1. Nomination requirements

To be valid, a nomination must contain the following information, on a single A4 page, in not more than 400 words:
• A statement giving the reasons why the candidate should be elected plus, not more than two pages giving
• A note of the candidate’s current job/ recent career activity, relevant appointments, etc (please do not provide a lengthy curriculum vitae)
The nomination must be accompanied by a signed letter, not more than one A4 page, from the President or General Secretary of the candidate’s member society/association in support of the nomination, since it is expected that the member society/association will provide support for the costs of travelling to statutory and other EuChemS meetings. A small contribution can be made available from the EuChemS budget for travel expenses, if requested.

2. Task description and associated key information

2.1 The role of the EuChemS President

• Chair of the General Assembly, the Executive Board, the Forum for Divisions and Working Parties
• Ambassador and advocate for the chemical sciences and for EuChemS
• Ensure EuChemS meets the requirements of its legal status as AISBL (international non-profit association registered in Belgium)
• Ensure implementation of the EuChemS strategy
• Allocate resources in accordance with agreed budget and ensure accountability for resources expended (together with the Treasurer)

2.2 Basic requirements

• A distinguished chemist and a member of a EuChemS member society
• Ability to provide leadership in formulating strategy
• Broad understanding of the role of chemistry in Europe
• Experienced and skilled chair of meetings
• Support from nominating society

2.3 Time commitment

It includes:
• Attendance at meetings of the General Assembly and Executive Board (usually 3 times per year, two days each time)
• Occasional policy meetings with Members of the European Parliament, European Commission, and at other high level meetings in Europe
• Involvement in the EuChemS Chemistry Congress(es) taking place during the presidency
• Representing EuChemS at important international meetings
• General e-mail correspondence and telephone discussions with the General Secretary/others
• Keeping contact with the member societies, the Divisions and WP as well as EYCN.

2.4 Financial support

• The financial commitment for travel/subsistence or other expenses lies with the member society making the nomination
• In addition to chairing the statutory meetings, the priorities for the President’s travel are to make known and represent the cause of chemical and molecular sciences to political and scientific bodies across Europe. EuChemS expects the nominating national society to cover most of the costs, including participation in meetings of the Executive Board and General Assembly. The candidate for President Elect is encouraged to make every effort to find funding for his/her travel. The sum of €2,000 per annum can be made available from the EuChemS budget during the three-year term of office as President, to reimburse agreed travel/subsistence expenses in special circumstances; the President will inform the Treasurer and the General Secretary of the expense he/she is planning.

3. Electoral Procedure

3.1 Nominations may be made by any member society and must be submitted by the President or General Secretary of a EuChemS member society.
3.2 The General Secretary shall announce to all member societies the vacancy for President-Elect, giving information on the Role and Requirements, and inviting nominations from the member societies to be submitted in the prescribed form by a date not less than two months after the announcement.
3.3 Following the date for receipt of nominations, the name(s) of the candidates will be presented to the Executive Board.
3.4 The Executive Board will instruct the General Secretary to arrange for a ballot at the General Assembly meeting in October. Proxy voting will be permitted. If the outcome of the ballot does not give any one candidate an overall majority of the votes, a second ballot will be conducted during the General Assembly meeting.
3.5 The President shall appoint two Scrutinisers to supervise the counting of the votes. The Scrutinisers shall not be candidates for election. The Scrutinisers shall prepare and sign a report to the General Assembly meeting stating the number of votes cast for each candidate. This report shall be presented to the member societies and the successful candidate shall be announced as the President Elect.

Voting (a simple majority will be required) will be in accordance with the EuChemS constitution and the Bylaws (see extract below).

Excerpt from the Constitution
5.2.7. All resolutions are adopted by a simple majority of the votes of the Members taking part in the voting, unless indicated otherwise in the bylaws.
5.2.8. A Member can give a signed proxy to another Member to vote in his/her place, by mail or electronic mail addressed to the General Secretary. No member can hold more than two proxies.
5.2.9. Every Member is represented in the meeting of the General Assembly by a physical person mandated by the Member.
5.2.10. Members can vote by mail (including by electronic mail) with the ad hoc form attached to the convocation. To determine the quorum, only those forms that have been received at least eight (8) days before the meeting of the General Assembly shall be taken into account. A vote by mail cannot be revoked.
Excerpt from the Bylaws
5.2.7. All resolutions are adopted by a simple majority of the valid votes of Ordinary and Supporting Members that were cast. Invalid votes or abstentions are not counted. In the case of a tied vote, the person chairing the meeting decides.
5.2.8. A Member can give a proxy to another Member to vote in his/her place by using the proxy form attached to the convocation. This proxy form shall be addressed to the General Secretary by e–‐mail or other means, as specified on the proxy form at least ten (10) days in advance of the General Assembly meeting.
5.2.9. The physical person representing the Member in the meeting of the General Assembly shall be duly mandated by the Member and his/her identity shall be confirmed to the General Secretary by the President or by any other person who can validly represent the Member, at least ten days before the Assembly. Only the duly mandated representative of the Member will have the right to vote at the General Assembly meetings, on behalf of the Member and on behalf of other Members who have given a proxy to the Member. Other representatives of Members may attend without the right to vote, in the capacity of an observer. Members of the Executive Board, with the exception of the Members of the Presiding Council, may be mandated by their parent organisation.