MESAT Constitution
Mission:
MESAT is an association of academics, practitioners, and managers of asphalt roads serving as a technical forum to share knowledge and develop effective methods for the delivery and maintenance of asphalt roads in the Middle East. MESAT enjoys close ties with asphalt researchers in North America and Europe and is, thus, part of a global network of scientific societies working to create an environmentally friendly and sustainable asphalt road infrastructure.
Objectives
- Foster sharing of scientific and engineering knowledge about asphalt materials and roads.
- Offer timely and easily accessible technical information about asphalts via the internet and proceedings of periodic technical conferences.
- Coordinate a biannual symposium to present peer-reviewed technical papers, training workshops and exhibitions of asphalt testing and construction equipment manufacturers.
- Advocate the best practices in the research, publication and building of asphalt roads.
- Bridge the gap between research and practice.
- Communicate and share experiences with other asphalt technology associations around the world.
Membership
- Membership in the Society is open to all interested individuals with significant experience in the fields of asphalt materials, mixtures, and asphalt pavements engineering and construction.
- The membership is FREE for individuals that are interested in joining the Society and possess the desired level of expertise.
- All active members are expected to participate in the activities of the Society without nay monetary compensation.
Government
The Government of the Society shall be vested in a Board of Directors. The Board may appoint Committees with powers and duties as it shall see fit, subject to any regulations by the Bylaws.
Amendments
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by any member in writing to the Secretary of the Board of Directors sufficiently in advance of an annual or special meeting so as to have them included as an item on the circulated Agenda and notice of the meeting. At the meeting, if a quorum is present, any amendments or changes in the Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present or duly represented thereat either as so proposed or with such modifications as the meeting may adopt.
Amendments to the Bylaws may be made by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the Society, the assets then remaining shall be conveyed to another organization having similar character or purpose as the Society.
MESAT Bylaws
(Revised on July 10, 2018)
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is composed of three categories of members1; three Founding members, eight Regional members, five International members. The last two categories of members are elected for a 2 to 3-year term between successive conferences. The members of the Regional, and International categories are elected for a 2 to 3-years term, spanning the time between successive conferences. These members shall be elected by letter ballot from a slate of nominees proposed by a nominating sub-committee of the Board of Directors or by members of the Society. The slate of nominees shall reflect and represent the Middle East nature of the Society and all sectors of the industry. Chairs of the past conference serve on the Board of Directors as Ex Officio members.
The election of the Board shall occur during the Society Bi-annual Conference and the names of the elected Board of Directors shall be announced during the closing session of the Conference. The Board will elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, and a Secretary.
The Chair of the Board shall foster the aims and objectives of the Society. He/she shall call and preside over all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors. In his/her absence, the Vice-Chair shall preside over the meeting.
The Vice-Chair shall encourage the holding of Conferences and Symposia and shall endeavor to coordinate the activities of the various Committees set up by the Board.
The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all proceedings and correspondence of the Society and of its Board of Directors and properly constituted Committees. He/she shall send notice of meetings by email to members of the Society and to the Board of Directors. He/she shall keep a roll of the members of the Society and perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office of Secretary.
To facilitate the decision making process, the day-to-day process of the Board is handled by an Executive Committee consisting of the founding members and two other members selected by the founding members.
Membership and Voting
Membership in the Society is open to all interested individuals with significant experience in the fields of asphalt materials, mixtures, and asphalt pavements engineering and construction. Individuals interested in becoming Active Members of the Society are required to complete a membership form and submit it to the Board of Directors for evaluation and approval.
All Active Members shall have the full voting rights in the Society. Their voting rights shall be valid until they withdraw their active membership through a written request to the Board of Directors.
Meeting of the Society
The Society shall hold a general meeting every two years for the transaction of the business of the Society at such time and place as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable. The Secretary shall notify each member in writing of the time and place at least 30 days in advance of the meeting.
Special meetings of the Society may be called at any time by the Chair or, in his/her absence, by the Vice-Chair or upon written request of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the time of the Meeting of the Society and as often thereafter as the Board may see fit, and so order.
Conference
The Society shall organize and hold a technical Conference (every 2 to 3 years) in a location within the Middle East. Recommendations for the location of the Conference shall be solicited prior to the Society meeting and discussed with the membership during the business meeting of the society. The selected location for the up-coming Conference shall be announced during the closing session of the current Conference.
Founding Members
The following named persons are hereby designated Founders of the Society:
Dr. Hussain U. Bahia, Dr. Nader Tabatabaee, and Dr. Nariman Khalil.
1 The concept of expanding the Board of Directors to include more members to improve the engagement of professionals and increase communication among professionals in various regions was discussed. It was recommended to amend the Bylaws of MESAT to include three categories of memberships (Regional, International, and Ex Officio).