IDSSA - Constitution

Overview  | Executive  | Constitution  | Training  | Planning

THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

ARTICLE 1: NAME
The society shall be called “The Infectious Diseases Society of Southern Africa” herein after referred to as the SOCIETY.

ARTICLE 2: LIABILITIES
2.1 The Society is a body corporate and is vested with all the powers and obligations required for achieving its objects.

2.2 No member of the society shall by virtue of his/her membership have any claim to the assets of the Society.

2.3 No member of the Society and no member of the Council of the Society shall be liable for fulfilling any obligation or for settling any debts incurred by the Society.

ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Society shall be:

3.1 To advance the understanding and promote the exchange of information relating to all aspects of infectious diseases

3.2 To foster greater collaboration between the clinically- and laboratory-based divisions of infectious diseases.

3.3 To advise with regard to the training and maintenance of standards within the discipline.

3.4 To forge links with societies representing similar interests in Africa and overseas.

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
Members of the Society shall consist of Honorary, Ordinary (Full) and Associate members.

4.1 Honorary members. Any member of the Society, seconded by two other members of the Society, may nominate a person or persons for election as honorary members of FIDSSA on the grounds of special contribution to microbiology, virology, infectious diseases or the Society. The FIDSSA council shall consider such nominations. Honorary membership is retained for life, and honorary members shall have the rights and privileges of members, but they shall not be required to pay any membership fees.

4.2 Ordinary membership will be granted to medical practitioners, medical scientists, medical technologists, pharmacists and nurses who have made a contribution to the discipline of infectious diseases, in its broadest sense, and who are registered with the South African Medical and Dental Council or other equivalent bodies.

4.3 Associate membership is offered to other interested parties involved with aspects of infectious diseases that are not doctors or nurses, and students who do not fully meet the criteria listed in 4.2.

ARTICLE 5: OFFICERS AND TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS
5.1 Council: The business of the Society shall be conducted by a Council elected from ordinary members of the Society.

5.2 The Council shall consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and two additional members one of whom shall be the immediate past President. The Council shall have the power to co-opt members should it be necessary.

5.3 The President shall represent the Society at meetings of the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa (FIDSSA) and shall serve with one nominated member on the council of FIDSSA

5.4 The Council members shall be elected for a four (4) year term and may be eligible for re-election.

5.5 Nominations for members of the Council shall be made on nomination forms and shall reach the Secretary two weeks before the General Meeting. Each nomination shall bear the signature of at least two ordinary members as pro-poser and shall have been accepted in writing by the nominee.

5.6 Election of Officers shall be by majority vote of the full members of the Society present at the Biennial Meeting; provided however, that if the Biennial Meeting is not held the Officers whose terms would have expired, will continue in office until the next meeting.

5.7 In the event of the death or resignation of a Council Member the Council shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the term of office.

5.8 The Council shall communicate at least once per year.

5.9 If there should be a deadlock on any decision at a business, committee or meeting, The President will have a deliberative as well as a casting vote.

5.10 No Council member shall receive remuneration for services to the Society.

ARTICLE 6: CONGRESS
6.1 A biennial meeting of FIDSSA representing all the member societies including the Society shall be held at least every two (2) years at a venue decided by the FIDSSA council.

6.2 The program of the Biennial meeting shall include:

6.4 Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

6.5 Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President at such times and places as may be determined by a majority vote of the Council. Written or printed notice, stating the purpose, place and hour of any special meeting shall be sent to each member not less than 28 days before the date of such meeting.

6.6 Quorum. Business meetings and Special meetings of the membership of the Society. Ten (10) members present of whom at least two shall be officers

ARTICLE 7: SUBSCRIPTION, DUES AND FUNDS
7.1. The secretariat of FIDSSA will collect annual subscriptions on behalf of the Society. The subscription fee for membership of the Society (nurses or doctors) shall be determined by a majority vote of members at the biennial business meeting.

7.2. Disposal of the annual membership fee by FIDSSA will entail:

7.3. The annual subscription for the various categories of membership shall be determined by members of FIDSSA at biennial meetings and shall be paid before the 1st January of each year for that calendar years membership.

7.4. Failure to pay subscriptions within a set period will render the member liable to loss of privileges.

7.5. The FIDSSA secretariat and treasurer will send out accounts to all members of the Society and will collect dues on behalf of the Society.

7.6. Membership subscription funds to the Society shall be deposited in the joint bank account of FIDSSA in a recognized financial institution.

7.7. Membership fees due to the Society will be deposited in the Society bank account at the end of each financial year by FIDSSA.

7.8. The use of the Society funds for any other purpose requires the authorization of a majority decision at biennial meetings

7.9. The treasurer shall present an audited financial report on the financial status of the Society at each biennial meeting and shall report on the financial status of the Society at each meeting of the Council.

7.10. Grants and Endowments: The Council is authorized to accept in the name of the Society any grants or endowments which are designated for administration and use by the Society, provided that the purpose of such grants and endowments is, in the judgement of the Council of the Society, consistent with the objectives and purposes of the Society.

ARTICLE 8: JOURNAL
The official journal of the Society is The Southern African Journal of Epidemiology and Infection and is published and distributed to members on a quarterly basis.

ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
Amendments to the Constitution of the Society shall first be submitted in writing to the Secretary for consideration by the Council. Thereafter the proposed changes together with the Council’s recommendations shall be circulated to the members at least 28 days before the biennial business meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of those present at the business meeting will be required for adoption of the proposed amendments.

ARTICLE 10: LEGAL PERSONALITY
10.1 The Society is a legal personality that exists independent of its members, has perpetual legal succession, regardless of the variation of membership and is a non-profit making organisation.

10.2 The Society can act as a defendant or plaintive in any competent court.

10.3 The Society can obtain, retain or expropriate its own assets and can deal with them and can undertake its own obligations. These assets and liabilities are independent of each individual members assets and liabilities.

ARTICLE 11: INTERNAL AUDIT
An internal annual audit will be performed by a member of the Society in good standing and who is not a member of the Council.

ARTICLE 12: DISSOLUTION
In the event of the Society being dissolved the remaining assets shall be paid to a non-profit organisation devoted to medical research to be designated by the majority of the Council holding office at the time of dissolution.