As a Division of the International Biometric Society, the Central American-Caribbean Region is governed by the Constitution of the Society and the following Regional Rules:-

1. The Region shall endeavor to promote quantitative biology in all its aspects.

2. Membership of the Region is open to residents of countries lying in the Caribbean Sea, all Central American countries and all South American countries with a Caribbean or Atlantic coastline between and including Colombia and Guyana. Scientists from Suriname and French Guyana may also apply for membership. Scientists from all of the above countries resident in other countries are also eligible for membership.

3. The business of the Region shall be conducted by a Committee consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary-Treasurer, a Biometric Bulletin Correspondent and any members of the General Council of the Society who belong to the Region. The Committee shall have power to fill casual vacancies in their number. Any member so appointed shall hold office only for the unexpired terms of the predecessor; but shall be eligible for immediate re-election.

4. There shall be a meeting of the whole Region once every two years at a place decided by the Committee. Its purpose shall be for the presentation of scientific papers of biometric interest and election of officers. Those attending the Regional Conference can also make recommendations to the Committee and request that a ballot be taken on any matter concerning the Society.

5. The membership of the Region shall elect at the biennial Regional Conference, a Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and Bulletin Correspondent. The Vice-President shall serve for one year, then automatically succeed to the office of President for a two-year period, and finally serve a further term of one year as Vice-President. A vacancy in the Presidency shall be filled by the Vice-President. The Secretary-Treasurer and Bulletin Correspondent will be eligible for re-election. The term of each of these offices shall be three years.

6. Nominations for vacant offices should be received by the Secretary-Treasurer at least one month before the biennial Regional Conference and must be accompanied by a written declaration from the nominee that he or she is willing to serve. If there is more than one nomination for any position, a ballot will be held at the Regional Conference.

7. On a request in writing from at least eight members of the Region, the Secretary-Treasurer shall conduct within one calendar month a ballot among all members on any matter concerning the Society. Fifty percent of the members shall constitute a voting ‘quorum’ on such an occasion.

8. The Secretary-Treasurer shall collect information on biometric activities within the Region, and forward it to the General Council or such other places as may from time to time appear appropriate.

9. The Committee shall receive nominations of candidates for membership of the Region, and shall forward those deemed appropriate to the General Council.

10. The International dues of each member are laid down from time to time by the General Council. A small add-on to these International dues may be authorized by the Committee to finance Regional activities. Dues are payable to the Regional Secretary-Treasurer on joining and subsequently on January 1 of each year, unless joining was later than October 1, in which case the next dues shall fall due fourteen months later. The Regional Secretary-Treasurer shall, on behalf of the Committee, transmit to the General Council such portion of the dues as shall from time to time be determined by the Council.

11. A member may be expelled from the Region only on the proposal of the Committee and after prior notice of two weeks to the member, of a ballot to be conducted by the Secretary-Treasurer, in which at least half the members must vote, and a majority of two-thirds of those voting must be in favor of expulsion.

12. The membership of any member whose dues are three or more years in arrears may be terminated on a vote of the Committee. No application to rejoin the Society shall be entertained until the unpaid dues have been discharged.

13 During the month of December each year the Secretary-Treasurer shall circulate to members an annual report and a statement of the Region’s finances prepared by the Secretary-Treasurer and audited by an Honorary Auditor appointed by the Committee. The Honorary Auditor shall not be an officer or member of the Committee.

14. These By-Laws may be amended by a ballot carried out among all members, with fifty percent of members voting.