The International Committee of Dermatology is the Board of the ILDS. While the Assembly of Delegates is empowered to act on very specific issues, the Board is the leadership group of the ILDS on a day-to-day basis.

1. Composition

The Board is composed of twelve (12) regular members and six (6) ex-officio members with vote. Ex-officio members include the immediate past President and past Secretary-General of the Board, the President and Secretary-General of the forthcoming World Congress, and the past President and Secretary-General of the recently completed World Congress.

In addition to the twelve regular members and six ex-officio members, up to seven consultants may be elected by the Board as ad hoc members without vote. An example in practice: Professor Jean-Hilaire Saurat, Universite de Geneva, was named as an ad hoc Board member for the 1997-2002 term, representing the ILDS at WHO assemblies.

2. The Election Process

At the time of the World Congress at least one-third of the regular Board members will retire and must be replaced. Retirement from the Board is based on the following policy:

No member may serve for more than three 4-year terms with the following exception: Ex-Officio members under the age of 68 may serve for an additional term if elected to the office of President or Secretary General of the Board, in which case they will serve ex-officio for a final term of service.

No later than six months before the Assembly of Delegates, Member Societies and Affiliate Member Societies are to propose three individuals (up to two from their own society) to serve three terms as regular members of the Board.

Societies are advised to consider the following factors: international reputation, gender, experience in congress matters, scientific achievement, language facility, (Board meetings are conducted in English), financial ability to attend Board meetings, and age.

Due to the potential length of service, age is a factor to be considered. Most candidates are under the age of 60 years when elected for their first term.

From the roster of collected names, the Board develops a list containing twice as many candidates as there are vacancies. The list of nominees, along with the candidates’ CVs, are presented to the Assembly of Delegates and election is made by secret ballot.

The Board has the authority to appoint members to fill vacancies arising from resignation of members during their term of office.

3. Officers of the Board

At the first Board meeting of the new term, at the end of the World Congress, Officers are chosen by the Board members in attendance. Voting is by secret ballot and a majority vote is necessary for election to office. Officers to be elected are: President, Secretary-General, and Treasurer.

Officers’ duties begin at the meeting wherein they are elected and continue until new Officers are chosen at the end of the next World Congress. Processes for removal from Office and filling vacancies of uncompleted terms of office are contained in the new "ILDS Memorandum and Articles of Association". (pdf 1MB)