BYLAWS

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING
June, 2022

BYLAW I - Name and Mission

The short title of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing shall be ISPRS with the motto “Information from Imagery” and these initials and motto shall be used on all Society publications and on flags, logos, stationery, etc. of the Society and its subordinate bodies.

BYLAW II - Definitions

The Society's scientific interests shall include the photogrammetry, remote sensing, and spatial information sciences and related disciplines.

Photogrammetry is employed for image-based three-dimensional measurements in mapping, engineering, heritage recording, forensic analysis, robotics, driver assistance systems, medical applications, computer gaming and other fields, where it provides geometric and semantic object information for populating spatial databases and for creating virtual reality scenes with real-life textured models.

Remotely sensed observations of the Earth from airborne and space-borne sensors, in synergy with in-situ and hand-held measurements, provide the basis for mapping human and natural activities; for physical and empirically based process monitoring; for assessing and mitigating disasters; for identifying and assessing non-renewable resources; for monitoring temporal changes in weather, land and sea cover; and for many other applications. Spatial and semantic descriptions of objects, features and processes are derived from one-, two- and three-dimensional (3D) measurements, and the interpretation of their electromagnetic and acoustic signal attributes using active and passive optical, thermal and microwave instruments and sounding devices.

Employing concepts and methods from spatial information science is an essential step in the process of obtaining useful information from images, since typically the description and location of objects and processes, as well as temporal relationships between these physical objects, need to be integrated with socio-economic and other data for analysis, simulation, prediction and visualisation purposes. Spatial information science deals with, for example, spatial data mining, interoperability and data integration, visual analytics, spatio-temporal perspectives on big data, visualisation and generalisation, the Internet of Things, social networks, and human-computer interaction. It is applied in transportation planning and management, urban and infrastructure planning, land and resource management, smart cities, disaster management, environmental monitoring, public health, security, and in understanding many other natural and anthropogenic processes and phenomena.

BYLAW III - Qualifications

The Society subscribes to the declaration adopted in 1958 by the 8th General Assembly of the International Council for Science (ICSU), concerning non-discrimination on the basis of politics, nationality, religion, race, or gender.

BYLAW IV - Activities

In addition to the activities in Statute IV, the Society may carry out all other activities incidental or conducive to the Society's aims, provided such acts do not contravene the Statutes or Bylaws of the Society or the laws of the country in which they are done, or the general principles to which the Society subscribes.

BYLAW V - Cooperation with Other International Organizations

In its policy of cooperation, the Society shall support consolidation of international societies committed to the promotion of the united profession of photogrammetry, remote sensing, spatial information sciences, cartography, geodesy, and surveying, as well as affiliation with other relevant international organizations.

BYLAW VI - Membership

1. Ordinary Members
   1. An application for Ordinary Membership in the Society shall be addressed to the Secretary General and be accompanied by a description of the photogrammetric, remote sensing and spatial information science activities in the country or geographic region thereof, having an independent budget, and of the nature of the organization making application, including specifically its statutes, aims, standing in the country, relations with other organizations concerned with the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, and its administrative and financial structure.  
   2. The application shall state the category in which Ordinary Membership is requested. The category chosen should be broadly related to the number of photogrammetrists and/or remote sensing and/or spatial information specialists represented by the applicant, and the uses made of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences in the country concerned. The table below indicates the category to which an Ordinary Member should belong.
       

   Number of Active Specialists		Category
   less than 26 26 to   50 51 to 150 151 to 250 251 to 400 401 to 600 601 to 800 more than 800		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

    
   3. The Council shall review each application received and if it estimates that the proposed category is inappropriate, the Secretary General shall return the application. The Secretary General shall report every application received to all Members and shall inform them of the opinion of the Council thereon. 
   4. The admission of an Ordinary Member shall be decided by vote of the General Assembly, or with approval of Council, by a vote by correspondence. The Secretary General shall declare the result of the vote to all Members and to the organization seeking admission.
   5. An Ordinary Member may at any time raise its category; it may not lower it without the previous assent of the General Assembly.
   6. To retain its good standing as Ordinary Member requires fulfillment of its responsibilities outlined in the Statutes.
   7. The cancellation of Ordinary Membership may be declared by the General Assembly:
      • in the case of action manifestly contrary to the interests and objectives of the Society;
      • in the case of repeated default in the payment of subscription fees in spite of a demand for payment which the Treasurer shall send to the defaulting Ordinary Member at least six months prior to the meeting of the General Assembly.
   8. An Ordinary Member may resign from the Society by a declaration in writing addressed to the Secretary General. The Council shall act upon the declaration and shall inform all Members as quickly as possible.
   9. When an Ordinary Member leaves the Society, whether by resignation or by exclusion, it shall thereby forfeit all rights in the Society.

 

2. Associate Members
   1. An application for Associate Membership in the Society shall be addressed to the Secretary General and be accompanied by a description of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information science activities in the country and of the nature of the organization making application, including specifically its statutes, aims, standing in the country, relations with other organizations concerned with photogrammetry, and/or remote sensing, and/or spatial information sciences, and its administrative and financial structure.
   2. The application shall state the category in which Associate Membership is requested. The category chosen should be broadly related to the number of photogrammetrists and/or remote sensing and/or spatial information specialists represented by the applicant, and the uses made of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences in the country concerned. The table below indicates the category to which an Associate Member should belong.

   Number of Active Specialists		Category
   less than 51 51 to 250 251 to 600 more than 600		1 2 3 4

    
   3. The Council shall review each application received and shall consult with the Ordinary Member of the country, and the Secretary General shall report every application received to all Members and shall inform them of the opinion of the Council thereon.
   4. The admission of an Associate Member shall be decided by vote of the General Assembly, or with approval of Council, by a vote by correspondence. The Secretary General shall declare the result of the vote to all Members and to the organization seeking admission.
   5. An Associate Member can upgrade its membership to Ordinary Member:
      • at any time by uniting or cooperating with the Ordinary Member of its country, or
      • by vote of the General Assembly, after consultation by Council with the Ordinary Member and demonstration by appropriate documentation, of more active participation in areas of study of ISPRS and larger representation of the whole community of specialists in the country, than the current Ordinary Member. The new category will be determined according to Bylaw VI.1.(b).
   6. The cancellation of Associate Membership may be declared by the General Assembly:
      • in the case of action manifestly contrary to the interests and objectives of the Society;
      • in the case of repeated default in the payment of subscription fees in spite of a demand for payment which the Treasurer shall send to the defaulting Associate Member at least six months prior to the meeting of the General Assembly.
   7. An Associate Member may resign from the Society by a declaration in writing addressed to the Secretary General. The Council shall act upon the declaration and shall inform all Members as quickly as possible.

 

3. Regional Members
   1. An application for Regional Membership shall be submitted to the Secretary General and shall include a full listing of the associated organizations, the charter of the Regional Member, and names of current officers.
   2. The Council shall assure that the charter of the Regional Member conforms to the Statutes and Bylaws of the Society. The Secretary General shall report every application received to all Members and shall inform them of the opinion of the Council.
   3. The admission of Regional Members shall be decided by vote of the General Assembly, or with approval of Council, by a vote by correspondence.
   4. The cancellation of Regional Membership may be declared by the General Assembly:
      • in the case of action manifestly contrary to the interests and objectives of the Society;
      • in the case of repeated default in the payment of subscription fees in spite of a demand for payment which the Treasurer shall send to the defaulting Regional Member at least six months prior to the meeting of the General Assembly.
   5. A Regional Member may resign from the Society by a declaration in writing addressed to the Secretary General. The Council shall act upon the declaration and shall inform all Members as quickly as possible.

 

4. Sustaining Members
   1. An application for Sustaining Membership shall be addressed in writing to the Secretary General and shall include a full statement of the applicant's role in the fields of photogrammetry and/or remote sensing and/or spatial information sciences.
   2. Council shall consider each application and make the final decision on admission of an applicant.
   3. Sustaining Members may appoint a committee called the International Industry Advisory Committee (IIAC) to represent the exhibitors in the planning and operation of scientific and technical exhibits sponsored by the Society. The recommendations of the IIAC are advisory to the Congress Director.
   4. The IIAC Chair of the Society shall convene an IIAC meeting at least once during each Congress.
   5. Council shall have the authority to cancel Sustaining Membership:
      • in the case of action manifestly contrary to the interests and objectives of the Society;
      • in the case of repeated default in payment of subscription fees.
   6. A Sustaining Member may resign from the Society by a declaration in writing, addressed to the Secretary General. The Council shall act upon the declaration and shall inform all Members as quickly as possible.

 

5. Honorary Members
   1. There may not be more than ten living Honorary Members of the Society at any given time.
   2. Honorary Members are elected by the Congress in Plenary Session. A maximum of two Honorary Members may be elected at any Congress.
   3. Candidates for Honorary Membership may be proposed by any of the Member organizations of the Society. Proposals shall summarize the accomplishments of the candidate and be submitted to the Secretary General at least six months before the next Congress.
   4. Honorary Members shall be nominated by a seven-member committee appointed by the Council. The committee shall include three Honorary Members, three members from the three previous Councils plus one current Council member and shall be chaired by the most recent Honorary Member.
   5. Honorary Members shall have the right to attend all meetings of the Society and its constituent parts except for Council meetings. They shall not be required to pay registration fees for any Society function.

 

6. Fellows
   1. Candidates shall be nominated by any Member of the Society or by Council. The nomination shall be considered by the Fellows Committee, and recommendations for the award of Fellowship shall be made to the General Assembly which will elect the Fellows.
   2. The Fellows Committee shall be composed of five members from Fellows selected by Council (2), an Honorary Member selected by the Honorary Members (1), and individuals elected by the General Assembly (2). The Committee shall select a Chair from amongst their number. Members of the Fellows Committee are ineligible for nomination.
   3. The maximum number of living Fellows at any one time shall be 40, excluding those Fellows subsequently elected as Honorary Members. Up to five Fellows may be elected in any one General Assembly.

    

7. Individual Members
   1. An application for Individual Membership shall be addressed in writing to the Secretary General and shall include a full statement of the applicant's role in the fields of photogrammetry and/or remote sensing and/or spatial information.
   2. Council shall consider each application and make the final decision on admission of an applicant.
   3. Council shall have the authority to cancel Individual Membership in case of action manifestly contrary to the interests and objectives of the Society.

BYLAW VII - Organization and Administration

1. The Chairs of the Permanent Committees, the Chair of the Financial Commission, the President of the Student Consortium, the Editors in Chief of the ISPRS Journals, the Book Series Editor, the ISPRS Webmaster, the Editor of the eBulletin and the Regional Representatives shall comprise the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board shall meet with Council at least once during the inter Congress period.
2. Committees may be appointed by the Council to report on special topics or to address issues in support of Council. The membership of a Committee shall consist of a Chairperson appointed by the President. Additional members shall be selected by the Chairperson with the approval of the President. International representation among Committee Members shall be encouraged. A committee shall be instituted when the Terms of Reference for the Committee have been approved by Council. The term of an Ad-Hoc Committee shall coincide with the inter-congress period. The term of a Permanent Committee shall be indefinite and may only be dissolved at the end of an inter-Congress period by consensus of the Council. The Chairperson shall prepare a report on Committee activities for presentation to each regular meeting of the General Assembly.
   Permanent Committees of the Society are:
   • International Committee on Remote Sensing of the Environment (ICORSE)
   • CIPA Heritage Documentation (CIPA)
   • International Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC)
   • International Science Advisory Committee (ISAC)
   • International Industry Advisory Committee (IIAC)
3. The Student Consortium (SC) is the organization of the students within the ISPRS community. The SC is governed by its own Statutes. The SC is directly connected to the ISPRS Council, and a three-person SC Advisory Committee, appointed by the ISPRS Council, serves the SC by providing assistance for SC business.

BYLAW VIII - Officers

1. The President of the Society, the Vice‑President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer shall be elected by the General Assembly. Ordinary Members may submit nominations for members of Council to the Secretary General not later than four months prior to the meeting of the General Assembly at the time of a Congress. The Council will review the recommendations and submit nominations to the General Assembly.
2. A person shall hold the office of President only for one term.  
3. In order to assist continuity the outgoing President shall be appointed the incoming Past President as of right without election. Should he/she decline the office, it shall be filled by election by the General Assembly and the position shall be called Vice President.
4. The Congress Director shall be proposed by the Ordinary Member organizing the Congress and shall be confirmed by the General Assembly.
5. The Past President who has been appointed to that office without election and the Congress Director may be of any nationality. Of the remaining members of the Council, no two shall be of the same nationality. In this context, nationality shall be that of the Ordinary Member which nominates the candidate.
6. No more than three Council members may remain on Council from one inter-Congress period to the next.
7. Other than in exceptional cases, no person shall serve on Council for more than three terms.
8. The Council shall fill, by co-option all vacancies occurring through the death or long-term disability of any of its members other than the President. When filling the post of Treasurer by co-option, the Council shall first consult all Ordinary Members, by correspondence or otherwise, and shall take account of the views expressed.
9. No member of Council shall be a member of the Financial Commission.
10. The Presidents and Vice-Presidents of Technical Commissions shall be nominated by the Ordinary Members seeking responsibility for Technical Commissions. The General Assembly selecting the Ordinary Member responsible for a Commission shall confirm the Commission President and the Vice-President. In case of necessity, a Commission President may be confirmed by the Council.

BYLAW IX - Congress

1. The Congress site shall be selected by the General Assembly from proposals made by Ordinary Members to the Secretary General not later than four months prior to the meeting of the General Assembly at which the decision is to be taken. Such proposals shall include the dates, physical facilities, preliminary financial plans, and the name of the proposed Congress Director.
2. The Ordinary Member organizing the Congress shall sign a contract with the Society and be responsible for ensuring that adequate provisions are made for the Congress. The Ordinary Member shall obtain the necessary financial support for this purpose. The Ordinary Member shall be responsible for financing the Congress, including the preparation and publication of The International Archives and the ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences relating to the Congress. For this purpose, it shall have the cooperation of the Technical Commissions and of the Council.
3. The activities of the Congress shall be prepared and carried through by a Congress Committee chaired by the Congress Director. All other members of the Congress Committee shall be appointed by the Ordinary Member organizing the Congress. The Congress Committee shall have the responsibility for organizing the Congress on the administrative and financial levels.
4. The scientific-technical programme shall be supported by an International Programme Committee, chaired by a person of high scientific reputation appointed by Council. The other members of the International Programme Committee comprise the Congress Director, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Technical Commissions and further qualified individuals as deemed necessary.
5. Only persons in the following categories may take part in the activities of the Congress:
   1. Persons who are associated with a Member and have paid the Congress fee;
   2. Honorary Members of the Society;
   3. Persons specially invited by the President, either on account of their personal standing or as representatives of other scientific organizations. They shall not be required to pay the Congress fee;
   4. Persons who have received the general invitation and have paid the Congress fee.
6. Congress meeting in plenary session shall:
   1. review the decisions of the General Assembly;
   2. witness the award of Medals and other distinctions of the Society;
   3. elect the Honorary Members of the Society.
7. The Technical Commissions shall meet during the Congress for the purpose of:
   1. reports by the Presidents on activities of the Commissions during the inter-congress period;
   2. presentation of technical papers, tutorials and/or poster sessions on topics covered by the Commissions, in programmed technical sessions determined by Commission Presidents and the Council;
   3. formulation of Resolutions.
8. Congress considerations for students.
   1. Fees for students should be set at a level which will enable a good attendance by students and should be no more than 50% in general of the early registration fee.
   2. The Congress should include appropriate activities proposed by the Student Consortium. These could include a Youth Forum during the Congress and a `Summer School' before or after the Congress.

BYLAW X - General Assembly

1. The President shall convene the General Assembly to one or more meetings in the course of every Congress.
2. In the interval between Congresses, the President may convene the General Assembly to an extraordinary meeting to discuss a single Resolution that has the support of at least two Ordinary Members. The Resolution in question shall be made available in writing to all Ordinary Members, Associate Members and Regional Members at least three calendar months in advance of the meeting. Whenever called upon in writing by not less than three-quarters of the Members, the President shall convene an extraordinary meeting.
3. Prior to every Congress and prior to every extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly, each Ordinary Member shall appoint one Delegate to represent it at the General Assembly. Such appointments shall have no permanency and shall be valid only for the duration of the Congress or of the extraordinary meeting. No member of the Council shall be appointed as a Delegate. Associate Members and Regional Members may appoint Representatives to the General Assembly.
4. Each Ordinary Member Delegate authorized to vote at the General Assembly shall present his/her credentials to the Secretary General on his/her arrival at the Congress or at the extraordinary meeting. The Secretary General shall compile a list of Ordinary Members, their Delegate and two Advisors, their voting rights, their subscription fees paid or in default, and shall report thereon in writing to the President. Each Representative of an Associate Member and of a Regional Member shall present his/her credentials to the Secretary General on arrival at the Congress or the extraordinary meeting. The Secretary General shall prepare a list of Associate Members and Regional Members and their Representatives, their subscription fees paid or in default, and shall report thereon in writing to the President.
5. Each Delegate may be accompanied at the General Assembly by not more than two Advisors. Only Delegates shall have the right to vote. If the appointed Delegate is unable to serve for any reason, one of the Advisors may serve as Delegate.
6. An Ordinary Member that has not paid its subscription fees up to and including the year before the General Assembly shall have no voting rights at the General Assembly and shall not be entitled to bid for positions on the Council, the Financial Commission, or to host a Technical Commission.
7. Observers may be invited to attend the General Assembly only by the President.
8. The General Assembly shall:
   1. review the implementation of directives adopted by the General Assembly and Congress;
   2. review the decisions taken by the Council since the last Congress;
   3. consider the reports and proposals of the Council and Financial Commission and Committees;
   4. define the policy to be pursued by the new Council;
   5. decide upon the admission of new Ordinary Members, Associate Members and Regional Members;
   6. decide upon the exclusion of Ordinary Members, Associate Members and Regional Members;
   7. decide upon the transference of an Ordinary and/or Associate Member from one category to another;
   8. determine the value of the subscription unit;
   9. elect the President, the elected members of Council and the members of the Financial Commission;
   10. choose the Ordinary Member to organize the next Congress;
   11. confirm the Congress Director;
   12. choose the Ordinary Members and confirm Commission Presidents to be responsible for the Technical Commissions during the next four-year period;
   13. amend the Statutes and the Bylaws;
   14. approve Resolutions of the Technical Commissions, Members and Committees;
   15. ratify Memorandums of Understanding and similar formal agreements with international organizations;
   16. elect Fellows of the Society;
   17. appoint Regional Representatives
9. All items to be discussed at the General Assembly must be included in a preliminary agenda sent in advance to all Members. A matter or a candidature not appearing on the agenda of the General Assembly shall not be considered by the General Assembly unless, by direction of the Council and through the agency of the Secretary General, the matter has been brought to the notice of all Delegates at least 24 hours before the meeting and unless the General Assembly first pass a formal vote that it be considered.
10. Under normal circumstances the General Assembly shall be convened as an in-person-only meeting. In exceptional cases only, Council can convene the General Assembly as a video conference or as a hybrid meeting, i.e. a mixture of in-person and virtual meeting. In such a case, the technical equipment required to attend the General Assembly must be generally available at the premises of the ISPRS members.

BYLAW XI - Council

1. The Council shall constantly pursue the general policy of the Society and maintain the Society in a state of continual scientific activity.
2. A Council meeting shall be held at least once during each calendar year. All Council members are expected to participate fully in these meetings and to avoid representation by surrogates or proxy.
3. The Council may prepare Terms of Reference, and issue Guidelines and instructions as necessary to implement the directives of the General Assembly.
4. In exceptional circumstances, the Council may act without approval of the General Assembly, and such actions shall be valid until considered at the next meeting of the General Assembly. But all questions relating to exclusion of an Ordinary Member, Associate Member or Regional Member, lowering of the category of an Ordinary Member, value of the unit of subscription, alteration of the Statutes or Bylaws, and dissolution of the Society or its amalgamation with another international organization must be referred to the General Assembly, and decisions thereon shall be taken only by the General Assembly.
5. Regional Representation. Regional Representatives may be appointed to assist Council to coordinate activities in regions not adequately represented on the Council. They shall be proposed by Council and be confirmed by the General Assembly. A Regional Representative may not serve in that capacity for more than two consecutive inter-Congress periods. The Regional Representatives shall:
   1. Liaise with Members and potential members within their region and represent the views of those members on Council.
   2. Make best efforts to ensure that at least one ISPRS meeting is held within the region during the inter-Congress period.
   3. Encourage members and organizations within their region to support the aims of ISPRS and become Members of ISPRS.
   4. Attend national and regional activities within their region and promote the aims and activities of ISPRS. 
   5. Attend meetings of the Council and Advisory Board when invited.
6. The President of the Society shall:
   1. convene and preside over the plenary sessions of Congress, the General Assembly and the Council; he/she may, however, delegate the Congress Director to preside at Congress plenary sessions;
   2. coordinate the activities of the Technical Commissions and Working Groups, according to the decisions and intentions of the General Assembly and the Congress;
   3. represent the Society in its dealings with national or international institutions or organizations whose activities are of interest to the Society;
   4. cooperate with other international organizations concerned with photogrammetry, remote sensing, spatial information science, cartography, geodesy, surveying, and other similar disciplines;
   5. communicate to Members:
      • not less than twelve months in advance of the Congress, the date and place of the next meeting of Congress; 
      • not less than three months in advance of the Congress, the Agenda of the General Assembly, accompanied by an explanation of the purpose and importance of the items of the Agenda, especially those relating to the admission or exclusion of an Ordinary Member, Associate Member or Regional Member, changes in value of unit of subscription and modifications to the Statutes;
      • not less than one month in advance of the Congress, the names of the Ordinary Members which have proposed to organize the next Congress;
      • not less than one month in advance of the Congress, the names of the Ordinary Members which have proposed to be responsible for each of the Technical Commissions for the next four-year period and the names of their proposed Commission Presidents and Vice-Presidents;
      • not less than one month in advance of the Congress, the nominations of members for Council, who have been proposed by Ordinary Members;
   6. inform Members in writing of the decisions taken at extraordinary meetings of the General Assembly.
7. The Congress Director shall:
   1. chair the Congress Committee;
   2. represent the Ordinary Member responsible for the Congress in all matters relating to its organization;
   3. correspond with Ordinary Members, Associate Members, Regional Members, the International Programme Committee, Technical Commissions, Working Groups and other Committees concerning the scientific and social programs of the Congress;
   4. report to the Council the measures being taken to assure the publication of The International Archives and the ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences relating to that Congress and shall be available for consultation on the planning of all matters related to the forthcoming Congress.
8. The Past President shall:
   1. assist the President in his/her duties when called upon by the President to do so;
   2. act for the President should he/she be prevented by circumstances outside his/her control from fulfilling his/her duties;
   3. serve as the Chairperson of the Resolutions Committee to coordinate Resolutions from the Technical Commissions, Members and Committees for consideration by the General Assembly;
   4. coordinate the proper and timely procedures for the awards.
9. The Vice-President shall:
   1. assist the President in any manner requested by President;
   2. fulfill the responsibilities of the Past President should he/she be prevented from acting;
   3. liaise with the Congress Director and the Chair of the International Programme Committee of the Congress concerning the scientific-technical programme;
   4. review, maintain and update the Statutes, Bylaws and Guidelines.
10. The Secretary General shall:
    1. perform the duties of Secretary of the General Assembly, of the Council and of the Congress meeting in plenary session, arrange the meetings of these bodies, and draw and distribute their agenda and minutes at the proper time;
    2. at the request of the President, represent the Society in its dealings with national or international institutions or organizations whose activities are of interest to the Society;
    3. deal with the correspondence of the Society and ensure the keeping of the records, and distribute to Members relevant information and communication;
    4. collate the reports of the Technical Commissions and distribute information concerning the Commissions;
    5. collaborate with the Congress Committee and the Boards of the Technical Commissions concerning the recording and writing up of all proceedings and concerning the publication of the Archives and Annals (contents, presentation, distribution);
    6. ensure timely preparation and dissemination of Society publications;
    7. ensure that the decisions taken at Congresses are speedily carried out;
    8. receive the credentials of Delegates, Advisors and Representatives appointed by Ordinary Members, Associate Members and Regional Members to represent them at the Congress and report in writing to the President on their voting rights.
    9. coordinate the scheduling of all events of the Society.
11. The Treasurer shall:
    1. complete the accounts for hand over to the new Treasurer, within two months of the end of the Congress. The new Treasurer shall replace the outgoing Treasurer on receipt of the final accounts;
    2. issue annual invoices, one month before the upcoming fiscal year, in which the fee is due to Ordinary Members, Associate Members, Regional Members, and Sustaining Members and inform them of the proper procedures for remittance of subscription fees. The Treasurer shall send periodic reminders to those in arrears;
    3. collect the funds of the Society and administer them in accordance with the decisions of the General Assembly and the instructions of the Council;
    4. keep account of all financial transactions and submit a statement of accounts, at the end of each fiscal year, to the Financial Commission for audit;
    5. assemble the complete accounts of the Society for the four-year term, at the end of the fiscal year prior to the Congress, and submit them to the Financial Commission for audit;
    6. submit to the Secretary General, prior to the meeting of the General Assembly, a list of Ordinary Members, Associate Members and Regional Members that have not yet paid their annual subscription fee up to and including the year prior to the General Assembly;
    7. submit a financial statement to each Council meeting and a summary financial report to the General Assembly.

BYLAW XII - Headquarters

Provided that the Statutes and Bylaws of the Society do not run counter to the laws pertaining to associations in the country where the Secretary General is domiciled, the residence of the Secretary General shall be the headquarters of the Society, except when the Council decides for a more convenient alternative.

BYLAW XIII - Technical Commissions

1. The main tasks of a Technical Commission shall be:
   1. to follow the technical and scientific progress within its field and report thereon to the Congress;
   2. to provide initiative in technical and scientific progress, especially by establishing Working Groups, arranging International Symposia, and organizing experiments on research;
   3. to identify the results of research and development in order to present them for discussion at the Congress, including membership in the International Programme Committee;
   4. to propose actions leading to the promotion and evaluation of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, and to assist the Council in defending these proposals to the authorities concerned;
   5. to assist in international standardization activities in subject matters related to the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences;
   6. to promote continuing education by organizing tutorials;
   7. to report to Council on the implementation of their program in accordance with Bylaws and Technical Resolutions.
   8. to submit a report as requested by Council on its areas of responsibility to the Society. The report should include activities and the state-of-the-art of the science and technology of the Commission and Working Groups.
2. Activities in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences shall be divided into five areas of major interest and each area shall be entrusted to a Technical Commission. The areas of responsibility for the Technical Commissions shall be as follows:
    
   

   Commission I:  Sensor systems
   Commission I is concerned with the design, construction, characterization, calibration and use of imaging sensors, sensor systems and sensor networks for photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information science, such as air- and space-borne digital cameras (frame and video) and laser scanners, and thermal, hyperspectral and radar sensors. It investigates the different platforms for data acquisition, including, but not restricted to, UAS, mobile mapping systems, aircraft, satellites including small satellites and satellite constellations. Commission I also cooperates with the related industry sector.

   Commission II:  Photogrammetry
   Commission II deals with the theory and methodology for extracting and analyzing spatio-temporal information of objects from terrestrial, aerial and satellite images, image sequences and point clouds, by using approaches from photogrammetry, image analysis and computer vision, with emphasis on accurate and reliable geometric information. Applications include image-based 3D measurement in geospatial data acquisition, extra-terrestrial mapping, engineering and industrial metrology, heritage recording, forensic analysis, robotics, driver assistance systems, surveillance, medical applications, gaming and movie industries, and other fields. Commission II cooperates with international societies in computer and machine vision and related industry and is the point of contact for CIPA.

   Commission III:  Remote sensing
   Commission III is concerned with research, development, investigation and operational use of methods and systems for the analysis of remotely sensed observations of the Earth from air- and space-borne sensors, in synergy with in-situ and hand-held measurements. Examples include physical modeling of electromagnetic radiation, the analysis of spectral signatures, image classification, data fusion and pattern recognition. Applications dealt with in Commission III include environmental monitoring for sustainable development and global change; mapping of human and natural activities including land cover, land use and biodiversity; physical and empirically based process monitoring; assessment and mitigation of disasters; identification and assessment of renewable and non-renewable resources; and the monitoring of temporal changes in weather and in land and sea cover. Commission III cooperates intensively with national Space Agencies and is the point of contact for ICORSE.

   Commission IV:  Spatial Information Science
   Commission IV deals with theoretical and practical aspects of modeling, management, analysis, dissemination and visualization of geospatial data, including interoperability, web services and geospatial data infrastructure. It is also concerned with applications and operational use of spatio-temporal information in areas such as environmental monitoring, disaster management, mobility, 3D city models, Building Information Systems (BIM), social media, location-based services and health. Commission IV also provides links to international bodies and to National Mapping and Cadastre Agencies.

   Commission V:  Education and Outreach
   Commission V deals with education, training, capacity building and outreach in all areas related to ISPRS. In carrying out its tasks, Commission V cooperates intensively with Commissions I - IV and with other international geospatial societies.
    

3. An Ordinary Member (or Ordinary Members) seeking responsibility for a Technical Commission shall submit to the Secretary General an application which includes the activities and the names of the proposed Commission President and Commission Vice-President. Ordinary Members are encouraged to consider proposing a Commission Vice-President from another Ordinary Member and seek the support of this other Ordinary Member for the application to host a Commission. This application shall be submitted at least four months prior to the commencement date of the Congress.
4. In choosing the Ordinary Member or group of Ordinary Members to be entrusted with the responsibility for the work of a Commission, the General Assembly shall take into consideration all relevant factors, including in particular:
   • the various Ordinary Members willing to undertake the responsibility;
   • the scientific and technical ability available to each candidate;
   • the professional standing and ability of the persons proposed as Commission President and Commission Vice-President;
   • the ability and willingness of each Ordinary Member and other organizations in its country to support a Commission;
   • the program of Commission activities proposed by the Ordinary Members and in particular the Working Groups, their chairpersons and the events contemplated.
5. The Ordinary Member (or Ordinary Members) entrusted with a Technical Commission shall assume responsibility for the technical and financial management of the Commission. They shall prepare the Commission and Working Group reports and be responsible for production of the proceedings of its Symposium for publication in the Archives and/or Annals.
6. A Technical Commission shall be autonomous in scientific matters but the Commission President shall keep the President of the Society and the Council fully and promptly informed of all its activities and the progress of its work. The Presidents of Commissions shall meet with the Council as and when necessary to coordinate the work of the Commissions.
7. Commissions I, II, III and IV are expected to organize an International Symposium in the period between two Congresses. Commission V is encouraged to cooperate with the other Commissions and organize events during their Symposia and/or during other ISPRS events. Before arranging an International Symposium, the Commission shall obtain the consent of the Council. Ordinary Members organizing an International Symposium shall sign a contract with the Society and be responsible for ensuring that adequate provisions are made for the Symposium. Such Symposia shall be devoted to the field of the Commission and preparation for the ensuing Congress. Two or more Technical Commissions may collaborate to organize a joint Symposium as a single event. The Symposium should include appropriate activities designed to attract students and the fee for students should be set at a level which will enable a good attendance by students and should be no more than 50% in general of the early registration fee. 
8. The Commission President, in accordance with the Commission Vice-President, shall have the right to invite a limited but sufficient number of persons to join the Commission Board for a particular field of interest to the Commission. Board members shall be chosen entirely at the President's own discretion, for the special knowledge or facilities they may possess which will enable them to give the assistance desired. They may be invited from any country and international representation shall be encouraged.
9. Each Ordinary Member and Associate Member shall be entitled to appoint one Correspondent to each Commission. It may change its Correspondent or appoint a substitute at any time.
10. The Commission Board shall review the Resolutions approved by the Congress and identify subjects requiring detailed study, trials or experimental research. It shall establish Working Groups to undertake these investigations and it shall ensure that all measures outlined in the Resolutions are covered by Working Group activities. If, in this connection, important divergences of opinion should arise within or between Commissions, the Council shall determine the course of action. The terms of reference and duration of the Working Groups shall be clearly defined and must be approved by Council.
11. The Working Group shall consist of:
    • the Chairperson of the Working Group;
    • optionally one or two Co-Chairpersons and one Working Group secretary;
    • a group of specialists chosen by the Chairperson, not in consideration of country but of qualification and commitment;
    • other interested, competent specialists who have indicated a commitment to contribute and participate.
12. A Working Group may be established to study a subject pertinent to the fields of more than one Commission. It shall then be called an Inter-Commission Working Group. The President of the initiating Commission shall notify the Council of the intention and reach agreement with the Presidents of other Commissions concerned. The Council shall pronounce on the advisability of setting up such an Inter-Commission Working Group and designate the Commission which it most concerns and within which it shall make its report.
13. Each Working Group shall report annually to the Commission President concerned, in addition to reporting through the appropriate Commission at the Congress. When a Working Group has treated its subject sufficiently for the time being, or has been found to be inactive, the Council shall dissolve the Working Group, normally on the initiative of the Chairperson of the Group or the President of the Commission concerned.
14. At least six months in advance of a Congress, the President of each Technical Commission shall form a committee to prepare Resolutions for the Commission. This Committee shall identify the more important problems requiring solution and submit to Council Resolutions on the work needed to solve them, no later than three months in advance of the Congress.
15. Prior to the Congress, the Past President shall form the Resolutions Committee, which shall coordinate the Resolutions of all Technical Commissions, Members and Committees with regard to practicality, shall ensure that they are set down in suitable standard form and are presented in at least one of the official languages of the Society.
16. During a Congress or Symposium all photogrammetric, remote sensing and spatial information specialists rightfully present shall be free to participate in all activities of a Technical Commission.

BYLAW XIV - Financial Commission

1. Each member of the Financial Commission shall be of a different nationality. No member of the Financial Commission shall be of the same nationality as any member of Council. Delegates to the General Assembly shall not be excluded from serving as members of the Financial Commission. In this context, nationality shall be that of the Ordinary Member which nominates the candidate.
2. The Financial Commission shall advise the Council on all financial matters at any time upon the request of the Council.
3. The outgoing Financial Commission shall continue to serve after the Congress until the review of the financial report of the Congress year is finalised. The Council shall ensure that the outgoing Treasurer hands over the accounts and funds of the Society to the new Treasurer within two months of the Congress. The new Financial Commission shall be responsible for advising on the budget for each year after the Congress year. The new Financial Commission shall fully replace the outgoing Financial Commission after the review of the financial report of the Congress year has been finalised, and shall report to the Council that the changeover has been satisfactorily accomplished.
4. The Financial Commission shall examine and audit accounts of the Treasurer once every year, and submit its recommendations to the Council.
5. In the event that a member of the Financial Commission becomes unable to continue in office, on the advice of the remaining members of the Commission, the Council may approve a replacement.

BYLAW XV - Finances

1. The fiscal year of the Society shall be 1st January to 31st December. All annual subscription fees of Ordinary Members, Associate Members, Regional Members and Sustaining Members shall be paid before the end of the fiscal year. If admission is established after June 30, the new member only has to pay 50% of the annual fee for that year.
2. The annual subscription fee paid by an Ordinary or Associate Member shall be defined through the number of units of subscription assigned to its category of Membership in accordance with the following table:
    

   Category	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
   	Subscription Units
   Ordinary Member	1	2	6	10	16	24	32	48
   Associate Member	1	6	12	24

    
   
3. The value of the subscription unit shall be fixed by the General Assembly.
4. The subscription fees of Individual Members, Sustaining Members and Regional Members, established by the Council, shall be ratified by the General Assembly.
5. Bank accounts of the Society shall be held in the names of two persons, normally the President and the Treasurer.
6. Gifts and legacies offered to the Society may be accepted by The ISPRS Foundation Board of Trustees and ratified by the General Assembly.
7. Finances of the Society shall be controlled as follows:
   1. An annual budget for revenues and expenditures for each fiscal year shall be prepared by the Treasurer, examined in detail by the Financial Commission, and passed on to the Council for approval, one month prior to the end of the previous fiscal year.
   2. Recommendations for grants to support philanthropic activities of the Society shall be prepared by the Council and forwarded to the Board of Trustees of The ISPRS Foundation for action.
   3. Additional expenditures for routine operations can be approved by the Treasurer. Expenditures for extraordinary items must receive Council's approval.

BYLAW XVI - Voting

1. A quorum for convening a General Assembly shall require that the Ordinary Member delegates representing fifty percent (50%) of the total sum of eligible votes be present at the commencement of the General Assembly at which the voting is taking place.
2. Members who raise their category at a General Assembly shall receive voting rights at the higher category if they have paid their annual membership subscription fee at the higher category for the fiscal year of the General Assembly.
3. When a vote by correspondence is required, voting papers shall be sent electronically or by airmail to every Ordinary Member eligible to vote. The final date for the return of the vote is set at three months after the mailing, and the position of Council with respect to the vote will be included. All ballots not returned by the time limit set will be recorded as considered to be in support of the Council position.
4. When a remote or a hybrid vote is required, a system must be used for the remote part, in which anonymous voting, adequate measures against fraud and transparency with respect to the results are ensured. Eligibility to vote for remote attendees will be determined one month before the General Assembly at which the vote is to take place.

BYLAW XVII - Regulations and Directives

1. The decisions of the Plenary Session of a Congress and the decisions of the General Assembly shall be made known to Members and Technical Commissions of the Society without delay.
2. Except where specified otherwise, a quorum of fifty percent (50%) of the total sum of eligible votes at the commencement of the General Assembly at which voting is taking place, shall be required for decisions at the General Assembly.
3. Decisions taken by the Council shall be promptly communicated to Members by the Secretary General.
4. Conflict of Interest. All individuals acting on behalf of ISPRS, whether they are on the Council, Technical Commission Presidents, Working Group officers, ISPRS Committee members, awards jury members or other individuals appointed by ISPRS to act on its behalf, shall disclose to the Council any duality of interest or possible conflict of interest, whenever the duality or conflict pertains to a matter for which this individual is required to make a decision. The Council shall decide on whether the individual can take part in further discussion or vote on the item where duality or conflict occurs, or whether the individual should be replaced.

BYLAW XVIII - Languages

During a Congress, or a Symposium of a Technical Commission, the host Ordinary Member may offer, entirely at its own expense, translation to the language of the host country.

BYLAW XIX - Dissolution or Amalgamation

In the instance of dissolution of the Society, the funds shall be donated to a recognized international charitable organization selected by the Council and the Financial Commission. The records of the dissolution shall be deposited with the organization that has assumed responsibility for Archives and Annals.

In the instance of amalgamation of the Society into a new organisation, the funds shall be donated to that new organisation.

BYLAW XX - Amendments to Statutes and Bylaws

Amendments to Statutes and Bylaws shall take effect at the times set by the General Assembly.

Original Bylaws adopted by the General Assembly of the 11th Congress, July 1968, at Lausanne, Switzerland.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 12th Congress, August 1972, at Ottawa, Canada.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 14th Congress, July 1980, at Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 15th Congress, June 1984, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 16th Congress, July 1988, at Kyoto, Japan.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 17th Congress, August 1992, at Washington, D.C., USA.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 18th Congress, July 1996, at Vienna, Austria.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 19th Congress, July 2000, at Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 20th Congress, July 2004, at Istanbul, Turkey.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 21st Congress, July 2008, at Beijing, China.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 22nd Congress, August 2012, at Melbourne, Australia.
Bylaws amended by postal vote, May 2014.
Bylaws amended by postal vote, May 2015.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 23rd Congress, July 2016, at Prague, Czech Republic.
Bylaws amended by postal vote, October 2019.
Bylaws amended by the General Assembly of the 24th Congress, June 2022, at Nice, France.

President: Christian Heipke (2016-2022)
Secretary General: Lena Halounová (2016-2022)