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ARTICLE 1. Background |1.1 The International Society of Ethnobiology was established on 22 July, 1988, during the First International Congress of Ethnobiology held in Belém, Pará, Brazil.
1.2 The ISE was legally constituted in April, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1.3 The ISE is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the research, study, promotion and enhancement of ethnobiology.
1.4 The ISE was incorporated in the State of Georgia, USA in 2000. The Registered Office of the ISE shall be located in any locality authorized by the Board to meet the needs of the Society and this location shall be made known to the ISE membership.
2.1 The ISE is committed to achieving a greater understanding of the complex relationships, both past and present that exist within and between human societies and their environments. The Society endeavors to promote a harmonious existence between humankind and the bios for the benefit of future generations. Ethnobiologists recognize that Indigenous peoples, traditional societies, and local communities are critical to the conservation of biological, cultural and linguistic diversity. The vision of the ISE is more fully reflected in its Code of Ethics, to which all members are bound. The Code of Ethics is found in Annex 1.
3.1 To promote and enhance the study and understanding of ethnobiology and ethnoecology throughout the world.
3.2 To bring together all peoples, including Indigenous peoples, traditional societies and local communities, institutions, peoples’ organizations, research institutions, researchers, funding organisations, non-governmental organizations and governmental bodies interested in the development, promotion and enhancement of biocultural diversity and ethnobiological and ethnoecological studies and understandings.
3.3 To establish, maintain, and widely promote a Code of Ethics to direct all dealings with Indigenous peoples, traditional societies, and local communities, and their lands, territories or other traditional resources, and all traditional, cultural, intellectual properties and knowledge directly or indirectly associated therewith.
3.4 To enhance and promote the recognition and role of ethnobiologists and ethnoecologists in the inventory, study, research, conservation, protection, and revitalization of Indigenous peoples, traditional societies, and local communities and their biocultural heritage.
3.5 To promote and conserve the scientific and cultural knowledge of human societies.
3.6 To represent the community of ethnobiologists and ethnoecologists who are members of this Society, in national and international fora.
3.7 To promote education, training, and dissemination of ethnobiology and ethnoecology throughout the world.
3.8 To establish and promote the ISE Global Coalition for Biocultural Diversity as an integral part of the ISE to promote the policies, goals, ethics, and activities of the ISE as elaborated in Annex 2.
3.9 Any other objective or purpose designed to advance the above objectives and purposes of the ISE, provided that any such objective or purpose shall not in any way whatsoever derogate from the non-profit status or charitable nature of the ISE.
4.1 Membership of the ISE shall be available to all persons, organizations, and institutions who are interested in the objectives and purposes of the ISE and subscribe to its Code of Ethics.
4.2.2 Members are those who are registered with the ISE, have paid their annual dues, and abide by the ISE Constitution and Code of Ethics.
4.2.3 Honorary Members are those individual members who are considered by the Board to have made an exceptional contribution to ethnobiology, ethnoecology and/or the promotion and protection of biocultural heritage. Nomination for this category of membership is to be made to the Board and affirmed at an Ordinary General Assembly.
4.2.4 Lifetime Members are individual members who have paid a significant one-time membership fee to the Society of an amount determined by the Board (minimum $500 USD). Under exceptional circumstances, the Board may grant an individual a lifetime membership in recognition of an outstanding in-kind service contribution to the Society. No further membership fees apply to this category for the life of the member.
4.2.5 Institutional Members are those nonprofit organizations that are interested in perpetuating the objectives and purposes of and disseminating information concerning the ISE and have paid an annual institutional membership fee; Application for this category of membership is to be made to the Board.
4.2.6 Corporate Members are incorporated for profit institutions that are interested in perpetuating the objectives and purposes of and disseminating information concerning the ISE and have paid an annual corporate membership fee. Application for this category of membership is to be made to the Board.
4.3.2 The Board encourages in-kind contributions to the Society by members whose fees have been reduced or waived.
4.5 Charitable tax receipts shall not be offered in whole or part for any membership fee.
5.1 Donations may be received from individuals, organizations or institutions to support general operations and/or specific activities, programs, fellowships and awards of the ISE.
5.2 Donations in the amount of $15 USD or more shall be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
6.1 All members in good standing are eligible to participate in all meetings, congresses, courses, committee memberships of and in relation to the ISE upon payment of any appropriate fees.
6.2 All members in good standing are eligible to be elected to the Board, provided that they meet the requirements laid out for each position, as described in Articles 9 and 10, and further elaborated in the ISE Board Guidelines.
6.3 All members in good standing have the right to exercise one vote as an individual and, in the case of institutions or corporations, one vote through an authorized representative, on each vote taken in conjunction with Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies.
6.4.2 represent the ISE by delegation of the President in consultation with the Board.
7.1.1 By decision of the Ordinary General Assembly (2010), electronic ballots may be used where their use increases member access to voting on the business of the Ordinary General Assembly.
7.1.2 Decisions made by electronic ballot in advance of an Ordinary General Assembly will be included as business of the Ordinary General Assembly.
7.2.1 Fees for the ISE Congress shall be set by the Organizing Committee of the ISE Congress and approved by the Board.
7.2.2 Membership fees shall be paid to the ISE on an annual basis.
7.4 A quorum for an Ordinary General Assembly shall be not less than 30 voting members. New members of the ISE are eligible to vote immediately after applying for membership and payment of registration fees.
7.5 Voting at an Ordinary General Assembly shall be by simple majority (51%) of votes cast by those members present.
7.6.2 discussion and vote on the date and venue of the next ISE Congress;
7.6.3 discussion and vote on the promotion or participation of the ISE in other local, national or international meetings, assemblies or congresses. For meetings not identified at the time of the Ordinary General Assembly, discussion will be by the Board as described in Article 11.8.5;
7.6.4 discussion and vote on the creation, suspension, disestablishment or amalgamation of Regional Committees as proposed by the Board;
7.6.5 discussion and vote on any recommendations received from the Board in relation to complaints concerning alleged breaches of the ISE Constitution and the Code of Ethics by Members;
7.6.6 approval of the annual financial report;
7.6.7 discussion and vote on whether or not an audit of financial accounts is required;
7.6.8 other items as determined by the Board prior to any ISE Congress.
8.1 The purpose of an Extraordinary General Assembly shall be to deliberate and decide on any matters of an urgent or special nature that cannot await the next following Ordinary General Assembly.
(a) an outline of the reasons for calling the meeting;
(b) suggestions for an appropriate venue or mechanism for holding the meeting;
(c) proposed dates for the meeting;
(d) suggestions for sourcing funding for participation at the meeting.
9.1.1 Ideally the Board should consist of no more than two (2) members from a single country and should reflect the broadest possible national diversity.
9.1.2 Ideally the Board should be gender-balanced.
9.2 To qualify for nomination, candidates must be members in good standing and have attended two prior congresses, except for Regional Representatives and Student Representatives who must have attended one prior congress.
9.3 To stand for nomination, nominees must have confirmed their eligibility in writing to the ISE designate in advance of the election or appointment, unless the nomination happens at the Ordinary General Assembly, in which case Article 9.8.2 and 9.8.3 take effect.
9.4 Appointed Board positions are made in advance by the out-going Board and ratified by the ISE members at the Ordinary General Assembly. In the case that an appointed Board position remains empty, Article 9.12 takes effect.
9.5 In compliance with IRS requirements for maintaining the 501c3 charitable organization status in the US, the Board will consist of a minimum of three members: President, Vice President (President-Elect), and Secretary/Treasurer.
(b) Vice President, who is the President-Elect (elected);
(c) Secretary (elected);
(d) Treasurer (elected);
(e) Six (6) Regional Representatives (elected), one each from the following regions: Africa; Central America, South America and the Caribbean; Northern America; Asia; Europe; Oceania;
(f) Two (2) Student Representatives (appointed, non-voting);
(g) Two Co-Directors of the Global Coalition for Bio-Cultural Diversity (appointed, non-voting);
(h) Two Co-Chairs of the ISE Ethics Program (appointed, non-voting);
(i) Two Co-Chairs of the ISE Darrell Posey Fellowship Program (appointed, non-voting).
(b) Chair of the Organizing Committee for the immediate past ISE Congress (non-voting);
(c) Former Presidents of the ISE, including the immediate past President (non-voting).
9.7 Board member’s term of office shall coincide with the period between consecutive congresses, with the exception of the positions of Secretary and Treasurer, who will each serve four years and be elected at alternating congresses.
9.8.2 Nominations will be announced, discussed, and voted on electronically prior to the second Ordinary General Assembly. Any position that does not yet have a nominee, as well as for any Regional Representative position that has only one eligible nominee, will be re-opened at the first Ordinary General Assembly of each Congress. All new nominees shall provide a brief statement of candidacy and confirmation of eligibility at the second Ordinary General Assembly. These positions will be filled by vote of members present at the second Ordinary General Assembly.
9.8.3 In the event that a Board position has no eligible nominee following the first Ordinary General Assembly, the position may be filled by appointment by the incoming Board, per Article 9.12, and the members shall be notified.
9.9.2 If, for any reason, an Ordinary General Assembly does not take place, the election will be conducted by postal ballot and electronic ballot, at the time when the Ordinary General Assembly should have been held.
9.10.2 he or she dies;
9.10.3 he or she is removed with reason by a majority vote of members at an Ordinary General Assembly or Extraordinary General Assembly. In any such case the Board Member concerned will be given notice prior to the meeting setting out the reasons for his or her proposed removal and an opportunity will be provided to address the members prior to the vote being taken.
9.10.4 if he or she fails to perform duties.
9.12 Appointment to any vacant position on the Board may be made by the continuing Board members with any such interim appointment to be ratified or otherwise determined at the next Ordinary General Assembly of the ISE.
10.1 To represent the community of ethnobiologists and ethnoecologists affiliated with the ISE in national and international fora in ways consistent with the ISE Constitution and Code of Ethics.
10.2 To convene meetings, congresses and conferences on behalf of the ISE.
10.3 To assist and advise private organizations, non-governmental organizations and government organizations and such other persons or bodies in the study, research and understandings of ethnobiology, ethnoecology and biocultural diversity.
10.4 To seek, accept and receive donations, subsidies, grants, endowments, gifts, legacies and bequests, either in money or in-kind or partly in money and partly in-kind, on behalf of the ISE for all or any of the objects and purposes of the ISE.
10.5 To collaborate with any person, group, or organization that wishes to further the objectives and purposes of the ISE.
10.6 To promote awareness of the activities and objectives of the ISE through appropriate means.
10.7 To print, publish, distribute and sell any books, articles, monographs, pictures, maps, electronic mail, facsimile or other works that promote ethnobiology and ethnoecology, in ways that are consistent with the ISE Code of Ethics and policies on image use.
10.8.2 In response to allegations and complaints that involve breaches of this Constitution or non-research related breaches of the Code of Ethics, an ad hoc committee will be constituted by the Council of Elders and an ISE Board member agreed to by the majority of the Board will act as the neutral party, as outlined in the ISE Guidelines for Addressing Grievances.
10.8.3 The neutral party will make recommendations to the Board concerning actions (if any) to be taken.
10.8.4 The Board may recommend suspension or termination of membership, but only after the person(s) against whom the complaint has been made is given opportunity to respond to the allegations.
10.9 To facilitate the publication and dissemination of the Proceedings of the ISE Congresses and other relevant documents, occasional papers, brochures, newsletters and journals.
10.10 To do all such other things as, in the opinion of the Board, may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the foregoing objects or purposes for the exercise of any of the foregoing powers.
11.1 The Board shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the ISE and may exercise all the powers and authorities conferred under this Constitution.
11.2 The Board members shall meet together regularly for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they deem fit.
11.3 The quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Board shall be four (4).
11.4 The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board.
11.5 In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside and may exercise the powers of the President at any meeting.
11.6 If both the President and Vice-President are absent then the Board members present shall elect one of their members to act as Chair of the meeting.
11.7 Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by consensus of the Board if possible and otherwise by majority of votes. The Chair of the meeting, does not vote except in the case of a tie.
11.8.2 carrying out the provisions of this Constitution;
11.8.3 directing the affairs of the ISE;
11.8.4 making recommendations to the members on the creation, suspension, termination, or fusion of committees;
11.8.5 deciding on the participation of the ISE in meetings and activities with other organizations;
11.8.6 maintaining contact and collaborating with organizations having similar or related objects and purposes to those of the ISE;
11.8.7 preparing and submitting yearly Board members’ reports to ISE members;
11.8.8 preparing and submitting biennial financial, Board members’ and committee reports to the Ordinary General Assembly;
11.8.9 deciding on whether to appoint an auditor for the annual financial statements;
(b) Any such committee shall be competent to make inquiries or to superintend, or transact any business under the sanction and guidance of the Board.
(c) There shall be no formal committee meetings without a Board Member being present.
(d) Questions arising at any committee meeting shall be determined by consensus of the committee if possible and otherwise by majority of votes. The Chair of the meeting does not vote except in the case of a tie.
(a) Membership
(a) Fund Raising
(a) Training and Education
(a) Communication/News/Dissemination
(f) Congress Venue
(g) Publications
(h) Student prize
(i) Board Nominations
11.8.13 All proceedings of the Board and meetings of committees shall be recorded and disseminated by the Secretary or ISE designate to all Board members.
11.9.2 convening and presiding at Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies;
11.9.3 duties as prescribed in the ISE Board Guidelines.
11.11.2 receiving, filing and arranging for inward and outward correspondence of the ISE;
11.11.3 substituting for the President and Vice-President in the case that either are unable or prevented from meeting their commitments;
11.11.4 duties as prescribed in the ISE Board Guidelines.
11.12.2 managing the ISE’s funds and payment of accounts;
11.12.3 preparing the annual financial report to the Ordinary General Assembly;
11.12.4 receiving and giving receipts for all legacies, donations, subscriptions or other monies bequeath, made, given or leant to the ISE and every such receipt shall be an effective discharge for the money or other property so receive;
11.12.5 duties as prescribed in the ISE Board Guidelines.
11.13.2 collaborating with the Co-Chairs of the Ethics Program.
11.13.3 other duties as required to effectively implement the goals of the Global Coalition as outlined in the Kunming Action Plan (see Annex 2) and other relevant ISE adopted documents, statements and/or declarations from time to time.
11.13.4 other duties as specified in the ISE Board Guidelines, or as mutually agreed to with the Board.
11.14.1 managing the overall program approach and activities with the ISE staff on program-specific outreach and fundraising.
11.14.2 collaborating with the Co-Directors of the Global Coalition.
11.14.3 other duties as related to encouraging, educating and assisting ethical practices in accordance with the ISE Code of Ethics and other relevant ISE adopted documents, statements and/or declarations from time to time.
11.14.4 other duties specified in the ISE Board Guidelines, or as mutually agreed to with the Board.
11.15.2 other duties specified in the ISE Board Guidelines, or as mutually agreed to with the Board.
11.16.1 general networking and outreach on behalf of the ISE in their respective regions;
11.16.2 other duties specified in the ISE Board Guidelines, or as mutually agreed to with the Board, that build upon the individual’s strengths and interests to further the goals of the ISE.
11.17.2. general networking and outreach to student groups on behalf of the ISE;
11.17.3 other duties specified in the ISE Board Guidelines, or as prescribed by the Board.
11.18.2 chairing committees as assigned by the President or the Board;
11.18.3 other duties as prescribed by the Board.
11.20 Members of the Board have one vote each; Ex-Officio members and appointed members are non-voting members.
11.21 No part of the income or property of the ISE shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit to any Board member, provided that, in accordance with law in the State where the ISE is incorporated, nothing herein contained shall preclude any reasonable payment to a Board member or any other person for services rendered or for goods supplied or by way of interest on any Board member or any other person.
11.22 Notices requiring a response under this Constitution may be sent in writing to the last known postal address of the person or organization concerned, or by fax transmission or email. Service can be affected by one or all of these means as required.
12.1 Each Board member shall be liable for any loss directly attributable to that Board members own dishonesty or willful breach of trust or for any complicity in a breach of trust by any other Board member.
12.2 Subject to Article 11.1, the Board members of the ISE shall be absolutely indemnified out of the property and funds of the ISE for all liabilities incurred by the Board member in the exercise or attempted exercise of any trust, power, authority or discretion vested in the Board member and shall have a lien and may use monies forming part of the property and funds of the ISE in relation to discharging any such liability.
13.1 The monies of the ISE shall be deposited in the name of the organization in such bank or banks, or trust company or trust companies, as the Board members shall designate from time to time.
13.2 Checks on the bank account(s) and other negotiable instruments shall be signed by the ISE staff and one other member authorized by resolution of the Board members.
13.3 The monies of the ISE shall be fully utilized towards promoting and achieving the objects of the ISE as set out in Article 3.
13.4 The financial year of the ISE shall end on the 31st day of December in each year.
13.5 The accounts of the Board may be audited by a chartered accountant who shall not be a Member of the Board provided that the Board may decide not to appoint an auditor in any year.
14.1 There shall be a common logo of the ISE. An ISE designate shall have the safe custody of the common logo. ISE members may from time to time, by resolution made in conjunction with an Ordinary General Assembly, change, alter, or adopt any new logo as they deem proper.
15.1 The Board shall keep accurate records of its assets and liabilities and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of the Board and of meetings of the General Assemblies.
15.2 All books and registers of the ISE shall be written in English.
15.3 Translations of publications into other languages shall be encouraged.
16.1 The ISE may, by proposal of the Board, establish Regional Committees in any place and country of the world. Each such Regional Committee shall be regulated by its own Constitution and bylaws provided that no such Constitution or set of bylaws shall be inconsistent with the aims and objectives of the Constitution and Code of Ethics of the ISE.
16.2 Regional Committees must have and maintain at all times not less than twenty (20) individual members of the ISE.
16.3 The Constitution or bylaws of a Regional Committee must be approved by a meeting of the General Assembly of members.
16.4 A Regional Committee may request from the Board some administrative time and support from the ISE to assist the Regional Committee in meeting its administration needs.
16.5 Any Regional Committee claiming administrative time and support from the ISE shall provide a complete list of members’ names in respect of whom a claim is being made and together with proof that their annual membership fees have been paid for the relevant term.
(b) Resolutions passed;
(c) New members admitted;
(d) Financial statement of assets and liabilities;
(e) Statement of Income and Expenditure;
(f) List of members who have paid and those who have not paid membership fees.
17.1 The rules of this Constitution may be modified or amended by a minimum of two-thirds (2/3) vote of members voting at or in conjunction with an Ordinary General Assembly, as consistent with Article 9.8.
18.1 The ISE may be dissolved by a decision of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present at an Extraordinary General Assembly called especially for that purpose.
18.2 In the event of the ISE being dissolved, any surplus assets after payment of the ISE’s liabilities (if any), shall be applied towards the objectives of the ISE.
18.3 Any such decision for disbursement of surplus assets shall be made by the Board incumbent at the date immediately preceding a resolution to dissolve or wind up the ISE.
A GLOBAL COALITION FOR THE DEFENSE OF BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY BE HEREWITH ESTABLISHED TO ENCOURAGE THE PERMANENT AND MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, SCIENTISTS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A UNIFIED STRATEGY TO DEFEND THE BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF PLANET EARTH. MEMBERSHIP OF THE GLOBAL COALITION WILL CONSIST OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS WHO WISH TO WORK IN UNITY GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:
1. Members will actively seek organizations to join the coalition;
2. Members will collaborate with indigenous organizations and indigenous peoples to develop multi-cultural, multi-lingual education and training materials; members will actively request governments and educators to use these materials;
3. Member researchers will take an ethically and socially responsible approach in their dealings with indigenous/native peoples and will provide a full feedback of their findings and results;
4. Members will use and engage the media whenever, wherever, and however possible to promote “The Declaration of Belém” and the “Kunming Action Plan”;
5. The GLOBAL COALITION demands to be heard in the United Nations World Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and will actively pursue representation;
6. Members will work to guarantee that indigenous knowledge be duly considered in national and international development programs and projects;
7. Members will help to secure the recognition of traditional and indigenous knowledge as inventive and intellectual, and, therefore, worthy of protection in all legal, ethical, and professional frameworks;
8. Members will form an Ethics Committee to set standards and monitor the progress of the Kunming Action Plan.
9. Members will establish a “STRATEGY FOR THE GLOBAL COALITION” to guide activities for 1992 and beyond.
* Note that the name of the Global Coalition for the Defense of Biological and Cultural Diversity was changed to ISE Global Coalition for Biocultural Diversity by membership vote at the second General Assembly during the 2010 ISE Congress in Tofino, BC, Canada