Terms of Reference
The Working Party on Transfusion Transmitted Infectious Disease (WP-TTID) is the constituent of International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) responsible for evaluation and advocacy of ways to increase blood safety in the world in order to reduce the frequency of Transfusion Transmitted Infectious Diseases (TTID).
This will be accomplished by:
- Reviewing, gathering and analyzing relevant data,
- Developing and coordinating international studies,
- Publishing scientific reports,
- Proposing guidances, procedures and main technologies in all regions of the world,
- Taking into account different regional epidemiologies.
The WP-TTID uses the insight, experience and intellectual capacity of members according to their areas of interest and activities. Members participate in the meeting and activities for as many terms as desired, provided they follow the duties and responsibilities stated in this Terms of Reference (TOR).
MEMBERS AND MEMBERSHIP
The WP-TTID members will be invited from the following groups:
Individual Members:
All Individual Members must be individual members of ISBT, and cannot be representing other category described below, neither to be a Corporate Member’s employee. There are no limits on the number of members. The Organizing Committee of WP-TTID selects each individual member, recognizing the importance of representation of all areas of the world. If an individual member resigns from the WP-TTID, a replacement is not demanded necessary, unless required by the Chair of the WP-TTID. Individual Members of the WP-TTID have the right to vote.
Observer Individuals:
Nominated by the Organizing Committee, and defined as members not associated to ISBT with a maximum term of 2 years, with no renomination permitted. They have no right to vote for the Organizing Committee while observer individuals.
Institutional Liaison:
Represented by relevant Institutions with regulatory or related activities in the Blood Safety. These Institutions should have multinational impact on the related issues pertaining TTID. There is no limit to the number of associated Institutions. Each Institution should designate a maximum of one (1) liaison to the WP-TTID. Other representatives may participate in the meetings (up to a maximum of 2 per organization per meeting and activities, but neither representative has the right to vote for the Organizing Committee).
Corporate Member (CM):
These are commercial companies with activities related to TTID. There is no limit to the number of corporate members. Each CM should designate one (1) liaison to the WP-TTID. Other representatives from CM may participate in the meetings (up to a maximum of 2 per meeting and activities and have no right to vote for the Organizing TERMS OF REFERENCE 2007 Committee). Should an Individual Member become a Corporate Member’s employee, his/her membership is automatically suspended as far as this relationship is maintained. In case this employment is finished, then the Organizing Committee can return individual membership after evaluation.
Honorary Members:
The Organizing Committee may offer honorary membership to individuals who were formerly active in the WP-TTID or by virtue of their position, capability and/or interest in the objectives of WP-TTID. Honorary Members may participate in meetings and activities but have no right to vote for the Organizing Committee.
Invited Guest:
Invited by The WP-TTID Chair for one particular meeting, with no right to vote on any type of decision.
Organizing Committee:
Represented by five (5) individual members of the WP-TTID, elected from the membership, as follows:
Chair – This person, who also chairs the WP-TTID is the Chair of the Organizing Committee, is the liaison to the ISBT Council, etc. The term of appointment is for 4 years, with the possibility of re-election for one additional period.
Secretary – Elected by the WP-TTID, for a 4-year period term with the possibility of re-election for one additional period. The main duty is to report all activities to the WP-TTID members.
Treasurer – Nominated by the Chair of the Organizing Committee, overseeing financial activities and reports of the WP-TTID in conjunction with the ISBT treasurer. The treasurer is accountable to the WP-TTID and the ISBT treasurer.
Advisory Member to the Organizing Committee – The former Chair and Secretary become Advisory members and advise the Organizing Committee for one year after they left the committee.
Representatives – These will comprise two individuals, one elected as Individual Member and one elected as Corporate Member, with a maximum of 2-year term, with the possibility of re-election for one additional period.
Duties:
The Organizing Committee is responsible to provide directions and propose all activities related to the WP-TTID, including places for meetings, acceptance of new members, interfacing with the ISBT Organizing Committee, and raising funds for the WP-TTID, under the rules defined by ISBT.
RIGHT TO VOTE FOR THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The nomination of the Chair, Secretary and Individual Members Representative to the Organizing Committee will be by vote only from Individual Members of the WP-TTID. No vote for Chair’s, Secretary’s and Individual Members Representative’s nomination is allowed from Honorary, Institutional and Corporate Members. Individual Members of the WP-TTID can submit before the election. The Organizing Committee then announces the candidates no less than four (4) weeks prior the election. Elections will be performed during the annual meeting concurrent with the ISBT World Congress by a simple majority voting process only from Individual Members of the WP-TTID.
The nomination of the Corporate Members Representative to the Organizing Committee will be by vote only from the Corporate Member liaison. The Corporate Members of the WP-TTID can submit their suggestions for a candidate up to eight (8) weeks before the election. The Organizing Committee then announces the candidates no less than four (4) weeks prior to the election. Elections for the Corporate Members Representative to the Organizing Committee will be performed during the annual meeting concurrent with the ISBT World Congress by a simple majority voting process only from the liaisons of Corporate Members of the WP-TTID. The right to vote on activities proposed by the Organizing Committee in the annual meetings is limited to Individual and Observer members, Institutional liaisons and Corporate Members liaisons.
Finances:
The financial cycle of WP-TTID corresponds to that of ISBT, commencing in April. Corporate Members will be charged as follows:
Annual fee – This is related to maintain the infrastructure of WP-TTID. The participation fee will be initially set as 5,000 € (Euro). The annual fees for each fiscal year (starting on April) are paid directly to the treasurer of ISBT, who will be responsible for transferring the funds to the WP-TTID, according to the request of the WP-TTID Chair and Treasurer. In order to comply with administrative costs, ISBT is permitted to retain a 5% (five percent) for the first two years and then reaching a maximum of 10% (ten percent) of the annual fee.
Project driven fees – Each project should incorporate an overhead for the WP-TTID as agreed between the Organizing Committee and the involved Corporate Members on the related project.
The WP-TTID Treasurer oversees the financial activities of the group and is responsible for the proper handling of resources. The Treasurer to the Organizing Committee shall supply quarterly summaries of the financial situation and the accounts should be audited annually.
The Organizing Committee may designate finances to be spent on any activity (scientific or administrative meetings) or to hire additional assistance for the conduct of studies (advisors, statisticians, etc.)
Each Individual Member will receive a reimbursement of a designated amount (according to available funds) to cover the expenses for attending annual meetings. Reimbursement will be made at the venue where the annual meeting is held, and is valid only for those who effectively attend it. Documentation of attendance will be done through signatures on an attendance log.
Institutional Liaisons, Corporate Members and Invited Guests will not be reimbursed for their attendance. Honorary Members will also not be reimbursed for their participation. Invited speakers designated by the Organizing Committee to participate will receive a reimbursement equivalent to the one provided to Individual Members.
The Organizing Committee may appoint a person to act as WP-TTID administrative assistant. This person would be compensated for relevant activities carried out for the WP-TTID and the Committee, according to prevailing salary and benefits.
MEETINGS
The Organizing Committee will meet at least once a year in person and as many times as necessary by other means.
Annual Meeting – The designated place by the WP-TTID for the annual meeting may be coincident with one of the ISBT Regional Congresses during odd years (but not necessarily), and obligatory during the ISBT World Congress on even years. The annual meetings will occur in the maximum of 3 days before the official date of the ISBT Congress in order to avoid overlapping activities.
In order to maintain membership at the WP-TTID, individuals must attend annual meetings. Absence from annual meetings will be reviewed by the Organizing Committee, which has the right to terminate membership if there are reasons to justify it.
