REGULATIONS
Updated version incorporating the amendments approved by the General Assembly of Members on 23 June 2025
Disclaimer
This English version of the Regulations is provided for informational purposes only.
The Italian version is the only legally binding document.
In case of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the English translation and the Italian original, the Italian text shall prevail.
Art. 1
All members should have equal opportunities to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the relevant scientific disciplines, and AIGeo has the duty to promote these efforts.
In carrying out all statutory activities of the Association, particular attention is given to gender equality, ethnic and cultural diversity, and to members who, for various reasons, are underrepresented in elected positions, as invited speakers, or in roles of responsibility and visibility during national and international events.
Event organisers receiving AIGeo patronage are encouraged to adhere to these principles.
Art. 2
The scientific activity of the Association is primarily carried out through Working Groups, whose purpose is to develop scientific initiatives on planned topics, thus contributing to the advancement of knowledge in physical geography and geomorphology.
The establishment of Working Groups may be proposed to the Executive Board by at least five members, based on a detailed programme of activities, possibly in cooperation with other Italian, foreign and international associations and research groups.
Each Working Group shall consist of full members (the proposers plus a limited number of members) and corresponding members (who may also be non-members).
Working Groups are required to present annually to the General Assembly the results of their scientific activities.
Working Group activities may include basic and applied research projects, methodological development projects, and related initiatives.
After thorough evaluation of the proposed programmes, the Executive Board decides on their acceptance and submits them to the General Assembly for approval.
Working Groups operate for a maximum period of four years and may be renewed once, following the same procedure, based on the results achieved.
The Association does not provide direct funding to Working Groups, which are free to seek public and/or private funding.
Working Groups independently define their internal rules, in compliance with the Statute and these Regulations.
Art. 3
The Executive Board establishes Committees with specific organisational functions, including the analysis of data related to educational offerings in degree programmes involving the disciplinary field of Physical Geography and Geomorphology, the organisation of conferences and congresses, and the awarding of prizes.
These activities may be carried out in coordination with Working Groups and in collaboration with universities, research institutions, public and private bodies, and Italian and foreign scientific associations.
The Executive Board also appoints individual Board members to act as liaisons with related scientific associations.
Art. 4
The Executive Board organises two ordinary General Assemblies each year (spring and autumn), at least one of which shall be associated with a scientific study day and a field excursion.
Every three years, in conjunction with the renewal of the Executive Board, the autumn General Assembly is accompanied by a national scientific conference.
Art. 5
Applicants seeking admission to the Italian Association of Physical Geography and Geomorphology must submit an application to the President, in accordance with Art. 3 of the Statute, including a curriculum vitae and a letter of endorsement signed by two members.
The Executive Board decides on admission and submits it to the General Assembly for ratification.
In the case of institutions, membership applications shall be submitted directly to the Executive Board.
Art. 6
The annual membership fee must be paid no later than 31 March of each year. After this date, a late payment surcharge applies.
Failure to pay results in suspension of active and passive voting rights and, if prolonged for more than two consecutive years, leads to automatic termination of membership.
New members must pay the annual fee within thirty days of notification of ratification by the General Assembly, under penalty of forfeiture of membership.
If notification occurs after 31 March, no late surcharge shall apply.
Members admitted after 31 August are required to pay membership fees starting from the following year.
A removed member may rejoin the Association after settling the current year’s fee and the fees for the two years of arrears that led to removal.
Art. 7
The procedure for renewing the Executive Board, the President and the Board of Auditors is initiated through an election notice issued at least six months before the end of the three-year term.
The notice specifies eligibility requirements, deadlines for candidacy submission, and the opening and closing dates of voting.
Candidacies must be submitted within thirty days of publication of the notice.
An Electoral Committee, composed of three members and appointed by the Executive Board, verifies eligibility within twenty days and communicates the final list of eligible candidates to the members.
Voting for the election of the President, ten Board members and five Auditors (including two alternates) takes place exclusively via a digital platform, with virtual polling stations open for at least fifteen days and starting no earlier than ten days after candidate validation.
Associated institutions must submit voting proxies to the Secretary General within forty-five days of the election notice.
Art. 8
In accordance with the Statute, members listed under Art. 4 (a, b, c), with at least three consecutive years of membership and in good standing with fees, may stand for election:
– as President, provided they have not already served three consecutive terms on the Executive Board or two terms as President;
– as Board member, provided they have not already served two consecutive terms on the Executive Board.
Election results are determined by the highest number of votes received or, in case of a tie, by greater seniority in the Association.
One of the ten Board positions is reserved for the most-voted candidate aged 40 or under.
Art. 9
The Chair of the concluding autumn General Assembly announces the election results.
All elected candidates must formally accept their appointment within twenty days of notification.
In case of refusal or lack of response, the Chair proceeds as follows:
a) contacts the runner-up candidate for President, in case of presidential refusal;
b) contacts the first non-elected candidate for Board member, in case of refusal by a Board member.
From 1 January of the first year of the term, the newly elected President convenes the first meeting of the Executive Board.
Art. 10
Any vacancy arising within the Executive Board shall be filled by the first non-elected candidate.
Replacement members remain in office until the next elections.
Art. 11
At its first meeting, upon proposal of the President, the Executive Board appoints the Secretary General and the Treasurer.
At the same meeting, the President appoints the Vice-President from among the Board members.
Art. 12
The Secretary General is responsible for maintaining the official records and minutes of Executive Board and General Assembly meetings and for issuing notices of meetings in accordance with the Statute.
Art. 13
The Association’s financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Prior to the annual ordinary General Assembly, the President convenes the Executive Board to prepare the financial statement for the previous year and the budget forecast for submission to the Assembly.
Art. 14
The Treasurer manages all collections and payments on behalf of the Association and bears personal responsibility for them.
Income is collected via bank transfer, and expenses may be paid through withdrawals from the Association’s bank account.
Art. 15
Urgent and non-recurring expenses not previously authorised by the Executive Board may be approved by the Treasurer up to a maximum amount of €500, subject to subsequent approval by the Board.
Art. 16
The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining legally required accounting records and supporting documentation and may engage paid professional assistance if necessary.
Any securities owned by the Association are deposited with a banking institution.
Art. 17 – Italian Young Geomorphologists
Recognising the activity of the Young Geomorphologists group within the Association since 2013, the group of Italian Young Geomorphologists (GGI; Italian Young Geomorphologists – IYG) is formally established, comprising AIGeo members aged 35 or under.
The activities and organisational structure of the IYG are defined by a specific Regulation approved by the Executive Board.
During elections of the President and Executive Board, young members normally elect four coordinators from among their members, aged 33 or under and not having already served two terms as coordinators.
The elected coordinators appoint one representative to serve on the AIGeo Executive Board and notify the President accordingly.
Subject to budget availability, the Association supports IYG activities through specific financial contributions.
Art. 18 – AIGeo Regional Representatives
Regional Representatives, one for each Italian region, are appointed by the General Assembly upon proposal of the Executive Board from among members employed at universities or research institutions within the region.
They normally serve for three years and may be renewed without term limits.
Regional Representatives represent AIGeo at regional level, foster contacts and initiatives among regional members, convey their interests to the Executive Board, and collaborate in organising Association activities within their territory.