Constitution

Constitution of the 'Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australian and New Zealand' (SOMANZ)

ABN 30 254 264 937

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The Society is named the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand

ARTICLE 2: OBJECTS

The objects of the Society are to advance clinical and scientific knowledge of hypertensive diseases and medical disorders in pregnancy and to foster collaboration with other regional and international societies interested in hypertension in pregnancy and obstetric medicine.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Ordinary Members

Any person who is engaged in research, or in the practice of the broad field of hypertension in pregnancy or obstetric medicine, or who has demonstrated particular interest in this area, is eligible for election as a Member.

Section 2: Honorary Members

Any person, distinguished in the study of hypertension in pregnancy or obstetric medicine at home or abroad, who has made material contributions to the advancement of hypertension in pregnancy or obstetric medicine, may be made an Honorary Member by the approval of the Council.

Section 3: Election of Members

a. Ordinary Members

Candidates for membership of the Society shall be proposed by a Member of the Society. Any such proposal shall be made upon a form approved by the Society. The candidature shall be assessed by the Council. The Candidate may be declared an Elected Member of the Society when approved by Council.

b. Honorary Members

Upon recommendation of the Council, persons deemed worth of Honorary Membership may be elected by vote of those members present at an Annual Meeting of the Society.

Candidates elected to Ordinary Membership or to Honorary Membership shall be notified of their election by the Council of the Society. Members of the Society shall notify the Secretary of their address, of any change of address, and of any additional academic qualifications or distinctions. Membersdesiring to resign from Membership of the Society shall notify the Secretary of their intention in writing. The proposal for resignation shall be submitted to Council.

ARTICLE 4: OFFICERS

Section 1: The Council

The business of the Society shall be conducted by a Council consisting of eight members (including the Office Bearers). No more than two members shall come from any one State or Territory of Australia or New Zealand. At least two members of Council shall be obstetricians. A least one member of Council shall be a scientist. The Council shall be responsible for conducting the affairs and business of the Society. The Council may, at its discretion, delegate such duties as it may determine to a Sub-Committee of members of the Council or other members of the Society. The immediate past President shall remain on Council for one year ex-officio.

Section 2: Office Bearers

There shall be a President and a Secretary/Treasurer. The Office Bearers shall be elected by Members of Council from within their own number.

Section 3: Election of Officers

Election of the President, Secretary/Treasurer and Members of Council shall be made every two years. Nominations shall be made in writing by a Member of the Society. Each shall be seconded by a Member of the Society. The nominees shall signify consent to such a nomination in writing. The nominations shall be in the hands of the Secretary one month before the Annual Meeting of the Society. A ballot shall be held for all positions and announced at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4: Terms of Office

The term of office for the President is two years. Thereafter he/she may not be re-elected as President until four years have elapsed since his/her previous term.

The terms of office for the Secretary/Treasurer and Members of Council are for two years. Each is eligible for re-election for a subsequent two terms, each of two years. Thereafter, each may not be re-elected until four years have elapsed since his/her previous term. No Member shall serve on Council for longer than three consecutive two year terms.

Section 5: Co-option of Additional Council Members

The Council shall have the power to co-opt additional Council Members to fill vacancies, but not for a period exceeding that of the unexpired portion of the terms in which the vacancies occurred.

Section 6: Duties of Officers

The President shall be Chairperson of the Council. In his/her absence, the other Council Members shall elect a Chairperson for any particular Meeting. The Secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings of the Society's meetings and Annual General Meetings, and the meetings of the Council. At the Annual General Meeting, the Secretary shall report on the work done by the Society during the previous year. The Secretary/Treasurer shall oversee the collection of dues from the Members and the other financial affairs of the Society. The Treasurer shall present a Treasurer's report of income and expenditure to the Annual General Meeting. The other officers shall have the powers and perform the duties that may be prescribed by the Council.

Section 7: A Quorum of the Council

Three Members shall form a quorum at a meeting of the Council.

Section 8: Council Meetings

The Council shall meet at the time of the Society's Annual General Meeting. The Secretary shall notify the Council of the forthcoming Meeting more than a month beforehand. Additional meetings of the Council may be called at the discretion of the President between Annual General Meetings.

Section 9:

Members of Council shall have a limited liability of no more than $25.00 in respect of any action brought against the Council.

ARTICLE 5: MEETINGS

Section 1: Annual Meeting

The Society shall hold an Annual Meeting.

Section 2: Additional Meetings

Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the Council.

Section 3: Substance of the Annual Meeting of the Society

The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be a Scientific Meeting. The Secretary shall give six months' notice of the place and date of the meeting, and shall invite contributions. Members may introduce visitors to the Annual Meeting of the Society.

Section 4: The Organising Committee for the Annual Meeting

The Organising Committee may be drawn from Council Members or from Society Members appointed by Council.

Section 5: Venue of the Annual Meeting

The venue of each Annual Meeting shall be determined by Council.

Section 6: Annual General Meeting

During the Annual Meeting of the Society, an Annual General Meeting shall be held to discuss the business of the Society. The President shall be the Chairperson of the Annual General Meeting. The Business of an Annual General Meeting shall be:

a. To receive the report of Council.

b. To receive the statement of receipts and expenditure.

c. To receive the report of the result of the voting for Members of Council.

d. To consider any other business, of which due notice has been given by a Member.

e. To attend to any general business.

An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by the Secretary at the direction of Council, or at the request of any twenty Members of the Society, provided due notice is given in writing to the Secretary at least sixty days before such Meeting, and that grounds for requesting such meeting are clearly stated.

At any Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting, a quorum shall consist of fifteen per cent of financial Members, including at least three Members of Council.

At any Annual Meeting or Extraordinary Meeting of the Society, each Financial Member shall be entitled to one vote. In the event of an equality of votes occurring on any motion, the Chairperson of the Meeting shall have a casting vote.

ARTICLE 6: FINANCE

Section 1: The Financial Year

The Financial Year of the Society shall close on June 30th of each year.

Section 2: Signing of Cheques

Cheques shall be signed by any two signatories as authorised by the Council.

Section 3: Balance Sheets

At the Annual General Meeting of the Society, a Balance Sheet shall be presented to the Society by the Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 4: Investment

The Council is empowered to invest such capital of the Society in such a manner as it seems prudent.

Section 5: Dissolution of the Society

In the event of the dissolution of the Society, the outgoing Council shall decide on the disposal of the funds, in accordance with Article 2.

ARTICLE 7: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Notice of proposed alterations to the Constitution must be made in writing at least sixty days before an Annual Meeting or an Extraordinary Meeting called for the purpose. The proposed amendment or amendments shall be sent to the Membership and its/their adoption shall require an affirmative vote of two thirds of those voting in person, or by proxy, at the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary Meeting.