Article 1: NAME AND HEADQUARTERS

  1. The Society is named the "Greek Tunneling Society" (GTS - EESYE).
  2. The headquarters of the Society is located in Athens

 

Article 2: SCOPES AND OBJECTIVES

  1. The scope of GTS-EESYE is to promote the development of tunnel construction and underground works in Greece. Specifically, GTS-EESYE aims to :
  • Inform Greek engineers, public authorities, and the general public about the advantages of underground structures and the wide range of applications and opportunities they offer.
  • Enhance the development of better and more cost-effective methods for the design, geotechnical investigation, study, construction, operation, and maintenance of underground works.
  • Collect and disseminate technical information related to tunnels and underground works in Greece.
  • Connect engineers of all specialties involved in underground works, including designers, contractors, supervisors, and researchers.
  • Transfer knowledge to Greece regarding technological advancements and international experiences through the International Tunneling Association (ITA).
  • Cooperate with relevant authorities in drafting laws, regulations, guidelines, and safety standards.
  • Support research and advanced training of technical professionals in underground works.
  1. GTS-EESYE pursues its objectives through :
  • Affiliation with the International Tunneling Association (ITA).
  • Participation in ITA executive meetings, international conferences, and working groups on tunnels and underground works.
  • Organization of seminars, lectures, and site visits to underground construction projects.
  • Publication of a journal/newsletter.
  • Collaboration with government authorities, scientific institutions, and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE).
  1. GTS-EESYE operates solely for scientific and public benefit purposes and is strictly non-profit.

 

Article 3: MEMBERSHIP

  1. GTS-EESYE members are categorized as follows and may be individuals, companies, or public organizations engaged in tunnels and underground works.
    a) Partners - Sponsors: Companies or public organizations paying an annual membership fee of at least 20 x Σ (Σ being the regular membership fee set by the ExCo). Each sponsor may designate up to three (3) employees to represent them in GTS-EESYE votes.
    b) Regular Partners: Small companies with an annual membership fee of at least 4 x Σ, designating one (1) representative.
    c)Regular Members: Individuals with a degree from higher education institutions and at least two (2) years of professional experience in tunnels or underground works. Annual fee: Σ.
    d) Associate Members: Students or recent graduates (up to two years after graduation) in relevant disciplines. Annual fee: Σ/5.
  1. Membership applications are reviewed by the Executive Council (ExCo) upon proposal by the President. Submission of an application implies unconditional acceptance of the Statute.
  2. Members may resign at any time by submitting a written notice to the President but must pay any outstanding fees, including those for the current year.
  3. The ExCo s may expel a member who fails to fulfill their obligations (e.g., non-payment of fees) after prior notification.
  4. Former members who resigned voluntarily may rejoin up to two (2) times, while expelled members may rejoin only once.

 

Article 4: GOVERNING BODIES

  1. The governing bodies of GTS-EESYE are :
  • The Electorate Body (EB)
  • The Executive Council (ExCo)
  • The Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC).

 

Article 5: ELECTORATE BODY

  1. The Electorate Body (EB) consists of all regular members and representatives of sponsor and partner companies who have fulfilled their financial obligations. Associate members do not participate.
  2. Responsibilities of the EB:
    a) Electing the members of the Executive Council (ExCo).
    b) Electing the Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC).
    c) Approving amendments to the Statute.
    d) Deciding on the dissolution of GTS-EESYE.
    e) Approving the financial statements.
    f) Granting discharge to the ExCo for financial management.
    g) Making decisions on major issues proposed by the ExCo.
  1. The Electorate Body (EB) is convened by the Executive Council (ExCo) at least once every three (3) years and extraordinarily as stipulated in Article 5.7. The date of the assembly is communicated to all regular members in writing (letter, telegram, telex, fax) at least one (1) month in advance. The notice also includes the agenda items as well as proposals from the ExCo and the Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC) in accordance with Articles 6 and 7 of this Statute. Invitations to "Partner - Sponsors" or "Regular Partners" are sent to the respective legal entity, which must notify its representatives.
  2. Members may participate in the assembly through an authorized representative, who must also be an GTS-EESYE member. In such cases, a simple written authorization (letter, fax, telex) is sufficient.
  3. The EB may make any decision without a formal meeting if all members agree in writing on a relevant proposal submitted by the ExCo.
  4. The EB is informed at least once a year by the ExCo on the progress of GTS-EESYE, including its financial status.
  5. The EB may be called to decide on any major issue, provided a written request is submitted to the ExCo by at least 1/5 of financially compliant voting members.
  6. The EB assembly reaches a quorum when at least 1/5 of voting members are present. Decisions on all matters—except for amendments to the Statute and the dissolution of GTS-EESYE—are made by absolute majority of those present. If a quorum is not achieved, the assembly is reconvened within a maximum of 15 days at a time and place predetermined by the AEC, and decisions are valid regardless of the number of attendees.

 

Article 6: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. The Executive Council (ExCo) consists of seven (7) members and an additional two (2) substitutes, who are elected by the Electorate Body (EB).
  2. The election process for the ExCo is as follows :
    - At least three (3) months before the end of the current ExCo’s term, the Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC) invites GTS-EESYE members to nominate candidates for the new ExCo and sets a deadline for submission.
    - The ExCo compiles a list of seven (7) proposed candidates for the new ExCo. Alongside this, another list is created with additional nominations submitted by members.
    - These lists are sent to the EB at least one (1) month before the election date.
    - Each EB member is free to vote for any candidate. The election of ExCo members follows the conditions outlined in Article 6.4.
    - Elected ExCo members, once announced by the AEC, must convene for a meeting within two (2) weeks of their election. - The meeting is called by the candidate who received the most votes to formally constitute the ExCo.
  1. The Executive Council consists of the following members:
  • President
  • Vice President
  • General Secretary
  • Journal Editor
  • Treasurer
  • Two (2) Members
  1. The term duration of the Executive Council is three (3) years.
    - The term of the President is three (3) years with no possibility of renewal in the same position.
    - The General Secretary and the Journal Editor may be re-elected to the same position for up to three (3) consecutive terms.
    - The maximum tenure for ExCo members, including those who have served as President, is three (3) consecutive terms.
    - Each new ExCo must include at least two (2) new members who did not participate in the previous ExCo.
  1. The President has the following duties and responsibilities :
  • Oversees all activities of GTS-EESYE.
  • Chairs the Executive Council (ExCo) meetings.
  • Signs all correspondence of GTS-EESYE, as well as any other binding document.
  • Co-signs the minutes of ExCo meetings.
  • pproves GTS-EESYE’s management expenses up to the amount of 20 × Σ per instance (Σ = regular member subscription fee). This amount may be adjusted by decision of the BoD.
  • Co-signs, along with the Treasurer, checks for withdrawals from GTS-EESYE’s bank account.
  • Represents GTS-EESYE judicially and extrajudicially.
  • Proposes for approval by the ExCo various matters, such as the formation of working groups, journal publication, organization of lectures, seminars, or conferences, admission of new members, expulsion of old members, financial statements, major issues within the authority of the Electorate Body, and in general, items for the ExCo meeting agenda.
  • Appoints the members of working groups, organizing committees, etc., that have been approved by the ExCo.
  1. Vice President assumes presidential duties in case of the President’s absence.
  2. The General Secretary has the following duties and responsibilities:
  • Oversees GTS-EESYE’s secretariat.
  • Manages correspondence and keeps the President informed.
  • Maintains minutes of ExCo meetings.
  • Prepares the activity and financial report at the end of the ExCo’s term, in collaboration with the President and Treasurer.
  • Works with the President to draft and send announcements, invitations, etc., to members.
  • Handles GTS-EESYE’s public relations, prepares press releases, and coordinates with the President.
  1. The Treasurer has the following duties and responsibilities:
  • Oversees and manages the collection of membership fees.
  • Executes payments and collections upon the President’s authorization. Payments of up to 10 × Σ from the journal’s budget can also be approved by the Journal Editor.
  • Keeps all financial records and receipts.
  • Prepares GTS-EESYE’s annual financial statement and manages its financial reserves.
  • Conducts deposits and co-signs with the President for withdrawals from GTS-EESYE’s bank account.
  1. The Journal Editor has the following duties and responsibilities:
  • Selects the journal content and approves the publication of articles, news, and commentaries.
  • Oversees the editorial process.
  • Secures financial resources for the journal’s publication.
  • Manages funds up to 10 × Σ per instance from the journal’s budget. Expenses up to 20 × Σ per instance require Presidential approval, while larger amounts require ExCo’s approval
  • Proposes strategies to the President for promoting the journal.
  1. The Executive Council (ExCo) is convened by the President or, if unavailable, by the Vice President, with prior written notification (letter or fax) to members. A ExCo member unable to attend may authorize another ExCo member to represent them via written authorization (letter or fax). A ExCo member who misses three consecutive meetings may be replaced by the first alternate member, following a Presidential proposal and ExCo decision.
  2. The ExCo is validly convened with at least four (4) members present. Decisions are made by absolute majority, except where the Statute specifies otherwise. In case of a tie, the President’s or, in their absence, the Vice President’s vote prevails.
  3. The first ExCo and the first Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC) were elected by the founding members with a three-year term.

 

Article 7: AUDITING & ELECTORAL COMMITTEE (AEC)

  1. The Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC) consists of three (3) members and one (1) alternate, elected by the Electorate Body (EB) along with the Executive Council (ExCo). At least one (1) member of the AEC must be new in each election.
  2. The founding members of GTS-EESYE appoint the first AEC, which will oversee the first ExCo and conduct the first elections after the completion of its term. The AEC members appoint one of them as President of the committee. The duties, responsibilities, and rights of the AEC are as follows :
  • Audits the annual financial statements of GTS-EESYE, prepared by the Treasurer, and the journal’s financial statements, prepared by the Journal Editor.
  • Reviews the final administrative and financial report submitted by the ExCo at the end of its term and submits it for approval to the EB.
  • Retains the right to examine any document, account, or financial record at any time if deemed necessary to safeguard GTS-EESYE’s interests or upon request by the ExCo.
  • Organizes elections for the new ExCo and AEC in a manner that ensures the validity of the results and voting confidentiality. The election procedure is proposed by the AEC, approved by the ExCo, and then communicated to the EB.
  • Announces the new ExCo within five (5) working days after the completion of the voting process.

 

Article 8: FINANCIAL POLICY

  1. GTS-EESYE is a non-profit association. Its resources include membership fees and one-time registration fees, revenue from property use, financial support, sponsorships, and donations from companies, organizations, individuals, legal entities, or the public sector. Additional income sources include publications, event proceeds (seminars, symposia, etc.), and any other legally obtained revenue.
  2. GTS-EESYE’s funds may only be used for purposes outlined in its Statute. High salaries or payments to favored individuals are explicitly prohibited.
  3. The basic annual membership fee for a regular member (amount Σ, as per Article 3) and the one-time registration fee are determined by the Executive Council (ExCo). The Electorate Body (EB) may, by absolute majority and upon a ExCo proposal, approve an extraordinary contribution from members.
  4. The fiscal year begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st. Accounting records are maintained by the Treasurer under the supervision of the President and are audited by the AEC and the BoD. At the end of each year, the AEC reviews the financial records. At the end of the three-year term, the BoD prepares a Financial and Activity Report, which is reviewed by the AEC and submitted for final approval by the EB.
  5. All services provided by ExCo and AEC members are voluntary, and no compensation is permitted.
  6. Any expenses incurred by a ExCo member for an assigned task may be reimbursed by GTS-EESYE only if pre-approved in writing by the President (for amounts up to 20 × Σ, as per Article 3) or co-approved by the ExCo for larger amounts, subject to available funds. The President’s approval limit of 20 × Σ drachmas may be adjusted by ExCo decision.
  7. The journal should aim for financial independence, meaning its publication should be funded by its own resources. The Journal Editor may manage up to 10 × Σ per instance from the journal's budget. The President may approve up to 20 × Σ from GTS-EESYE’s funds for journal expenses. Higher expenses require ExCo’s approval.

 

Article 9: STATUTES VALIDITY

  1. Any prospective member submitting a membership application is automatically considered to have unconditionally accepted the present Statute.
  2. The Executive Council (ExCo) is responsible for issuing interpretative circulars regarding the Statute and decides on such matters with the agreement of at least five (5) members.
  3. To amend the Statute, a reasoned proposal must be submitted by a member. If the ExCo approves it, the proposal is then submitted for approval to the Electorate Body (EB). An amendment requires:
    - The participation of at least half of the regular members.
    - A three-fourths (3/4) majority of the votes cast.
  4. GTS-EESYE may be dissolved following a proposal by the President, which must be approved by the majority of ExCo members and then submitted for final approval to the EB. Dissolution requires:
    - The participation of at least half of the regular members.
    - A three-fourths (3/4) majority of the votes cast.
  5. Upon dissolution, the ExCo decides—by absolute majority—on the disposal of GTS-EESYE’s assets, which must be transferred to non-profit organizations or institutions dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

 

Article 10: TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

  1. The founding members of the society, taking into account the objective difficulties of convening the General Assembly (GA) towards conducting elections and electing members and the Executive Council (ExCo) in a short time, due to the fact that the tunnels and underground projects, where their professional employment lies, are scattered throughout Greece and abroad, and aiming for a better organization and functioning of the association, unanimously decided and hereby designate the first Executive Council (ExCo) and the first Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC) with a three-year term.
  2. The first Executive Council (ExCo) consists of the following members:
    - KAZILIS Nikolaos, Geologist
    - KOLONIA Evangelos, Civil Engineer
    - KONSTANTAKOS Menelaos, Civil Engineer
    - LASKARATOS Petros, Civil Engineer
    - OIKONOMOPOULOS Ioannis, Mining Engineer, Professor at NTUA
    - SOFIANOS Alexandros, Associate Professor at NTUA
    - STAVROPOULOU Vasiliki, Dr. Civil Engineerwith alternate members:
    - THALASSINOS Nikolaos, Civil Engineer
    - GALANOS Panagiotis, Civil Engineer.
  3. The first Auditing & Electoral Committee (AEC) is appointed by the founding members and consists of:
    - ANDRIKOPOULOU Konstantina, Civil Engineer
    - VAGIOTOU Eleni, Geologist
    - MOUTAFIS Nikolaos, Dr. Civil Engineer
    with alternate member:
    - NOVAK Markos, Geologist
  1. The first Executive Council and the first Auditing & Electoral Committee must initiate the process of electing a new Executive Council and Auditing & Electoral Committee from the Electoral Body within a maximum period of three (3) years from the date of recognition of the Association by the Court, taking into account the time required for the election processes, as stipulated in Articles 5, 6, and 7 of this Statute.

 

Article 11: FINAL PROVISION

The present Statutes, consisting of eleven (11) Articles, was read, discussed, and was ratified article by article and as a whole by the Constitutive General Assembly on February 21, 1995. The Statutes will be in effect from its publication and registration in the maintained public registry of the Court.

Athens, February 21, 1995

 

 

Download GTS - STATUTE (in pdf )

(N.B. This is the English translation of the statute without binding nature. Therefore, the Greek original statute document shall prevail over any other translation)