The aim of the ISSCT is to facilitate communication among technologists in the sugar cane industry, in order to encourage free and frank interchange of technical information through congresses and other activities, to promote research and support other worthy projects for the benefit of all.

The ISSCT's mission statement is accordingly as follows:

"The ISSCT is committed to the economic and sustainable advancement of the sugar cane industries of the world and associated communities, through promoting innovative research, development and the adoption of technology, and by sharing knowledge among its members for their professional development."

(Note: The Mission Statement is not included in the Constitution so that modifications may be more easily brought whenever circumstances change, without having recourse to Constitutional changes.)

Article 1
By-Law 1.1

The use of the ISSCT's logo shall be restricted to the Society. However, permission for use by a partner to promote the ISSCT's activities may be given by the Chairman of Executive who may delegate such authority to the Permanent Secretary.

There are two types of membership

     (II) Membership of organizations: Affiliated, Association, Institutional and Corporate. The first three of these are restricted to non-profit
         organizations. Industrial and commercial organizations can only be considered as Corporate members.

For attendance at activities of the ISSCT, someone must be an individual member, irrespective of whether he forms part or not of a
member Organization (Affiliated, Association, Institutional, Corporate). However, a country hosting an ISSCT activity may invite guests  and keynote speakers who are not members, or in the case of a Workshop, local observers. Also, each Corporate member is entitled to a Corporate Representative who enjoys a free Individual membership.

There is only one Affiliated Society in a country. It must be a National Society with similar objectives as the ISSCT in promoting sugar cane technology. Other Societies of Sugar Cane Technology in that Country are Association members.

Honorary Life membership is restricted to 25  and steps shall be taken by the Permanent Secretary for consideration to elect new members whenever vacancies arise.

Membership runs from the period immediately after the official Congress adjournment to the next adjournment.

Members shall enjoy some of the benefits of membership services (Newsletters, access to databases etc…) for a period of one year after Congress but such priviledge may lapse after that period if membership has not been renewed.

The Council is composed of representatives of Affiliated Societies and is the supreme body of the ISSCT. It determines and decides on major policy matters regarding the administration and the activities of the ISSCT.

The Council has supreme power on the election of Executive, determination of membership dues, technical programme,  choice of Congress host. Otherwise, it delegates its  authority to Executive for the formulation and implementation of decisions in these and other spheres. Executive reports to  Council on its decisions.

Councillors are appointed by Affiliated Societies according to their own procedures. However, it is desirable to have one Councillor to be appointed for the period from one Congress to another to ensure better communication and continuity  in participation in the affairs of the ISSCT.

Exceptionally, France shall be represented alternately by a Councillor from its Metropolitan Society (AFCAS) and from its Reunion Society (ARTAS) at successive Congresses. (See Article II By-Law 3).

A Councillor is accredited to attend meetings of Council and exercise the right to vote only if the Affiliated member he represents has paid its membership dues.

A Councillor who is unable to attend Congress may nominate someone from his country to represent him and should inform the Permanent Secretary accordingly, in writing and by fax or e-mail, at least four weeks before the opening of Congress.

Membership dues are determined by Council on the recommendations of Executive and are credited to the Accounts of the ISSCT. 

Article V

The Executive Committee

Executive members are elected by Council for two consecutive Congresses.

A member of Executive shall not serve for more than 4 consecutive Congresses.

Articles VII, VIII & IX

Congress, Congress Officers and Congress Organizing Committee

Congresses are held every three years approximately and their venue is decided by Council on the recommendation of Executive, following suitable applications from Affiliated members. (See also Art IVClause2)

The administrative and financial responsibility of Organising the Congress lies with the Congress Organising Committee. Executive monitors the Organisation to ensure that the interests of the ISSCT are fulfilled. The Technical content and structure of meetings at Congress is the responsibility of Executive which delegates it to the Technical Programme Committee.

The ISSCT, through its Executive, Technical Programme Committee and Proceedings Editorial Committee, has complete control over the technical management of Congress and the publication of the Proceedings.

The host Congress Organising Committee is responsible for all local arrangements for the Organization to ensure the necessary local input and flavour but Executive keeps close control on key issues, especially to ensure the best cost/benefit return to ISSCT Members.  

The Congress Organising Committee is appointed by the Affiliated member to which the hosting of Congress is entrusted.

The above policies apply also for the Organisation of pre- or post-congress tours.

The Chairman of COC presides over the Inaugural Plenary Session of Congress. For the other meetings, decision on who presides lies with the Executive

There is at least one Mid-term Meeting in the Congress Host country, where Executive, Technical Programme Committee and Congress Organising Committee meet to ensure co-ordination and monitoring. The costs of hosting the participants are met by COC which also meets the travel arrangements of the Permanent Secretary and the Permanent Editor. Travel costs of other TPC members to attend the Mid-term Meeting are funded by ISSCT. Other Executive members have to meet their own travel costs.

The processing and initial acceptance of Papers and Posters are under the direction of the TPC. Final Editing and Publication are under the responsibility of the Proceedings Editorial Committee under the chairman of TPC and which includes the Permanent Editor who acts as Secretary and works in close collaboration with the Permanent Secretary. 

English is the official language of the ISSCT. However, arrangements are made for French and Spanish abstracts of communications as well as simultaneous translations of at least some sessions in these languages at Congress.

The expenses for the attendance of the Permanent Secretary and the Permanent Editor at Congress, including air travel expenses and congress package costs, shall be met by COC from funds accruing from registration fees.

Co-ordination of the ISSCT's technical activities is the responsibility of the Vice-Chairman of Executive. He is Chairman of the Technical Programme Committee which includes also the four Commissioners. He shall report progress and his recommendations to Executive.

The Permanent Editor is also the Secretary of the Technical Programme Committee and of the Technical Panel.

Commissioners, Deputy-Commissioners, Chairmen and members of Technical Sections are appointed by Executive on the recommendation of the Technical Programme Committee. Suggestions for these positions shall be formulated within the different sections. Commissioners and Section Chairmen shall endeavour to ensure continuity in seeking the right nominations for the different positions within their Commission/Section and that the members chosen have the capacities and facilities required for serving. These appointments are also made in consideration that the interests of the ISSCT are broadly represented.