I. NAME

The Society shall be called The Malacological Society of London.

II. OBJECTS

The objects of the Society are to advance education, research and learning for the public benefit in the study of molluscs from both pure and applied aspects. In furtherance of these objects but not further or otherwise the Society shall have the following powers:

(a) To promote and co-ordinate meetings and symposia presented thereto;

(b) To promote and co-ordinate research both pure and applied;

(c) To provide for the worldwide dissemination of the useful results of such research by publication of the Journal of Molluscan Studies;

(d) To award prizes to outstanding students in the field of molluscan biology;

(e) To do all such things as will further the objects of the Society.

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III. MEMBERSHIP

Membership will be open to all individuals who are interested in the study of molluscs, both from pure and applied aspects.

(a) There will be Student Members, Ordinary Members and Honorary Members. Honorary Members shall be limited to five, and shall be nominated by the Council, such nominations to be confirmed at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.

(b) Membership applications should be submitted to the Society which shall have discretion to accept or reject applications provided that such discretion shall not be exercised unreasonably.

(c) Members shall be entitled to receive a copy of the Journal of Molluscan Studies and such circulars as may be issued during their membership.

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IV. MANAGEMENT

The business of the Society shall be managed by a Council elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Society. The Council shall comprise the Honorary Officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary, Editor and Publicity Officer), the immediate Past-President (ex-officio for one year), four Vice-Presidents and six Ordinary Members. In addition, Council may co-opt up to two members on an annual basis.

Vice-Presidents and Ordinary Members of Council shall retire annually by seniority in order of election and shall not be eligible for re-election in their respective offices for one year (Vice-Presidents serve for four years and Ordinary Members for three years); the Officers of the Society shall be eligible for re-election each year.

Nominations for Council from members must be proposed and seconded and in the hands of the Secretary by December 31st. It shall be the duty of Council to nominate members for election to the offices of President, Treasurer, Secretary, Editor and Publicity Officer, and for the vacancies in the Council caused by annual retirement. Nominations from the members and from Council shall be submitted to the Society with the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.

In the case of a vacancy arising in any office of the Society, or in the Council, the Council shall have power to fill up such vacancy until the next Annual General Meeting.

At Council Meetings six members shall form a quorum.

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V. FINANCE

(a) Admission fees and annual subscriptions shall be such sums as may be determined by a Special General Meeting convened under Rule VI(c).

(b) Subscriptions shall be due on the 1st of January in each year, but in the case of a new member, immediately after election. Members elected during the months of November and December, however, shall not be required to pay for the year in which they are elected.

(c) Any member whose current subscription has not been received in full by June shall be reminded of the arrears in subscription and be informed that despatch of the Journal is suspended until the arears are paid. No member whose subscription is twelve months in arrears shall be entitled to any of the privileges of the Society; and any member whose subscription is two years in arrears shall cease to be a member of the Society, unless the Council decide otherwise.

(d) The price of the Journal of Molluscan Studies shall be determined by the Council from time to time.

(e) For the purpose of legal protection of the property of the Society, all funds, books and other property shall be declared vested in three or more Trustees, who shall be members of the Society, to be appointed by Council.

(f) The Council shall cause to be kept Minutes of Council and Society Meetings and books of account in respect of all receipts, payments, assets and liabilities. Accounts shall be presented to each Annual General Meeting for approval by members and such accounts shall be audited.

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VI. MEETINGS

(a) The Ordinary meetings of the Society shall normally be held monthly (except during the summer vacation) but Council may vary the programme of meetings at its discretion.

(b) The Annual General Meeting shall be held in March/April.

(c) The Council may, when they think fit, and shall upon a Requisition signed by not less than twelve members, convene a Special General Meeting of the Society. A notice of every Special General Meeting, stating the business, shall be sent to every Ordinary Member of the Society not less than seven days before such meeting, no business shall be considered at such Meeting except that for which it was specially convened.

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VII. RULES

Matters relating to the interpretation of the Rules shall be decided by the Council.

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VIII. AMENDMENT

No rule shall be altered except by a majority of votes of those present at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose. No change shall be made that would have the effect of causing the Society to cease to be a Charity in Law.

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IX. WINDING UP

If upon winding up or dissolution of the Society there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid or distributed among the members of the Society, as such, but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Society and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members, such institution or institutions to be determined by the members of the Society at or before the time of dissolution, and if so far as effect cannot be given by such provisions, then to some charitable object.

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