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1. NAME
The Society shall be called "The South African
Heart Association" (hereinafter called the "Association").
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives
of the Association shall be:
2.1.
To promote and develop the life sciences pertaining to the
cardiovascular system in health and disease.
2.2.
To promote good fellowship among those involved in the
treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease or with
research interests involving the cardiovascular system.
2.3.
To represent, promote and protect the professional interests
of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
2.4.
To promote public welfare by education directed towards
the prevention and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular
system.
2.5.
To take an active role in establishing and maintaining standards
for quality cardiovascular health care delivery.
3. MEMBERSHIP
There
shall be four classes of membership:
3.1.
Ordinary members shall be cardiologists, specialist
physicians and cardiovascular surgeons whose professional
interest is the treatment and study of cardiovascular disease
or research in this or allied fields.
3.1.1. Candidates for Ordinary Membership shall be proposed
by two ordinary members in good standing. Such proposal
shall be accompanied by a statement of the candidate's professional
status, public appointments and published works and sent to
the National Secretary. The National Executive may approve
such proposals and request formal ratification thereof at
the next General Assembly.
3.1.2. Only Ordinary Members in good standing shall
be entitled to vote and / or hold office in the Association.
3.2.
Associate members shall be other medical practitioners,
technologists, nurses and other health professionals who share
the objectives of the Association.
3.2.1. Requests for Associate Membership to be
sent to the National Secretary.
3.3.
Honorary members shall be persons of distinction
in medicine, who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge
in the cardiovascular field, or others who have rendered special
service to the Association.
3.3.1. Honorary Membership may be recommended to the
National Executive by 5 ordinary members
3.3.2. The National Executive, after due consideration,
may nominate a person so recommended for Honorary Membership
and request that the nomination be ratified by the next General
Assembly.
3.4 International members shall be cardiologists, specialist physicians, cardiovascular surgeons and other healthcare professionals whose interest is the treatment and study of cardiovascular disease or research in this or allied fields, who are not resident in the Republic of South Africa.
3.4.1 International members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office in the Association.
3.5. Termination of membership:
3.5.1. Every member shall remain a member until his membership is terminated either by his resignation in writing to the National Executive or by decision of the National Executive.
3.5.2 Membership may be suspended if after two years due subscriptions have not been paid, after suitable notification by the Treasurer.
3.5.3 Membership may be withdrawn from any category of member, should such member bring the Association into disrepute. Such withdrawal of membership shall be at the discretion of the National Executive, following due representation, consideration and deliberation.
3.5.4 Membership may be reinstated, upon application to the National Executive, on payment of arrears and/or at the discretion of the National Executive.
4. AFFILIATIONS
4.1. The Association will be a working group of:
4.1.1. The South African Medical Association (hereinafter called “SAMA”)
The National Secretary will furnish a list of office-bearers and a complete list of members of the Association to the Secretary General of SAMA annually.
4.2. The Association will be a member of:
4.2.1. The World Heart Foundation (previously The International Society and Federation of Cardiology).
4.2.2. The European Society of Cardiology (affiliate membership).
4.3. The Association will form alliances with other associations and societies that share common interests and/or offer benefits to the Ordinary Members of the Association. The establishment of such alliances will be left to the discretion of the Executive Committee, subject to ratification at the next AGM of the Association.
4.4. Official publications of the South African Heart Association serve as an important medium to share new information with members and to highlight our research output nationally and internationally. The South African Heart Association undertakes to ensure that an official publication or publications are produced.
4.5. Affiliation to, recognition by and membership of other similar organisations may be sought. Such affiliation, recognition or membership shall require the approval of a 60% majority vote of Ordinary Members in good standing present at a General Assembly or responders in a postal vote provided that a response is received from at least 25 members.
5. ACTION
OF THE ASSOCIATION
5.1.
The Association may take such action as may be deemed
necessary in matters affecting the legitimate interests of
its members and the objectives of the Association; provided
that the South African Medical Association as a whole be not
involved or pledged to any action and that any action contemplated
by the Association be in conformity with the policy of SAMA
in force at that time.
5.2.
Should the Association refer any matter affecting the
interests of its members to the National Council of SAMA for
action, it shall take no further independent action unless
requested to do so by the National Council.
6. ORGANISATION
The Association
shall consist of:-
6.1.
The National Executive Committee
6.2.
The Entrenched Standing Committees
6.3.
The National Advisory Council
6.4.
The Sub-groups
6.4.1. The Regional Branches
6.4.2. The Special Interest Groups
7. THE
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
7.1. Shall consist of
a. National President, Vice President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer as nominated and elected by ordinary members in good standing.
b. The Chairpersons of the Standing Committees.
c. Person/s duly appointed by the Executive Committee to serve on an ad hoc basis where a specific need arises. Such persons must be ordinary members of SA Heart, and shall serve for renewable periods of no less than one (1) year. Such appointments shall be subject to ratification at the first AGM following the appointment.
d. The Editor of the Journal of the South African Heart Association.
7.2.
The National President, Vice-President, Secretary and
Treasurer shall be elected for a 2-year period and may be
eligible for re-election.
7.2.1. The National President, Vice-President, President-Elect,
Secretary and Treasurer may be the Chairperson of any Entrenched
Standing Committee concurrently with the holding of their
office.
7.2.2. To ensure continuity within the National Executive
Committee, elections shall be held annually for 2 of the 4
offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
At the conclusion of the Vice-President's term of office,
he/she may succeed to the position of President-Elect if so
nominated and elected by ordinary members in good standing.
At the commencement of the Association the Vice-President
and Secretary shall be elected for a 1-year term of office.
7.2.3. The National President
shall remain an Ex-Officio member of the National Executive
for a period of one (1) year after completion of his/her elected
term of office.
7.3.
All members of the Standing Committees shall serve in
office for 2 years and shall be eligible for re-election.
7.4.
In exercising control over the Association, the National
Executive shall at all times abide by the articles and bylaws
of the South African Medical Association.
7.5.
The National Executive shall meet annually or when requested
by the President or his deputy.
7.6.
The function of the National Executive shall be to:
7.6.1. Promote the objectives of the Association
in keeping with its Constitution
7.6.2. Act as the spokesperson on behalf of the
Association.
7.6.3. The President shall represent the Society
at home and abroad, will chair meetings of the National executive,
Council and preside over the Annual General Assembly and Annual
Congress of the Association.
7.6.4. The Secretary shall notify National Executive's
of meetings and organise the venue and time thereof, notify
all ordinary members of the venue and time of the General
assembly, circulate nomination requests and organise ballots.
7.6.5. The treasurer shall keep the accounts,
collect subscriptions, be responsible for the expenditure
of the association and shall present a financial report
to the General assembly.
7.7.
The National Executive is responsible for the daily administration
of the Association, and may establish a National Central
Office and retain the services of such personnel as may be
required to efficiently administer the Association.
7.7.1. The Funds of the Association shall be derived
from dues collected from each member as well as from endowments,
gifts, grants and income from the Annual Congress
7.7.2. The Regional Branches and Special Interest
Groups may levy a contribution from each of their members
to cover their running costs.
7.7.3. The Regional Branch and Special Interest
Group levies shall be collected in conjunction with the Association's
Annual Subscription and distributed by the National Treasurer
to the respective sub-groups.
7.7.4. Auditors shall be nominated by the National
Executive and approved by the General Assembly.
7.8.
Any Member of the National Executive Committee
or other Member acting in an official capacity on the Association's
behalf will be reimbursed by the Association for the time
spent and for any reasonable expenses incurred in the performance
of such action.
7.8.1. Every National Executive Committee Member
or other Member of the Association shall be indemnified by
the Association against losses and expenses incurred or any
other liabilities arising out of discharge of his official
duties on behalf of the Association, whether this refers to
a contract entered into or any act or deed that is done.
7.8.2. The National Executive shall effect personal
liability insurance for any Member engaged on official business
on behalf of the Association. The Association
shall not be liable for any claim in excess of the amount
covered by the policy.
7.9.
Election of the National President, Vice-President, Secretary
and Treasurer
7.9.1. A request for nominations will be sent
by post to all Ordinary Members in good standing every year
at least 60 days before the first date of the Annual Congress
7.9.2. Voting will be conducted by postal
ballot
7.9.3. Voting will commence 30 days before the
first date of the Annual Congress
7.9.4. The ballot will close 5 days before the
opening of the General Assembly
7.9.5. Simple majority will decide the successful
candidates.
7.9.6. In the event of resignation or incapacity
of the President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary,
a call for nominations for that office will be sent to all
Ordinary Members in good standing within 30 days, and thereafter
a postal vote will be conducted, commencing 30 days
after the call for nominations and completed 30 days thereafter
7.9.7 In the event of SA Heart not receiving any nominations in a specific year for a post on the Executive Committee, one or more candidates may be proposed during the AGM and be voted for during the AGM by the fully paid up ordinary members that are present at the AGM, provided that a quorum (refer point 13.2.4.) is present
8. STANDING
COMMITTEES
8.1. The Standing Committees are entrenched within the organisation of the Association.
8.1.1. Each committee will consist of at least 4 members.
8.1.2. The Chairperson of each Standing Committee shall be elected by and from the members of such committee.
8.1.3. All Standing Committees shall at all times include at least one cardiologist and one cardiac surgeon. The cardiac surgeon to serve on the respective Standing Committees is to be nominated by the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa.
8.1.4. The Standing Committees may include person/s duly appointed by the Executive Committee to serve on an ad hoc basis where a specific need arises. Such persons must be ordinary members of SA Heart, and shall serve for renewable periods of no less than one (1) year. Such appointments shall be subject to ratification at the first AGM following the appointment.
8.2.
At present the Standing Committees shall comprise;
8.2.1. Private Practice Standing Committee
The responsibility
of this Committee will be to attend to all matters pertaining
to the professional private practice of cardiology and cardiac
surgery, including negotiation regarding the coding of professional
services and the remuneration thereof with any relevant organisation.
All members
of the Private Practice Standing Committee will be members
who derive the majority of their income from the conduct of
private practice
8.2.2. Full-time Salaried Practice Standing
Committee
The responsibility
of this Committee will be to attend to all matters pertaining
to the practice of cardiology and cardiac surgery in university
and other hospitals and institutions that employ full-time
salaried staff
All members
of the Full-time Salaried Practice Standing Committee will
be members who derive the majority of their income from a
university, hospital or institution
8.2.3 Education Standing Committee
The responsibility
will be to organise the Annual Congress in regard to the venue
as well as the scientific and educational content.
The Education
Committee shall be responsible for organising a time and venue
for the General Assembly during the Annual Congress. This
time shall fall within the first half of the duration of the
Congress.
The Education
Standing Committee's members shall at all times have representation
from both Members in Private Practice and Members in Full-time
Salaried Practice.
Heads of Cardiology Training Units form a sub-committee of
the Education Standing Committee of SA Heart. The Sub-committee
consists of heads (or nominated persons) of the cardiology
training units in South Africa and the chairperson of the
Education Standing Committee. The Sub-committee acts as the
advisory body for training in Cardiology through SA Heart.
8.2.4 Ethics and Guidelines Standing Committee
The responsibility
will be to attend to all matters pertaining to ethics and
guidelines for cardiology and cardiac surgery
The Ethics
and Guidelines Standing Committee shall at all times have
representation from both Members in Private Practice and Members
in Full-time salaried Practice
8.3.
Election of the Standing Committees
8.3.1. A request for nominations will be sent
by post to all ordinary members in good standing every year
at least 60 days before the date of the Annual Congress
8.3.2. Voting shall be conducted by postal ballot
8.3.3. Voting shall commence 30 days before the
first date of the Annual Congress.
8.3.4. The ballot shall close 5 days before the
opening of the General Assembly
8.3.5. Simple majority will decide the successful
candidates.
8.3.6. In the event of resignation or incapacity
of a member of a Standing Committee, a call for nominations
for that office will be sent to all Ordinary Members in good
standing within 30 days, and thereafter a postal vote will
be conducted, commencing 30 days after the call for nominations
and completed 30 days thereafter.
8.3.7 In the event of SA Heart not receiving any or sufficient nominations in a specific year for members to serve on the Standing Committees, one or more candidates may be proposed during the AGM and be voted for during the AGM by the fully paid up ordinary members that are present at the AGM, provided that a quorum (refer point 13.2.4.) is present.
9.
REGIONAL BRANCHES AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
9.1.
The Regional Branches and Special Interest Groups shall
be designated Sub-groups of the Association
9.2.
All members of Sub-groups shall be Members of the Association.
9.3.
Ordinary Members may make application for Formation of
a Sub-group to the National Executive.
A
viable number of Ordinary Members (in the opinion of the National
Executive) must support the application.
The National
Executive may decide upon the formation of such a Sub-group,
guided by the best interests of the Association
The decision
of the National Executive shall be ratified by a majority
vote at the next meeting of the General Assembly.
9.4.
Sub-groups shall be allowed powers of independent action
provided that such action is not in conflict with the general
policy and rules of the Association.
9.4.1. Each Sub-group shall have a Committee,
elected by Ordinary Members of the Sub-group
9.4.2. Such Committee shall consist of a Chairman,
Secretary and Treasurer and as many other members as deemed
necessary by the Sub-group.
9.4.3. Each Sub-group may hold a bank account,
and may impose an additional annual "Regional Branch" or "Special
Interest Group" levy upon their members.
9.4.4. Each Sub-group shall hold an Annual Business
Meeting for the election of office-bearers by majority vote.
9.4.5. The Chairman and Treasurer of each Sub-group
shall submit an annual report providing details of Activities
held during the year, a Membership List and a Financial
Report to the National Secretary of the Association, 30 days
prior to the annual General Assembly.
9.5.
Sub-groups shall keep the National Executive informed
of important developments in their Region or Field of Special
Interest.
9.6.
Upon dissolution of any Sub-group, any funds remaining
shall be transferred to the Funds of the Association
9.7.
Sub-groups shall have the right to influence policies of the
Association within their regions or area of interest.
9.7.1. The National Executive and Standing Committees have
to consult each sub-group on issues relative to their regions
or area of interest. Each sub-group shall make its presentation
on such an issue within three months from the request by the
National Committee or Standing Committees.
9.7.2. Disagreement on such issues between a sub-group and
the National Executive or Standing Committees shall be submitted
for resolution to the National Advisory Council of SA Heart.
10.
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
10.1.
The National Advisory Council (hereinafter called the
"Council") shall be made up of the members of the National
Executive Committee and the Chairpersons of the Regional Branches
and Special Interest Groups or their deputies.
10.2.
The Council will meet when so requested by the President
or his deputy or at least 3 members of the Council
10.3.
The function of the Council will be to advise the National
Executive Committee on any action in which the Executive
Committee or the members have significant doubt as to the
correct course of action.
10.4.
Decisions of the Council achieved by a two thirds majority
vote will be binding upon the Executive Committee
11.
SUBSCRIPTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION
11.1.
An annual subscription shall be payable by members of
the Association to provide Funds for the carrying out of the
work of the Association.
11.1.1. Ordinary membership shall include
the right to a discounted registration fee at our Annual Congress.
11.2.
The amount of the subscription will be determined by
the National Executive from time to time and will be ratified
at the next General Assembly.
11.2.1. The subscription of Associate Members
shall be 15% of that of Ordinary Members.
11.2.2. A subscription rebate will be granted
to Ordinary Members on application, at the discretion of the
National Executive.
Such rebates
shall be considered for those whose employment status or whose
abode beyond the borders of South Africa precludes them from
deriving any income from Private Practice within South Africa.
12.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution
may be amended only if:
12.1.
Notice of the proposed change has been posted to all members
at least 30 days before the vote.
12.2.
And, when at the General Assembly, a quorum being present,
two thirds of the ordinary members in good standing present
vote in favour of such a change.
12.3.
Voting by signed proxy shall be permitted
12.4.
Or, when a postal vote is conducted, provided that at
least 50% of members respond, two-thirds of the ordinary members
in good standing responding vote in favour of such change.
12.5.
And, the National Council of SAMA shall approve any amendment
to the Constitution of the Association before coming operative.
13.
MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
13.1. The
Annual Congress
13.1.1. The Annual Congress shall be organised
under the auspices of the Education Standing Committee
13.1.2. The Education Standing Committee
shall call for and consider proposals from Branches, Special
Interest Groups and individual Ordinary Members as to the
nature and format of, the venue for, the timing of and the
guest speakers to be invited to the Annual Congress at least
1 year in advance of the proposed meeting.
13.1.3. Proposals may be approved by consensus
in the Education Standing Committee, failing which the decision
shall be referred for approval by the National Executive Committee
13.1.4. The Education Standing Committee is empowered
to appoint a Congress Organiser from amongst its ranks or
from amongst the Membership. Such Congress Organiser
may employ such professional assistance as is deemed necessary
and approved by the Education Committee to ensure the efficient
organisation and running of the Annual Congress. The
costs of such assistance will be borne by the Association.
13.1.5. The Congress Organiser shall be required
to report back to the Education Standing Committee at regular
intervals.
13.1.6. The Education Standing Committee
shall take due care to ensure that over time there is fair
representation of the interests of all Branches, Special Interest
Groups and Members at the Annual Congress.
13.2.
The General Assembly
13.2.1. The General Assembly shall consist of
all Ordinary Members of the Association present, who are in
good standing.
13.2.2. The General Assembly shall meet at
the time of the Annual Congress.
13.2.3. Notice of the time, place and agenda of
the meeting shall be circulated with the programme of the
Annual Congress
13.2.4. A quorum for the purposes of voting on any matter,
not otherwise specified in the constitution, shall be a minimum
of 25 ordinary members in good standing.
13.2.5. Voting by signed proxy shall be permitted
13.2.6. In the absence of a quorum, the National
Executive shall within 24 hours convene another General Assembly
at which any number of ordinary members shall constitute
a quorum.
13.2.7. The General Assembly shall be chaired
by the President of the Association or in his absence the
Vice-President or in his absence a Deputy-President appointed
from amongst the National Executive Committee.
13.2.8. The procedure at the General Assembly
shall be:
Notification
of matters of urgency.
Confirmation
of the Minutes of the last meeting
Matters
arising from the Minutes
The President's
Report upon the activities of the National Executive and the
Association in the preceding year.
The Treasurer's
Report upon the Annual Financial Statements of the Association
received from the auditors
Approval
of the Auditors of the Association
The Secretary
shall table the Annual Activity and Financial Reports of all
Regional Branches and Special Interest Groups.
Ratification
of new Memberships
Ratification
of requests from the National Executive for conferring of
Honorary Membership
Ratification
of the Formation of new Regional Branches or Special Interest
Groups.
Other
matters
14.
DISSOLUTION
14.1.
The Association shall be dissolved if at any time its
membership in good standing is less than 11 (eleven) members.
14.2.
Dissolution of the Association may be effected by a 75% majority
vote of all ordinary members in good standing.
14.3.
If upon the winding-up or dissolution of the Association,
there remains after satisfaction of all its debts and
liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be
paid to or distributed among the members of the Association,
but shall be given or transferred to another body or bodies
designated by the Members present at the final General Assembly.
In the
absence of consensus, such organisation or organisations shall
be a Group or Groups within SAMA or be SAMA itself.
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