Constitution - 2025

INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION FOR CONSTITUTION AND REGULATIONS

Note: In the Constitution, the following meanings apply to key verbs.

All words and terms shall have the generally accepted contextual meaning as defined in the Oxford English Dictionary.

“Shall” or “will” or “must” indicates obligatory actions while “may” or “should” or “can” indicates optional actions.  In all ISVA matters, if controversy arises on the meaning, interpretation or definition of any part of the constitution or regulations, the ruling of the current Executive Committee shall be final.

INTERNATIONAL SHEEP VETERINARY ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

Updated October 2025

Download pdf version

I    NAME

The name of the organisation is the International Sheep Veterinary Association (ISVA).

 

II   OBJECTIVES

The ISVA is constituted for the following purposes:

  1. To provide a structure for all veterinarians with a special interest in sheep health, welfare and production to enhance their knowledge and skills.

  2. To promote the professional development of sheep veterinarians with the goal to foster improvement in sheep welfare, health, sustainable production and responsible environmental practices.

  3. To act as a representative voice of the veterinary profession internationally on all matters involving the health and welfare of sheep.

  4. To arrange and facilitate the International Sheep Veterinary Congresses (ISVC) and otherscientific exchanges between persons and organisations involved in the welfare, health and production of sheep.

  5. To facilitate recognition of individuals who make a significant contribution to the health, welfare and production of sheep.

  6. To collaborate with other organisations with similar or related interests in the promotion of the health, welfare and production of sheep.

 

III     MEMBERSHIP

1. National membership

Membership is open to national veterinary associations of countries recognised by the United Nations.  In the absence of such a national body, one or more regional or interest-based veterinary associations from that country may be accepted, provided they represent the sheep veterinary community and are committed to the continuing education and professional development of their members. However, where there is more than one regional representative of a country, only one vote per country is permitted. 

National members are encouraged to form special sheep veterinary interest groups that promote the health, welfare and production of sheep. These groups may also include other production species (e.g., cattle, goats, farmed deer, farmed camelids) but must include sheep.

The individual representing the national or regional veterinary association to the ISVA, must be a veterinarian in good standing within that association.  They must provide the Executive Committee with a signed letter from the veterinary association, confirming their selection.  This documentation of representation must be updated at least every three years or more frequently as needed.

2. Individual membership

Where no national or regional veterinary association exists, or in special circumstances as decided by the current Executive Committee of ISVA, graduate veterinarians or others interested in the health, welfare and production of sheep may join as individual members but shall have no voting rights.

3. Associate membership

Organisations other than national veterinary associations may be granted associate membership at General or Special Meetings of ISVA but shall have no voting rights.

4. Corporate membership

Major international sponsors may be granted corporate membership for a specified period at a General or Special Meeting of ISVA but shall have no voting rights.

5. Obligations

Membership of the ISVA will entail no obligation from member countries or regions, their organisation or individuals to take part in any ISVA activities if they choose not to do so.  However, it is encouraged for members to embrace the objectives of the ISVA and promote activities in their regions and countries that improve the health, welfare and production of sheep and to promote the International Sheep Veterinary Congress.

 

IV     ORGANISATION

  1. Executive Committee

The ISVA is headed by an Executive Committee of Officers, whose purpose is to: 

  1. organize the bid process for the next ISVC;

  2. provide guidance and oversight to those host countries awarded the ISVC;

  3. organize and oversee the General Meeting of the ISVA, to be held usually in conjunction with the ISVC;

  4. provide advocacy for the health, welfare and production of sheep where needed; and

  5. to meet regularly as required to ensure these obligations are met.

2.  General Meetings

The Secretary shall notify all members of a General Meeting to be held at a place and time convenient to and organised by the current host organising country, but it must coincide with the ISVC and be accessible to all members.

The General Meeting may be attended in an official capacity by one authorised representative of each national or regional veterinary association of member countries (either in person or virtually). Other individuals may attend as observers at the discretion of the Chairperson and Executive Committee, but have no voting rights. The agenda shall be circulated to members at least 30 days before the meeting. 

The General Meeting may transact all business relevant to ISVA and will act as its supreme body with the power of final decision. Any proposed changes to the Constitution of ISVA must reach the secretariat at least three months before the General Meeting and be supported in writing by at least five members of the ISVA.Such proposals must be circulated to all members of the ISVA at least one calendar month before the General Meeting.

3. Special Meetings

These may be held by telephone conference or electronic mail as appropriate and as deemed necessary by either the Executive Committee of ISVA, or by request of at least 5 member countries. These meetings shall cover only such matters that need urgent attention and cannot wait for the next General Meeting.

4. Office Bearers of the Executive Committee

President: The duties of the President are to see to the effective running of the ISVA and to ensure that the Constitution is followed. The incumbent acts as Chairperson at all meetings and as the official representative of the ISVA as required.

Vice President: This person would normally be expected to succeed the President at the next General Meeting but may not necessarily do so. The incumbent is expected to assist the president in all ISVA matters as requested. The Vice President will act as Chairperson of ISVA meetings or ISVA representative if the President is unable to do so.

Secretary/Treasurer: The incumbent shall arrange all meetings and other activities as directed by the President, and keep adequate records of all matters pertaining to the ISVA. Any financial matters shall also be the responsibility of the Secretary.

Congress Organiser: The person nominated by the organising country of the following ISVC shall be responsible for organising the congress, assisted by a local organising committee (LOC), and will report to the Executive Committee.

Two Executive Committee Members: These members shall be responsible for seeing to the adequate functioning of all other committees as may be formed by the Executive Committee.

Past-President:  This is an ex-officio position where the Past-President is available to provide advice to the Executive Committee when requested but has no voting powers.

 

5. Election of the Executive Committee

The ISVA shall at the General Meeting elect the Office Bearers of the Executive Committee who will serve in these capacities until the next General Meeting.  Officers will serve only one term in any position.

Nominations for each position (excluding the Past-President) must be submitted in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer of the ISVA up to 30 days before the date of the General Meeting.  Each nomination must have the written support of their national organisation and include a short Curriculum Vitae of the nominee of not more than 400 words. 

Where only one candidate has been nominated for a position, generally the Chairperson will declare that candidate the winner.  Where two or more candidates are nominated for a position, the candidate with the most votes will be declared the winner.  In the event of a tied vote for the winning position, the Chairperson will cast the deciding vote.

In this event that any member of the Executive Committee resigns, is unable to continue to serve, or is removed from office in the interim by a resolution at a Special Meeting, the current Executive Committee is empowered to elect a replacement to complete the current term of the incumbent, subject to proposals and votes at a Special Meeting. 

6. Other Committees 

The Executive Committee may, either on its own initiative or arising from proposals coming from members, form such committees as may be required for the effective functioning of the ISVA. Such committees may be of the size and organisation appropriate to their functions but will not have independent powers and must report to the Executive Committee for authorisation and approval of any proposals. Subject to this limitation, these committees may co-opt additional members as required and consult directly with member countries or other organisations but all final decisions rest with the Executive Committee.

7. Voting Powers

The number of votes assigned to each approved member country at a General or Special Meeting is determined as follows:

  • All member national veterinary associations, or where appropriate, regional veterinary associations with a duly authorised representative, will have one (1) vote.

  • All member countries with a special interest group which concerns the health, welfare and production of sheep shall be entitled to a further one (1) vote.  

  • All member countries that have previously held an international congress will have an additional one (1) vote.  

The list of national memberships with their voting powers will be published on the ISVA website and circulated as part of the agenda of the GM. In the event of a voting tie at any meeting, the current Chairperson (usually the President) will have a casting and deciding vote. Individual, Associate and Corporate members have no voting rights.

All agenda matters subject to a vote shall be decided on the basis of a simple majority (greater than (> )50% of votes cast; abstentions will not count as a vote against), but changes to the Constitution require a two-thirds majority (≥ 67% or more of votes cast; abstentions will not count as a vote against).  Voting will be conducted in-person and/or using a secure virtual (online) platform. An electronic ballot is only valid if a vote is registered on a secure website and using a unique password or identifier assigned by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Conditional on the correct notification, agenda and voting procedures being followed, the authorised national representatives present in person or virtually at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Any matters requiring an urgent decision which, in the opinion of the President, cannot await a Special or General Meeting, shall be decided by the Executive Committee subject to ratification of a General Meeting or Special Meeting or the ISVA.

8. Languages

The official language of the ISVA will be English. The country organising the ISVC is permitted to arrangesimultaneous translations into other languages if required. Groups of member countries may arrange meetings or discussions in other appropriate languages but should provide concise yet complete translations into English for the benefit of the international community.

 

V     FINANCES

  1. All costs occasioned by ISVA matters shall be borne either by national members or individuals serving on any committee including the Executive Committee, or other body of the ISVA.

  2. There shall be no fees payable for membership.

  3. The costs of the ISVC shall be borne by the host country organisers.

  4. The ISVA will receive 1.5 per cent (%) of the registration fees charged by the ISVC to its attendees and will limit the use of these monies to defray ISVA expenses and assist with its objectives.  

  5. A report on finances, audited by a person appointed at a General Meeting, shall be presented at the next General Meeting.

 

VI    REGULATIONS

Regulations required for the orderly functioning of ISVA will be drawn up by its Committees. These regulations shall be ratified at a General Meeting or Special Meeting.  The functioning of all committees will be subject to regulations. This applies specifically but not only to LOC of the ISVC. All regulations and changes shall be dated and approved by the current President.