International Geographical Union
Statutes VII
VII. Finance

A. Countries may adhere to the Union in one of the following fifteen categories. Each adhering country shall pay annually as a minimum the number of subscription units proper to its category in accordance with the following scale:
Category: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Units: 1 2 3 5 7 9 12 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
B. Each country applying for membership of the Union shall specify in which category it wishes to be classed. For each country the organization which adheres to the Union shall be responsible for the payment of the contributions. Every country in arrears with its contributions shall be reported to the General Assembly. Any adhering member of IGU, which is in arrears for three years, shall have observer status until the outstanding dues are paid.

C. Associate member countries of the Union shall pay such annual contributions as the General Assembly may from time to time determine.

D. Corresponding members pay annual dues decided upon by the Executive Committee.

E. The Secretary General shall prepare a statement of accounts of income and expenditure for each of the years intervening between two General Assemblies. He or she shall also prepare, on behalf of the Executive Committee, an estimate of the budget for the period intervening between one General Assembly and the next. A Finance Committee, nominated for the purpose by the General Assembly, shall examine the accounts for the preceding years and the budget estimates and shall report on these matters to the General Assembly. The Finance Committee may make recommendations for change in the membership categories of countries. Following its examination of the budget and of the Finance committee's report, the General Assembly shall fix the amounts of the subscription unit from full members and of the annual dues from associate members and also the currency or currencies in which the payment will be made.

F. The income of the Union is derived primarily from:
  1. contributions by members;
    2.
  2. subventions from other organizations;
    3.
  3. sale of publications;
    4.
  4. gifts and donations;
    5.
  5. congress and conference registration fees;
    6.
  6. research grants.
    7.

The income is to be devoted primarily to:

  1. the cost of administration, including the maintenance of the Secretariat and the meetings of the Executive Committee;
    2.
  2. the expenses of publications issued under the direction of the Union and specifically authorized by the Executive Committee;
    3.
  3. subventions toward the expenses of Commissions;
    4.
  4. subventions toward the cost of organization of International Geographical Congresses, and of regional meetings, especially in regions where the responsible organizations need help in organizing geographical studies;
    5.
  5. contributions toward the cost of research undertaken under the direction, or with the approval, of the Union;
    6.
  6. the cost of co-operation with ICSU, ISSC and other organizations, including dues.1.

Any surplus may be used as the General Assembly may direct to advance the general purposes of the Union as determined by Article I. Funds derived from donations and grants shall be used by the Union with due regard to the wishes expressed by the donors. Any country which withdraws from the Union resigns by this act its right to share in the assets of the Union.

G. The Union has a Geography Promotion and Solidarity Fund, the aim of which is to further geography and to support geographers, especially from less equipped countries. The Fund is governed by a Board appointed by the Executive Committee.

H. The Secretary‑General in his capacity of Treasurer shall keep accurate accounts and records of all financial transactions. He or she shall arrange for the accounts to be audited annually.

I. At each International Congress or Regional Conference, a sum, established by the Executive Committee, is to be included in the registration fee of all participants and transferred to the Treasurer within six months of the conclusion of the Congress or Conference.
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2000 IGU
Special Committee on
Communications and Networking