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Chapter I
Article 1. Name of the organisation
The name of the association shall be: European College of Veterinary Pathologists (referred to in the Dutch language as "Europees College van Veterinair Pathologen"), abbreviated ECVP; hereinafter also referred to as "the College".
Article 2. Incorporation of the organisation
2.1. The College shall have its domicile in Utrecht.
2.2. The College has been established as a non-profit educational association and for an indefinite period. In the event of dissolution of the College, its property shall be distributed for educational purposes.
Article 3. Objectives
The College shall have the following objectives:
3.1. To further scientific progress in veterinary pathology.
3.2. To establish standards of training, experience, and examination for qualification as a specialist in veterinary pathology.
3.3. To further the recognition of such qualified specialists by suitable certification and other means.
Article 4. Membership
4.1. The types of membership in this association shall be:
a) Diplomate (ordinary member)
b) Founding Diplomate (founding member)
c) Retired Member
d) Honorary Member
4.2. Qualifications for membership:
A. Diplomate: A veterinarian who satisfies the College ECVP requirements in respect to training, experience, and competence in veterinary pathology (as specified hereinafter in Article 5) shall be eligible. Election of such candidates shall be accomplished by majority vote of the Council.
B. Founding Diplomate: One of those veterinary pathologists of established reputation that collectively established the College (founding members), or a veterinary pathologist elected as de-facto diplomate by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the original charter membership. Applications for de-facto membership were to be received not later than the end of the second calendar year after inauguration of the College i.e. the thirty-first of December nineteen hundred and ninety-seven (12-31-1997).
(i) Criteria for Founding Diplomates (founding members):
1. they must be qualified to practice veterinary medicine in a European country
2. they must have achieved distinction in the field of veterinary pathology, and have qualifications far exceeding those proposed as necessary for candidates to take the certifying examination of the College
3. they must be recognized as qualified specialists by peers, and
a) have at least ten (10) years experience in the speciality of veterinary pathology and by teaching, research, or practice have contributed significantly to the development of the speciality, and
b) have demonstrated competency through teaching, research or practice in the speciality, and
c) spend at least seventy five percent (75%) of their professional time and at least thirty (30) hours / week in the speciality of veterinary pathology, and
d) be authors of significant publications from research or practice in the speciality
(ii) Criteria for Founding Diplomates (de-facto members):
1. they must be qualified to practice veterinary medicine in a European country, or to present evidence of veterinary education and training which in the judgement of the Council of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists is an equivalent education
2. they must have at least ten (10) years of experience in the speciality of veterinary pathology
3. they must spend at least sixty percent (60%) of their professional time and at least twenty-four (24) hours/week in the practice of veterinary pathology
4. they must have published at least three (3) papers in internationally recognized journals as first author and in the applicant's speciality, and at least three (3) additional papers excluding proceeding abstracts. The college is also prepared to consider submissions for de-facto recognition supported by substantial publications or reports that are not in the public domain.
C. Retired Member: A person who has been an active member (diplomate) and does currently not practice or claim to practice veterinary pathology. Retired members shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to vote or hold office and shall not be required to pay dues. Retired membership status does not confer the right to act as a specialist in veterinary pathology.
D. Honorary Member: A person who has contributed in an extraordinary manner to the advancement of veterinary pathology may be appointed honorary member by majority vote of the Council, confirmed by a majority vote of the membership of the College. Honorary members shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to vote or hold office and shall not be required to pay dues. Honorary Membership status does not confer the right to act as a specialist in veterinary pathology. Honorary members cannot make up more than 5% of the active membership.
4.3. Each Diplomate and Founding Diplomate shall have one vote in the general meetings of the College. Retired and Honorary Members shall not have the right to vote.
4.4. Only Diplomates in good standing with no dues in arrears shall be eligible to vote or hold office.
Article 5. General requirements for the College examination.
5.1. The following prerequisites must be met to the satisfaction of the Council before any candidate is eligible to undertake any part of the examination in veterinary pathology to qualify for membership of the College. An eligible candidate must:
a. have satisfactory standing in the profession;
b. be qualified to practice veterinary medicine in a European country, or to present evidence of veterinary education and training which in the judgement of the Council is an equivalent qualification;
c. have completed at least three (3) years, subsequent to graduation from veterinary school, of supervised training in pathology that is acceptable to the Council. Acceptable supervised training is that directed by a recognized veterinary pathologist (Diplomate) and done in a program that trains veterinary pathologists as one of its primary functions.
d. if either the supervisor is not a recognized veterinary pathologist (Diplomate) or the program does not train veterinary pathologists as one of its primary functions, then five (5) years of training in pathology are required. One of these five (5) years must be spent in training under the supervision of a recognized veterinary pathologist (Diplomate) or in a program that trains veterinary pathologists as one of its primary functions;
e. have published at least TWO original papers in internationally recognised journals in the field of veterinary pathology.
5.2. Applications for the examination shall be made to the Secretary in a prescribed form and are to be accompanied by proof of payment of an examination fee fixed by the Council. Letters of reference from supervisors and others are to be sent directly to the Secretary.
5.3. Eligible candidates shall be examined by an Examination Committee appointed by the Council at the time and place fixed by the Council and in accordance with the policy established by the Council.
Article 6. Council / Representation
6.1. The Council of the College shall consist of the following eight (8) officers, who shall be natural persons: the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the chair of the Examination Committee, and three (3) normal Councillors.
The Council shall represent the College
6.2. The election and discharge of these officers and their duties shall be as provided in Chapter II of this Constitution.
6.3. The Council shall oversee the following College committees:
(i) Examination Committee, responsible for the ECVP diplomate examination.
(ii) Nominating Committee, responsible for administering nominations for Council.
(iii) Applications Committee, responsible for administering applications for the ECVP diplomate examination and approved residency training programmes.
(iv) Education Committee, responsible for facilitating suitable training and education events.
(v) CPD re-registration Committee, responsible for administering the re-registration process for diplomats.
Article 7. Amendments to the Constitution
Any proposed amendment to this Constitution, which must be signed by at least three (3) members in good standing, shall first be submitted to the Council for its recommendation. The proposed amendment with the recommendations of the Council will be announced at least thirty (30) days in advance of any regular or special meeting of the College, at which time the proposed amendment may be discussed. An affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of members voting by mail ballot shall be required for the adoption of any amendment.
Article 8. Dissolution and Settlement
1. The terms set forth in article 7 of this Chapter I shall be equally applied in a decision to dissolve the College.
2. The general meeting of the College shall determine, at the time of the decision to dissolve the College, the destination of the assets.
Article 9. By-laws
1. The Council can make and change one or more bylaws, which regulate subjects not or not sufficiently prescribed in this constitution.
2. A by-law may not contain any provisions which violate the law or this constitution.
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