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1.

The aim of the Institute is to advance the understanding and the application of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the civil engineering infrastructure, in the service of the engineering profession and society.

2.

The objectives of the Institute are to:

(a)

provide a focal point for international sharing of knowledge and experience;

(b)

promote collaboration to maximize the benefit of the international research and development effort;

(c)

foster international harmonization of design and application standards;

(d)

further the acceptance of FRP composites by the engineering community and beyond as a major construction material;

(e)

advocate further innovations, particularly through the interfacing of FRP composites with other technologies such as intelligent sensing.

3.

The Institute is a non-profit organization and does not pursue any commercial objectives.

1.

The objectives of the Institute shall be achieved by:

(a)

organization and sponsorship of international conferences, symposiums, workshops, short courses and seminars, including a biennial official conference;

(b)

publication of the official newsletter, FRP International, and other relevant materials;

(c)

establishment of Working Groups in selected areas to develop state-of-the-art reports and design recommendations;

(d)

development of curriculums and course materials to meet educational needs at different levels;

(e)

other activities consistent with the aim and objectives of the Institute.

2.

The scope of activities covers any and all aspects relevant to the application of FRP composites in civil engineering works, hereafter referred to as the field.

1.

Individual membership shall consist of three classes: Fellows, Full Members, and Associate Members and Student Members.

2.

Fellows are the highest class of membership of the Institute. Fellows are senior members of the Institute who shall have achieved a position of high responsibility and have contributed significantly to the advancement of the field through research or practice, or both. Fellowship is by conferment by the Council based on proposals made by the Executive Committee of the Institute. Fellows are entitled to use the letters FIIFC after their names.

3.

Full Members shall have a serious interest in the field, support the aim and objectives of the Institute and hold at least an acceptable bachelor degree in structural, civil, mechanical or material engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent. Full Members are entitled to use the letters MIIFC after their names.

4.

Associate membership is open to all those who support the aim and objectives of the Institute but do not qualify for full membership. Associate Members are entitled to use the letters AMIIFC after their names.

5.

Student Membership is open to all those who support the aim and objectives of the Institute and are currently students of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree program at a recognised institution of higher learning. Student Members are entitled to use the letters SMIIFC after their names.

6.

The method of election to the membership shall be by application to the Secretary of the Institute for consideration and approval by the Executive Committee.

7.

Members shall pay an annual fee to be determined by the Council. Payment of the annual fee is due on the first day of February each year.

8.

Membership may be terminated:

(a)

by a member through a written notice to resign to the Secretary of the Institute;

(b)

by the Executive Committee as a result of the membership fee not being paid for two consecutive years; and

(c)

by the Executive Committee if a member has acted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Institute.

1.

Any motions calling for votes shall be passed if supported by more than half of those present at the meeting if the quorum requirement is met by the meeting.

2.

Motions made at meetings which do not satisfy the quorum requirement should be subject to subsequent email voting.

3.

No proxies shall be allowed.

1.

The Council is the highest body of the Institute. It lays down policies for implementation by the Executive Committee. The widest possible international representation shall be sought in the composition of the Council, considering both geographical balance and strength of activities in different regions.

2.

The Council consists of members of the Advisory Committee who are automatically Council members, plus no more than forty elected members. Members of the Council must be Fellows or Full Members of the Institute. Elected members of the Council shall have a term of six years commencing immediately after election, and one third of them shall be elected by ballot at the general meeting of the Institute at each biennial official conference. Each candidate for election to the Council shall be nominated by at least five Fellows or Full Members of the Institute. Nominations shall be received by the Executive Committee at least two weeks before the official conference.

3.

The Council shall meet once every two years at the biennial official conference following the election of new members. The quorum of the Council shall be one-third of its membership. Between the official conferences, mail or email ballots administered by the Executive Committee shall be used instead.

4.

The Council shall elect from its members the following officers to serve on the Executive Committee of the Institute at the biennial official conference: the President, the Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer and the Newsletter Editor. The Council shall also elect two members-at-large of the Executive Committee from within or outside the membership of the Council. Each candidate for election to a post on the Executive Committee shall be nominated by at least five members of the Council. Nominations shall be received by the Advisory Committee at least two weeks before the official conference. The Secretary shall be appointed by the President and shall be an existing member of the Council.

5.

In addition to the election of officers of the Institute, the Council shall vote on the following proposals submitted by the Executive Committee, generally at the biennial official conference:
(a) the hosting organization of the next official conference;
(a) the candidates for Fellowships of the Institute.
(b) the budget for the next two years and the annual membership fee; and
(c) amendments to the by-laws.

1.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President of the Institute as its Chairman, four Vice-Presidents from at least three different geographical regions, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Newsletter Editor, two members-at-large, and the Conference Coordinator who shall be a representative from the organization hosting the next official conference.

2.

Members of the Executive Committee shall be eligible for a maximum of three terms in the same office. If a position of the Executive Committee becomes vacant between Council meetings, the President shall appoint an existing member of the Council to the remainder of the term.

3.

The Executive Committee governs and represents the Institute in all matters, according to the by-laws and decisions of the Council.

4.

The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every two years at the biennial official conference of the Institute following its election at the Council meeting, and in addition when requested by the Chairman or at least half of its membership. Meetings shall be called by the Chairman. The quorum of the Executive Committee shall be one half of its membership.

5.

The President shall preside at Council and Executive Committee meetings, chair the Executive Committee and represent the Institute. The President can delegate his duties to any of the Vice-Presidents when and where appropriate.

6.

The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in the running of the Institute by undertaking duties assigned by the President, and in particular shall be proactive in representing the Institute in his region.

7.

The Secretary shall be responsible for all matters related to the membership of the Institute and undertake other appropriate duties as assigned by the President.

8.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters of the Institute.

9.

The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for the timely publication and healthy development of the official newsletter of the Institute.

10.

The Executive Committee shall submit to the Council

(a)

Proposals received from intending hosting organizations of the next official conference;

(b)

Proposals of candidates for Fellowships of the Institute.

(c)

Proposed budget and annual membership fee for the next two years;

(d)

Proposals for amendments to the by-laws;

(e)

Report of activities and statement of accounts for the past two years.

1.

The Advisory Committee shall consist of Past Presidents of the Institute and six members elected by the Executive Committee. The elected members serve for a term of six years commencing immediately after election, with two of them to be elected during each biennial official conference. All elected members shall be Fellows of the Institute.

2.

The Advisory Committee shall meet at least once every two years at the biennial official conference of the Institute following the election of new members by the Executive Committee. The Advisory Committee shall elect a chairman from its members.

3.

The Advisory Committee shall provide advice to the Executive Committee in the day-to-day operation of the Institute.

4.

The Advisory Committee shall receive proposals of candidates for election to the Executive Committee for voting at the Council meeting of each biennial conference.

1.

Proposals for the establishment of Working Groups in selected areas shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. The proposal shall include such details as the Chairman of the Working Group, a list of members who have confirmed support, and the scope, form and frequency of activities and deliverables.

2.

Working Groups shall be established when there is a genuine need and widespread interest among the members of the Institute, and shall be dissolved by the Executive Committee when it has remained basically inactive for a period of one full year.

3.

The Chairman of a Working Group shall submit an annual report of activities to the Executive Committee.

1.

The biennial official conference is the most important event of the Institute and shall be held every two years, hosted by an organization chosen by the Council meeting based on proposals received from intending hosting organizations.

2.

A Local Organizing Committee at the hoisting organization and an International Scientific or Advisory Committee comprising leading researchers in the field shall be formed.

3.

The Council meeting held at an official conference shall consider proposals for hosting the future conference to be held in two years following the next conference. The proposals shall be received by the Executive Committee two months before that Council meeting. The proposals shall contain such details as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, duration, registration fee, availability of reasonable accommodation and any financial support from the organization. Proposers will be invited to make short presentations at that Council meeting. Voting on the proposals will take place after the presentations and subsequent discussions, and the outcome will be announced at the end of that Council meeting. An IIFC conference committee will work with, and provide support to, the hosting organization of an IIFC official conference.

4.

The chosen hosting organization shall form a Local Organizing Committee chaired by a representative of the organization who shall automatically become the Conference Coordinator and a member of the Executive Committee of the Institute.

5.

The chosen hosting organization shall propose a list of members for the International Scientific Committee and keynote speakers for approval or adjustment by the Executive Committee.

1.

The Newsletter Editor shall be the Editor-in-Chief of the official newsletter of the Institute. He can appoint several Associate Editors to assist him in the running of the newsletter.

2.

Each member of the Council, during his six-year term, is expected to contribute at least two articles to the newsletter.

1.

The Institute shall be funded by member subscriptions, sales of publications and other lawful means such as donations.

2.

Any surplus shall be used solely in accordance with the provisions of aim and objective.

Members of all classes shall have the following rights and privileges:

(a)

to vote at the general meeting of the Institute to elect members of the Council;

(b)

to receive the official newsletter free of charge;

(c)

to receive discounts at conferences, symposiums, seminars and short courses organized by the Institute;

(d)

to receive state-of-the-art reports produced by Working Groups free of charge;

(e)

to receive an annual report from the Executive Committee;

(f)

any other benefits as may be decided by the Council.

Fellows and Full Members have the following additional rights and privileges:

(g)

to nominate and to be nominated as candidates for election to the Council;

(h)

to be nominated as candidates for election to the Executive Committee;

(i)

to take part in the activities of Working Groups;

Furthermore, Fellows have the privilege of being nominated as candidates for election to the Advisory Committee.