Article 3
Attendance at Governing Council meetings 3.1. Except as provided herein, attendance at meetings of the Governing Council shall be restricted to its members, the President of the Council of the European Union and a member of the Commission of the European Communities. 3.2. Each Governor may normally be accompanied by one person. 3.3. If a Governor is unable to attend, he/she may appoint, in writing, an alternate without prejudice to Article 4. This written communication shall be sent to the President in due time before the meeting. Such an alternate may normally be accompanied by one person. 3.4. The President shall appoint a member of staff of the ECB as Secretary. The Secretary shall assist the Executive Board in preparing the meetings of the Governing Council and shall draft the minutes thereof. 3.5. The Governing Council may also invite other persons to attend its meetings if it deems it appropriate to do so.