons with an interest in xenotransplantation who do no wish, or are ineligible, to be Members of the Society. Associate Members shall have no voting rights and shall be ineligible to be an Officer or Councilor of the Association. Full Members of the Society are ineligible to be Associate Members of the Association.
Trainee Members shall be persons with an interest in xenotransplantation who are in training positions (which must be confirmed by the signature of their supervisor), and who may or may not be Trainee Members of the Society. Trainee Members shall be eligible to vote at the Business Meetings of the Association except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws, but shall be ineligible to be an Officer or Councilor of the Association.
Emeritus Members shall be Full Members who have attained the age of 65 years and have retired from practice in the field of transplantation and who formally request emeritus membership. Emeritus members shall be eligible to vote at the Business Meetings of the Association except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws but shall be ineligible to be an Officer or Councilor of the Association. Emeritus members shall be exempt from payment of annual membership dues.
Honorary Members shall be persons who have made major contributions to the field of xenotransplantation, and need not necessarily be members of the Association. Honorary members shall have the rights of Full Members of the Association and shall be eligible to be an Officer or Councilor of the Association but are exempt from payment of annual membership dues.
SECTION 2: Selection of Members
Any Member of the Society may apply to become a Full Member of the Association by submitting a written application to the Secretary. Any person who is not a Member of the Society may apply to become an Associate or Trainee Member of the Association by submitting to the Secretary a written application supported by the signature of one Full Member. The Secretary shall transmit the application to the Council. The Council, by a vote of a majority of its members, shall approve Full Members, Associate Members, Trainee Members, and Emeritus Members. Honorary Members shall be proposed, seconded and elected by a majority vote of the Full Members of the Association at a Business Meeting of the Association.
SECTION 3: Privileges and Obligations of Members
Every Member shall have the right to attend and participate in Business Meetings of the Association. The privileges of Members with regard to participation in scientific sessions of the International Congresses of the Association, the submission of papers and other matters shall be established by the Council. All Members, except Honorary and Emeritus Members, shall pay dues in such amounts and for such periods as the Council shall from time to time decide. Any Member who fails to pay dues for one year will be removed from the Association at the Council meeting of the first year for which payment has not been received. As a condition of membership, all Members shall adhere to the published ethical guidelines of the TTS and IXA.
SECTION 4: Termination of Membership
Any Membership can be terminated by the Council for conduct which in the sole judgment of the Council is injurious to the interests and welfare of the Association. Such termination shall require a two-thirds vote of the Council after the Member in question is afforded an opportunity to appear before the Council and appeal for continuance of Membership.
SECTION 1: Business Meetings
These meetings shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined at the prior meeting, or failing such determination, at such time and place as the Council may fix. In general, it is understood that meetings will take place during the Association’s biennial International Congresses and during the Society’s biennial International Congresses.
SECTION 2: Quorum - Action of Members
Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Society, the presence in person at any meeting of 20 Full Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present at the beginning of the meeting, a quorum shall be deemed throughout the meeting for all purposes.
At any meeting at which a quorum is present, a majority of the votes properly cast upon any question shall decide the question, except in any case where a larger vote is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Society, these bylaws or otherwise.
SECTION 3: Votes
Each Full, Trainee, Honorary and Emeritus Member shall be entitled to one vote upon each question submitted to a vote of the Members.
SECTION 4: Proxy Voting
Each Member entitled to vote at a meeting of Members or to express consent to an action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such Member by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A Member may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.
SECTION 5: Conduct of Meetings
The President, or in his/her absence the President-Elect, or in his/her absence, a chairman selected by the Full Members present, shall preside at meetings of the Members. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep records of any meeting of Members. In the absence of the Secretary-Treasurer, the presiding officer may appoint a secretary pro tem.
SECTION 6: Notice
Notice of the place, if any, date, hour, and means of remote communication, if any, of every meeting of Members shall be given by the Association not less than ten days nor more than 60 days before the meeting (unless a different time is specified by law) to every Member entitled to vote at the meeting. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to Members, notice of meetings may be given to Members by means of electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law.
SECTION 1: Management of the Association
The business and property of the Association shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors which shall be designated the Council of the Association.
SECTION 2: Members of the Council; Election
The Council shall be composed of 3 Officers, namely a President, a President-Elect, and a Secretary-Treasurer, and 6 Councilors. The Council shall contain at least one member from each of 3 areas: Europe, the Americas, and Asia/Oceania. Each shall be a Full or Honorary Member at the time of his/her nomination, election and during his/her term of office. The President-Elect shall succeed to the office of President upon completion by the President of his/her term in office or upon any earlier vacancy in the office of the President. The election of Councilors and Officers, other than the President, shall be by written ballot and shall be decided by a majority of the votes properly cast by all Full, Trainee, Emeritus and Honorary Members. The current President of The Transplantation Society (or his/her designee), the immediate past president of the Association and the IXA Ethics and Vanguard Committee Chairs shall be ex officio non-voting members of IXA Council during their term of office.
SECTION 3: Term of Office; Classification
The President and President-Elect shall serve for 2 years and until their successors are installed in office, which shall occur as the last item of business at the meeting of Members at which their successors are elected. They may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve for 4 years and until the end of the meeting of Members at which his/her successor is elected. He/she may not succeed himself/herself in a consecutive term.
Councilors shall serve for 4 years and until their successors are installed in office, which shall occur as the last item of business at the meeting of Members at which their successors are elected. The Councilors shall be divided into two classes of three each. The terms of the classes shall be staggered at 2-year intervals with three Councilors being elected at each election. Councilors may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term.
SECTION 4: Vacancies
A vacancy in the Council may be filled at the discretion of the remaining members of the Council for the balance of the original term. The person appointed in these circumstances would be eligible as a candidate for election to the same or any other office at the next election of Officers and Councilors.
SECTION 5: President
The President shall be chief executive officer of the Association. Subject to the directions of the Council, he/she shall have and exercise direct charge of and general supervision over the business and affairs of the Association and shall perform all duties incident to the office of a president of a corporation, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the Council.
SECTION 6: President-Elect
The President-Elect shall have and exercise such powers and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him/her by the Council, or as may be delegated to him/her by the President.
SECTION 7: Secretary-Treasurer
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Council. He/she shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of law and these bylaws. He/she shall keep the membership records of the Association and shall make and keep lists of the membership of committees of the Council and the Association, which lists he/she shall make available on request to the Members. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have charge and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and authorized disbursements of the Association, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Association, all Monies or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by the Council. He/she shall render to the President and to the Council, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Association; and shall in any event report annually to the Council and shall submit financial statements certified by independent public accountants chosen by the Council to the Council and Members at each regular meeting of Members. In general, he/she shall perform all duties incident to the offices of a secretary and a treasurer of a corporation, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the Council.
SECTION 8: Compensation
Councilors and elected Officers of the Association shall not receive compensation for their services.
SECTION 9: Resignation and Removal
Any Officer or Councilor may resign his/her office by giving written notice to the President or the Secretary-Treasurer. Resignations shall be effective upon receipt by the President or the Secretary-Treasurer or at such later time as is therein specified. Any Officer or Councilor may be removed for cause by a vote of two thirds of the Council members then in office or by vote of a majority of Full Members.
SECTION 10: Meetings
Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at such times and such places as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Council. In general, it is anticipated that the Council will meet annually. Special meetings of the Council may be held at any time or place upon the call of the President or of any 4 Council members. Notice of meetings shall be given in writing and mailed to each member of the Council not less than 14 days before such meeting. Meetings may be held at any time and place without notice if all members of the Council are present or if those not present shall, before or after the meeting, waive notice thereof. The Council may meet by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
SECTION 11: Action by Consent
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of Council or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the Council or committee consent thereto in writing. All written consents and any dissenting views shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Council or committee as the case may be.
SECTION 12: Quorum
A majority of the Council and the President shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SECTION 13: Central Business Office
The Association shall have a permanent Central Business Office, the place and supervision of which shall be at the discretion of Council of the Association. The Central Business Office shall be the custodian of all contracts, assignments and other legal documents and records of the Association. It shall undertake such duties as are assigned to it by Council.
SECTION 1: Committees
The Council may appoint committees of its members from time to time to do such things and have such powers and serve upon such terms as the resolution establishing the committee shall provide.
SECTION 1: Nominations of Officers and Councilors
At least 6 months but not greater than 12 months before the Business Meeting of Members to be held at the time of the biennial International Congress, the Secretary-Treasurer shall send to each Member a notice stating the offices among the elected Officers and the Councilors to be filled by elections and requesting submission of nominations in writing to fill such vacancies. The deadline for receipt of nominations shall not be less than 1 month from the date of the request for nominations. A person shall be nominated if his/her name is submitted by a writing or writings signed by at least 2 Full Members, who should also submit a five line summary of the nominee’s curriculum vitae and include the nominee’s written acceptance to stand for election.
SECTION 1: Execution of Checks, Notes, etc.
All checks and drafts drawn upon the Association’s bank accounts and all bills of exchange and promissory notes, and all acceptances, obligations, and other instruments for the payment of money, shall be signed by such Officer or Officers, agent or agents, as shall be thereunto authorized from time to time by the Council, which may in its discretion authorize any such signature to be by facsimile.
SECTION 2: xecution of Contracts, assignments, etc.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 1 of this Article IX, all contracts, agreements, endorsements, assignments, transfers, stock powers, or other instruments shall be signed by the President, or the President-Elect, or the Secretary-Treasurer, provided, however, that the Council may in its discretion, require any or all of such instruments to be signed by any two or more of such Officers, or may permit any or all such instruments to be signed by such other agent or agents as it shall thereunto authorize from time to time.
Whenever any notice is required to be given by law, or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Society or of these bylaws, such notice may be waived in a writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or by his/her attorney or attorney’s thereunto authorized, whether before or after the event or action to which such notice relates.
SECTION 1: For purposes of this Article XI:
SECTION 2:
Subject to the operation of Article XI, Section 3 of these bylaws, each Councilor and each Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Society to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Society to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Society to provide prior to such amendment), and to the extent authorized in subsections (i) through (iv) of this Article XI, Section 2.
SECTION 3: Advancement of Expenses to Councilors Prior to Final Disposition
SECTION 4: Advancement of Expenses to Officers Prior to Final Disposition
SECTION 5: Contractual Nature of Rights
SECTION 6:
The rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses set forth in this Section 5 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Councilor, Officer, or Non-Officer Employee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate or these By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Councilors or otherwise.
SECTION 7:
The Society may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Councilor or Officer against any liability of any character asserted against or incurred by the Society or any such Councilor or Officer, or arising out of any such person’s Corporate Status, whether or not the Society would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of this Article XI.
SECTION 8:
The Society may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Councilor or Officer against any liability of any character asserted against or incurred by the Society or any such Councilor or Officer, or arising out of any such person’s Corporate Status, whether or not the Society would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of this Article XI. The Society’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or provide advancement of Expenses to any person under this Article XI as a result of such person serving, at the request of the Society, as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or enterprise (the “Primary Indemnitor”). Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Article XI owed by the Society as a result of a person serving, at the request of the Society, as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall only be in excess of, and shall be secondary to, the indemnification or advancement of Expenses available from the applicable Primary Indemnitor(s) and any applicable insurance policies.
International Xenotransplantation Association
C/O The Transplantation Society
International Headquarters
740 Notre-Dame Ouest
Suite 1245
Montréal, QC, H3C 3X6
Canada