Article 2
Objectives The objectives of the International Society shall be
to research in the field of hypertension in pregnancy and to disseminate
the useful results of such research and to advance education in the field
of hypertension in pregnancy in particular by the provision of bursaries
to encourage junior research fellows from under-developed countries to
attend Society Meetings.
i. To raise funds and invite and receive contributions provided that no
permanent trading activities are undertaken in raising funds for the said
objectives.
ii. To do any other lawful thing necessary in furtherance of the above
objectives.
Article
3
Membership Membership of the Society will be open to all who have
manifested an interest in the study of hypertension and related aspects
of pregnancy. Proposal to membership may be made by submission of the
appropriate application to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Society. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall review the application and is empowered to admit
the applicant to membership. A list of all new members admitted shall
be presented to the International Council and Biennial General meetings
next following. If the decision is made to deny membership, this must
be ratified by the President and the Vice President. An appeal against
this decision may be made to the International Council meeting next following,
when a final decision will be made on a majority vote. who after approval
and payment of dues will become regular members with full voting rights
at each congress.
The International Council may from time to time establish different classes
of members as, for example, by educational background, professional training,
current employment, or as supporting memberships including pharmaceutical
companies, research institutions, etc. The Council may also classify these
memberships, including rights to voting papers, and as full, associate
and assistant corporate members. In each instance The Council will establish
the rights of all these specific memberships.
Revocation of Membership: The Secretary/Treasurer shall have the discretion
to assume the resignation of any member whose dues remain in arrears despite
having received three reminders of his/her obligation. Membership shall
also cease upon vote of termination of membership by the International
Council. A member shall have the right to appeal to the Executive Committee
against revocation of membership. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have authority
to continue a member on the rolls of the Society upon a showing of special
circumstances, and such discretionary action shall be reported to the
Council at its biennial meeting.
Resignation: The resignation of any members in good standing will be accepted
by the Secretary/Treasurer and Council.
Emeritus Status: A member will become emeritus upon reaching the age of
65 years. He/she will be excused from dues (except any portions related
to Journal or Proceedings subscriptions) but will participate in all other
privileges of membership. The International Council will have the option
to consider on a case by case basis all those who wish to remain active
members.
Article
4
Officers, International Council and Executive Committee The International
Council will consist of Councillors from each country in which there are
at least 6 active members. In addition, members at large may be proposed
by the International Council and endorsed by the membership without limits
of councillors per country. The International Council will elect the Executive
Committee for the ensuing two years, which will comprise: The Officers,
Officers Elect, immediate Past President and three additional Council
Members.
The role of the International Council shall be to co-ordinate the views
and opinions of the members in different countries and to present these
views to the Executive Committee. The members of the International Council
shall take such steps as may be necessary to determine the views of the
general membership in the election of the Executive Committee.
Article 5
National Division Each nation or group of smaller nations which
can form a division will be responsible for the activities of the Society
in that country.
Article
6
Meetings There will be a General Meeting (Congress) held every
two years. In alternate years local national meetings may be held. At
the General Meeting at least one Business Meeting will be held to transact
business of the Society and to elect officers.
Article
7
Publications The Society will be authorised to publish a scientific
Journal, or Proceedings of regular or special meetings. The editor(s)
and editorial board will be chosen by the International Council, or, should
change be required between Council meetings, by the Executive Committee.
A Journal Management Committee shall be appointed by the President, to
consist of three Council Members. This Committee shall advise the Editor(s)
and Editorial Board on general matters relative to the Journal, and shall
be consulted in full before any policy changes relating to the Journal
are introduced.
Article 8
Transactions of Business A meeting of the Executive Committee with
the International Council to transact business will be held at least once
during the General Meeting of the Society.
Further meetings of the Executive Committee may be held during the General
Meeting and at other times when called by at least four members of that
Committee.
Article 9
Miscellaneous provision The finances of the Society will be resident
in the place in which the Secretary/Treasurer resides and will be subject
to the tax laws of that country. Where the tax laws of that country so
require, it shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to have the Society's
accounts professionally audited. Such audited accounts shall be presented
to the Society at each Biennial General Meeting during that Secretary/Treasurer's
term of office. Where such tax laws do not apply, the President shall
appoint an Audit Committee of three Council Members. The Secretary/Treasurer
shall make available to them all material relevant to the financial affairs
of the Society for inspection. The Audit Committee shall report their
findings to the Council and Biennial General meeting next following. When
the Secretary/Treasurership leaves the United Kingdom, formal notification
will be made to the Charity Commissioners.
While the Secretary/Treasurership is resident within the United Kingdom,
the signature of two past or present officers of the Society shall be
required for all withdrawals.
Article
10
Changes in Constitution Alteration in principle to this Constitution
shall receive the assent of two-thirds of the members present and voting
at a Biennial or a Special General Meeting. A resolution for the alteration
of the Constitution must be received by the Secretary of the Society at
least 90 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought
forward. At least 60 days notice of such a meeting must be given by the
Secretary to the membership. Such proposals shall be considered by the
International Council at its next meeting. Their decision to vote shall
be communicated to the general membership of the Society at the next General
Meeting. A sixty-seven per cent (67%) majority of those in attendance
is required to have proposed changes accepted. Provided that no alterations
to Article 2 (objects), Article 12 (dissolution) or this clause, shall
take effect until the approval in writing of the Charity Commissioners
or other authority having charitable jurisdiction shall have been obtained;
and no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing
the Society to cease to be a charity in law.
Article 11
Dissolution Amendments of a technical nature may be proposed at
an International Council Meeting and, if approved, be put to the Biennial
General Meeting immediately following, for ratification. Such an amendment
must receive the assent of sixty-seven per cent (67%) of those members
present and voting.
Ten or one-third of the members whichever is the greater shall form a
quorum at Committee Meetings.
Twenty or one-tenth of the members whichever is the greater shall form
a quorum at Biennial General Meetings.
Article
12
Dissolution The Society may be dissolved by a Resolution passed
by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General
Meeting convened for the purpose of which 21 days' notice shall have been
given [to the members]. Such resolution may give instructions for the
disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Society, provided
that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities
such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of
the Society but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable
institution or institutions having objects similar to some or all of the
objects of the Society as the Society may determine and if and in so far
as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable
purpose.
BY-LAWS
(i) ELECTION AND TENURE OF OFFICERS AND COUNCILLORS:
The President and the Vice President will be elected for one term. The
President and Vice President will not be eligible for re-election for
a period of at least 2 terms. A term is equal to a time period between
two General Meetings. The Secretary/Treasurer will be elected for three
terms and will not be eligible for re-election. Other members of the Executive
Committee will be eligible for re-election but shall not serve in the
same function for more than 1 consecutive term. Members of the International
Council may serve without a limit of time.
Any member of the Executive Committee or International Council may be
removed by a two-thirds vote of The Council if he/she has missed two consecutive
congresses without an approved excuse.
(ii) DUTIES
OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES:
The President shall be the Chief Executive of the Society and will exercise
general supervision over the business affairs. He/she will be Chairman
of the Executive Committee and an "ad hoc" member of all other
committees. The latter function may be delegated to other members of the
Executive Committee.
If the President can no longer serve prior to completion of his term,
the Vice-President will assume the President's term.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of all meetings and be responsible
for the records of the Society. He shall also take charge of and be responsible
for all funds of the Society and will present a report biannually to the
Executive Committee.
The Officers of the Society shall form the Trustees of the Society for
purposes of registration as a Charity within the United Kingdom.
International Council. The International Council will determine by ballot
the location of the International Congress. Applications must be submitted
for ballot at least three years before the meeting.
Members of the International Council will meet at the International Meeting
and discuss the general affairs of the Society and will be responsible
for electing officers.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will form a Scientific Committee
and may from time to time establish working committees and define their
powers, such as groups dealing with nomenclature, advising on special
issues, and seeking relationships with other scientific bodies.
All acts and proceedings of any such sub-committee shall be reported back
to the Executive Committee as soon as possible.
The business of the Society shall be conducted by the Executive Committee.
Three members of the Executive Committee will constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.
Upon the advice of the Executive Committee the President will designate
a local Chairman within the designated country of the upcoming International
Meeting. He will be empowered on approval by the Executive Committee to
appoint a Committee whose duties will be to organise the meeting and to
inform the President and the Executive Committee of their plans not less
than one year prior to the date of the meeting. The local group will proceed
with final arrangements. Immediate Past President. The immediate Past
President shall be a member of the Executive Committee for one term. In
addition all Past Presidents shall constitute a committee of honour and
advice and their deliberations shall be presented to the International
Council at their biennial business meeting.