ČSEtS Statutes

Statutes of the Association

Czech and Slovak Ethological Society, z.s.
pursuant to Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code, as amended

1. Name of the Association

The name of the association is Czech and Slovak Ethological Society, z.s. (hereinafter referred to as “ČSEtS”).

The association was established on 7 April 1992 as a civic association based on registration with the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic under the name Czech and Slovak Ethological Society, o.s. In 2015, in accordance with legislative changes, the civic association was transformed by law into a registered association. This change of legal form did not affect the purpose, main objectives, or overall direction of the organization.

2. Registered Office and Scope of Activities

ČSEtS is an open professional association operating in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

ČSEtS is a legal entity with its registered office at the Research Institute of Animal Production, p.r.i., Přátelství 815, Prague-Uhříněves, 104 01, and conducts its activities in accordance with applicable Czech legislation. ČSEtS is established for an indefinite period.

3. Activities of the Association, Mission, and Objectives

ČSEtS contributes to the development of scientific research and education in the field of animal and human behavior. The objectives of the association are pursued primarily through the following activities:

3.1. Organizing scientific conferences and specialized seminars.
3.2. Publishing the society’s newsletter.
3.3. Supporting the popularization of the discipline.
3.4. Facilitating contacts and cooperation with similar Czech, international, and foreign organizations.
3.5. Promoting ethological topics in research.
3.6. Ensuring an information network in the field.
3.7. Providing consultancy activities in the field (education, legislation, etc.).
3.8. Supporting ethologically oriented research projects conducted by students.

To fulfill its purpose and support its main activities, the association may also carry out ancillary activities, including:
a) Publishing informational and promotional materials.
b) Managing and administering funds designated for the association’s activities and handling them in accordance with its objectives.
c) Operating ancillary economic activities solely to support its main activities, consisting of the sale of promotional items, other business activities, or other income-generating activities.

4. Rights and Obligations of Members

4.1. Establishment of Membership

4.1.1. Any person interested in ethology may become a member by submitting an application in which they undertake to (i) contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the society, (ii) pay membership fees, and (iii) comply with the statutes of the society.

4.1.2. An honorary member may be a person who has contributed to the development of ethology as a scientific discipline through publications in international scientific journals, or who has significantly contributed to the dissemination of ethological knowledge through publications or lectures. Honorary members are exempt from paying membership fees. A proposal for honorary membership may be submitted by any member of ČSEtS and must be approved by the General Assembly. Honorary membership is subject to the consent of the proposed individual, unless it is awarded posthumously.

4.2. Members have the right to participate in the activities of the association and to serve on its governing bodies.

4.3. Members are obliged to comply with the statutes of the association and, according to their abilities, to support its activities and objectives.

4.4. Members are obliged to pay annual membership fees. Members are entitled to membership benefits, which may include reduced conference fees or free access to the society’s newsletter. Membership benefits may be used only if the membership fee for the given calendar year (and any outstanding fees from previous years) has been paid by the deadline announced by the Executive Committee.

4.5. Termination of Membership

Membership in the association shall terminate:
4.5.1. By voluntary withdrawal of a member, effective upon delivery of written notice to the Executive Committee.
4.5.2. Due to non-payment of membership fees for a period of two years or longer, despite reminders sent by the Treasurer.
4.5.3. By expulsion of a member due to a serious breach of the statutes or for other serious reasons, approved upon the proposal of any member by the General Assembly. Unless decided otherwise by the General Assembly, the expulsion takes effect upon the conclusion of the General Assembly meeting.

The Executive Committee shall inform the members of the association about membership terminations pursuant to points 4.5.1 and 4.5.2 at the meeting of the General Assembly.

5. Governing Bodies of the Association

5.1. The governing bodies of ČSEtS are:

General Assembly
Executive Committee
Audit Committee

5.2. The supreme governing body of ČSEtS is the General Assembly, composed of all members of the association.

5.2.1. The General Assembly meets at least once a year, usually in conjunction with the annual conference. The General Assembly is convened by the Executive Committee, which invites all members at least one month in advance via email or by posting the invitation on the ČSEtS website.

5.2.2. The Executive Committee shall also convene the General Assembly upon written request by one third of the membership, within two months of receipt of the request. If the Executive Committee fails to convene the General Assembly within this period, it may be convened by the requesting members.

5.2.3. The General Assembly is quorate if attended by an absolute majority of all registered members, or by at least 20 members after 30 minutes from the scheduled start of the meeting.

5.2.4. The powers of the General Assembly include in particular:
5.2.4.1. Approving amendments to the statutes.
5.2.4.2. Approving the rules of procedure and the activity program of the association.
5.2.4.3. Electing and recalling members of the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee.
5.2.4.4. Expelling members from the association.
5.2.4.5. Approving the amount of membership fees based on a proposal from the Executive Committee.
5.2.4.6. Proposing the budget strategy for the following year based on the financial report prepared by the Executive Committee.
5.2.4.7. Reviewing reports on the activities of the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee.

5.2.5. Members participate in the General Assembly either in person or through a proxy based on a written power of attorney.

5.2.6. Unless otherwise stipulated in these statutes, resolutions of the General Assembly are adopted by a two-thirds majority of votes of members present. Each member has one vote.

5.3. The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is the statutory body of the association and consists of the following officers:

Chair
Vice-Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Website Administrator
Two additional members

These functions are allocated among the officers by election within the Executive Committee.

5.3.1. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee include in particular:
5.3.1.1. Approving new members and announcing their admission at the General Assembly.
5.3.1.2. Approving the budget for the following year based on proposals of the General Assembly and evaluation of financial management by the Audit Committee.
5.3.1.3. Organizing the society’s conference and approving conference and seminar fees.

5.3.2. Members of the Executive Committee are elected for a two-year term by secret ballot, by a simple majority of those present at the General Assembly. A member may be re-elected, but for no more than two consecutive terms.

5.3.3. Members of the Executive Committee are exempt from paying membership fees during their term of office.

5.3.4. The association is represented and legally bound by:
a) the Chair, or the Vice-Chair acting on their behalf, and
b) authorized members of the Executive Committee within the scope of their authorization.

5.3.5. The Presidium of the Executive Committee consists of the Chair and Vice-Chair. It convenes meetings of the Executive Committee (including via online conferencing) for important decisions, at least once between General Assembly meetings.

5.3.6. The Secretary, with possible assistance from the Treasurer, handles the administrative agenda of the association, including correspondence, international cooperation, sponsorship, and promotion. Significant matters are decided by vote of the Executive Committee.

5.3.7. The Treasurer manages the membership database, cash ledger, records of membership fee payments, and sends reminders to debtors, in accordance with Section 236 of the Civil Code.

5.3.8. The Website Administrator manages and updates the association’s website.

5.3.9. The remaining two members, together with other members of the Executive Committee, are responsible for organizing the annual conference.

5.4. Audit Committee

5.4.1. The Audit Committee is an independent supervisory body accountable to the General Assembly and consists of three members elected for a two-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.

5.4.2. Members of the Audit Committee may not be members of the Executive Committee but are entitled to attend its meetings.

5.4.3. The Audit Committee reports annually to the General Assembly on the results of its audits.

6. Principles of Financial Management

6.1. Financial management is governed by an annual budget prepared by the Treasurer and Secretary and approved by the Executive Committee.

6.2. The association’s assets may include tangible property and financial resources.

6.3. The association’s income consists mainly of:

Membership fees
Surpluses from conference and seminar fees
Publishing activities
Sponsorship donations

6.4. Income from ancillary economic activities may be used solely to support the main activities of the association.

6.5. Costs related to conferences and seminars are covered by participant fees or sponsorships.

6.6. All financial management is conducted in accordance with applicable legal regulations and these statutes.

7. Dissolution of the Association

7.1. The association may be dissolved by a decision of the General Assembly, either by liquidation or by merger with another association.

7.2. Upon dissolution, settlement of assets shall be carried out.

8. Final Provisions

8.1. These statutes were approved by the General Assembly on 5 November 2015 and enter into force on the date of approval.

8.2. Rights and obligations not expressly regulated by these statutes are governed by applicable legal regulations, in particular Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code, as amended.

8.3. The activities of ČSEtS are further governed by internal regulations, which must not conflict with these statutes or applicable Czech law.

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