1.     Preamble 
The Co-ordinating Group for Environmental Radioactivity (COGER) is a voluntary association of persons engaged in scientific research in the field of environmental radioactivity,. COGER is a not for profit association whose primary function is to promote and advance, and to disseminate to the public advantage information on and knowledge of the scientific research in the field of environmental radioactivity.

 2.     Name
The name of the association is “Co-ordinating Group on Environmental Radioactivity” hereinafter called “COGER”

3.     Official Address
The official address of COGER is located in England  and currently is 34 Mount Drive, Wirral, Merseyside, CH63 5NX.

4.     Objects
The objects of COGER are:

a)     to promote and advance the science and art of environmental radioactivity research;

b)     to promote, advance and disseminate, to the public advantage, knowledge of environmental radioactivity through the organisation of an annual meeting;

c)     to encourage, support, promote and advance education and training in environmental radioactivity;

d)     to receive monies, gifts and subscriptions and other income in order to provide grants, prizes and to manage and use, loan and disburse monies for the promotion, support and advancement of any of the objects of COGER;

e)     to do any such other lawful things and undertake any such other lawful activities as may be proper and expedient or conducive to promoting and advancing any of the objects of COGER.

5.     Limitations
COGER shall not engage in or support with its funds any activity or object, or endeavour to impose on its participants any activity, regulation, restriction or condition which if an object or activity of COGER would make it a Trade Union, Staff Association or body other than a voluntary association of people with an interest in the field of environmental radioactivity.

The income and property of COGER whencesoever it derives shall be applied solely towards the promotion and advancement of any or all of the objects of COGER as set out in section 4 hereto: no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profits or division of assets to any person who is or has been a participant of COGER or to any person claiming through him or her, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the award of prizes or of grants to be used entirely for meeting approved expenses actually incurred in pursuit of the objects outlined in section 4. Payment may be made in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration or out-of-pocket expenses for services rendered to or on behalf of COGER to any participant or member of the Steering Committee at the discretion of the Steering Committee but no one shall be appointed to any salaried office.

In the event that COGER is wound up, after payment of all debts and liabilities, any remaining funds available will be transferred to a selected charitable non-profit making scientific society having similar objects and limitations or shall be returned to the sponsors divided in accordance with their contributions to the running of COGER.

6.     Membership
There is no fixed membership of COGER as it is a voluntary association of people with an interest in environmental radioactivity. There are no rules, regulations or byelaws for COGER participants although we would expect that all participants or associated members conduct themselves in accordance with the overall aim of the COGER objects (section 4).

There is an invited steering committee who have responsibility for the direction of COGER, who act as an interface with the public and who make decisions related to the regular activities of COGER in pursuit of the objects outlined in section 4. Steering committee members are listed on the COGER website and are rotated at intervals. New members are selected from those regular participants at the annual meeting or contributors to research in environmental radioactivity. The only two recognised positions are those of the Chairman and Secretary.

7.     Financial Arrangements
COGER is currently sponsored by external organisations (see Annex I for current sponsors) and is operated on a non-profit making basis. There are no fixed subscriptions or fees applied but income is generated from the annual meeting in order to offset the costs incurred by hosting such an event.

The finances are held in a Treasurer Account, which requires two signatures for release of funds. Accounts are held by the Secretary for expenditure and income and are available for review. Committee members may be invited to be a signatory on the account.

8.     Data Protection
An Access database containing the names and contact details along with a brief summary of research interests is held by the Secretary. This information is used for the purpose of providing regular information on the annual meeting to the potential participants and for identifying expertise by those associated with COGER for responding to recognised legitimate requests for information relating to issues regarding environmental radioactivity. Such information requests are acted upon by the Steering Committee who may approach participants for input into any response.

Contact information is also held online on the COGER website for those who have expressly indicated that they agree to this in order to promote awareness of areas of research into environmental radioactivity and to facilitate interaction amongst COGER participants and interested parties.

Any COGER participant can request a copy of the information held about them from the Secretary at any time. 

 Agreed: April 2004

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