Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections, Inc. (PNMCC)
STATUTES AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME
STATUTES AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the organization shall be Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections Inc. (PNMCC).
ARTICLE II
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
The Network was organized through the sponsorship of DOST-PCASTRD and initially composed of the following culture collections: Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms, UPLB, College, Laguna; UP Culture Collection, Natural Sciences Research Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City; Bacterial Germ-plasm Collection, International Rice Research Institute, College, Laguna; and Microbial Culture Collection, Museum of Natural History, UPLB, College, Laguna and hereby referred to as the Network.
ARTICLE III
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS
The official headquarters of the Network shall be at the Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM), National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philip-pines at Los Banos (UPLB), College, Laguna.
ARTICLE IV
AFFILIATION
AFFILIATION
Any culture collection irrespective of size or geographical location may seek affiliation with the PNMCC.
ARTICLE V
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES
The general objectives of the Network shall be:
- To provide a permanent secretariat for member Philippine culture collections and central contact point for Philippine scientists and any institution seeking advice and information on microbi-ological materials and on culture collection-related matters;
- To establish an effective liaison between individuals and organizations concerned with culture collections and among the users of the cultures;
- To collect information on the strains and services offered by the various culture collections;
- To publicize the resources within the culture collections in terms of materials and scientific ex-pertise by preparing printed and visual materials for distribution as well as producing informative literature for scientifically and industrially oriented publications;
- To encourage the study of procedures for the isolation, culture, characterization, conservation, and distribution of microorganisms and to make known the most recommendable methods through trainings;
- To promote the training of personnel for the operation of culture collections;
- To promote the establishment of a national data service concerned with the location of, and infor-mation about, microorganisms maintained in culture collections and to publish a Philippine Di-rectory of Culture Collections and a list of species maintained.
ARTICLE VI
ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
The activities of the Network shall be conducted through the General Assembly, composed of all members and the Board of Directors of the Network.
ARTICLE VII
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors hereby, referred to as the “Board”, shall be the managing body and shall consist of ten members: seven officers and three board members elected by the General Assembly. The Board shall promote the objectives of the Network as defined in ARTICLE V hereof.
Section 2. Qualifications. The officers to be elected must be of legal age and members of the Network. The composition of the Board shall preferably reflect the various interests of the membership of the Network.
Section 3. Disqualification. No member convicted by final judgment of an offense punishable by imprison-ment for a period exceeding six (6) years or a violation of the Corporation Code of the Philippines commit-ted within (5) years prior to the date of his/her election or appointment, shall qualify as an officer.
Section 4. Composition of the Board. The Board shall consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager and Public Relations Officer (PRO) and three board members. The officers shall be elected by the Board from among themselves. Offices may be combined temporarily at the discretion of the Board.
Section 5. Election. Members of the Board shall be elected by plurality vote during the annual General Assembly.
Section 6. Term of Office. The word “term” refers to the time elapsing between successive regular General Assemblies. At the first election, four members shall be elected for one term, three for two terms and three for three terms based on the number of votes. No officer may serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms.
Section 7. Vacancies. Vacancies, which may occur in-between meetings of the General Assembly, may be filled from the general membership at the discretion of the remaining members of the Board through a resolution.
Section 2. Qualifications. The officers to be elected must be of legal age and members of the Network. The composition of the Board shall preferably reflect the various interests of the membership of the Network.
Section 3. Disqualification. No member convicted by final judgment of an offense punishable by imprison-ment for a period exceeding six (6) years or a violation of the Corporation Code of the Philippines commit-ted within (5) years prior to the date of his/her election or appointment, shall qualify as an officer.
Section 4. Composition of the Board. The Board shall consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager and Public Relations Officer (PRO) and three board members. The officers shall be elected by the Board from among themselves. Offices may be combined temporarily at the discretion of the Board.
Section 5. Election. Members of the Board shall be elected by plurality vote during the annual General Assembly.
Section 6. Term of Office. The word “term” refers to the time elapsing between successive regular General Assemblies. At the first election, four members shall be elected for one term, three for two terms and three for three terms based on the number of votes. No officer may serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms.
Section 7. Vacancies. Vacancies, which may occur in-between meetings of the General Assembly, may be filled from the general membership at the discretion of the remaining members of the Board through a resolution.
ARTICLE VIII
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE BOARD
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE BOARD
Section 1. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Network. He/she shall pre-side at the meetings of the General Assembly of the Network and at the meetings of the Board.
The President shall execute all resolutions of the Board. He/she shall direct and oversee the activities of the Network. He/she shall present to the general membership a complete report of the activities and operations of the Network at the close of the fiscal year.
Section 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and shall perform duties that may be assigned by the Board.
Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary shall give all notices required by these by-laws, record and keep the minutes of the meetings of the General Assembly and of the Board. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the Network and affix such seal to any paper or document requiring the same. He/she shall have custody of the members’ register and the correspondence files of the Network. He/she shall also perform all other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the administration of the finances of the Net-work. He/she shall be authorized to receive monies in behalf of the Network and to pay such debts as may be incurred in the work of the Network from time to time. He/she shall keep and have charge of the books of accounts. He/she shall furnish and present a financial report and audited balance sheet to the General Assembly during its annual meeting. The Treasurer shall keep all monies and other valuables of the Net-work in banks as designated by the Board. He/she shall also perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 5. Auditor. The Auditor shall audit the finances and shall furnish an audited balance sheet to the Treasurer. He/she shall also perform other duties and work as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 6. Public Relations Officer (PRO) . The PRO shall be generally responsible for the maintenance of effective liaison between the Board and the members of the Network. He/she shall be in charge of the pro-motion of the activities of the Network. He/she shall take charge of the publication of the Network’s news-letters, bulletins and other similar information materials. He/she shall also perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 7. Business Manager. The Business Manager shall contact prospective subscribers and advertisers for the Network’s publication. He/she shall coordinate fund-raising activities of the Network. He/she shall also perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 8. Board Members. They shall perform duties assigned by the Board.
The President shall execute all resolutions of the Board. He/she shall direct and oversee the activities of the Network. He/she shall present to the general membership a complete report of the activities and operations of the Network at the close of the fiscal year.
Section 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and shall perform duties that may be assigned by the Board.
Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary shall give all notices required by these by-laws, record and keep the minutes of the meetings of the General Assembly and of the Board. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the Network and affix such seal to any paper or document requiring the same. He/she shall have custody of the members’ register and the correspondence files of the Network. He/she shall also perform all other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the administration of the finances of the Net-work. He/she shall be authorized to receive monies in behalf of the Network and to pay such debts as may be incurred in the work of the Network from time to time. He/she shall keep and have charge of the books of accounts. He/she shall furnish and present a financial report and audited balance sheet to the General Assembly during its annual meeting. The Treasurer shall keep all monies and other valuables of the Net-work in banks as designated by the Board. He/she shall also perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 5. Auditor. The Auditor shall audit the finances and shall furnish an audited balance sheet to the Treasurer. He/she shall also perform other duties and work as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 6. Public Relations Officer (PRO) . The PRO shall be generally responsible for the maintenance of effective liaison between the Board and the members of the Network. He/she shall be in charge of the pro-motion of the activities of the Network. He/she shall take charge of the publication of the Network’s news-letters, bulletins and other similar information materials. He/she shall also perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 7. Business Manager. The Business Manager shall contact prospective subscribers and advertisers for the Network’s publication. He/she shall coordinate fund-raising activities of the Network. He/she shall also perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Section 8. Board Members. They shall perform duties assigned by the Board.
ARTICLE IX
SIGNATURES AND CERTIFICATION
SIGNATURES AND CERTIFICATION
Section 1. Contracts and Legal Documents. Contracts and legal documents, other than those involved in the payment of accounts or other disbursement of funds, shall be signed by the President and another elected member, after approval of the Board.
Section 2. Checks. Payment of accounts or other disbursement of Network funds shall bear the signature of the Treasurer and countersigned by the President.
Section 2. Checks. Payment of accounts or other disbursement of Network funds shall bear the signature of the Treasurer and countersigned by the President.
ARTICLE X
MEETINGS
MEETINGS
Section 1. General Assembly. The General Assembly shall be held annually preferably in November at a time and place determined by the Board. The President and Treasurer shall present their annual and finan-cial reports, respectively, to the members. The election of the Board shall also be held during this meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings of the Members. Special meetings of the members shall be called, as the need arises, by the Board or the President or upon petition of 1/3 of the general membership.
Section 3. Regular Board Meetings. The Board shall hold quarterly meetings at the time and place deter-mined by the Board.
Section 4. Special Board Meetings. The Board shall hold special meetings as needed at the time and place determined by the Board.
Section 5. Notices. Notices of the time and place of the General Assembly meeting and special meetings of the members shall be given either personally or by mail, at least two (2) weeks before the date set for such a meeting. The notice of every special meeting shall state briefly the purpose or purposes of the meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings of the Members. Special meetings of the members shall be called, as the need arises, by the Board or the President or upon petition of 1/3 of the general membership.
Section 3. Regular Board Meetings. The Board shall hold quarterly meetings at the time and place deter-mined by the Board.
Section 4. Special Board Meetings. The Board shall hold special meetings as needed at the time and place determined by the Board.
Section 5. Notices. Notices of the time and place of the General Assembly meeting and special meetings of the members shall be given either personally or by mail, at least two (2) weeks before the date set for such a meeting. The notice of every special meeting shall state briefly the purpose or purposes of the meeting.
ARTICLE XI
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Types of Membership and Qualifications. Membership in the PNMCC shall be of three types: ordinary, affiliate, and sustaining. Ordinary membership shall be open to any individual interested in culture collections. Affiliate membership shall be open to culture collections, to be represented by an individual, usually the curator or equivalent. Admission as affiliate members shall be determined by the Board. Sus-taining membership shall be open to individuals or organizations who espouse the cause of the Network. Sustaining members shall have the rights and privileges of the Network, except the rights to vote and to hold office.
Membership shall be on a national basis. There shall be no restriction on the number of members from any one institution or organization.
Section 2. Subscriptions and Donations. The subscription for membership to the Network shall be deter-mined from time to time by the General Assembly of the Network, on advice from the Board. A minimum subscription rate shall be defined for any particular period. Members may elect to subscribe above the mini-mum rate according to their individual means.
The Network may receive donations, which shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Network.
Section 3. Rights and Privileges of Members. All members shall have the following rights and privileges.
a. Participation in the affairs of the Network, except where otherwise stated in the Stat-utes and By-Laws;
b. Right to vote on all matters relating to the affairs of the Network;
c. Eligibility to any elective or appointive office of the Network;
d. Participation in all the General Assembly and special meetings of the members;
e. Availment of the newsletter and publications of the Network. These shall be received either gratis or at a privileged rate to be determined by the financial status of the Network;
f. Examination of all the records or books of the Network during business hours.
Section 4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Members. A member shall have the following duties and responsibilities.
a. Compliance with the Statutes and By-laws, rules, and regulations promulgated by the Network;
b. Attendance to all meetings of the Network;
c. Payment of membership dues and other assessments of the Network;
d. Refraining from using his/her connection with the Network to further the interest of his/her, or any other, organization except as provided for in the Statutes.
Section 5. Application for Membership and Notices of Resignation. Applications for membership or no-tices of resignation shall be made in writing to the Secretary of the Network. Applications for membership shall be accompanied by information provided on a form prescribed by the Network and obtainable from the office of the Secretary of the Network.
Section 6. Suspension, Expulsion, and Termination. Suspension, expulsion, and termination of membership shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Network.
Any member of the Network may file charges against a member by filing a written complaint with the Secretary of the Network. The Board shall call a special meeting to consider the charges. The affirmative vote of all the board members shall be necessary to suspend a member. Where the penalty is expulsion, the affirmative vote of the majority of the general membership shall be required.
Membership shall be on a national basis. There shall be no restriction on the number of members from any one institution or organization.
Section 2. Subscriptions and Donations. The subscription for membership to the Network shall be deter-mined from time to time by the General Assembly of the Network, on advice from the Board. A minimum subscription rate shall be defined for any particular period. Members may elect to subscribe above the mini-mum rate according to their individual means.
The Network may receive donations, which shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Network.
Section 3. Rights and Privileges of Members. All members shall have the following rights and privileges.
a. Participation in the affairs of the Network, except where otherwise stated in the Stat-utes and By-Laws;
b. Right to vote on all matters relating to the affairs of the Network;
c. Eligibility to any elective or appointive office of the Network;
d. Participation in all the General Assembly and special meetings of the members;
e. Availment of the newsletter and publications of the Network. These shall be received either gratis or at a privileged rate to be determined by the financial status of the Network;
f. Examination of all the records or books of the Network during business hours.
Section 4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Members. A member shall have the following duties and responsibilities.
a. Compliance with the Statutes and By-laws, rules, and regulations promulgated by the Network;
b. Attendance to all meetings of the Network;
c. Payment of membership dues and other assessments of the Network;
d. Refraining from using his/her connection with the Network to further the interest of his/her, or any other, organization except as provided for in the Statutes.
Section 5. Application for Membership and Notices of Resignation. Applications for membership or no-tices of resignation shall be made in writing to the Secretary of the Network. Applications for membership shall be accompanied by information provided on a form prescribed by the Network and obtainable from the office of the Secretary of the Network.
Section 6. Suspension, Expulsion, and Termination. Suspension, expulsion, and termination of membership shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Network.
Any member of the Network may file charges against a member by filing a written complaint with the Secretary of the Network. The Board shall call a special meeting to consider the charges. The affirmative vote of all the board members shall be necessary to suspend a member. Where the penalty is expulsion, the affirmative vote of the majority of the general membership shall be required.
ARTICLE XIII
APPEALS
APPEALS
Appeals against any decisions of the Board or Network may be made in writing to the Secretary by a mini-mum of twenty-five percent of the general membership. Recommendations on such appeals shall be made by the Board to the General Assembly.
ARTICLE XIV
COMMITTEES
COMMITTEES
The Board shall establish such committees as may be requested from time to time by the General Assembly. The Board shall have the power to determine the terms of reference of such committees unless otherwise defined by the General Assembly, and shall have the power to dissolve any committees when, in the opinion of the Board, the task of the committee has been accomplished or if the committee has ceased to function effectively. In the latter case, the Board may, at its discretion, reconstitute the committee and report its action to the next meeting of the General Assembly.
ARTICLE XV
FUND
FUND
Section 1. Funds. The funds of the network shall be derived from membership fees, annual dues and dona-tions.
Section 2. Disbursements. Withdrawal from the funds of the Network, whether by check or any other instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President as stated in ARTICLE IX, Section 2. If necessary, the Board may designate other signatories.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Network shall be from November to October of the following year.
Section 2. Disbursements. Withdrawal from the funds of the Network, whether by check or any other instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President as stated in ARTICLE IX, Section 2. If necessary, the Board may designate other signatories.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Network shall be from November to October of the following year.
ARTICLE XVI
CORPORATE SEAL
CORPORATE SEAL
The corporate seal of the Network shall be in such form and design as may be determined by the Board.
ARTICLE XVII
AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTES AND BY-LAWS
AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTES AND BY-LAWS
These Statutes and By-laws, or any provision thereof, may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of the general membership at any regular or special meeting duly held for the purpose.