STATUTE
Updated version incorporating the amendments approved by the General Assembly of Members on 23 June 2025
This English version of the Statute is provided for informational purposes only.
The Italian version of the Statute 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.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Art. 1
The Italian Association of Physical Geography and Geomorphology (AIGeo) was established on 22 June 2000, with its registered office in Naples, on the initiative of the National Group of Physical Geography and Geomorphology.
As of 1 April 2014, the Association has its registered office in Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, at the Department of Earth Sciences of Sapienza University of Rome.
Art. 2
The Association is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to promote, encourage and coordinate research in physical geography and geomorphology, as well as to promote initiatives for the education and training of physical geographers and geomorphologists and the dissemination of knowledge related to territory and environment.
In particular, the Association:
a) contributes to the advancement of scientific studies and to actions aimed at safeguarding the territory;
b) promotes the study of physical-geographical and geomorphological contexts including cultural, environmental and landscape heritage, also encouraging cooperation between institutions and scholars operating in the fields of physical geography, geomorphology, geography and environmental studies;
c) organises and promotes national and international congresses, conferences, workshops, field excursions and other scientific events;
d) contributes to the coordination of Italian scientific participation in congresses and conferences;
e) supports the activities of other national and international institutions engaged in the dissemination of knowledge related to territory and environment;
f) endeavours to improve teaching and training conditions in the fields of Physical Geography and Geomorphology, enhancing their educational, didactic and professional value, also through the organisation of schools and training courses;
g) promotes initiatives aimed at fostering the participation of scholars in physical-geographical, geomorphological and environmental disciplines in public and private professional and interprofessional bodies;
h) publishes directly, or refers to, a scientific journal serving as the official journal of the Association;
i) promotes or participates in editorial initiatives, in compliance with current regulations, aimed at disseminating topics relevant to the Association.
MEMBERS
Art. 3
All scholars and practitioners in disciplines related to physical geography and geomorphology, as well as public or private institutions and organisations operating in territorial and environmental fields, may become members of the Association.
Art. 4
The Association is composed of the following categories of members:
a) Founding Members, who signed the founding deed on 22 June 2000;
b) Honorary Members, proposed and unanimously appointed by the Executive Board if already Ordinary Members, or proposed by the Executive Board and approved by the General Assembly if not members;
c) Ordinary Members, appointed by the Executive Board upon nomination by two members;
d) Young Members, under 35 years of age, appointed by the Executive Board upon nomination by two members;
e) Collective Members, appointed by the General Assembly upon proposal of the Executive Board, in the case of institutions and/or associations.
Art. 5
Working Groups may be established within the Association to address specific scientific and organisational topics. Their activities are governed by specific regulations.
Art. 6
Membership, together with the related rights and duties, is acquired upon appointment by the competent bodies.
Membership is terminated:
a) by resignation, to be notified in writing to the Executive Board;
b) by failure to comply with the obligations set out in the Statute;
c) by an unappealable decision of the General Assembly adopted by a qualified majority, in the event of manifest inconsistency with the aims of the Association or violation of its principles of conduct.
Art. 7
Members are required to pay the annual membership fee established by the Executive Board. Membership is automatically renewed unless written resignation is submitted.
The Secretary General (Art. 9) shall suspend the rights, including voting rights, of members who are not in good standing with their membership fees.
Art. 8
All members have voting rights in the General Assembly. Members listed under points a), b) and c) of Art. 4 are eligible for elected offices.
Collective Members may appoint a representative with voting rights in the General Assembly.
GOVERNING BODIES
Art. 9
The governing bodies of the Association are:
the General Assembly, the Executive Board, the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer, and the Board of Auditors.
Art. 10
The General Assembly consists of all members in good standing with their membership fees. It:
a) defines the general guidelines for the Association’s activities;
b) examines and approves the President’s annual report;
c) examines and approves the annual budget and financial statement;
d) elects the Executive Board and the Board of Auditors, according to the procedures set out in the Regulations;
e) deliberates on matters submitted by the Executive Board or by at least one tenth of the members;
f) approves amendments to the Statute and, with a quorum of at least two thirds of the members, the dissolution of the Association.
Art. 11
The General Assembly is convened by the President at least twenty days before the meeting date. It meets twice a year in ordinary session, by March (spring assembly) and October (autumn assembly), and in extraordinary session when decided by the Executive Board or requested by at least one fifth of the members in good standing.
The notice of meeting shall specify date, place, time and agenda.
Art. 12
The General Assembly is chaired by the President and minutes are recorded by the Secretary General.
In first call, the Assembly is valid with the presence of half plus one of the members; in second call, scheduled at least one hour later, resolutions are adopted by a simple majority of those present.
Art. 13
The Executive Board consists of the President and ten members elected from among the members listed in Art. 4 (a, b, c), with at least three consecutive years of membership.
One position is reserved for an Ordinary Member candidate not older than 40 years.
The Treasurer, the Secretary General and one representative of the Young Members participate with advisory vote.
The Executive Board serves for three years. No more than two consecutive terms may be served, extended to three if at least one term is served as President.
Art. 14
The Executive Board promotes all initiatives deemed appropriate to achieve the Association’s aims, in accordance with the guidelines set by the General Assembly, and exercises all powers not expressly reserved to the Assembly. In particular, it:
a) decides on the admission of new members;
b) proposes and coordinates Working Groups;
c) appoints specialist consultants;
d) designates Association representatives in committees and institutions;
e) promotes conferences, study days and schools;
f) proposes regulations and amendments thereto;
g) prepares the annual budget and financial statement;
h) manages budget amendments;
i) oversees financial administration.
Art. 15
Upon proposal of the President, the Executive Board appoints the Vice-President and the Secretary General, the latter not being a Board member, and appoints the Treasurer.
The Board meets at least three times per year. Meetings are valid with the presence of at least half plus one of the members, including the President or acting officer.
Art. 16
Board members absent without justification from three consecutive meetings are deemed resigned. Replacement follows the order of non-elected candidates.
If elected members fall below six, the entire Board must be renewed within two months.
Art. 17
The President may invite members or external experts to Board meetings in an advisory capacity.
Art. 18
The President legally represents the Association, convenes and chairs meetings, signs official acts and ensures implementation of decisions.
Art. 19
The President is elected by the General Assembly and may serve no more than two consecutive terms, subject to Art. 13.
Art. 20
In case of vacancy or incapacity, the Vice-President assumes presidential duties until new elections.
Art. 21
The duties of the Secretary General and Treasurer are defined by the Regulations.
Art. 22
Financial oversight is entrusted to a Board of Auditors, elected for three years.
Art. 23
All offices are unpaid. Reimbursement of expenses may be authorised.
ADMINISTRATION
Art. 24
The Association’s funding derives from membership fees, event revenues, and contributions from public or private entities.
Art. 25
All resolutions shall be recorded in official minutes.
Art. 26
Minutes are distributed to members in good standing.
Art. 27
In the event of dissolution, assets shall be allocated to institutions with similar aims, as decided by the General Assembly.
REGULATIONS
Art. 28
The Regulations govern the functioning of the Association and electoral procedures.
AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTE
Art. 29
Statute amendments may be proposed by the Executive Board or by at least one fifth of the members and must be approved by an absolute majority.
Art. 30
For all matters not covered by this Statute, the provisions of the Italian Civil Code shall apply, insofar as compatible.