A: RULES

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

2.	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.

3.	Objectives The objectives of SEMDSA shall be:
	a)	To further the clinical practice and to promote clinical research into all branches of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes.
	b)	To further the scientific study and to promote scientific research and publication into all branches of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes.
	c)	To promote the relationship with similar national or international Societies or Federations.
	d)	To promote the professional and legitimate interests of the Society and its members.
	e)	To promote acceptable standards for training and the professional practice of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes and to advise where necessary, regarding the academic standard of individuals and training units.
	f)	To promote access to and the provision of health care services and adequate treatment for all affected diseases related to Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, particularly to the poor and needy.
	g)	To provide support to its members who are training in the field of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes.
	h)	To promote, maintain and protect the honour and interest of the discipline of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism as a medical sub specialty for the benefit of all.

4.
	4.1	Membership There shall be three classes of members.
		a)	Active Members.
			i.	Shall be anyone whose training and interest promote SEMDSA, and who is interested in furthering the objectives of SEMDSA and contributing to these objectives
			ii.	Active members must have their membership status up to date (annual membership fees paid).
			iii.	Active members have voting powers.
			iv.	Only Active members may be elected to serve on the Executive Committee.
		b)	Corporate Members. Any commercial company or organization interested in any aspect of SEMDSA may become a corporate member by annual subscription as determined by the Executive Committee. Corporate members shall have no vote but may be observers at the Annual General Meeting.
		c)	Honorary Members. At the discretion of the Executive Committee 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 SEMDSA for persons who have made exceptional contributions to the SEMDSA.
	4.1	Membership Fees & Status
		a)	Membership fees are due on an annual basis.
		b)	The Executive Committee will determine the dues payable to SEMDSA by its members.
		c)	Any member who fails to pay his or her subscription fees for one (1) years shall cease to be a member of SEMDSA. Such lapsed member shall not be eligible for membership to SEMDSA except after paying the current years’ fees.
		d)	Any member will automatically be suspended if his/her name is struck from the HPCSA or equivalent Health Professions Register.
		e)	Any member who is expelled (as described in By Law 5) will have their membership status terminated.

5.	Management The management of the Society shall be entrusted to an Executive Committee, of which the manner of election shall be laid down in the By-laws.

6.	General meetings An Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time as is laid down in the Bylaws, to receive from the Executive committee 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 Executive committee 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 Executive committee 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 Executive committee 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.

7.	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 Executive committee.

8.	Scientific sections The Executive committee may organise the formation of select sub-committees in specific areas as required.

9.	Finances SEMDSA will be responsible for its own finances. SEMDSA may raise funds by any legal means (such as subscriptions, educational grants, sponsorships, journals, donations, workshops, congresses, guidelines) for furthering its objectives. The Executive Committee may appoint an Auditor / Accountant to ensure that SEMDSA complies with Regulations set out by the South African Revenue Service. Sub-Committees or Sub-Groups of SEMDSA shall comply with the financial provisions of SEMDSA Funds of SEMDSA may not be distributed to any person, except in the course of carrying out activities related to SEMDSA. SEMDSA shall not be a party to any transaction, operation or scheme whose sole purpose is to reduce, postpone, or avoid liability for taxation. SEMDSA shall not pay employees excessive remuneration, and will comply with the reporting arrangements determined by the Executive Committee. SEMDSA will comply with all and any conditions prescribed by the Minister of Finance by way of regulation or otherwise.

B: BY-LAWS

1.	The Officers and Executive committee
	The Executive committee shall consist of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, and Honorary Secretary/Treasurer and five (5) active members.
	i.	Eight (8) members of the Executive committee shall be elected as provided under By-law 2 (below), at such time and in such manner that their election can be formally declared at the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
	ii.	The eight (8) members of the Executive committee shall vote for the office-bearers (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer) from amongst themselves annually.
	iii.	The Chairperson should be someone who has already served on the Executive committee for at least 1 year. This will allow for continuity within the Leadership of the Executive committee.
	iv.	The Executive Committee should be made up of a minimum of
		a.	5 Adult Endocrinologists
		b.	1 Paediatric Endocrinologist
		c.	1 Basic/Applied Scientist
	v.	An endeavour should be made, where possible, to ensure that the members of the Executive Committee broadly represent the membership and interests of the society and, if possible, to have at least one representative from each region.
	vi.	Executive committee members may serve for a maximum period of three (3) consecutive years, except that:
		a.	Any Executive committee member serving as an officer, other than the Chairperson, during the third of the three consecutive years will be eligible for re-election for an additional year (fourth year).
		b.	Any Executive committee 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 Executive committee member to maintain continuity.
		c.	An Executive committee 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 Executive committee member to maintain continuity.
	vii.	Any Executive committee member who has served the maximum period referred to above will only become eligible for re-election after a lapse of two years.
	viii.	Should a vacancy occur in the Executive committee, or should the need arise, additional members may be co-opted onto the Executive committee.
	ix.	Three (3) shall constitute a quorum of the Executive committee.

2.	Election of Office Bearers and Ordinary Members of the Executive committee The office bearers and members of the Executive committee may be proposed and seconded by either the Executive committee or members of the Society. Only paid-up active members may be elected. Voting shall take place by postal, online or e-mail ballot at least one month prior to the Annual General Meeting. Nominees for the Executive committee shall be contacted to confirm that they accept their nomination prior to the voting papers being sent to members. Annually, up to a maximum of four (4) Executive committee members will be elected by the Executive Committee to automatically serve on the committee for the following year. Their term of service will not exceed the maximum time permitted to serve as stipulated above. This process will allow for continuity within the Executive committee. Annually, a minimum of four (4) members will be voted onto the Executive committee by the members of SEMDSA.

3.	Meetings The date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting shall be fixed by the Executive committee. Not less than one (1) week prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, the Executive committee shall send to all members of the Society the agenda for the Annual General Meeting.

4.	Finance The Executive committee 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.

5.	Expulsion of Members The Executive committee may, at its discretion, remove from membership of the Society any members whose conduct, in the Executive committee’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 Executive committee’s decision.

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