1.CONGRESSES
A. (UP TO 2011)
a) Organization of EAACI Congresses
The organization of EAACI Congresses up to and including 2011 is assigned by the EAACI Executive Committee (ExCom) to a National Member Society of EAACI. All congresses until 2011 have already been assigned. In the event of any event, political or otherwise, that may result in a city/country/venue to be viewed as inappropriate, the EAACI Executive Committee may change both country and venue for any of these congresses, or may cancel the congress. Any such decision shall be made by the EAACI Executive Committee.
The organization of any EAACI Congress is regulated by a contract between EAACI and the national society, who together nominate a LOC, approved by the EAACI Executive Committee.
The LOC proposes the place and date of the congress but these are subject to approval by the EAACI ExCom. The responsibilities of the LOC are laid out below The LOC is aided and advised in its work by the EAACI Scientific Programme Committee. The work of the LOC will be regulated by a contract between EAACI and and the National Society (societies).
b) Denomination, Venue, Languages
The denomination of the congress must be worded as follows: EAACI “YEAR” Congress.
On the letter-head paper, circulars and programs, the official emblem of EAACI must be used with the exclusion of all others, together with a unique emblem of the congress, which will need to be approved by the EAACI Executive Committee. No emblem of another organization should be used.
The congress facilities should have a minimum capacity of 7,000 participants. 8 - 12 large to medium-sized rooms should be available for scientific sessions. Small rooms for committee meetings, secretariat and hospitality suites should be conveniently located.
An area for a commercial exhibition, allowing a minimum of 2,000m2 rentable space, should be available close to the congress facilities.
The official language of EAACI congresses is English.
B. CONGRESSES FROM 2012 ONWARDS
a) Assignment of EAACI Congresses
For 2012 and subsequent years, the location of EAACI Congresses will be assigned by the EAACI Executive Committee (ExCom). During its term of office, each ExCom shall be responsible for assigning two congresses, 5-6 years in advance. Any member of the ExCom may suggest a candidate city. Site visits to candidate cities shall be made by a site visit team led by the VP-congresses or his agreed deputy. The VP-congresses shall present the information obtained at the site visit to the ExCom. This presentation should include a detailed and realistic description of the proposed Congress (venue, date, congress facilities, accommodation, transfers, financial plan).
b) Denomination, Venue, Languages
The denomination of the congress must be worded as follows: “European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress”, followed by the year the meeting is held.
The host city should be easily accessible and have adequate hotel and transportation facilities.
The congress facilities should have a total minimum capacity of 7,000 participants. The main two halls should accommodate at least 3,500 and 1500 participants for the clinical and basic plenary sessions. In special cases, this may be extended by internal video transmission. Three additional halls should accommodate at least 500 persons each. In addition, 5 medium-sized (more than 200 seats) to 5 small-medium-sized rooms (50-200 seats) should be available for scientific sessions. 6-8 smaller (20-50 seats) rooms for committee meetings, secretariat and hospitality suites should be conveniently located.
An area for a commercial exhibition, allowing a minimum of 1,400 m2 rentable space, should be available close to the congress facilities. These figures should be revised periodically according to the size of future congresses.
The official language of EAACI congresses is English. All invitation materials and programs must be published in English. Satellite sessions in local language are permissible, but should not overlap or compete with the main programme.
c) EAACI Congress Committees
The EAACI Congress Committees have the ultimate responsibility for the development of congress and consists of two parts: Administrative Congress Committee (ACC) and the Scientific Programme Committee (SPC).
d) Scientific Programme Committee
The SPC consists of the SPC Co-ordinator, President, Secretary General, Vice President for Congresses, Past President, the secretaries of the EAACI sections, the chairman of the EAACI interest groups and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman and secretary (or their nominated deputy) of each of four consecutive EAACI congresses (the current year’s congress, the next congress which is being programd and the following two congresses). In addition, two additional members of the LOC should be co-opted to the SPC in order to ensure an appropriate involvement of local and regional speakers. The Executive Director is an adjunct member of the SPC. The work of the SPC is organized and coordinated by the SPC Co-ordinator who also chairs the SPC. The SPC Co-ordinator is appointed by the Executive Committee for a term of two years, which may be preceded by a year acting as Assistant SPC Co-ordinator, in order to learn the duties of the SPC Co-ordinator role.
The SPC is responsible for:
1. Scientific aspects of the Congress
a. Collating proposals from the membership and the various scientific bodies within EAACI to form a scientific programme.
b. The receipt, selection and organization of the abstracts of posters and free communication
c. The editing and printing of a Second Announcement 8 months before the congress, and the Abstract CD and Book.
2. Programs and Publicity
a. The SPC is responsible for: Preparing the Second Announcement including Registration and Abstract forms with the help of professional congress organizer (PCO). The 2nd Announcement should also include the main subjects to be discussed and, if possible, the names of the invited speakers as well as the main social activities.
b. The Final Programme is prepared by a delegated subgroup of the SPC and PCO.
c. Interaction with the founder sponsors and other sponsors in terms of any request in programme related matters
d. Both the Second Announcement and Final Programme must be reviewed by the ACC prior to printing.
e. All programs must be published in English.
e) Administrative Congress Committee
The ACC is chaired by the Vice-President for Congresses, and consists of the EAACI Treasurer, EAACI Executive Director, one Executive Representative of Professional Congress Organizer, LOC chair and LOC secretary. The ACC will liaise with the Vice President Communication and Vice President Education for areas which are in their direct responsibility, such as matters that involve publicity, membership, communication, CME credits.
The ACC is responsible for:
1. approving the publicity material necessary for the success of the Congress (information to various medical journals, national institutions, etc.).
2. approving and distributing the Invitation Programme (Second Announcement) to all members of EAACI and to all members of EAACI National Member Societies, Affiliate Societies and co-operative Societies nine months before the congress.
3. overseeing the budget for the Congress and reporting on this to the ExCom.
4. approving the Final Programme prior to printing.
5. organizing the social events together with the LOC
6. interaction with the founder sponsors and other sponsors in terms of any request in non programme related matters.
7. The ACC will always involve the EAACI President in any matters that may reflect on the image of EAACI, or the relationship to Founder Sponsors.
f) General aspects of the Congress
The congress budget shall cover:
1. The costs for travel, “Flexible Economy Class” or equivalent, accommodation and registration of all elected and adjunct members of the ExCom, allowing them to participate in all business, scientific and social activities of the meeting. In addition, registration and accommodation of one accompanying person for each EAACI ExCom member should be covered by the congress budget.
2. The costs for travel Economy Class, accommodation and registration for all EAACI past-Presidents.
3. An adequate room with facilities including telecommunication, for the EAACI executive office and the EAACI BoO during the event (“Executive Room”).
4. Facilities for meetings of the ExCom, General Assembly, other committees and scientific bodies of EAACI, in so far as these have been requested beforehand, including an ExCom meeting on the day before the start of the congress.
5. A hospitality suite or room for the EAACI President.
6. 10 free registrations to persons nominated by the EAACI President.
7. All costs (travel, flexible economy class or equivalent, accommodation, etc.) for the ACC at two planning meetings before the congress, and for the full SPC at one meeting approximately 15 months before the congress, as well as the costs for congress participation of respective committee members .
8. (At least 100) some travel grants for junior members.
9. Registration, economy travel and accommodation for maximum 10 LOC members
10. The benefits of speakers and chairpersons are decided for each congress by the ACC.
g) Professional Congress Organizer
EAACI may appoint a Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) to organize EAACI Congresses. Relationships between EAACI and PCOs are regulated by a contract approved by the ExCom. The PCO interacts with the ACC, SPC and LOC. The PCO shall provide the ExCom with six-monthly reports on the current status of the congress.
h) Local Organizing Committee
The EAACI ExCom shall appoint a LOC, which is appointed to ensure a close collaboration with local clinicians and relevant national societies, as well as to give appropriate input to the social and scientific programs. The LOC will work in close collaboration with the ACC and SPC. The LOC chair, secretary and two members are members of the SPC.- LOC chair and secretary are members of ACC. The LOC will consist of LOC Chair, a secretary and six additional members, who are all EAACI members and who have attended a number of EAACI congresses. Six of the LOC members should be from the country in which the congress is organized and two members of the LOC should be selected from neighbouring countries to represent the region.
The LOC will take lead responsibility for proposing a social programme for delegates and accompanying persons, intended to stimulate personal contacts between the participants of the meeting. The LOC will liaise with the PCO, EAACI President and ACC regarding the organization and financing of the Presidents’ Dinner.
i) Congress Chair.
The Chair of the congress will be appointed by the Ex-com 3 years before the congress. The EAACI president and congress chair will together host the congress and welcome the participants with a priority of the EAACI president.
j) Finances
The registration fees are established by the ACC and should be approved by the ExCom. Members and affiliates of EAACI (names will be provided by the Executive Office) should be entitled to a reduction of the registration fee (currently 20%).
2. EAACI EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
a. The editorial activities are coordinated by the EAACI Vice President for Communication & Membership who reports on these every year to the General Assembly.
b. A Communication Council, consisting of the editors’ of the EAACI journals and the website and appointed members of the Executive Committee, chaired by the Vice President for Communication & Membership, meets yearly during the annual Congress in order to discuss and design coordinated communication strategies.
c. “Allergy: The European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology” and “Pediatric Allergy & Immunology” are the official journals of the Academy, published and owned by Blackwell, London. Subscription to the journals is included in the annual membership fee. The relationship between EAACI and the publishing house of the journals is regulated by an agreement signed by the EAACI President on behalf of, and after approval by the EAACI Executive Committee.
d. In line with the current contract, the Publisher shall have responsibility for the editorial policy of the Journals and the maintenance of intellectual standards. To this end the Publisher will appoint one or more Editors-in-Chief to each Journal in agreement with the European Academy. For Pediatric Allergy and Immunology the appointment of Editor-in-Chief shall also be in agreement with the pediatric section of the European Academy. The Editor-in-Chief term will be four years with one possible renewal period. Associate editors are appointed by each Editor-in-Chief, who may consult with relevant bodies of EAACI in this process. The Editors-in-Chief shall give a written and verbal report to the EAACI Executive Committee once a year.
e. EAACI publishes a Newsletter aimed at informing members about all the activities of the Academy and providing relevant scientific and professional information. The Newsletter is circulated to all Members and Affiliates of the Academy.
f. The Newsletter is edited by one or more editors nominated by the EAACI Executive Committee. They hold office for two years and are re-eligible twice to the same post. The Editorial Board of the Newsletter is chaired by the Newsletter Editor and is formed by members representing the various bodies within EAACI, nominated by the Newsletter Editor and approved by the Executive Committee.
g. The EAACI website is run by a Website Committee and the Website Management Team.
h. The Website Committee includes a representative from each Section, Interest Group and other EAACI Groups and Committees. The Website Committee meets annually during the EAACI Congress, in order to evaluate the progress, address issues and make recommendations on further improvement of the site.
i. The Website Committee works closely with the Website Management Team, consisting of the Coordinating, the Scientific and the Public site Editors, who are appointed by the Executive Committee for a two year term, re-eligible twice. The Website Management Team organizes the timely and effective presentation of information on the site, verifies its communication content and effectively applies EAACI communication policies.
3.EAACI SECTIONS
In order to strengthen the influence of EAACI on the work of the main clinical specialties where allergy and clinical immunology is of importance, EAACI has decided to form Sections. Sections will co-ordinate and represent the activities of all EAACI members and EAACI affiliates who have expressed a wish to join the Section and will act as a focus and point of contact for relevant specialty societies and non-members.
a. A Section should represent an area of clinical interest such as Dermatology, Pediatrics, etc. The establishment of a section is approved by the General Assembly, after proposal of the EAACI Executive Committee.
b. The purposes of the Sections are to encourage membership of EAACI from relevant areas, to relate to European and national societies of relevant areas, to promote an understanding of the importance of allergy within those societies, to advise the ExCom on matters of policy within the relevant areas, to advise the SPC on the development of relevant programs, to promote Europe-wide co-operation in scientific and clinical research in the relevant areas, and to suggest task forces and scientific sessions within their areas.
c. Any EAACI Member can propose that a Section be formed, but the decision to form a Section is taken by the EAACI Executive Committee.
d. Membership of a Section is restricted to EAACI Members, Junior Members, Affiliate Members and Junior Affiliate Members.
e. A Section is governed by a Board which has seven members including chairman and secretary. The Chairman of a Section Board is proposed to the General Assembly by the EAACI Executive Committee, after nomination by the Section Board. A section chairman normally serves one term (two years).
f. The Section Chairman is a member of the ExCom with voting rights and is elected for a two-year period. Section Chairmen may be re-elected once to the same post. Their chairmanship should preferably be preceded by one period as a board member. The Chairman of any new Section created by the ExCom between Congresses will be an adjunct member of the ExCom until a formal election is made by the General Assembly. If the Chairman of the Section Board is unable to attend an Executive Committee meeting, the Section Board may nominate an alternate, but without voting rights.
g. The nomination of the board officers shall take place during the section business meeting that is to be held in between the annual congresses – no later than three months prior to the annual congress.
h. The Section Board is elected by the Section members for the same period. No more than three of the ordinary Board members can be re-elected for a second two-year period. No person may remain as a Board member for a continuous period of more than 6 years (including periods as ordinary Board member, Secretary and Chairman). Additional years, due to a decision to create a Section being taken at a Congress when the Executive Committee is not being elected, are not counted.
i. Nomination and Election of new candidates to the Section Board: any member of the section is eligible to be nominated; a nomination should be endorsed by two other members of the section; nominees should provide detailed information of clinical & scientific background. Before proceeding to an election, nominations should be approved by the existing board according to the following guidelines: geographical representation, representation of section spectrum of interests, gender representation, academic curriculum and experience. A maximum of 3 candidates should be put up for election per position. The CV and background information of candidates will be placed on the section website, and an e-mail sent to all members of the section will announce the opening of election process. Voting will be done using the EAACI website, with appropriate security. The names of the successful candidates will be communicated to the section board and to all candidates once available, and then officially announced during the section business meeting at the annual congress.
j. Re-election of ordinary board members for a second term: Board members wishing to be re-elected for a second term do not have to be nominated again but have to be re-elected by the same election process as new candidates
k. If there is a European society with a field of interest overlapping with the Section, it may be appropriate to reserve one of the seats in the Section Board for a representative nominated by that society. If so, the Section should have a representative on the Board or Executive Committee of the society in question.
l. There may be EAACI members from one country both in the EAACI Executive Committee and on the Board of one or several Sections, but consideration should be paid to maintaining a wide national representation among the Section Boards.
m. Individual EAACI members can participate in business and scientific meetings of several Sections, but can only be members with voting rights or Board member of one Section.
n. The Section Board nominates a Section Secretary from amongst the Board members. The Secretary’s nomination has to be confirmed by the EAACI Executive Committee. The Secretary holds office for two years and may be re-elected once to the same post, subject to the limit of six years on the Board. The Secretary of a Section is ex officio a member of the EAACI Scientific Programme Committee to represent the interests of the Section. If the Section Secretary is unable to attend a Scientific Programme Committee meeting, the Section Board may nominate an alternate.
o. The Section Board members are expected to keep in communication by telephone/electronic means and are expected to hold one Board Meeting in between the annual EAACI congresses. However, the Annual General Meeting of the Section Board should be held during the EAACI Congress.
p. Each Section is expected to arrange a business meeting for its members during each EAACI Congress. A suitable room will be offered at the cost of the congress.
q. A Section can ask the Executive Committee to approve the establishment of a Task Force to work on a specific project for a given time.
r. The scientific activities of a Section should be channeled through the EAACI Scientific Programme Committee. Each Section is encouraged to propose programs for one or more Main Symposia at each EAACI Congress. The final decision on the congress programme rests with the EAACI Scientific Programme Committee which has the power to reject or modify the section’s proposal.
s. The EAACI Executive Committee should rely on the expertise of the Section in matters of interest to the Section.
t. The Section should rely on the EAACI Executive Office and the EAACI BoO for all matters of general interest to EAACI.
u. A small budget should be granted to a Section for administrative expenses including mailing costs, telephone conferences and a Board meeting between EAACI annual congresses. A separate by-law regulates how section budgets can be utilized.
4.EAACI INTEREST GROUPS
In order to allow EAACI to influence and keep updated information on matters related to allergy and clinical immunology, it has been decided to create “Interest Groups”.
a. An Interest Group should represent an area of general interest within allergology that is not well covered by any one of the EAACI Sections.
b. Any EAACI Member can propose that an Interest Group is formed, but the decision to form an Interest Group is taken by the EAACI Executive Committee.
c. Only EAACI Members, Junior Members, Affiliate Members or Junior Affiliate Members can be members of an Interest Group.
d. An Interest Group is led by a chairman who is appointed by the EAACI Executive Committee for one term coinciding with that of EAACI Officers. The IG appoints a Secretary. The IG Chairman and Secretary may be re-appointed for a second period to either post, but may not hold office continuously (in either post) for more than four years.
e. Nobody may be a Chairman or Secretary of more than one Interest Group. However, any EAACI member can participate in business and scientific meetings of several Interest Groups.
f. Interest Group Chairmen/Secretaries should not be current members of a Section Board. Interest Group Chairmen/Secretaries should not be chosen from current members or officers of the Executive Committee. However, two Interest Group chairs may be invited to serve on the ExCom (currently as adjunct members; foreseen to be full members from June 2008 onwards, pending decision by the General Assembly).
g. Interest Groups are expected to arrange business meetings for their members during each EAACI Congress. A suitable room will be offered free of charge, covered by the congress budget.
h. An Annual Report of the activities of an Interest Group should be presented to the EAACI Executive Committee at the Executive Committee Meeting at the EAACI Congress.
i. The scientific activities of an Interest Group should be channeled through the EAACI Scientific Programme Committee. Interest Groups may propose programmes for symposia and workshops for each congress. Interest Group Chairs are normally invited to the main SPC meeting 15-18 months before each congress. Final responsibility for the congress programme rests with the SPC.
j. The EAACI Executive Committee, and the EAACI Sections, should rely on the expertise of the Interest Group in matters of interest to the Interest Group.
k. The Interest Group should rely on the EAACI Executive Office for all administrative matters.
5.JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP
The EAACI Executive Committee sets the annual membership fees and makes arrangements for reduced subscription rates for different categories of membership.
a. Junior Membership shall be available to all those who are aged 35 years or less at the time of renewal of their subscription. Members wishing to obtain this concession shall provide proof of entitlement to the Executive Office upon request.
b. The benefits of Junior Membership shall be determined by the Executive Committee and publicised at Congresses, Joint Symposia, and other EAACI events, as well as on forms for enrolment and membership renewal.
The Junior Members Assembly (JMA) consists of all Junior Members who are in good standing. The JMA elects a Junior Members Committee (JMC), which will assist in the co-ordination of activities for Junior Members and will provide advice to the Executive Committee. For financial and administrative purposes, the JMA shall be treated as a Section and the JMC as a Section Board (see Article 3 e/f). Elections to membership of the JMC is arranged though the web. The chair of the JMC is ex officio a member of the ExCom with voting rights. The term of office is two years, renewable once (as per Section chairs, if aged 35 or less at the time of starting the second term).
6.COUNCIL OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES
The Council of the National Member Societies of the Academy meets at every Academy Congress in order to maintain a liaison between societies and the Executive Committee.
The Council of Societies is attended by the President and the Secretary General of the EAACI, as well as delegates (usually the President and Secretary) of each Member Society. Delegates of Affiliate Societies are also invited to participate in the Council. The Council of National Societies has an advisory role, while decisions are left either to the General Assembly or to the Executive Committee as established by the constitutional dictates.
7.EAACI COMMITTEES
Committees are permanent bodies instituted by the EAACI Executive Committee (ExCom) to deal with specific aspects of the Academy’s work.
Committees are co-ordinated by a chairperson named by the ExCom and by a secretary elected by the committee’s members. They are nominated on the occasion of EAACI congresses, keep their office for two years, and are eligible for re-election to the same post.
The chairperson of each EAACI Committee is invited to attend the ExCom Meeting held at the time of the annual congress, as an adjunct member (without voting rights). Committee Secretaries may deputize for the Committee chairs if the chair is unable to attend an ExCom meeting.
EAACI may supply funds for committee meetings or other committee activities, if there is an application with a detailed budget supplied to the Executive office by 15th of September the year preceding the year when that meeting is going to be held.
All EAACI committees shall report at least once a year to the EAACI Executive Committee of their activities.
a) EAACI Scientific Programme Committee
The Scientific Programme Committee (SPC) is a permanent body of the Academy aimed at ensuring high scientific standards, continuity and harmonisation of EAACI congresses. The composition and function of the SPC are defined by the rules governing the organisation of congresses (Article 1B.d). The scientific programme committee activities are financed through the EAACI Congress budgets.
b) Education and Specialty Committee
The Education and Specialty Committee (ESC) is a permanent body of EAACI aimed at co-ordinating activities in Europe in the areas of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in allergy and clinical immunology. The committee also deals with other relevant problems of the specialty, including recognition of the specialty, free circulation of specialists within Europe, relationship of allergology and clinical immunology with other specialties, contacts with regulatory bodies, UEMS etc.
c) CME Committee
The CME Committee is a permanent committee of EAACI, charged with responsibility for overseeing the content and delivery of CME accreditation. The CME Committee advises on, and approves the content of educational programmes, in accordance with EU regulations and any relevant policy objectives agreed with the ExCom. The CME Committee chairman need not be a current member of the ExCom. Members of the CME Committee serve for two year terms, synchronous with the ExCom mandate, which can be renewed once (a maximum of four years). Potential members of the CME Committee are proposed by the CME Committee chairman but must be ratified by the ExCom before taking up their position. All members of the CME Committee are expected to declare relevant interests, and to act in the best interests of EAACI at all times.
d) Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee is a permanent body of EAACI aimed at ensuring high ethical standards in all areas of EAACI activity. These include, but are not necessarily confined to, clinical, scientific and political aspects of allergology and clinical immunology, as well as the conduct of individual members of EAACI and its various committees, including the Executive Committee. All EAACI members are obliged to uphold high ethical standards. The Ethics Committee may also address behaviour or practice by non-members of EAACI where this affects the image or standing of EAACI.
The Ethics Committee chairman must not be a current member of the ExCom, but attends the ExCom meeting at the time of the congress, as an adjunct non-voting member. Members of the Ethics Committee serve for two year terms, synchronous with the ExCom mandate, which can be renewed once (a maximum of four years). Potential members of the Ethics Committee are proposed by the Ethics Committee chairman but must be ratified by the ExCom before taking up their position. All members of the Ethics Committee are expected to declare relevant interests and to act in the best interests of EAACI at all times.
The Ethics Committee may be asked to prepare policy proposals and statements on areas of general interest within the field of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The Ethics Committee may be asked to prepare policy proposals in relation to the ethical standards and practice expected of members of the ExCom and of EAACI members. The Ethics Committee may be asked to investigate the behaviour of individual EAACI members and to report to the ExCom on whether the member in question has breached ethical standards. The ExCom will accept the verdict of the Ethics Committee, but any resultant action will be the responsibility of the ExCom
The Ethics Committee may propose changes to the By-laws that govern its function but such changes must be approved by the ExCom before they come into force. Similarly, the Ethics Committee may propose topics for the development of policy but requires the permission of the ExCom to initiate discussions and the development of policy proposals.
e) Website Committee (article 2, paragraphs g. & h.)
8.USE OF EAACI BUDGETS
Principles regarding the use of EAACI budgets related to sections, interest groups, task forces and other sub-committees
EAACI has in the last years developed a comprehensive budget for all of its activities, to better understand total income and expenditure. This budget should also clarify that the activities of different bodies has a high priority for EAACI, and that EAACI is willing to spend substantial funds on these.
Currently, there is a wide variation how the budgeted funds are used by different sub-bodies of EAACI. The aim of this document is therefore to clarify the situation, and to set up rules how funds can be used, and also how they should not be used.
a) The primary principle is that the budget of any EAACI activity is only used for direct costs. Such costs include:
1. Travel expenses to meetings outside the EAACI annual congress that are directly related to the activity (i.e. section board meetings, interest group meetings, task force meetings). All travel must be in tourist class restricted fare, except under special circumstances approved by the Executive Officer or any EAACI BoO member in writing. Any meeting covered by an EAACI budget must be held in Europe.
2. Direct meeting expenses (meeting rooms, hotel costs, meals, transfers), related to an EAACI activity. These costs must be reasonable in relation to the city/country where the meeting is held.
3. Expenses directly related to production or publication of an EAACI supported document, developed by a Section, Interest Group or Task Force.
4. Specific and limited consultation fees required for finishing a specific task may be covered by a budget. Such expenses could for example include professional language checks, statistical analysis by a professional statistician, the use of questionnaires, or some other highly specified cost. Any such expense must be approved by the Executive Committee at the time of setting the annual budget.
b) Expenses that should not be covered by EAACI budgets:
1. Expenses for phone calls, mobile phone calls, and conference calls shall not be covered by EAACI. Exceptions are made for conference calls arranged through the Executive Office. It is recommended that internet based conference calls are used whenever possible.
2. Expenses for meetings that have not produced minutes shall not be covered by EAACI (all minutes and meeting reports must be delivered to the EAACI Executive Office).
3. Expenses for informal meetings between individuals of any Section, IG or TF shall not be covered by an EAACI budget.
4. Investments such as computers, software or any other office equipment cannot be covered by an EAACI Section, IG or TF budget.
5. Budgets cannot be paid out to personal accounts, except to cover direct expenses initially paid by the member, upon delivery of a receipt.
6. No honoraria are paid out to any member for any EAACI activity, with very few exceptions decided specifically by the Executive Committee.
7. EAACI budgets designated to a specific activity cannot generally be used to cover external secretarial expenses. There may be exceptions for this for typing out of minutes, meeting reports and other documents by department secretaries, if previously approved by the ExCom at the time of setting the annual budget. The total time spent by a department secretary for any such document shall be specified in a pro forma invoice. No overhead, except normal University or Department overhead, shall be accepted to be paid by EAACI. If requested, secretarial expenses must be approved by the Executive Committee, and shall not exceed €500 or 10% of a Section, Interest Group or Task Force total budget, whichever is higher.
9.ALLERGY SCHOOLS
For educational purposes, and in order to stimulate the social contacts between members and people interested in allergy and clinical immunology, EAACI and GA2LEN arrange Allergy Schools. In most instances, these courses should be arranged in collaboration with the EAACI National Membership Society of the host country. For EAACI the co-ordinator of any school activity is the Vice President of Education and Specialty.
a. Any EAACI National Member Society, Affiliate Society, Section, Interest Group or GA2LEN centre can apply to organize an Allergy School.
b. The educational programme should be developed in collaboration with appropriate ExCom members and the Junior Members Group, and shall be approved by the EAACI BoO.
c. Applications must be received by the EAACI Executive Office by 15th September, following the rules and templates published on EAACI webpage, of the year before the calendar year in which the proposed meeting will take place.
d. CME credits should be sought through the EAACI-CME Council. This is usually arranged by the EAACI or GA2LEN offices.
e. The course should cover 3 - 4 days. Low cost accommodation should be used wherever possible.
f. Special attention should be paid to informal interactions. The speakers should be regarded as “teachers” and should stay for as many days as possible of the Allergy School, to interact with the attendance. It is an advantage if each teacher gives several lectures and use interactive teaching techniques. Teachers and students should be given ample time to interact. A syllabus and other printed material should be available, and sent to the EAACI Vice President for Education and Specialty, including the final report of the organizers, within three months after the end of the meeting.
g. The school should be open to EAACI/GA2LEN members, with special preference to participants from the host country, EAACI Junior Members and Junior Affiliates. Non-members may be accepted with a specific fee.
h. EAACI will provide some funding, part of which should be used for travel grants for Junior Members. All EAACI travel grants will be administered by the Executive Office. GA2LEN funding should be used in accordance with the GA2LEN rules in force at the relevant time.
i. The organizers can, after approval of EAACI/GA2LEN, appoint a local PCO and may raise additional sponsor money for the Allergy School budget. If requested to do so, EAACI may provide the Allergy School organizers with an advance grant up to 80% of the agreed amount of EAACI funding as a start-up budget.
j. The total budget available from EAACI and GA2LEN will vary from School to School; A detailed budget should be proposed, including any required direct payments, travel grants to participants and travel expenses for lecturers.
k. The school may charge a registration fee for participants to cover costs.
l. Practical aspects regarding the organization of the Allergy School, as well as the registration of applications and participants and travel grant applications, should be handled by the organizers, in collaboration with the EAACI Executive Office and or a GA2LEN office. A local PCO may be appointed upon approval by the EAACI BoO.
m. Any surplus from a school should be returned to EAACI, and shall be utilized for future educational activities.
n. The “financial risk” of an EAACI/GA2LEN school is taken by EAACI and GA2LEN (how this is done is separately negotiated between EAACI and GA2LEN), if the organizers follow by-laws, rules and policy.
10.EAACI MEMBER SOCIETY SPONSORED SPEAKER SCHEME
In order to stimulate the exchange of scientific and educational information amongst EAACI members, EAACI operates a funding scheme for speaker support to national society and regional meetings. The EAACI sponsored speakers should make at least two presentations at each meeting which may be lectures, workshops, seminars etc.
a. Sponsored speakers should participate in an annual meeting or a similar event of the Member Society or regional organization.
b. Any EAACI National Member Society or Affiliate Society can apply to the Executive Committee for a speaker support grant. Applications may also be made for speaker support for Regional Meetings.
c. Each application should be for one to three speakers. One of the speakers should be a member of the EAACI Executive Committee, who will represent EAACI at the meeting and make an appropriate statement on behalf of EAACI at any opening ceremony, general assembly or equivalent meeting/gathering.
d. EAACI will cover the travel expenses for the sponsored speakers. The meeting organization is expected to cover any additional costs such as registration fees, hotel accommodation and meals for the invited speakers.
e. Ideally each EAACI sponsored speakers should make at least two presentations at each meeting; these may be lectures, workshops, seminars etc. The EAACI sponsored speakers need not necessarily speak on the same symposium.
f. Where the format chosen is a joint symposium, EAACI prefers all speakers at joint symposia to present in English. Simultaneous translation may be provided for non-English speaking members of the audience at the discretion of the Member Society. Any costs for translation will be borne by the Member Society.
g. Acknowledgement of EAACI sponsorship should be made in the programme of the meeting and in any accompanying materials.
h. Applications must be received by the executive office by 15th September of the year before the calendar year in which the proposed meeting will take place.
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