1. Definition
The International Commission on Penicillium and Aspergillus (ICPA) is a Commission of the Mycology Division of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (hereafter IUMS Mycology Division).
2. Membership
Membership of the Commission is by invitation of the Commission. Membership and shall be limited to experts in Penicillium and Aspergillus or such other persons who in the opinion of the Commission are able to provide significant information about these genera on a continuing basis. Membership shall be limited to 14 persons, coming from no fewer than five countries. Any member may make a proposal to invite a new member: the decision to issue an invitation shall be decided by a vote of members. The Executive may appoint Consultants to assist with the work of the Commission at any time, for any period.
3. Termination of membership
A member may resign at any time by written communication to the Secretary. Any individual's membership may be terminated at any time by a simple majority vote of members, the purpose of this statute being to exclude continuing membership from those not actively participating in the Commission's work.
4. Executive
The Executive shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer, elected from within the membership. Executive positions shall be held until such time as elections are called for, at the request of any member in writing to the Secretary. Upon such a request, the Secretary shall call for nominations for all Executive positions, and arrange a ballot for such positions, to be held within four calender months of the initial request. Voting may be by postal ballot or at a formal meeting.
5. Responsibilities
The Chairman, in collaboration with the Vice-Chairman, shall be responsible for the Commission's work program. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of formal meetings, for other record keeping, and for informing IUMS Mycology Division of the Commission's activities. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the Commission's finances and, if requested, shall submit a balance sheet to each formal meeting of the Commission.
6. Governance
The Commission shall be bound by the Statutes of IUMS Mycology Division.
7. Aims
The aims of the Commission are (1) to improve any or all aspects of the systematics of Penicillium and Aspergillus; (2) to improve the accuracy of Penicillium and Aspergillus identifications in culture collections and in industrial applications; and (3) to assist the development of more effective taxonomic treatments of these genera. The Commission further aims to extend understanding of Penicillium and Aspergillus in the scientific community by publishing its findings, and by sponsoring meetings, specialist workshops and sessions dealing with aspects of its work.
8. Finance
The Commission has the right to raise funds and to administer those funds as it sees fit, for its own purposes, as a nonprofit Organisation bound by the statutes of IUMS.
9. Publications
The Commission has the right to publish any or all of its deliberations, studies or, findings, as it sees fit. Members or consultants may publish work sponsored by the Conunission only with Commission approval, by majority vote, and shall suitably acknowledge Commission support. Neither of these statements shall be construed as hindering research or publication on Penicillium and Aspergillus by individual members of the Commission where such research or publication does not impinge on areas specifically under study by the Commission. However, the Chairman or Secretary of the Commission shall be informed by members where such research does impinge on Commission studies.
10. Formal meetings
A formal meeting of the Commission is defined as a meeting over which the Chairman or Vice-Chainnan presides, or an Acting Chairman is appointed, minutes are taken, and voting procedures used. A formal meeting may be held at any time when five or members are together, provided that all Commission members have been advised in advance in writing of such a meeting.
11. Voting
Voting on any matter related to the Commission may be taken by post, in which case a decision will be made by a simple majority of members who return a vote to the Secretary by a date nominated by the Secretary; or at a formal meeting, as defined in Statute 10, again by a simple majority vote of members present and proxies received from absent members. In these Statutes, voting is governed by the provisions in this statutes.
12. Disbanding
The Commission may be disbanded (1) by simple majority vote of members either by post or at a formal meeting; or (2) by a constitutional and valid motion from IUMS Mycology Division to order disbanding. In the event of disbanding, all property of the Commission shall become the property of IUMS Mycology Division.
13. Alteration of Statute
The Statutes may be emended by a simple majority vote of members, under the voting conditions defmed in Statute 11.