Proposal for Change to Statute to Article 9 and Article 10 regarding the allocation of delegates and casting of ballots
Background & Motion
As announced during our meeting, the German Society had submitted a motion to Article 9 (Delegate Allocation) of the statutes to address the underrepresentation of members of larger national societies.
Overall, EC agreed that a revision of the distribution of delegates would enhance fairness and inclusivity within EUROTOX, and agreed to draft a proposal to present to member societies and individual members following the meeting.
Delegates agreed to ratify the proposal via electronic ballot, allowing the changes to take effect in time for the 2025 Business Council Meeting.
A second request concerning Article 10 (Casting of Ballots) would align the statute with the current practice to allow one single delegate to cast all ballots at the Business Council Meeting.
Current Text Article 9
For Member Societies
One Delegate from each National Society of Toxicology comprising up to 300 individual members, and two Delegates from each National Society of Toxicology comprising 301 or more individual members (as counted per January 1 for the year ahead), to represent the Member Societies of EUROTOX
For Individual Members
One Delegate for every 200 Individual Members or fraction thereof, to represent the Individual Members of EUROTOX (the number of these Delegates is to be calculated as follows: 1-200 Individual Members: 1 Delegate, 201-400 Individual Members: 2 Delegates, and so on).
Proposal: Degressive Proportionality
Adopt a degressive proportionality model for the allocation of delegates for national societies.
Under this distribution approach a larger society is entitled to a greater number of delegates than a smaller one; however, each delegate of a larger society represents more members than a delegate of a smaller society.
The goal is to enhance fairness and inclusivity within EUROTOX.
The Executive Committee also proposes the adoption of the proportionality model for the allocation of Delegates of Individual Members.
Benefits of Degressive Proportionality Model
- Balanced Representation Across Sizes
Representation increases at a slower rate as membership grows, ensuring that larger societies have more delegates, but not to the point of overshadowing smaller societies. This model helps balance the interests of both large and small societies within EUROTOX. - Supports Democratic Principles
Encourages Diverse Voices: By preventing any single society from dominating due to size, the model ensures that a wide range of perspectives is included in EUROTOX’s decision-making, fostering a more inclusive and representative organization.
Article 9: Proposed Scheme for Allocation of Delegates
One Delegate from each National Society comprising up to 200 individual members.
For National Societies comprising more than 200 members, the number of Delegates shall increase geometrically as shown below:
1–200 members: 1 delegate
201–400 members: 2 delegates
401–800 members: 3 delegates
801–1,600 members: 4 delegates
1,601 and more: 5 delegates
Article 10: Proposal for Casting of Ballots
It is common practice that all votes of National societies are executed by one delegate, who is exerting all votes of her or his National society, or of the Individual Members of EUROTOX. Hence, EC proposes changing Article 10.3 to bring it in line with common practice.
Current Text:
Each appointed Delegate has one vote.
Article 10: Proposed Text
Each appointed Delegate can execute one or more votes according to the number of Delegates representing this National Society or Individual Members.
Consultation & Ratification Timeline
- By March 30: Proposal posted on website for consultation
- By April 30: Societies to nominate delegates for electronic voting
- By May 15: Distribution of electronic ballots to nominated delegates
- By May 30: Casting of electronic votes by nominated delegate
- By June 30: Announcement of results
Presentation
Download the pdf presentation Art 9+10 Consultation MS