Statutes of the Baveno Cooperation

an official Consortium of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)

Preamble

The Baveno Cooperation was launched in 2016 based on the strong scientific links created over the years among the groups involved in organization of the Baveno workshops on portal hypertension. The Baveno Workshop meetings were initiated in 1990 and have taken place every 5 years with the aims of promoting knowledge, unifying concepts, setting up standardized methodology, defining endpoints, reviewing evidence, developing guidelines and setting up priority areas for future research in the field of portal hypertension and its complications.

Baveno has been highly influential in the field of portal hypertension as evidenced by more than 15.500 hits on Google Scholar and with the Baveno VI consensus report being cited 1702 times (Scopus; both inquiries from 12-January-2022). The recommendations and guideline statements of the Baveno Consensus Conference have been endorsed by both the EASL and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

At each of the Baveno conferences, a research agenda has been proposed and the goal of the Baveno Cooperation is therefore to integrate groups involved in the Baveno Consensus Conferences into a network of investigators that will fulfill its research agenda via cooperative research to produce high-quality scientific evidence in the fields of priority. In 2019, The EASL governing board officially endorsed the Baveno Cooperation as an EASL Consortium.

These Baveno Cooperation Statutes provide a normative framework of the structure and governance of the Baveno Cooperation with the aim of enhancing its progress and development, with an effective monitoring of its activities, including full accountability of its governing structure (the Baveno Steering Committee, SC and the Baveno Scientific Advisory Board, SAB) to the participating members, i.e. the Assembly and, where applicable, to the EASL.

I Aim of the Baveno Cooperation

The overall goal of the Baveno Cooperation is to establish an international multidisciplinary research network led by EASL members to address important issues identified at the Baveno Consensus conferences regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension and its complications. In order to achieve this goal, the following initiatives will be undertaken:

To facilitate the interaction and integration between basic, translational and clinical research activity in the field of portal hypertension and its complications.
To promote collaborations and interactions with other societies and consortia working in fields related to liver disease and portal hypertension (e.g. endoscopy, radiology, surgery, pathology, gastroenterology and pediatrics).
To identify new relevant topics in the field of portal hypertension, to establish synergies between researchers within and outside the network, and areas of cooperation with biotech and the pharmaceutical industry.
To design a coordinated, multi-annual research program within the network.
To promote research proposals from members, provide suggestions for improvement prior to endorsement by the Baveno Cooperation and facilitate the participation of interested Baveno members in these projects
To foster fund raising from external sources (e.g., public agencies, foundations and industry) to support Baveno Cooperation-related activities.
To stimulate the formation of new research groups in the field of portal hypertension and to provide opportunities for emerging young investigators through mentoring, networking, and participation in the research and education activities of the Baveno Cooperation.
To promote the spirit of scientific honesty, integrity, critical creative thinking, and search for answers by means of high-quality research inherited through the Baveno Consensus workshops.

II Members of the Baveno Cooperation

The Baveno Cooperation is a an EASL Consortium constituted by investigators who share an interest and have resources/expertise in basic, translational or clinical research in the field of portal hypertension and its complications.
Investigators of these research groups may become members of the Baveno Cooperation after application and acceptance by the Steering Committee. Candidates should have a track record in the performance of research in the area of portal hypertension. The application should include:
a. A formal letter expressing the interest to become a member of the Baveno Cooperation.
b. A document reflecting the characteristics of their centre including a detailed description of the research facilities and specific research interests.
c. The CV of the applicant(s), with a list of publications in the field of portal hypertension.
The Steering Committee of the Baveno Cooperation will evaluate all membership applications and will vote on approval.
Centres with several investigators may internally designate a coordinator among them to facilitate the communication with the Steering Committee. This coordinator should rotate (if possible) every 5 years.
The Baveno Steering Committee can remove a member in case of scientific misconduct or ethical misbehaviour. Scientific misconduct is the violation of the standard codes of scholarly conduct and ethical behaviour in the conduction and/or publication of scientific research.

III The Baveno Assembly

The Assembly is composed of all members of the Baveno Cooperation
The Assembly will meet at least once a year, at a location and on a date designated by the Chair of the Steering Committee. The date/time/location of the annual meeting will be communicated to the Assembly with a lead time of at least two weeks. The date/time/location will coincide with the EASL International Liver Congress (ILC) unless otherwise determined. If the meeting, for some exceptional reason, cannot take place face-to face, it will take place virtually.
All members of the Baveno Steering Committee and the Baveno Scientific Advisory Board are expected to attend and vote at the annual Assembly meeting.
The Assembly is responsible for:
a. Approving the overall policy of the Baveno Cooperation
b. Ratifying the decisions of the Baveno Steering Committee with regards to research studies, publications and other scientific and educational activities.
c. Proposing amendments, deletions or additions to the statutes of the Baveno Cooperation. These proposals need to be submitted to the Baveno Steering Committee at least one month prior to the annual assembly meeting.
d. Ratifying nominations to the Baveno Steering Committee and Baveno Scientific advisory Board.
e. Approving the Baveno Cooperation budget and proposing a Baveno Treasurer, if necessary.
f. Informing the Baveno members on the progress of completed, ongoing and future research projects, and on plans for the next Baveno consensus conference.

IV The Baveno Steering Committee (SC)

The Baveno SC represents the governing board of the Baveno Cooperation and includes the Executive Committee (see V below). The Baveno Steering Committee is responsible for:
a. Defining the strategy and scientific direction of the Baveno Cooperation, setting performance objectives; and monitoring implementation.
b. Identifying important research topics to elaborate the research program of the Baveno Cooperation.
c. Reviewing, selecting and approving research applications proposed by members of the Baveno Cooperation to be incorporated into the research program or to be performed by or with the support of the Baveno Cooperation. These proposals may be presented by any member of the Baveno Cooperation.
d. Research proposals involving collaborations with entities not pertaining to the Baveno Cooperation may also be presented. These research collaborations will require third-party agreements which should then be approved by the SC.
e. Approving individuals who will participate in the studies included in the research program of the Baveno Cooperation.
f. Establishing ad hoc Sub-Committees and Working Groups as the SC may deem appropriate for carrying out specific activities.
g. Looking for financial resources form public agencies, foundations, and industry and adopting measures to promote visibility of Baveno Cooperation.
h. Selecting topics, panels and chairs and establishing an organizing Committee for the consensus workshops on Portal Hypertension known as the Baveno Conference, which takes place every 5 years (from 1990 to 2015 in Baveno, Lago Maggiore, Italy).
i. Reporting to the assembly on overall policy, direction, promotion and activities.
The Baveno Steering Committee (SC) is composed by 13 members of the Baveno Cooperation. The initial SC (2022) was selected by the founding members of the EC (2022) in order to guarantee sufficient manpower to carry out the necessary tasks, taking into account geographical and gender balance.
Members of the SC shall be appointed for a minimum of a five-years and maximum of 10 years in order to encompass two Baveno Consensus conferences. Upon completion of any such term, the appointment will be valid until the next annual Assembly meeting. Rotation of members of the SC shall take place on a stepwise basis (half of its members will be renewed every 5 years) in order to guarantee transmission of experience and information regarding the functioning of the Baveno SC
Future candidates for the SC, including the positions for Vice-Chair and Vice-Secretary are either nominated by the Baveno Steering Committee or the Baveno Scientific Advisory Board or could be self-nominated if supported by at at least 5 SC/SAB members. Proposals for Baveno SC candidates must be sent to the Baveno SC at least one month before the Baveno annual meeting and should include a CV and a statement of intent.
The Baveno SC will evaluate all candidates based on candidates’ expertise in the field of portal hypertension, their professional rank (mid-level and senior researchers) and considering previous commitment to Baveno-related activities. Special attention will be taken to promote geographical and gender balance. It is encouraged that the Baveno SC includes members associated with other consortia with common interests. Voting for new SC members will take place among members of the SC. Candidates with the highest number of votes for each of the positions (vice-chair, vice-secretary or member) will then become members of the SC replacing the vacant positions of outgoing SC members.
The EASL Governing Board will be informed about the composition of the Baveno SC.
SC members cannot be employees of a pharmaceutical company.
The SC will meet as frequently as deemed necessary, but not less than twice a year, at the location and on the date designated by the Chair, preferentially in Europe, and notified to the members of the SC with a lead-time of at least two weeks. These meetings may also take place virtually. One of these meetings will be during the EASL International Liver Congress (ILC) where the annual Assembly meeting will usually take place and during which Information regarding the above-mentioned issues (see III Assembly) will be transmitted to members of the Baveno Cooperation. In the event that the Chair deems it necessary to hold extraordinary SC meeting(s), it may issue a notice calling for such meeting with a lead-time of at least two weeks.
The members of the Baveno SC shall not receive any compensation. The Baveno Cooperation will not cover travelling nor accommodation expenses for the members of the SC if the meeting is held at the same location and on the same dates of a major international liver meeting. In other cases, reasonable travel expenses in coach or economy class and reasonable accommodation expenses could be covered by Baveno Cooperation, if possible.
All members of the SC shall exercise their duties on a fully informed basis, in good faith, with due diligence and care, in a manner which they reasonably believe to be in the best interest of the Baveno Cooperation. In order to allow and facilitate the members of the SC to exercise their duty of loyalty and of care, the following rules and principles shall be observed:
a. Before a meeting of the Baveno SC, the Chair (or another person to whom the Chair delegates the responsibility) will establish an agenda and gather materials related to the topics to be discussed.
b. The members of the Baveno SC will be provided with all material information, which should reasonably be made available to them in order to make a decision. This information will be delivered to the members of the Baveno SC with sufficient lead-time prior to each meeting so that they have time to review it.
c. The members of the SC may request any information to be validated by external experts.
d. Discussions at the meetings of the Baveno SC shall be open and frank, allowing all members of the Baveno SC to consider alternatives and consequences. When recommending action, the members of the Baveno SC shall disclose all information material to the action and shall provide a balanced, truthful account of all matters disclosed in their communications.
e. Any contract or other transaction where a potential conflict of interest may appear shall be concluded through fair dealing. The negotiations leading to such contract or transaction shall only begin if a legitimate interest of the Baveno Cooperation exists and the terms of the contract or transaction appear helpful and reasonable to the Baveno SC.
f. The minutes of the Assembly and of the meetings of the Baveno SC (to be taken by the secretaries of the Baveno Cooperation and distributed to all Baveno SC members) shall reflect the contents of the discussion without prejudice to the non-disclosure of any confidential information.
g. The approved minutes of the Assembly will be forwarded to members of the Baveno Cooperation and to the EASL Governing Board.
The members of the Baveno SC will seek to obtain a consensus on all matters. In the event that voting is required, the decision will be adopted by a majority of its members, present or represented at the SC meeting.

V The Baveno Executive Committee (EC)

The Baveno Executive committee (EC) is composed by a Chair, a Vice-chair, a Secretary and a Vice-secretary. EC members cannot be employees of a pharmaceutical company. The EC will be approved at the annual assembly meeting.
The preceding Chair of the Baveno Cooperation will be invited to join the EC as President of the next Baveno Consensus Conference.
The EC represents the core of the Baveno Steering Committee (SC) in charge of designing, conducting and supervising all activities of the Baveno Cooperation in close interaction with SC.
The Chair, Vice-Chair and the Secretary and the Vice-Secretary should be senior investigators, in active in practice at time of election, and of sufficient scientific status and advanced enough in their careers to have authoritative presence at the Baveno SC and Assembly of the Baveno Cooperation.
After a period of 5 years, the Vice-Chair and Vice-secretary will become the Chair/Secretary, so that the Chair/Vice-Chair and Secretary/Vice-Secretary will be part of the EC for two consecutive Baveno Conferences.
After a period of 5 years, the positions of the Vice-Chair and Vice-secretary will become vacant. The Chair and the Secretary position may become vacant if the previous Vice-Chair and Vice-Secretary do not accept these positions.
The Baveno SC and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) will propose candidates for vacant positions of the Vice-Chair, and Vice-Secretary, preferably from members that have been in the Baveno SC for at least 5 years.
The Baveno SC will elect the new EC members among the proposed candidates.
The EASL Governing Board will be informed about (changes in) the composition of the Baveno EC.
The Chair is responsible for the conduct and quality of the scientific activities and represents the Baveno Cooperation in its business with other organizations.
The Chair reports to the EASL Governing Board on the activities of the Baveno Cooperation and may be requested to report to the EASL Business Meeting upon request from the EASL Governing Board. In the communication with the EASL Governing Board, the Vice-chair shall always be included. The Secretaries may be included if deemed necessary by the Chair of the Vice-chair.
The Vice-Chair is the official substitute of the Chair in every situation, when the Chair is unavailable.
The Vice-Secretary is the official substitute for the Secretary in every situation, when the Secretary is not available.
In case of the temporal absence of a Baveno SC, the Chair will carry out the functions of the SC.

VI The Baveno Scientific Advisary Board (SAB)

The SAB is composed by both senior and junior researchers in the field of portal hypertension.
The initial SAB (2022) was proposed by the Baveno EC.
Future candidates for vacant position of the SAB are either nominated by the Baveno Steering Committee or the Baveno Scientific Advisory Board or could be self-nominated if supported by at at least 5 SC/SAB members.
The Baveno SC will evaluate all candidates for vacant positions of the SAB based on candidates’ expertise in the field of portal hypertension, their professional rank and considering previous commitment to Baveno-related activities. Special attention will be taken to promote geographical and gender balance. It is encouraged that the Baveno SAB includes members associated with other consortia with common interests.
Voting for new SAB members will take place among members of the SC. Candidates with the highest number of votes will then become members of the SAB replacing the vacant positions of outgoing SAB members.
The role of SAB will be to advise the Baveno SC in Baveno-related actitivies. SAB member are expected to be available for ad-hoc sub-committees and working groups aimed at supporting Baveno-related actitivites.
Past presidents and past Baveno EC members will remain part of the Baveno SAB unless the member declines or the Baveno SC objects.

VII Financing of the Baveno-Cooperation

The Baveno Cooperation is a non-profit organization.
The Baveno Cooperation is committed to be a fully transparent organization, therefore financial disclosures are required from members of the Baveno SC and EC and updated annually.
The Baveno SC will be committed to obtain funds from public agencies, foundations and industry, preferably, but not limited to, in the form of unrestricted grants for specific projects and purposes. Further fund-raising initiatives from the Baveno Cooperation members will be welcome. Any unused funds generated by the Baveno consensus conferences will be transferred to funds of the Baveno Cooperation.
In case that the Baveno Cooperation obtains funds, and the task becomes too burdensome for the Secretary/Vice-Secretary, a treasurer will be elected from among the members of the SC, and will then become an additional member of the Baveno EC.
Any financial support to Members of the Baveno Cooperation can only be related to scientific endeavours and activities.
Any disposal of funds from the Baveno-Cooperation shall require approval from the EC of the Baveno Cooperation.
The annual budget shall be presented and approved by the Assembly.

VIII Publication policies for research results of the Baveno Cooperation

Any scientific or press communication regarding research activities initiated by the Baveno Cooperation should acknowledge the Baveno Cooperation by mentioning ‘Baveno Cooperation: an EASL consortium’.
All publications that arise from research activities endorsed by the Baveno Cooperation should include the following corporate author ‘a study of the Baveno Cooperation: an EASL consortium’.