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SEMDSA Constitution

A: RULES

I NAME

The name of the Society shall be The Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA).

II POLICY

SEMDSA (Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa) is a scientific society open to all persons interested in endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes.

III OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Society shall be: To further the scientific study and clinical practice and to promote research into all branches of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes To affiliate with similar national or international Societies or Federations.

IV MEMBERSHIP

There shall be three classes of members. Active Members. Shall be anyone whose training and interest promote the Society, and who is interested in furthering the objectives of the Society and contributing to these objectives.

Corporate Members. Any commercial company or organization interested in any aspect of Endocrinology may become a corporate member by annual subscription as determined by the Council. Corporate members shall have no vote but may be observers at the Annual General Meeting. Honorary Members. At the discretion of the Council persons may be awarded honorary membership for their contribution to endocrinology. These members will not pay an annual subscription, or be entitled to vote. Provision is made for the Council to elect an Honorary Life President of the Society for persons who have made exceptional contributions to the Society.

V MANAGEMENT

The management of the Society shall be entrusted to an Executive Committee (hereafter called Council), of which the manner of election shall be laid down in the By-laws.

VI GENERAL MEETINGS

An Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time as is laid down in the Bylaws, to receive from the Council a report on the Society’s activities during the preceding year and an account of the Society’s finances, to confirm or complete the election of Officers of the Council for the following year and to transact such other business as may be necessary.

An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society shall be held not less than six (6) weeks after the receipt by the Council of a request from not less than ten per cent (10%) of the total membership for the holding of such a meeting for a stated purpose. The Council may call a General Meeting of the Society at any time for a stated purpose, provided that notice of such meeting be sent to all members not less than four (4) weeks prior to the date of such meeting. A quorum for any General Meeting shall be not less than ten per cent (10%) of the total membership.

VII CHANGE OF RULES OR BY-LAWS

Alteration of any Rule of the Society shall be made only at a General Meeting of the Society, provided that four (4) weeks’ notice of such alteration has been given on the agenda of the meeting, and that sixty per cent (60%) of those voting on the alteration signify their assent. Voting may be proxy in respect of the above or any other matter decided by the Council.

VIII SCIENTIFIC SECTIONS

The Council may organise the formation of select sub-committees in specific areas as required.

IX FINANCES

In its own name the Society may collect funds for furthering its objectives by subscriptions and donations of all types.

B: BY-LAWS
The Officers and Council The Council shall consist of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, and Honorary Secretary/Treasurer and five (5) active members. An endeavour should be made, where possible, to have an equitable geographical distribution of Council members.

Council members (elected annually) may serve for a maximum period of three consecutive years, except that:

  1. Any council member serving as an officer, other than the Chairperson, during the third of the three consecutive years will be eligible for reelection for an additional year (fourth year);


  2. Any council member who becomes Chairperson during the period of three or four years referred to above will be entitled, if re-elected, to serve a second year as Chairperson and an additional year (after completion of two years as Chairperson) as an ordinary council member to maintain continuity.


  3. A council member who has served as Vice-Chairperson during an additional (fourth) year, as referred to above, will be eligible, if re-elected, to serve as Chairperson for a maximum period of two years and a further additional year (if re-elected) as an ordinary council member to maintain continuity.


  4. Any council member who has served the maximum period referred to above will only become eligible for re-election after a lapse of two years. Eight (8) members of the Council shall be elected as provided under By-law 3 (below) , at such time and in such manner that their election can be formally declared at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. The eight (8) members council shall vote for the office-bearers (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer) from amongst themselves annually.

Should a vacancy occur in the Council, or should the need arise, additional members may be co-opted onto the Council.

Three (3) shall constitute a quorum of the Council. Election of Office Bearers and Ordinary Members of the Council The office bearers and members of the Council may be proposed and seconded by either Council or members of the Society. Only paid-up active members may be elected. Voting shall take place by postal ballot at least one month prior to the Annual General Meeting. Nominees for the Council shall be contacted to confirm that they accept their nomination prior to the voting papers being sent to members.

Meetings
The date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting shall be fixed by the Council.

Not less than one (1) week prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, the Council shall send to all members of the Society the agenda for the Annual General Meeting.

Finance
The Council shall determine from time to time dues payable to the Society by members.

The Annual General Meeting may appoint an auditor. New members shall be deemed members, with all obligations and rights of membership, immediately on payment of their annual subscription.

Any member who fails to pay his subscription for two (2) years shall cease to be a member of the Society. Such lapsed member shall not be eligible for membership to the Society except after paying the two years’ subscription in default.

Expulsion of Members
The Council may, at its discretion, remove from membership of the Society any members whose conduct, in the Council’s opinion, is detrimental to the interests of the Society, but such member may appeal to a General Meeting of the Society to reverse the Council’s decision