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ESDE Membership

By-Laws

BY-LAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION:

European Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ESDE), previously known as European Society of Esophagology (E.S.E), and originally known as Groupe d’Etude Europeenne de le Maladies de l’Oesophage (GEEMO).

Article 1 | Article 2 | Article 3 | Article 4 | Article 5 | Article 6 | Article 7 | Article 8 | Article 9 | Article 10 | Article 11

Article 1

The name of this association shall be European Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ESDE) –previously known as European Society of Esophagology (ESE) and originally known as Groupe d’Etude Europeenne de le Maladies de l’Oesophage, hereafter to be referred as ESDE. The association was founded in 1980 with the name of Groupe d’etude Europeen des Maladies des l’Oesophage. Its goals are: 1. to contribute to the knowledge and the treatment of the oesophageal pathophysiology in its largest sense and the establishment of scientific connections between European experts in this field. 2. to promote the exchange of scientific and medical knowledge of the esophagus among specialists in the field including physicians, surgeons, basic scientists and other professionals.

The association has its seat at the University Hospital Leuven, Belgium and its duration is unlimited.

The association is a non-profit organisation.

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Article 2

The ways of acting of the European Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ESDE) are:

  1. A yearly meeting to be organized by a yearly designated Coordinator. On the occasion of the biennial ISDE meeting being held in Europe, the ESDE would request combined participation with its logo in the same meeting.
  2. The publication of the studies presented at the annual meeting.
  3. Regular information to its members by all potential methods of communication.
  4. Participation at meetings and proceeding of official organizations in charge of giving continuous information to physicians, surgeons and basic scientists with regard to all aspects of Esophagology.

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Article 3

The ESDE is composed by:

  1. Active members: the active members are elected by the General Assembly. Applications have to be sent to the Secretary-General. Applicants will be encouraged to participate in all scientific meetings.
  2. Senior members: active members will become senior members at the age of 65. Senior members are exempt from membership fees. They will not hold office in the Council.
  3. Honorary members: can be elected on nomination by the Council. They are proposed for nomination on the base of their outstanding contributions to the knowledge and/or treatment of oesophageal Pathophysiology. They are exempt from membership fee

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Article 4

ESDE membership expires:

  1. By resignation.
  2. After non-payment of the membership fee for two consecutive years, and despite a written reminder.
  3. By expulsion for serious motives and when approved by the General Assembly with the 2/3 majority vote of the members and proxies present

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Article 5

  • The Officers of ESDE are the Executive Board and the Council.
  • The Executive Board is composed by:
    1. President
    2. General Secretary
    3. Treasurer
    4. Coordinator of the Congress
    5. Elected Coordinator of the next Congress, and by two more elected members. At least two members should be from non-surgical specialties.
  • These seven people will form the Executive Board.
  • The president will be elected by the General Assembly on proposal of the Council and will last two years and will not be re-eligible.
  • The General Secretary and the Treasurer will be elected by the General Assembly, on proposal of the Council, and they will last three years and they will be re-eligible for one more term.
  • One Councillor for each country or macro-region will form the Council.
  • Each Councillor will be nominated by the Executive Board and will last for two years. Members of the Council shall not hold office for more than two terms.
  • The Council at large will be formed by the Councillors and by the Executive boards.
  • The Council at large will meet at least once a year or at any moment on convocation of the General Secretary to discuss and deliberate on Congresses and Meetings.
  • The Executive Board will meet on convocation of the General Secretary to discuss and deliberate on every issue regarding the Society and its activities that needs a rapid deliberation.
  • The Council at large will be in any case informed on such decisions.
  • Officers of the ESE should be balanced between the surgical and non-surgical specialties.

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Article 6

  • All active members constitute the General Assembly of the ESDE. The agenda of the yearly meeting of the General Assembly is proposed by the General Secretary on behalf of the Council at large.
  • The General Assembly approves the reports on financial and moral affairs of the association as presented by one or more representatives of the Council.
  • The General Assembly approves the report of the treasurer and votes on the budget.
  • The General Assembly deliberates on any questions or problems on the agenda.

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Article 7

The President represents the ESDE in all civil acts. When judged necessary the President may delegate some of these responsibilities. For legal affairs, the President can only be replaced by a mandatory with special procuration.

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Article 8

Earnings of the ESDE are obtained from:

  1. The amount of the membership fee is proposed by the Coordinator and voted by General Assembly on a yearly base. Membership fee is paid in ECU.
  2. Contributions from the private or public sector or from National or International organizations.
  3. Royalties from scientific ESDE activities or from retribution for rendered services
  4. Contribution from resources of foundation with exceptional character with approval of the responsible authorities if necessary.
  5. Gifts and legacies acceptable after administrative approval according to the conditions as mentioned in the law of 25th October 1919 modified by the law of 6th December 1954 (Belgian Law).

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Article 9

Yearly publication of financial affairs is mandatory, containing all financial transactions and balance.

The members of the Council are not receiving any remuneration related to their function in the Council. Reimbursement of the expenses is only possible after approval by the Council and after presenting the justification to the treasurer.

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Article 10

Any modification to statutes has to be approved by the General Assembly after proposition by the Council. Propositions for modification of the statutes have to be placed on the agenda of the next General Assembly and send to all active members at least 30 days before the meeting of the General Assembly. To modify the statutes, at least a quarter of the ESDE active members should be present at the General Assembly meeting. If this number is not reached, the General Assembly may legally deliberate and vote during the next meeting in the effective presence of a fraction of at least 1/20th of the total number of active members. Modification of the statutes is only legal after approval by “Koninlijk Besluit” and after publication as requested in article 3 of the law of 25th October 1919.

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Article 11

The General Assembly decides on the way the ESDE is dissolved and how credits are arranged.

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ESDE Congress
8-10 February 2023
Leuven, Belgium

The European Society for Esophageal Disease 2022