ICHO Bylaws

Approved June 27, 2022

International Commission of the History of Oceanography (ICHO)

Division of the History of Science and Technology (DHST)

International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST)

Aims

Article 1. The aims of the International Commission on History of Oceanography (ICHO) shall be:

  1. To comprise an engaged international community of historians, allied professionals, and others interested in the history of the ocean sciences, aquatic environments, and their technologies
  2. To recognize and communicate that knowledge of the ocean is critically important in the world today, and to contribute expertise in understanding how knowledge about the ocean is created and used
  3. To make our knowledge and resources available to those interested in and involved in the ocean’s past, present, and future

Statutes and Rules

Article 2. The International Commission for the History of Oceanography shall be governed by the Statues and Rules of Procedure of the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST), Division of the History of Science and Technology (DHST).

Article 3. The International Commission on the History of Oceanography is an international scholarly association financially dependent upon the DHST. The Commission reports annually to the Secretary General and submits reports on their activities to each General Assembly, when the question of continuation shall be individually put to the vote. For the creation and continuation of an Historical Commission, a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly is required (ref. DHST Statutes and Rules, Art. 8).

Membership

Article 4. Membership in the International Commission for the History of Oceanography is open to individuals with an interest in the history of the ocean sciences, aquatic environments, and their technologies and who make themselves known to the Commission by completing a membership form on our website. [At present: https://oceansciencehistory.com/our-community/members/]

Officers and Elections

Article 5. Subject to the final approval of DHST General Assembly and/or the DHST Council, the Commission shall elect a President and the following officers: up to four Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and Website/Blog Editor (The responsibilities of the Website/Blog Editor may be shared by no more than two people, each having a vote on the Council). The President in conjunction with the officers can appoint up to four otherwise ordinary members of the Commission to serve on the Commission Council. The President and Officers can use these additional Council members to achieve a balance of geographic, career-stage, or protected categories representation. Any Past-Presidents who would like to remain active may also serve on the Council as an ex officio member of the Council. The Commission Council which shall decide issues of policy between quadrennial meetings.

The duties of the Officers are as follows:

President:

  • Conducts the business of the Commission as its primary officer in accordance with the aims of Article 1 above
  • Coordinates the work of the other Officers and volunteers
  • Represents the interests of the Commission to the DHST
  • Files an annual report and request for financial assistance to the Secretary General of the DHST by November 15 of each year
  • Serves on the General Assembly of the DHST

Vice-presidents

  • Advise the President on matters of policy
  • Choose from among their number to become President if the elected President is incapacitated

Treasurer

  • Collects and disburses Commission funds
  • Prepares any necessary financial reports
  • Advises the President and Vice-presidents on matters of policy
  • Serves on the General Assembly of the DHST

Website/Blog Editor

  • Maintains and updates the website of the Commission
  • Edits Blog and community resources stored on Website
  • Advises the President and Vice-presidents on matters of policy

Secretary

  • Keeps a permanent record of membership, attendance, and proceedings of the Commission
  • Serves as Commission historian and archivist
  • Advises the President and Vice-presidents on matters of policy

Appointed Council Members

  • Advise the President on matters of policy

Past President

  • Advises the ICHM officers on matters of policy and serves as an ex officio member of the Commission Council, if interested in remaining active in the Commission

Nominating Process

Article 6. Candidates for office will be selected by an open call for self-nominations, including a short statement of interests and goals in seeking office, in advance of the quadrennial International Congress of History of Science.  Elections shall be held either by a confidential ballot in advance of the quadrennial International Congress of History of Science, or at the Congress itself. Newly-elected officers begin their terms on January 1 of the year following the election but are treated as officers between the Congress and the start of their terms for the purpose of advising the President and participating in discussions among officers. If a position needs to be filled between quadrennial elections, it can be filled by an interim appointment agreed to by a two-thirds majority of the Commission Council, consisting of the elected Officers and the appointed Council Members.

Article 7. These Bylaws may be amended by agreement of a two-thirds majority of the Commission Council, consisting of the elected Officers and the appointed Council Members. The amended Bylaws will be communicated to the entire membership.