1. CONSTITUTION:

1.1 The Society will be known as the South African Renal Society. This will be the constitution of the South African Paediatric Renal Society as well.

1.2 Aim of Society

- to promote the profession of nephrology
- to facilitate co-operation and contact between all interested parties in the field of nephrology and related subjects
- provide guidelines for the optimal care of renal patients.

1.3 The Constitution can only be changed by a 2/3 majority decision made by
members at a general meeting, or a special meeting, or 2/3 majority postal vote by members, and only if the proposed changes have been fully discussed at a general or special meeting. The proposed changes to the constitution must be in writing, signed and seconded by two members of the Society, at least a month before the general or special meeting and the changes must appear on the agenda of said meeting.

1.4 The Society is opposed to all forms of discrimination.

2. REGULATIONS:

2.1 The Committee

The activities of the society will be monitored by a committee consisting of a president, a treasurer and secretary and 1-2 members of each medical school in the Republic as well as the retiring president and secretary who will rightfully remain members of the committee for a further 2 years. Four members representing nephrologists in private practice will be part of the executive as well as two paediatric nephrologists. A single person may fulfill more than one position of the stipulated subcategories.

2.2 Term of office of committee members:

The president’s term of office is two years and he/she cannot be re-elected until two years have lapsed since being president. Terms of office for secretary and each committee member is two years but may be longer if re-elected.

2.3 Duties of the committee members:

The president is the chairman and in his absence another member will be elected for that specific meeting. The secretary will take the minutes of the general meetings and meetings of the management committee. During the general meeting biennially the secretary will report on the society's activities during the previous 2 years. The other committee members will be empowered to execute duties allocated to them by the committee. The treasurer will read out a financial report at each general meeting.

2.4 Quorum of the committee: Five members form a quorum.

2.5 Electing office bearers: A president will be elected every 2nd year from a list of members, after being nominated during a general meeting.

2.6 A secretary and treasurer will be elected in a similar fashion.

2.7 Every 2 years 2 members will resign according to seniority regarding service on the committee. The initial order of resignation will be determined by the committee.

2.8 Every two years 2 members from the registered members will be elected, after being nominated, to serve on the committee i.e. to fill the 2 vacancies. If a vacancy occurs unexpectedly the committee will co-opt a member to fill the vacancy. This member will serve on the committee until the next general meeting, when he can be elected (after nomination) to the committee. Such a member will also be able to be re-elected.

2.9 The committee may use their discretion to co-opt additional members. These co-opted members will serve for 2 years - any re-election must be approved at a general meeting.

top of page   

3. MEMBERSHIP:

Society membership will include the following:

3.1 any medical practitioner or scientist who is involved with, or who was previously involved with research, education, training and/or the practice of nephrology or
any related science will qualify to be elected as an ordinary member

3.2 any person who has made an exceptional contribution to the promotion of nephrology or any related science or specialization will qualify for honorary membership

3.3 associate membership will be available on application to persons who are committed to the promotion of nephrology, who do not qualify for ordinary membership

3.4 corporate membership will be available, on application, to companies who are committed to the promotion of nephrology, who do not qualify for ordinary membership

Persons eligible for membership may be nominated by a ordinary member at any time provided the nomination is supported by a second ordinary member. Written nominations are also acceptable provided that the nomination is seconded by another ordinary member. The name will be posted on the Society website and provisionally accepted if there are no objections. Final acceptance of all types of membership will occur at the general meeting of the Society or SARS forum. Only ordinary members are eligible to vote.

4. MEMBERSHIP FEE:

4.1 Each member has the responsibility to pay an biennial membership fee - the amount to be paid will be determined by the committee.

4.2 Fees are due at the time of meetings and may be paid electronically.

5. MEETINGS (Conferences):

5.1 The society aims to have at least one congress every 2 years.

5.2 The meetings (congresses) of the society will be held at venues determined from time to time. The aim of a congress will be to share and exchange knowledge, discuss aforementioned as well as giving demonstrations. The president will be the chairman of each congress. The time to be allocated for each session or topic will be determined by the Committee or Chairman.

5.3 The date, time and venue of the congresses will be announced 6 months in advance, by the secretary; who at the same time will welcome any donations. A general meeting must be held during the Congress, preceded by the EXCO meeting. An agenda must be issued at least 2 weeks before the meeting.

5.4 Members may propose guests for the congress and liaise with the secretary as to presentations and demonstrations by these guests.

5.5 Any member may bring a matter which he considers to be of importance to the society, to the notice of the Committee at a meeting. Notice of such matters must be given to the secretary at least 8 weeks before the meeting (at which the matter will be discussed) takes place. Notice of these issues for discussion will appear on the agenda.

6. FINANCE:

6.1 The treasurer will be responsible for banking and the signing of all cheques. In his absence a committee member who has been delegated authority by the committee can execute this duty.

6.2 A financial statement will be presented at the biennial meeting of the society.

6.3 The committee has the right to invest capital in trust or securities as they see fit.

7. LANGUAGE:

7.1 English is the official language in the conduct and proceedings of the society.

8. AFFILIATION:

The Committee may use its own discretion in seeking affiliation with other societies.

top of page