Dear ISBM members,

This Addendum to the Constitution of the International Society of Bangladesh-Affiliated Microbiologists (ISBM) reflects the amendments adopted by the general membership and the Executive Committee in November 13, 2025. The purpose of this document is to record changes to existing Articles and Sections of the Constitution. 

Revised wording is shown below.

1. Article III – Membership Eligibility and Fees

Article III/Section 1A

Original:

General Member: Any Bangladesh-affiliated microbiologist with a formal degree or diploma

(BS/MS/MPhil/Ph.D.) in microbiology from an accredited university is eligible for general membership. In addition to microbiologists, medical doctors, clinicians, medical technologists, research assistants involved in microbiology education, research, and extension services such as diagnostics, veterinary services, and healthcare systems are also eligible to be general members of ISBM. All General Members shall pay an annual membership fee as determined by the ISBM Executive Committee to maintain a good standing or full-time membership status. A membership term shall run from January 1 to December 31.

Amended:

General Member: Any Bangladesh-affiliated microbiologist with a formal degree or diploma (BS/MS/MPhil/Ph.D.) in microbiology from an accredited university is eligible for general membership. In addition to microbiologists, medical doctors, clinicians, medical technologists, research assistants involved in microbiology education, research, and extension services such as diagnostics, veterinary services, and healthcare systems are also eligible to be general members of ISBM. All General Members shall pay an annual membership fee as determined by the ISBM Executive Committee to maintain a good standing or full-time membership status. Fees shall be payable yearly at a time and manner as determined by ISBM Executive Committee. A membership term shall run from January 1 to December 31.

2. Article III, Section 1C – Student Membership

Original:

Student Member: Any student enrolled in higher education (BS/MS/MPhil/Ph.D.) in microbiology, or microbiology-related discipline in an accredited university is eligible for student membership. There is no membership fee associated with the student membership. But Student members are required to provide credentials (such as a copy of student ID, a letter from the department chair, a copy of the tuition payment receipt, etc.) to support their active enrollment in a higher education institute. It must be filed for each calendar year the student member wishes to retain their membership.

Amended:

Student Member: Any student enrolled in higher education (BS/MS/MPhil/Ph.D.) in microbiology, or microbiology-related discipline in an accredited university is eligible for student membership. The Executive Committee of ISBM may establish a membership fee for student members. But Student members are required to provide credentials (such as a copy of student ID, a letter from the department chair, a copy of the tuition payment receipt, etc.) to support their active enrollment in a higher education institute. It must be filed for each calendar year the student member wishes to retain their membership. Student members shall not be eligible to contest or hold any position within the Executive Committee. However, they may establish student chapters in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Article IX, Section 2.

3. Article III, Section 2B – Membership Application

Original:

Individuals seeking ISBM membership shall fill out the designated membership form to provide their academic background information (e.g., university name, year of graduation, degree obtained, etc.), current professional affiliation, mailing address, an active email address, and a cell phone number to be kept on file. The information shall be incorporated into ISBM member database for networking purposes only. ISBM Executive Committee reserves the right to ask for additional documents or information to verify the authenticity of the provided information. ISBM Executive Committee reserves the right to deny or revoke any membership for any unprofessional conduct or other reasons deemed sufficient by the committee.

Amended:

Individuals seeking ISBM membership shall fill out the designated membership form as prepared by the executive committee . The information provided shall be incorporated into ISBM member database for networking purposes only. ISBM Executive Committee reserves the right to ask for additional documents or information to verify the authenticity of the provided information. ISBM Executive Committee reserves the right to deny or revoke any membership for any unprofessional conduct or other reasons deemed sufficient by the committee.

4. Article III, Sections 2C & 2D – Combined

Article III/Section 2C &D

Original:

C. Membership fee: Full member…All general members of ISBM shall pay an annual membership fee as determined by ISBM Executive Committee to maintain their good standing or full-time membership.

Fees shall be payable yearly at a time and manner as determined by ISBM Executive Committee.

D. A general member who has paid their annual fees for the current calendar year shall be regarded as good standing or full-time member. They shall have equal voting right on all matters concerning society's general body, including but not limited to the general election, constitution amendment, etc. Such good standing general members are also eligible to run for ISBM Executive Office, serve in the advisory committee, serve as the jury in any hearing procedure, or as the election commissioner to conduct a general election.

Amended:

C. (C & D Combined to a new Section ‘C’) Full Member: Good standing General Members and Life Members shall be regarded as Full Members of ISBM. Full members shall have equal voting right on all matters concerning society's general body, including but not limited to the general election, constitution amendment, etc. Full members are also eligible to run for ISBM Executive Office, serve in the advisory committee, serve as the jury in any hearing procedure, or as the election commissioner to conduct a general election.

5. Article IV – Administrative Secretary

Section 1

• Original:

Defined role of Administrative Secretary.

• Amended:

The position is renamed, with updated responsibilities

6. Article V – General Secretary Duties

Section V.D4

• Original:

The General Secretary shall update and maintain a current member database.

• Amended:

The General Secretary shall update and maintain the member database in collaboration with the Treasurer.

7. Article VI – Organizing Secretary

Organizing Secretary: In consultation with the President and the GS, the Organizing Secretary shall organize and plan all ISBM events, create promotional activities, provide logistics support, etc.

Amended:

In consultation with the President and the GS, the Organizing Secretary shall organize and plan all ISBM events, create promotional activities, provide logistics support, and assisting in recruitment and registration of members etc.

8. Article V.J – Public Affairs Secretary

Original:

Public Affairs Secretary: In consultation with the President and the GS, the Public Affairs Secretary shall maintain all the external relationships with ISBM stakeholders, collaborators, vendors, donors, or sponsors.

Amended:

In consultation with the President, the GS, the Public Affairs Secretary shall maintain all the external relationships with ISBM stakeholders, collaborators, vendors, donors, or sponsors; develop and implement public communication strategies to enhance the visibility of ISBM and promote its missionand programs; and manage press releases, media statements, and official announcements in coordination with the Executive Committee.

9. Article V.L – New Scientific Affairs Secretary

Article V L

Original: Administrative Secretary: The Administrative Secretary shall provide administrative assistance to President and GS in maintaining ISBM's daily business.

Amended:

Scientific Affairs Secretary: In close coordination with the President, General Secretary, and Organizing Secretary, the Scientific Affairs Secretary shall be responsible for advancing the scientific and academic mission of ISBM by overseeing research-related programs and scholarly activities; coordinating and promoting ISBM’s scientific initiatives, including conferences, symposia, workshops, and webinars; maintaining records of all scientific activities; and advising the Executive Committee on emerging scientific trends and opportunities relevant to ISBM’s mission.

10. Article X, Section 1B

Original:

The President-Elect shall become the President of the incoming new EC. All members of the outgoing EC except the President may seek re-election. However, no office bearers of the EC shall serve for more than two consecutive terms for the same position, i.e., a maximum of four (4) years.

Amended:

The President-Elect shall become the President of the incoming new EC. All members of the outgoing EC except the President may seek re-election. However, no office bearers of the EC except the treasurer, shall serve for more than two consecutive terms for the same position, i.e., a maximum of four (4) years. The treasurer can run for a maximum three consecutive terms.

11. Article XVII

Original:

ISBM EC shall adopt a conflict of interest policy that covers board members, staff members, and volunteers with significant decision-making authority with respect to the resources of ISBM. The conflict of interest policy should identify the types of conduct or transactions that raise conflict of interest concerns, set forth procedures for disclosure of actual or potential conflicts, and should provide for review of individual transactions by the uninvolved Directors. Approval by the disinterested ECmember(s) shall be by vote of a majority of the EC members in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present. An interested party shall not be counted to determine whether a quorum is present, nor for purposes of determining what constitutes a majority vote of EC members in attendance. The policy shall also require that the meeting minutes shall reflect that the conflict disclosure was made, the vote taken, and, where applicable, the abstention from voting and participation by the interested party.

Amended:

ISBM EC shall adopt a conflict of interest policy that covers board members, staff members, andvolunteers with significant decision-making authority with respect to the resources of ISBM. The conflict of interest policy should identify the types of conduct or transactions that raise conflict of interest concerns, set forth procedures for disclosure of actual or potential conflicts, and should provide for review of individual transactions by the uninvolved Directors. Approval by the disinterested EC member(s) shall be by vote of a majority of the EC members in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present. An interested party shall not be counted to determine whether a quorum is present, nor for purposes of determining what constitutes a majority vote of EC members in attendance. The policy shall also require that the meeting minutes shall reflect that the conflict disclosure was made, the vote taken, and, where applicable, the abstention from voting and participation by the interested party.

EC members shall sign a conflict of interest disclosure at the beginning of their term.

Effective Date

These amendments were duly adopted by the paid general members through online voting and formally ratified at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), and shall take full force and effect as of November 13, 2025.

Sincerely,

Mizanur Rahman, Ph.D.

GS, ISBM