6.- Branches & Groups
In addition to the rights and obligations of the Branches and the Group described in the Articles of Association the following rules apply to the Branches and Groups.
Branches and Groups are an integral part of the Association.
Branches and Groups should therefore in all cases comply with the decisions of the Annual General Meeting and the Council.
Each Branch and Group shall elect a Board of Directors to deal with matters of national concern.
Each Branch or Group can set up a legal structure, whose membership and operations shall be governed by the national law of the State concerned, or for a group of States, an agreed national law chosen from among one of the member states.
Each Branch and Group shall elect from among its Members on its Board a Branch Chairman and a Treasurer, together with any other officers necessary for the functions of the Branch or Group and of its Board.
These appointments have to be submitted for ratification by the Council.
Each Branch and Group will nominate representatives to the Council addressed in writing to the Association’s secretariat at least two weeks prior to the Council meeting held prior to the Annual General Conference.
Boards shall meet at least three times per year with one such meeting normally to be held a month prior to the next meeting of the Council.
The Associations secretariat is informed about the date, place and agenda at least two weeks prior to the date the meeting takes place.
Branches shall prepare:
(i) Minutes of each meeting, to be sent before the next meeting of the Council to the Secretary-General of the Association, for consideration by the Council as it shall deem necessary and appropriate;
(ii) Records of annual income and expenditure, which shall be sent to the Secretary-General of the Association before 31st March each year for subsequent consideration by the Council as the Council shall deem necessary and appropriate.