The purpose of the International society for Behavioural Neuroscience is to foster interaction and discussion among people working in the field of behavioural neuroscience, with an emphasis on relative newcomers to the discipline. It is intended that this group be small, informal, and international.
The total number of members will not exceed 150. In order to ensure that the main focus rests with human neuropsychology, at least 50% of the members should conduct research with human subjects. A maximum of 10 new members per year will be admitted until the membership totals 150; after that, new members will be admitted only when vacancies in the membership arise.
To encourage active participation, members are expected to attend at least one of every three consecutive conferences. Any member absent for two consecutive conferences will be reminded by letter that he/she is expected to attend the following conference. Except for exceptional circumstances, the third absence entails loss of membership. The membership committee will have the discretion of deciding which reasons for non-attendance are considered exceptional.
New admissions are possible only within the overall limit of 150 members. Candidates for membership must have completed their Ph.D. or equivalent degree and be engaged in research with direct relevance for understanding Neuroscience. A membership committee will review applications from individuals, the majority of whom will have received their Ph.D. within the past 10 years, and who are actively engaging in research as demonstrated by their record of presentations and publications. Given that the total membership is restricted to 150 people, 120 members will be admitted within the 10-year post-Ph.D. rule, and 30 places will be reserved for members who received their Ph.D.'s greater than 10, but not more than 20 years ago.
The membership committee will review applications from prospective new members. Individuals wishing to become members should apply in writing to the membership committee, and include their CV. Such individuals also have to provide two letters of support from two current members. A current member can sponsor only one new member each year. Prospective new members must attend a conference and give a presentation on their work in the open paper session or in a symposium. Not more than 50% of the slots in the paper sessions will be devoted to new applicants. In the event that there are more applicants than spaces available for presentation, the membership committee well select papers for presentation. The selection process will attempt to ensure balanced representation of different domains of interest within the group at large. Current members will vote on the candidates by secret ballot at the business meeting. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the vote by mail after the conference. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply for membership in the following year.
THe business of the group is conducted by an executive committee consisting of eight members: a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and four ordinary members. In decision-making by the committee, any split decisions will be decided by the president's vote. The executive committee will meet at least once a year. A quorum of the executive shall consist of six people. The executive can ask for members to serve on committees whenever necessary. The executive committee is elected by the general members at the business meeting of the annual conference. The term of office will be two years, and the maximum time that any one person can occupy any one executive position is two consecutive terms. The terms of the members of the executive shall be staggered in order to ensure continuity. In alternate years, elections will be held for four executive positions: the president, treasurer and two ordinary members in one year, and the vice-president, secretary and the two other ordinary members in the alternate year. Motions raised at the annual business meeting require support by two-thirds of the members present to be accepted. A quorum of the total membership shall consist of 50% + 1 of all existing members.
Meetings last from three to four days. Each conference will contain at least two symposia, with a mixture of invited non-members and voluntary and/or invited membership participation. Topics and the location of the conference for the following year will be discussed at the business meeting and voted on by the members present. At each conference there will be at least one open paper session to allow members to give short talks (20 minutes) on their current research. Attendees are expected to stay for the whole period of the conference.
Presenting members are allowed to bring one person from their laboratories to the meeting. Guests are welcome to accompany the group members to enjoy the facilities and the social events.
June 8, 1995