Charter
Vision Research Network

1 - NAME

The official name of the organism is the "VISION RESEARCH NETWORK" which is translated in french as "RÉSEAU DE RECHERCHE EN SANTÉ DE LA VISION".

2 - GOALS

The Network’s goals are the following:
2.1 Develop research, and more precisely collaborative research, in the field of vision.
2.2 Increase resources and facilities and optimize their use in the field of vision research.
2.3 Promote collaborations between disciplines and institutions.
2.4 Target research on clinical cases.
2.5 Create and maintain adequate structures to attain these goals.
2.6 Promote technological transfers and partnerships.

3 – MEMBERS AND COLLABORATORS

3.1 Network membres are active researchers as defined by the FRSQ, in the field of vision research.
3.2 All researchers affiliated with either one of the four ophthalmology services or departments or the schools of optometry of universities in Quebec can ask to join the Vision Network by submitting their candidacy to the director of the research axis they wish to join.
3.3 All researchers that study vision can ask to join the Network by submitting an application.
3.4 These applications must be supported by members of the Network and by the director of the selected research axis.
3.5 Membership requests will be handed over to the steering Committee and evaluated in accordance to the researcher’s scientific contribution to the Network.
3.6 Axis directors may collaborate with anyone they deem necessary within their axis or from another axis as well as with anyone that can contribute to their project.
3.7 These researchers are registered as axis collaborators.
3.8 A lack of scientific activity or contribution within the Network for a period exceeding two years will terminate membership. However, the terminated member can reapply to the Network when he or she resumes his or her research activities.
3.9 Privileges and obligations
3.9.1 Only members can apply for Network programs and administrative functions.
3.9.2 Members agree to respect the spirit of scientific research as intended by the sponsoring agencies.
3.9.3 Members agree to supply all data deemed necessary to support the Network’s activities, i.e. publication and curriculum updates, information on obtained grants, progress reports and all other requested information.
3.9.4 The Network expects its members to be scientifically active and to attend activities organized by the Network.

4 - STEERING COMMITTEE

4.1 The Network is administrated by the steering Committee (the Committee).
4.2 Committee members
4.2.1 The Committee is comprised of the Network’s scientific director and the directors of the different axes.
4.2.2 Axis directors are appointed by the members of their axis. Appointments are approved by the Committee.
4.2.2.1 An "alternate director" is appointed by axis members to replace the director should he or she be absent. The Committee ratifies the alternate director’s appointment. The alternate director votes in place of the director should he or she be absent. The respect of closed chamber must be maintained.
4.2.3 The Network’s scientific director is appointed by the axis directors and axis members. The appointed candidate is then proposed to the FRSQ. The Network’s scientific director cannot be simultaneously responsible for an axis. (Modified, November 2000)
4.2.4 The Committee is presided by the scientific director or by another member designated by the scientific director.
4.2.5 Committee member’s mandates are for four years and are renewable.
4.2.6 The Committee can bring in as many additional members as deemed necessary, however said members would not have voting privileges. The Committee can demand, by unanimous vote, the resignation of a member whose behavior is deemed contrary to the Network’s interest or the present regulations.

4.3 Mandate
4.3.1 The Committee is the Network’s official representative.
4.3.2 It determines the Network’s policies.
4.3.3 It establishes the Network’s axes and direction.
4.3.4 It supervises the Network’s practices to insure they are fair. 4.3.5 It maintains a balance between clinical and fundamental sciences at all levels.
4.3.6 It is responsible for the general pursuit of Network objectives.
4.3.7 It insures adequate communication between the different axes.
4.3.8 It stimulates discussion and collaboration within the Network.
4.3.9 It organizes the necessary scientific meetings, seminars and symposia.
4.3.10 It plans the budget for each axis.
4.4 Committee activities
4.4.1 The Committee sets the place, date, time and frequency of its meetings.
4.4.2 Assemblies must be announced at least one week prior to their scheduled date and quorum is essential.
4.4.3 Quorum is established at 50% + 1 and decisions are taken with simple majority.
4.4.4 Votes are taken with simple majority unless otherwise specified in the present resolution or by the director of votes.
4.4.5 A change to the regulations in the present charter must be endorsed by the majority and needs to be ratified by the general assembly.
4.4.6 The Committee produces an annual report of the Networks scientific and administrative activities. Said annual report must be available to all Network members.
4.4.7 The Committee may hold its meetings by correspondence, videoconference, teleconference or any other communication method it deems acceptable.

5 - AXIS MANAGEMENT

5.1 The Network’s scientific activities are distributed in accordance with the different research axes defined by the Committee.
5.2 Each axis assembles a number of researchers actively engaged in vision research.
5.3 Even if a researcher belongs to a particular axis, he or she may collaborate with other axes.
5.4 Axis director’s mandate
5.4.1 An axis director sees to the application of the Network’s policies and objectives.
5.4.2 An axis director also sees to the application of the Network and the Committee’s directions.
5.4.3 An axis director insures the spread of information pertinent to his or her axis members.
5.4.4 An axis director stimulates collaboration between members of his or her axis.
5.4.5 An axis member organizes meetings for members of his or her axis.
5.4.6 An axis director works out the budget for his or her axis.

6 - PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE NETWORK

6.1 Programs supported by the Network are described in the FRSQ’s leaflet # 14.
6.2 The evaluation criteria for applications are expounded in the FRSQ’s leaflet # 14.

7 - IMPUTABILITY OF PROJECTS

7.1 All surpluses to a budget allocated to a researcher are the researcher’s responsibility and not the Network’s.