SEG Membership structure valid since 21 June 2018
Website updated on 17 March 2020

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1. Membership

1.1 The Association’s members consist of, among others, persons from the scientific, conservation and commercial sectors, dedicated to the sustainable recovery of the European eel and other eel species, who are admitted to membership in accordance with these Articles.

1.2 Membership shall be open to any person who is in sympathy with the Association’s objects and applies for membership of the Association.

1.3 Subject to clause 5.4 below of these Articles, membership of the Association shall be granted to those persons who submit an application by registered letter to the Board, provided that the applicants meet the membership criteria contained in clause 5.2 above, they pay any subscriptions or payments required under clause 5.5 below and the Board accepts their membership. 

1.4 In addition, the Board will decide whether the applicant becomes a Member (as described in clause 6 below) or an Adhering Member (as described in clause 7 below). 

1.5 All members shall pay an annual subscription at the rate decided from time to time by the Board, but not exceeding EUR 1,000.

1.6 A list of members shall be kept by the Board at the Association’s seat, and entry in that list shall be conclusive evidence that any person is a member or not.

1.7 Entry shall be made in the membership list once an application has been accepted and the first subscription or other membership payment, if any, has been paid.

1.8 A member may at any time resign from the Association by giving at least thirty Clear Days’ notice in writing to the Association provided that after such resignation the number of Members remaining is not less than three.  The resigning member shall remain liable for the payment of all sums payable by the member to the Association calculated until the day its resignation shall have become effective.

1.9 The Board may: 

(a) reject an application for membership at its discretion; 

(b) terminate an Adhering Member’s membership on the grounds that the Adhering Member is guilty of conduct detrimental to, or of acting in any way that may undermine, the object, purpose, mission or activities of the Association, provided that the Adhering Member is given written particulars of the alleged charge at least one month before the Board meeting at which its expulsion is to be considered, and that the Adhering Member is given an opportunity of being heard in its defence.  The excluded Adhering Member has the right to appeal against the dismissal decision by registered letter sent to the Chairman of the Board within four weeks of the exclusion.  In such a case, the Chairman shall refer the matter to the next General Meeting which will uphold or annul the dismissal decision; and

(c) submit the termination of a Member’s membership to the General Meeting on the grounds that the Member is guilty of conduct detrimental to, or of acting in any way that may undermine, the object, purpose, mission or activities of the Association, provided that the Member is given written particulars of the alleged charge at least one month before the General Meeting at which its expulsion is to be considered, and that the Member is given an opportunity of being heard in its defence. The General Meeting’s decision to terminate the membership requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. 

1.10 Membership is not transferable and will terminate if:

(a) the member fails to pay in full a subscription or other membership payment within three calendar months after a request for its payment has been made;

(b) the Board exercises its discretion to terminate the Adhering Member’s membership in accordance with clause 5.9(b) above or if the General Meeting decides to terminate the Member’s membership in accordance with clause 5.9(c) above;

(c) the member resigns in accordance with clause 5.8 above;

(d) the member dies or ceases to exist; or

(e) the member becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors generally, or is made subject to any form of insolvency administration. 

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2. Members

2.1 The members of the Association consist of at least three Members and include the Founding Members (the Members).  

2.2 The Members have the rights and obligations granted to them by the Act and these Articles (and any other documents of the Association, as the case may be).  The Members have a seat and vote at the General Meeting.

2.3 Without prejudice to any other obligation which the Members may have pursuant to these Articles, all Members shall comply with the Articles and with the decisions of the Board and/or the General Meeting.  

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3. Adhering members

3.1 Besides the Members described above, the Association also welcomes adhering members, consisting of persons from the scientific conservation and commercial sectors, whose expertise and/or input may be of benefit to the Association (the Adhering Members).   

3.2 The Adhering Members only have the rights and obligations expressly granted to them in the present Articles (and any other documents of the Association, as the case may be). 

3.3 The Adhering Members shall provide advice and support to the Board and the General Meeting.  In addition, they shall contribute expertise and thinking to the current and future work of the Association.  They will share opinions at the General Meeting or the meeting of the Board, upon invitation, but have no voting power.  

3.4 The above clauses 5.2 until 5.10 of these Articles regarding the application, admission, termination and contributions shall equally apply to the Adhering Members.

3.5 Without prejudice to any other obligation which the Adhering Members may have pursuant to these Articles, all Adhering Members shall comply with the Articles and with the decisions of the Board and/or the General Meeting.  

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contact the Membership Secretary at:
Info@SustainableEelGroup.org