Article 1: Status

The European Neutron Scattering Association (hereafter known as ENSA) is an affiliation of national neutron scattering societies and committees which directly represent users. The overriding purposes of ENSA are to provide a platform for discussion and a focus for action in neutron scattering and related topics in Europe.


Article 2: Aims

(i) To identify the needs of the neutron scattering community in Europe.
(ii) To optimise the use of present European neutron sources.
(iii) To support long-term planning of future European neutron sources.
(iv) To assist with the co-ordination of the development and construction of instruments for neutron scattering.
(v) To stimulate and promote neutron scattering activities and training in Europe, and in particular to support the opportunities for young scientists.
(vi) To promote channels of communication with industry.
(vii) To disseminate to the wider community information which demonstrates the powerful capabilities of neutron scattering techniques and other neutron methods.
(viii) To assist, if appropriate, national affiliated bodies in the pursuit of their own goals.


Article 3: Affiliation

Affiliation to ENSA is open to bodies representing neutron scattering users in those countries who are Members or Associates of the European Union ,and Switzerland, and Russia.The present affiliation is listed in Annex.1. Further affiliations shall be approved by the ENSA committee.


Article 4: The ENSA Committee

4.1 Delegates
Each national group of affiliated bodies will nominate one delegate per country to the ENSA committee. A substitute delegate will be allowed. The individual delegation is recommended to be 3 years and is renewable.

4.2 Observers
Invited observers to the ENSA committee will include representives nominated by:
• The major European neutron scattering facilities
• Projects for new European neutron sources
• The European Science Foundation.
• Further individual observers will be co-opted according to the needs of ENSA.


Article 5: Organisation of the committee

5.1 Executive Board
The ENSA committee will nominate an Executive Board which will represent the association between formal meetings. It will comprise the Chairman, the Vice-chairman and the Secretary. The holder of each of these offices will be elected by the ENSA committee from amongst the current registered delegates. The normal term of office will be 2 years.

5.2 The ENSA committee will meet at least once per year, if possible associated with a user meeting of a member country. Meetings will be called by the Chairman.

5.3 On the demand of at least one quarter of the committee members, the Chairman will arrange a meeting within two months of that request.

5.4 Decisions other than as stated in Article 7, will be made by a simple majority of delegates present.


Article 6: Financial Matters

The costs associated with a delegate participating in a meeting of the ENSA committee shall ordinarily be found by the delegate or his nominating body.


Article 7: Modifications to the Articles

Any modification to the Articles of ENSA as well as the confirmation of new affiliations shall require the approval of more than one half of all registered delegates at formal meetings of the committee. One months notification in advance of any proposed modification is required.