Scope
The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) was founded in Paris, on 10 November 1983, by a group of geotechnical engineers and textile specialists (Council History). The Society brings together individual and corporate members from all parts of the world, who are involved in the design, manufacture, sale, use or testing of geotextiles, geomembranes, related products and associated technologies, or who teach or conduct research about such products.
Objectives
The aims of the IGS are:
- to collect and disseminate knowledge on all matters relevant to geotextiles, geomembranes and related products, e.g. by promoting seminars, conferences etc.
- to promote advancement of the state of the art of geotextiles, geomembranes and related products and of their applications, e.g. by encouraging, through its members, the harmonization of test methods, equipment and criteria
- to improve communication and understanding regarding such products, e.g. between designers, manufacturers and users and especially between the textile and civil engineering communities
Organization
The IGS is registered in the USA as a non-profit organization. It is managed by five Officers and a Council made up of 10 to 16 elected members and a maximum of 5 additional co-opted members. These Officers and Council members are responsible to the General Assembly of members which elects them and decides on the main orientations of the Society.
Various IGS activities are being dealt within open committees:
- Asian Activities
- African Activities
- Communication
- Corporate
- Education
- European Activities
- North American Activities
- South American Activities
- Strategy/Membership
- Technical
There are also five closed committees:
- Awards Committee (membership is selected by the IGS Council)
- Bylaws Committee (committee is formed as necessary)
- International Liaison (membership is selected by the IGS Council)
- Financial Committee (membership is selected by the IGS Council)
- Investment Advisory Committee (membership is selected by the IGS Council)
Where it befits the objectives of the Society, local chapters can be established. 31 chapters are already in existence and others are in the formative stage.
NTRODUCTIONThe International Geosynthetics Society is a professional society composed of many types of members: producers, suppliers, contractors, consultants, academicians, students and others. This variety presents many different points of view and interests.
Our geosynthetics discipline and industry, however, requires that all members support a common code of conduct when dealing with other members of the society, other members of our industry, and the general public who expect the IGS to be a leader in promoting the common good of the geosynthetics discipline.
In 1994 the Corporate Members Committee requested that the IGS Council develop a Code of Ethics in order to increase the credibility and image of the IGS and to remind our members of our professional responsibilities.
This request was approved and the IGS Council in February 1995 tasked this writer to prepare a draft Code of Ethics. The draft was published in the July 1995 edition of the IGS News and on the IGS Web site. Comments were invited from all interested persons.
Based on received comments, two Past Presidents of the IGS, Dr. J.P. Giroud and Prof. R. K. Rowe, and President of the IGS, Prof. C.J.F.P. Jones, revised the draft document.
The final version of the Code of Ethics was presented to the IGS Council during the 10 March 1997 meeting in Long Beach, California. It was unanimously approved by the Council.
This Code of Ethics is clearly a voluntary code, but reflects our wish that members of the IGS execute the mission of our society within a framework of the highest professional conduct.
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