Statues of the Association ISCA 1988 (English)

The statutes were deposited at the Prefecture of Grenoble in 1988, and last modified in 1997. This a translation of the original statutes written in French.

1. Name and Residence

A1. The name of the Association is: "European Speech Communication Association (ESCA)". The Association has its registered office in Grenoble (France).

2. Purpose

A2.1. ESCA is a nonprofit organization. The purpose of the Association is to promote speech communication science and technology in a European context.

A2.2. The Association will achieve its purpose by:

• a) stimulating scientific research and education;
• b) organizing conferences and exhibitions;
• c) organizing courses;
• d) publishing and promoting the distribution of scientific papers;
• e) promoting the study of the European languages;
• f) promoting scientific exchanges;
• g) collaborating with other existing organizations;
• h) promoting further unification of European societies;
• i) promoting relations between Research and Industry;
• j) any other means...

3. Members

A3.1. The Association is composed of full members (persons and institutions), honorary members, associated members and students members. Registration as a member of the Association is carried out by the Board alter verification that the applicant has sufficiently shown competence and well-grounded interest in the field of activity of Association.

A3.2. Membership shall end:
a) by resignation;
b) by cancellation, due to failure to pay membership fee or by a Board decision, for a grave reason. The member in question has the right of appeal to the General Assembly.

A3.3. The Board shall keep a register in which the names and addresses of the members are recorded.

4. Board

A4.1. The Board consists of at least five persons, elected by secret ballot for a term of four years, voted by the majority of the full and honorary members (one member: one vote). Only full members, who are permanent residents of Europe can be members of the Board. Consecutive appointments are limited to two successive terms.

A4.2. The Board chooses a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer from among its own ranks. The posts of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by same person.

A4.3. The Board meets as often as necessary, it is convened by its President or at the request of at least three of its members. The presence of at least half the members of the Board is necessary for the deliberations to be valid. Minutes shall be taken during each sitting and they shall be signed by the President and the Secretary.

A4.4. Decisions are made by an absolute majority of votes. Material decisions any be made by oral ballot. Decisions concerning persons shall be by secret ballot.

A4.5. The expenditures are regulated by the President. The Association is represented in courts of law and in all legal domains by the President or his designated representative. The representative of the Association must enjoy full possession of all legal rights.

A4.6. The Board is responsible for regular accounting of its budget and shall present the latter at General Assembly meeting.

5. General Assembly

A5.1. The General Assembly is composed of all full and honorary members. An institutional member has only one vote. The General Assembly meets every two years. It is convened by the Board or at the request of at least one fifth of its members. Its agenda is proposed by the Board. The President of the Association chairs the meeting.

A5.2. The General Assembly approves reports on the management of the Association, the financial situation, the state of the Association and other related areas.

A5.3. The General Assembly approves the accounts of the previous fiscal period and deliberates issues on the agenda.

A5.4. The General Assembly approval of the management report and account releases the Board of the Association from all liabilities for the period concerned.

6. Advisory Council

A6.1. The Association has an advisory council consisting of at least twelve members, who are appointed by the Board. It is the duty of the advisory council to give advice to the Board on request or of its own will.

A6.2. The members of the advisory council are appointed for a term of not more than four years; Consecutive appointments are limited to two successive terms.

A6.3. The advisory council is chaired by the President of the Association.

7. Committees

A7. The Board is authorized to create committees for specific purposes, which report directly to the Board, the members of said committees being appointed and dismissed by the Board.

8. Financial Resources

A8.1. The financial resources of the Association come from:
a) fees contributed by the members,
b) subsidies,
c) acquisitions by testamentary succession and gifts,
d) other assets,

A8.3. Books and records are kept of the financial state of the Association in such a manner that its assets and obligations may be established at all times.

9. By-laws

A9. The Board draws up by-laws necessary to run the Association efficiently.

10. Modifications and dissolution

A10.1. The statutes of the Association may be modified by the members of the General Assembly through a majority of the votes cast on a motion duly approved by the board.

A10.2. The dissolution of the Association may be decided by vote, only by the approval of at least two thirds of all the members of the General Assembly. The General Assembly then should appoint one or several committees charged with the duty of liquidating the assets of the Association. The Board disposes of the net assets of the Association according to law and to the purposes of the Association.

A10.3. The Board applies and interprets the statutes.

The following persons are the founders of the Association:

J. BLAUERT, D. BOUIS, R. CARRE, J. LAVER, J. MARIANI, R. MOORE, L. POLS, J.P. TUBACH, M. WAJSKOP, V. WISSING.