Statutes

Article 1

Basic provisions

  1. The Czech Chemical Society (abbreviated to CCS) is a professional, voluntary organization of citizens with its chosen focus on chemistry and its related fields.
  2. The CCS is an association under the Act No. 83/1990 Coll. a citizens’ association, its history can be traced from 1866 to the present in an unbroken line. CCS is a legal entity.
  3. The CCS is situated at Praha 1, Novotného lávka 5.
  4. The CCS operates throughout the Czech Republic in addition to having foreign members, who may gather at local offices.
  5. The CCS uses a rectangular sign with a silhouette of an Erlenmeyer flask with the letters CCS and a further historic sign written in a circle around a hexagon, which is present on special occasions. Both characters are listed in Annex 1 of these Statutes, of which they are an integral part.
  6. For the International Communication CCS uses the English title Czech Chemical Society.

Article 2

Activities of the CCS

  1. As regards its activities the CCS shall perform the following tasks:
    1. conduct scientific, developmental, consulting and training activities; strive for the development of chemical industries by supporting research and teaching, and the dissemination of new knowledge from theory into practice and the popularisation of its various branches; participate in international projects;
    2. focus the interests of its members on current issues affecting the future of the chemistry for humanity, develop activities related to future predictions;
    3. exemplify the importance and role of chemistry for the general public, especially in relation to the environment, promote its results;
    4. contribute to raising the professional standards of all its members, provide them with assistance in their professional work;
    5. cooperate in raising the professional level of chemistry teaching in schools at all levels;
    6. cooperate in the organisation of training and retraining courses in the various branches of chemistry;
    7. direct and influence the opinions of governing bodies of all levels of professional expertise and prognostication;
    8. promote the results of Czech Science in relations with foreign countries;
    9. support the formation of a positive relationship to chemistry and understanding of the value of the disciplines of chemistry at the level of state institutions; governments and other similar institutions;
    10. promote and facilitate the application of the chemist’s moral code;
    11. monitor, defend and develop the professional, legal, and social interests of its members and the common interests of all chemists in fulfilling their role in society;
    12. assist its members in acquiring quality services and benefits through partner organizations (companies);
    13. cooperate actively in the creation, improvement and use of chemical nomenclature and terminology.
  2. The process of fulfilling its tasks and goals entail that the CCS:
    1. organise regular CCS scientific congresses;
    2. carry out scientific, developmental, consulting and training activities; organizes symposia, congresses, conferences, scientific congresses, summer schools, courses, lectures, discussions, seminars, exhibitions, tours and the similar events;
    3. be involved in scientific and publishing assessment within the various branches of chemistry and participate in publishing of their own;
    4. handle expert opinions, peer reviews and prognostics for authoritative bodies at all levels;
    5. bring out publications such as magazines, books and conventional, visual, electronic and Internet publications (this is not to say that this list is either comprehensive or limiting);
    6. list competitions and give due prominence to key results;
    7. negotiate with public institutions, including participation in the development of legislation related to the field;
    8. compile national lists of experts and delegates at the request of, or upon having been authorised to do so, by national and international bodies;
    9. enter into legal relationships with other individuals, hire employees, manage accounts, conclude contracts;
    10. money earned from some of its activities be used with the sole purpose of fulfilling the objectives of the CCS.
  3. The CCS cooperates with subsidiaries and other legal entities and individuals within the country and on an international level in circumstances where a larger entity, or, conversely, greater diversity will achieve its goals.
  4. The CCS acts alongside international organizations within the branches of specialisation that fall under its auspices, representing the interests of its members, partners and the Czech Republic.
  5. The CCS is politically and religiously neutral, and, in line with its Code of Ethics, is opposed to any policy that seeks to divide people by nationality, religion, gender, property or similar criteria. Under the terms of this code it rejects extremism, violence and unethical conduct.
  6. The activities of the CCS do not support the basis of the work of any political party, church or religious society.

Article 3

Code of Ethics
Our civilization as we know it today is inextricably linked to advances in chemistry and we are extremely appreciative of our responsibility to the people and to future generations. Many things that today seem perfectly normal were unthinkable not so long ago. Thanks to chemistry as it is today, many people are regularly supplied with food, sufficient quantities of medicines and other values so that the people’s life expectancy grows and has doubled that of the last century. In our daily life, we also reap the benefits of increasingly better materials. This being said, chemists are increasingly confronted with the need for new solutions. The dramatic increase in the number of people on earth must surely result in the risk of overpopulation, there are many diseases that still cannot be treated and the people must be fed and clothed. Even in their enthusiasm for new discoveries, chemists never lose sight of their ethical and social standards. It is understood that any new methods and progress include elements of risk that may lead to public criticism. Safety standards are high in the industry, coupled with high levels of chemical safety training and education creates unique conditions for further development. Chemists are aware of the scope of the problems and the impact of their work and are aware of the necessity to assume responsibility to future generations as well as to maintain high standards of living, which should also remain in the future.

The CCS supports freedom, tolerance and truth in science and is committed to the support of its members. Its particular vocation is to endeavour to improve the position of chemistry, knowledge of chemistry and skills. All CCS members are aware of the fact that they, especially, are to be held responsible for the impact of their work on the people and the environment. The CCS and its members support and promote the sustainable and permanent development of society, the economy and the environment. In their work there is always an element of responsibility to future generations. We comply with all legal requirements relating to our work, our results and their impact must always be against the misuse of chemistry as, for example, in the development of chemical weapons or drugs. They are committed to the use of truthful information in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge of chemistry and do not use dishonest methods.

Discussing anything not in line with these principles destroys the reputation of the profession and as such is incompatible with membership in the CCS. Chemists bear personal responsibility for their work and for information produced as a result. In doing so, they must take into account any of these requirements and how they can be used in their own field. In order to comply with these ideals members CCS undertake:

  1. To identify the purpose of any proposed work to be sure it is necessary, useful and is likely to be successful. Consider its implications and social and environmental impact.
  2. To ensure that all work is immediately, competently, accurately and permanently recorded by the person who performed the work, and that the same is true of its subsequent processing and reporting to ensure its integrity and usability as long as it may be needed.
  3. To make sure that all materials, including samples, are identified, safely handled, properly used, transported, distributed and classified and that the information regarding them is adequate.
  4. To bear full responsibility for their work and to take decisions regarding its engineering consistent with the health, safety and general welfare of the people and immediately bring to light any element that may jeopardise or adversely affect the environment.
  5. To respect the laws and values of the country in which it operates.
  6. To avoid conflicts of interest, whether genuine or inferred, wherever they might affect professional solutions or have a negative impact on the environment and, where possible, to weed out these conflicts and to reveal the identity of interested parties, if known.
  7. To be honest and realistic in claims and estimates based on available data.
  8. To be impartial in decision-making and assessment.
  9. To reject bribes in any form.
  10. To use only the titles and designations to which they have a right.
  11. To improve the level of education in the field of chemistry.
  12. To maintain and improve professional and technical competence and to authorize scientific and technological tasks to third parties only as fits their level of qualification and professional experience, or after full disclosure of the relevant limitations.
  13. To seek, receive and offer honest criticism of technical work leading to the detection and correction of technical errors and to properly indicate the authorship of others.
  14. To behave equally to all, regardless of their function, race, religion, gender, health, age or nationality.
  15. To avoid possible harm to health, reputation, employment or other property on the basis of false information or malicious activity.
  16. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and support them in compliance with this Code.

Article 4

Structure of the CCS

  1. CCS is structured into Local Branches and Working Groups.
  2. Local Branches are established on territorial principle in locations with good conditions for their activities above all in leading scientific, pedagogical, or industrial centres of the Czech Republic or even abroad, based on the interest of CCS members.
  3. Working Groups are established following the professional profiles of the CCS members. They group CCS members based on their professional interests.
  4. The CCS Board may establish additional interest group within CCS at the level of the Working Groups, such as e.g. Young Chemists section, specific award holders club, European Chemist title holders club, or Professional Chemists club etc.
  5. Local Branches and Working Groups are not legal bodies.
  6. Local Branch, Working Group, or any other group mentioned in this paragraph may be established by the Board following a proposal supported by at least 10 CCS members interested to join. An obligatory part of such proposal is the proposed board of the group resulting from elections organised among the applicants. Postal ballot is possible.
  7. If the number of members of any branch or group falls below 10, the CCS Board, based on a proposal submitted by the CCS Secretariat, will debate its continuation. The chairman and board representative of this branch or group must be provably invited to this hearing.

Article 5

Membership of the CCS

  1. Membership of the CCS may be individual or Corporate.
  2. Specially-awarded honorary membership is defined in a separate article of the Articles of Association.

Article 6

Individual membership

  1. The CCS Board will make decisions concerning admission. A membership starts after the decision by the CCS Board is taken and the necessary payments (membership and/or registration fees) are made.
  2. Members can be a citizen of the Czech Republic or of another state which is a signatory to the society and fulfils the conditions for admission to the CCS.
  3. The general conditions for acceptance are agreement with the statutes, the obligation to respect and apply the Code of Ethics, payment of membership fees (or the presentation of a document required for their remission) and registration (if applicable). Applicants for membership to the CCS attest that they have not been subject to criminal proceedings regarding property (including bribery), offenses connected with threats with any chemical substance, nor were they ever the subject of a court ban on any activity in the field of chemistry, even in the event that they were found not guilty of any such activity. Their signature will count as confirmation of this. Additionally, they agree with the statutes, and are committed to upholding and enforcing the Code of Ethics.
  4. In signing, they give consent that the data stated in the application and data about paying contributions provided, fees and subscriptions can be available for internal use by the CCS to introduce the members, in any form the CCS see fit. Members who did not give such permission explicitly on the application (in this version), who signed half a year after the Statutes came into effect, may consider the cancellation of their membership. After this period, it is considered that the agreement with the inclusion of personal data in the database has been provided. The contents of the information collected in the database and its form is determined by the CCS Board. Information from members must not be traded and as such is intended only for internal use by the Company. Organisational units of the Society (branches, groups …) have the right to obtain statements on the members of this unit, bearing in mind that this information should not be disposed of, and may be used only for the internal purposes of units of the Society.
  5. In order to register, members require the recommendation of two members of CCS. In cases where the applicant cannot provide recommendations from two members, a professional resume may be presented, on the basis of which the CCS Board will assess the application.
  6. Individual membership to the CCS consists of several levels; any applicant who meets the general conditions for admission may become either an associate member, an ordinary member or a student member (with full membership), or be able to apply for inclusion in the professional team of chemists for the title of European chemist (EurChem) .
    1. A CCS associate member can be anyone who meets the admission requirements, but does not, however, possess chemistry qualifications or experience.
    2. A CCS member (a full member) can be any applicant who meets the conditions for acceptance as an associate member and who has duly qualified in any field of chemistry (to ‘A’ or bachelor level), or has been working at least two years in a field in which applied chemistry is the main discipline.
    3. Any Member shall have the right to apply for inclusion in the “Professional team of chemists” pending fulfilment of all requirements for the title of European Chemist (EurChem) and information on payment of fees – including details of exceptions – are provided on the application form. The possession of a qualification that meets the EU’s professional criteria is usually essential to inclusion in the Society. The fulfilment of the conditions are decided by the CCS body which discusses applications to EurChem (the National Assessment Panel) or a body designated by the CCS Board. The professional team of chemists is not an organisational component of the CCS and only denotes a type of group membership. If the title of European Chemist should cease to be awarded, this category of request may be granted by order of the CCS Board according to the most recently applied standards. The professional team of chemists can be set up on a similar basis as the Working Group. Membership in the team is considered a higher form of membership in the CCS and is used to reward members of higher professional standing.
    4. Any Member shall have the right to apply for the title of European Chemist (EurChem) through CCS. Holders of the title, EurChem are included in the “Professional Team of Chemists,” if so requested.
    5. Any student studying at an institution at which disciplines of chemistry make up the bulk of the curriculum can become a student member of the CCS. When studying at a school which is predominantly chemistry-orientated in nature the applicant may join with a written assessment of their interest in chemistry or previous chemistry-related experience. Such membership lasts only during the course of full-time study (except for vocational studies) and its duration shall be renewed annually on the basis of a “certificate of study” to be issued by the school.
    6. Honorary Membership is governed by the special provisions of these Statutes.
  7. All members of the society who are members at the time these rules came into effect shall automatically be given full or student membership of the CCS, respectively, on the 1st of January the following year in accordance with these Statutes.
  8. Admission to membership may not be obtained through any public claim and the decision of the CCS Board in this matter is final.

Article 7

Corporate membership

  1. Corporate membership can be awarded to a legal entity which has its registered office, a representative office or is registered as a subsidiary in the territory of the Czech Republic and who express interest in Corporate membership by submitting a written or oral application.
  2. The application for Corporate membership includes a written contract specifying under what conditions and in what form the legal entity will participate in the activities of the CCS.
  3. The contribution from a Corporate member is dependent on the cooperation with the CCS and is given on a case-by-case basis.
  4. An agent will represent and act on behalf of the group in matters related to the Corporate membership, the identity of said agent will be determined by a legal representative, as long as the agent has been designated as such by the group.
  5. Admission of Corporate members is to be decided by the CCS Board.
  6. Corporate members state in their contract that they agree with the CCS Code of Ethics and these will be fully respected.
  7. Admission of Corporate members may not be obtained through any public claim and the decision of the CCS Board in this matter is final.

Article 8

Honorary membership

  1. Honorary membership is a special form of individual membership. Honorary members are eligible for all the usual benefits of membership.
  2. Honorary members may be a significant domestic or foreign citizen who has made key contributions to the development of the field, especially one who has contributed significantly to the development of the CCS.
  3. The awarding of (and removal of) honorary membership is to be decided by the CCS Board.
  4. Proposals for honorary membership may be made by any member of the CCS.
  5. Honorary members are exempt from the obligation to pay membership fees to the CCS for the duration of honorary membership.
  6. The same provisions as apply to individual members apply to honorary members, unless stated otherwise.

Article 9

Members’ Rights

  1. Members have the right to:
    1. participate in the activities of the CCS;
    2. all members have the right to elect and be elected to CCS bodies, unless otherwise stated;
    3. membership of one or several Working Groups, one of the branches and working committees, groups and delegations, etc.., authorities appointed by the CCS, the conditions for such membership are provided by the board of the CCS;
    4. submit proposals for all meetings, conferences and other professional events organised by the CCS;
    5. be informed about CCS events and activities;
    6. preferential admission to conferences, summer schools and other events (ahead of non-members);
    7. claim all the advantages of membership and the use of CCS facilities and services;
    8. possess and use a CCS membership card during the period of membership;
    9. apply for inclusion to the “Professional Club of Chemists’;
    10. apply for the title of European Chemist (EurChem);
    11. honorary members and professional club of chemists members share the same rights as full members.
  2. Associate members and Corporate members:
    1. Share the same rights as ordinary members, except (1) b).

Article 10

Members’ Obligations

  1. Members are obliged to:
    1. comply with the statutes, code of ethics and orders of the CCS;
    2. responsibly carry out duties received from the CCS;
    3. regularly pay membership fees, unless an honorary member;
    4. notify the CCS Secretariat of changes in education, personal data and of any possible circumstances that may be an obstacle to their continued membership.

Article 11

Termination of Membership

  1. Membership to the CCS may be terminated:
    1. by written statement from the member, which the society then accepts;
    2. through failure to pay membership dues for two years, failure to contribute for one calendar year may be used to restrict membership services;
    3. in the event of the expulsion of a member;
    4. in the event of the death of a member.
  2. Members may be expelled only on serious grounds, especially if their actions grossly infringe civil or professional ethics (cf. the Code of Ethics). Expulsion is decided on by the CCS Board. The decision to expel a member may be appealed to the CCS auditors.
  3. Termination of membership in no way affect legal and economic relations of the member towards the CCS.

Article 12

CCS bodies and management of the society

  1. The CCS bodies that provide and manage all areas of its business are:
    1. The CCS Board (hereinafter referred to as the CCS Board);
    2. The Presidium of the CCS Board (hereinafter referred to as “The Presidium”);
    3. The President
  2. The economic activities of these CCS bodies are checked by auditors with disciplinary powers.

Article 13

CCS Board

  1. The CCS Board controls CCS operation during their term of office, which last four years. The CCS Board has 16 members and four proxy members. It is the supreme body of the society. The CCS Board is required to determine the outcome of decisions in all cases. In consideration of this, they ask that they are paid contributions from 25% of the registered members’.
  2. The CCS Board shall:
    1. determine the focus of the CCS;
    2. elect an Honorary President (Chair);
    3. adopt resolutions as to basic financial arrangements;
    4. ultimately decide on appeals against decisions of the board according to the recommendations of the auditors;
    5. elect the President, Vice-presidents, the individual members of the board and their proxies;
    6. approve the interim report on the activities and management of the CCS, approve the auditors’ report;
    7. approve the level of membership fee (for all types of membership equally or differently) and the contribution paid by organisations and institutions of which CCS is a member to determine their enrolment fees, approve the amount of the membership fee for membership held by professional groups or branches and confirm the amount of the membership contribution of branches of the organisation and professional groups;
    8. assign specific tasks to the board, branches and working groups;
    9. recruit as members for the CCS Board or as auditors those who have permanently retired from their previous duties, in addition to proxies, according to the order in which they were elected;
    10. establish and dissolve local branches and determine their territorial district;
    11. establish and dissolve professional commissions and appoint their members;
    12. decide on matters of membership;
    13. decide to award CCS commemorative medal or Hanus medals, respectively, in addition to other CCS awards which members, employees or significant domestic or foreign workers in the field of chemistry may deserve;
    14. approve the election procedure;
    15. oversee the preparation of elections to the CCS Board;
    16. confirm the accuracy of the CCS Board election results for members and their proxies and auditors and their proxies;
    17. establish and dissolve working groups;
    18. adopt resolutions on amendments to the statutes, if such changes are required, provided that the change is debated a minimum of one month in advance;
    19. appoint chief editors, editors and editorial boards of journals and magazines published and co-published by the CCS, and design their officers;
    20. interpret these Statutes of Society;
    21. determine whether the relevant CCS Board meeting is open to the public and whether to exclude the public and/or guests;
    22. approve accession to collective bodies, associations and integration into international structures;
    23. determine in which cases a group of qualified professionals (eg. European chemists during a temporary stay in the country) may be permitted to enjoy the benefits of CCS membership.
  3. CCS Board meeting shall be convened by the President or Vice-president as necessitates, but at least once a year. The President shall convene the meeting, if requested to do so in writing by at least one third of CCS Board members. Extended CCS Board session will be attended by the Chairs of local branches and Chairs of working groups; or a members of the branch committee or working group may attend on their behalf. The persons mentioned above shall attend meetings and vote, and this includes the right to one vote for each branch or panel. If not attending the meeting in person, elected Chairs of the local branches or affiliates may give the right to raise questions and vote to a third party (thereby obtaining two “delegates”), who may participate in these meetings only with the consent of the CCS Board, and only in an advisory capacity.
  4. Meetings of the CCS Board will be overseen by the President, Vice-president or a designated representative member.
  5. The CCS Board constitutes a quorum if at least half of its regular members agree.
  6. Proposal are to be accepted by the CCS Board following assent from a majority of the members present, the chair of the meeting will have the deciding vote in the event of a tie. Proposals at an extended CCS Board session require an absolute majority from those present, the chair of the meeting will have the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
  7. A resolution or decision on a question at the CCS Board taken in the form of a postal vote is valid if cast by more than 50% of the CCS Board (i.e. the extended CCS Board). The provisions of this paragraph shall also apply to vote by e-mail (or similar devices), if a vote of this nature be decided by the CCS Board, or if so required (e.g. due to time or operational constraints) by the President or their representative. Votes cast in electronic form are deemed to be entirely compliant with the voter’s normal rights. Votes are to be preserved in a printed form, together with the minutes of the meeting, so that the data contained in the message header, from where it was sent and when, is available. It is always necessary to evaluate electronic voting during the next regular meeting.

Article 14

The Presidium

  1. The Presidium is the executive body of the CCS Board during their term, which lasts four years. The Board acts as the supreme body of the Society in between meetings of the CCS Board.
  2. The Presidium has six members and two proxies consisting of the chair of the CCS, two Vice-chairs, treasurer and members. Presidium members will also include those who, by virtue of their function as chair of the last CCS, are not elected for a term of office after their mandate as chair has ended. The editor of the CCS journal Chemické Listy is a member of the Presidium in this capacity (during their term as such, in line with the statutes of the Chemické Listy).
  3. The Presidium shall:
    1. ensure routine tasks related to CCS activities and task that are entrusted to the CCS Board are carried out;
    2. prepare and approve a plan of action for the following year’s activities at the CCS;
    3. prepare and approve a budget for the following year;
    4. call in members of the Presidium who have permanently left and proxies, in the order in which they were elected;
    5. if necessary for official members (in particular for the experts), the Presidium shall incorporate a term that extends to the end of their term of office;
    6. establish additional offices as part of the Board as required and ensure members of the Presidium vote on them;
    7. issue and change rules for the organisation of events;
    8. nominate members as organisers of CCS events to organize the panel or branch (or a team named “ad hoc”) so that the organisation and management of said event will be concluded pursuant to the event’s regulations, and agreed between the organiser and the CCS.
  4. The administrative agenda of the Presidium shall be provided by the CCS secretariat.
  5. A meeting of the Presidium shall be convened by the Chair or Vice-chair as necessary, but at least six times a year. Other CCS members or guests may be invited.
  6. Meetings of the Presidium are to be overseen by the Chair or Vice Chair.
  7. At least half of the Presidium’s members shall constitute a quorum.
  8. Proposal are to be accepted by the Presidium following assent from a majority of the members present, the chair will have the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
  9. Meetings of the Presidium of the CCS are public, unless otherwise specified. The meetings can be determined, by resolution of the CCS Board, to be solely to fulfil internal requirements .
  10. A resolution or decision on a question at the Presidium taken in the form of a postal vote is valid if cast by more than 50% of the Presidium. The provisions of this paragraph shall also apply to vote by e-mail (or similar devices), if a vote of this nature be decided by the Presidium, or if so required (e.g. due to time or operational constraints) by the Chair or their representative. Votes cast in electronic form are deemed to be entirely compliant with the voter’s normal rights. Votes are to be preserved in a printed form together with the minutes of the meeting so that the data contained in the message header, from where it was sent and when, is available. It is always necessary to evaluate electronic voting during the next regular meeting.

Article 15

The President

  1. The President of the CCS is, alongside meetings of the Presidium and the CCS Board, the highest representative of the CCS and manages all the Society’s activities. The president of the CCS is the legal representative of the Society.
  2. The President is elected for the same term as the CCS Board and its Presidium; one member may be elected to this position for no more than two consecutive terms of office. The electoral cycle lasts between two consequtive ordinary or extraordinary elections to the CCS Board and the Presidium. At the end of his/her term, the President will automatically (without election) become a member of the Presidium for another term.
  3. In the event of their absence the President’s post is to be filled by the first or second Vice-president or treasurer. In their absence, any member of the Presidium is entitled to represent the President. In the event that a President has not delegated his powers (i.e. the proxy is not known at that time), the oldest of the present members of the Presidium shall take the place of the President. In the event of there being more than one such members, the position will be decided by drawing lots.
  4. If a signature of a representative is required together with the signature of the treasurer (or other official), the treasurer (or this official) must not represent the President in this case.
  5. In the conduct of the election, any CCS member may nominate a candidate to preside the Presidium from any of the members of the CCS Board. Arguments as to that candidate’s significance may be used to support the proposal.

Article 16

Auditors – The Supervisory Board

  1. Auditing of economic activities is to be carried out by three CCS auditors who will constitute the Supervisory Board.
  2. Auditors report to the management of the CCS Board excluding from their assessment any proposals not related to financial statements or on the payment of losses.
  3. Auditors shall additionally decide, collectively, all submissions and complaints about the work of any of members of the CCS. They also decide on appeals against expulsion of members from the CCS, and the like.

Article 17

Elections to the CCS Board and Auditors (supervisory board)

  1. Election of members of the CCS Board, CCS Board proxies, auditors and their proxies are secret. They follow the election procedures set out by the Board.
  2. Elections are overseen by at least three members chosen from the CCS Board Electoral Commission, its members cannot be included on the candidate list.
  3. The number of candidates is not limited, affiliates, professional groups and individual members may be nominated. Inclusion in the list of candidates is subject to the written approval of the nominee.
  4. Election results are determined by the number of positive votes for each nominee.
  5. Postal votes may not be included. In the case of an election to the CCS Board and Supervisory board by postal vote being permitted, the candidates who receive the most votes within a specified time limit (decided by the postmarks on the votes) will be deemed elected. A minimum number of voters is not specified. The distribution of election correspondent ballots and ballots to all CCS members is to be announced in advance, according to election procedure.

Article 18

Documentation of the CCS proceedings

  1. Minutes to all meetings of all branches of the CCS are to be kept. If this is done electronically, it must be converted into printed form.
  2. The authenticity and accuracy of minutes is to be confirmed by the signature of the writer. The first item on the agenda at the next meeting must be the confirmation of the minutes.

Article 19

Local Branches and Working Groups

  1. The activities of each Local Branch are to be governed by its committee, which is elected for a four year period by members of the branch.
  2. The branch committee consists of a chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer, but may contain, following agreement from branch members, a larger number of members.
  3. The activities of each Working Group are to be governed by its committee, which is elected for a four year period by its members, according to the areas of expertise held by those who have signed up to the panel.
  4. The committee of the Working Group consists of a Chair, Vice-chair, secretary and treasurer, but may contain, following agreement from branch members, a larger number of members.
  5. Branch committees and those of Working Groups submit reports on their activities at the request of the CCS Board and are subject to its decisions.
  6. Branches and Working Groups may request an internal membership fee, in addition to members’ fees that are paid to the CCS, by means of which they may carry out their own activities. Branches and Working Groups may not make any claims on the CCS membership fee or a portion thereof.
  7. Branches and Working Groups manage their own resources, they may ask permission from the CCS Board to setup their own bank accounts.
  8. Branches and Working Groups may organise events (such as conferences or seminars). The rules for events under the CCS logo are the responsibility of the CCS Board, which is required to make public the form which they usually take.
  9. Proceeds from these events are to be used for own activities.
  10. Branches (or Working Groups) managed under the CCS “sub-account” answer to the CCS Board for the actions they and their owners take. Branches and Working Groups are to manage only the amount of assets and cash in their own account. Exceeding this rule may be classified as an offense against the CCS Board financial rules unless otherwise deemed a crime against property or a criminal offense.
  11. The management of branches and Working Groups, the competent officials of the branches and working groups and its chair bare equal responsibility (according to the commitments undertaken).
  12. The electoral cycle of committees, working groups and branches can run alongside that of the Society’s management.
  13. Branches and Working Groups are not legal entities and the management of the CCS Board and the Board of the CCS are responsible for their activities.

Article 20

Working Committees

  1. For the performance of specific tasks, the authorities of the CCS may appoint a working committee composed of CCS members. Expert advisors and non-members CCS may be invited to participate in working committees. The Committees shall act in accordance with the instructions of the CCS bodies that created them.

Article 21

Czech Chemical Society Medal

  1. The Czech Chemical Society Medal is granted to chemist, doctors, and experts in the natural sciences, who operate at a significant level of expertise. They must be a person who has contributed to the activity of the CCS.
  2. A nomination for the Czech Chemical Society Medal may be submitted by any member of the CCS.
  3. The decision to award Czech Chemical Society Medal will be taken by the CCS Board. In the event that the nomination is not justified to their satisfaction, the Board may seek the opinion of a working group.

Article 22

Hanuš Memorial Medal

  1. The Hanuš Memorial Medal is awarded to major domestic and foreign researchers in a field of chemistry in recognition of their professional or educational activities.
  2. A nomination for the Hanuš Memorial Medal may be submitted by any member of the CCS.
  3. The decision to award the Hanuš Memorial Medal will be taken by the CCS Board. In the event that the nomination is not justified to their satisfaction, the committee may seek the opinion of a working group.

Article 23

The Vojtěch Šafařík Prize

  1. The Vojtěch Šafařík Prize is given to major domestic and foreign researchers in various fields of chemistry in recognition of the work they have done to develop CCS, or other chemistry associations and organizations and to promote the discipline of chemistry and any field thereof.
  2. The recipient of the prize is to be decided by the CCS Board.
  3. The decision to award will be taken by the CCS Board. In the event that the nomination is not justified to their satisfaction, the committee may seek the opinion of a working group or local branch.

Article 24

The Otto Wichterle Prize

  1. The Otto Wichterle Prize is to be awarded to major foreign workers in the field of chemistry to show appreciation for their achievements in the development of Czech Science.
  2. Nominations for the Otto Wichterle Prize can be made by every CCS member or body.
  3. The decision to award will be made by CCS Board. In the event that the nomination is not justified to their satisfaction, the committee may seek the opinion of a working group.

Article 25

The Vilém Baur Prize

  1. The Vilém Baur Prize is awarded to important teachers at all types of schools for their contribution to the teaching of chemistry.
  2. Nominations for the Vilém Baur Prize can be given by any CCS member or body.
  3. The decision to award will be made by CCS Board. In the event that the nomination is not justified to their satisfaction, the committee may seek the opinion of a working group.

Article 26

The Karel Preis Prize

  1. The Karel Preis Prize is awarded for the best work (article) published in the print edition of the Chemické Listy.
  2. Applications for the Prize may be made by any member of CCS.
  3. The decision on who is to be awarded the prize is to be made by the editorial circle of the Chemické Listy.

Article 27

Society Awards

  1. The CCS Board may award prizes to individuals and groups, or establish other prizes and awards by means of a resolution.
  2. The CCS President may, in cases where appropriate, grant Diplomas or Certificates of Merit in recognition of merits at the discretion of the President. The President will decide on this award and must inform the Board at the next meeting.
  3. An example of such recognition, which is not restricted to those mentioned in para. (1) and (2) above, would be the “Certificate of Merit for commendable work for the CCS”, which was established in 1982 in order to award the commendable work of members and employees of the Society not directly connected to their professional and research work.

Article 28

Elected Honorary Chair

  1. The CCS Board may choose to bestow a president of the CCS, whose term has ended and who is responsible for the development and work of the CCS to a exceptional degree, with an “Honorary CCS Chair” award .
  2. The CCS Honorary Chair has the right to attend all CCS meetings similarly to the president, but only in an advisory capacity.
  3. The number of people this award may be bestowed on in parallel does not have any limit placed on it.

Article 29

Financial Management

  • The following items fall under the auspices of CCS financial management:
    1. membership fees,
    2. CCS assets, fixed and non-fixed, and revenues from them,
    3. revenue generated from CCS business, which is given its basic definition in Article 2, other occasional activities that generate revenue are considered to be solely additional activities;
    4. funds and subsidies from budgetary and extra-budgetary resources, sponsors and foundations;
    5. gifts and bequests, contributions from the proceeds of raffles.
  • CCS financial management is governed by normal legal regulations and internal rules, which must be in line with the usual legislation applicable in these cases.

    Article 30

    Final provisions

    1. The CCS is represented by its President who acts on its behalf. They sign by attaching their signature and function to the name of the CCS.
    2. The CCS Board may also authorize other officials, or other CCS members to act on behalf of the CCS within clearly defined parameters. Those who have been authorised in this way should sign the attached addendum expressing their empowerment.
    3. The CCS Secretary – The Secretariat’s authorised function is to represent the company at the opening and closing of accounts and sub-accounts of the Company and its organisational components.
    4. CCS resolutions – members shall be notified of resolutions concerning them via the member’s newsletter or journal, or other professional publication, or through newspapers or by e-mail and on the Society’s website.
    5. These Statutes are binding for all sections of the CCS. CCS Organisational units do not require the creation of new documents on the level of these statutes. If they do so and any of them should be contrary to these Statutes, or laws and regulation in force, they will be deemed automatically invalid. The CCS Board will later confirm this.
    6. These Statutes shall take effect after approval of the CCS Board and registration. At the same time prior statutes shall expire.

    Article 31

    Cessation of the CCS

  • In the event of cessation of the Czech Chemical Society all of its assets, after settlement of liabilities and claims, will be transferred to the Czech Society for Industrial Chemistry.