Internal Regulations
of the
International Union Of Speleology
- en -

Article 1: The Bureau

• Decisions of the Bureau in everything that concerns important business are to be taken by a majority vote. The President's vote prevails in the case of parity.
• The Bureau collaborates with the Organizing Committee of every International Congress for establishing the regulation and program of the Congress. It ensures that the relevant documents are sent to the Congress Organizer, these documents to be returned after completion of every Congress.
• At the end of its term, the retiring Bureau must send the new Bureau all documents and finances in its possession.

Article 2: The President

• The President directs the meetings of the Bureau and of the General Assembly.
• He represents the Union in all situations where it represents itself as an international organization.
• He guides the work of the Bureau, the Secretariat and the Commissions of the Union and ensures that the work progresses according to the wishes expressed by the General Assembly.
• He designates his representative to all meetings at which he cannot be present, or when he wants to delegate his authority.
• He authorizes the utilization of the funds of the Union after agreement by the Bureau.
• He presents to every General Assembly a true report of the activities of the Union.
• He arranges the election by the General Assembly of two auditors who must verify the Treasurer's financial management. These auditors should be chosen from among representatives of countries other than that of the Treasurer.
• At the end of his term he presides up to the election of the new Bureau by the General Assembly.

Article 3: The Vice-presidents

• The Vice-presidents aid the President in all circumstances where he has delegated his powers or his representation to them. They collaborate, when necessary, with the General Secretary.
• As advisors, they participate with Organizing Committees of Congresses or other International Meetings in the establishment of the work programs for these Congresses or Meetings.
• They distribute among themselves tasks of encouragement and guidance to commissions and sub-commissions of the Union, which regularly send them reports of their activities.

Article 4: The General Secretary-Treasurer and Adjoint Secretaries

• The General Secretary is responsible for the proper functioning of the Bureau regarding all technical and financial questions, and for the execution of Bureau directives. As Treasurer of the Union, he is authorized to receive and manage all its finances.
• He establishes the minutes of meetings of the Bureau and of the General Assemblies of the Union.
• He preserves essential documents related to the Union; he must convey all these documents to his successor, particularly the following: protocols and conventions, minutes, various reports, files, accounting documents, etc.
• He maintains contact with all representatives of member countries of the Union, national or regional groups, scientific societies, institutes and centers of research, independent researchers and international organizations.
• He coordinates and disseminates information of general interest to the organization which he has received or requested from his correspondents.
• He can delegate part of his duties to Adjoint Secretaries, in particular, keeping the Union's accounts, the establishment of files, as well as collecting and exchanging regional information, etc.
• He submits to the General Assembly at the beginning of every International Congress a report containing a summary of the Bureau's activities, the financial balance, an analysis of any current problems, and the solutions that the Bureau recommends.

Article 5: Modification of the Internal Regulations

• All modifications to these Internal Regulations can be made by the Bureau, who must notify them to the next General Assembly.