|
|
Website sponsored by
an unrestricted educational grant |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY OF PSYCHIATRISTS PHILOSOPHY OF PSYCHIATRY
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (POP-SIG) CONSTITUTION |
|
|
|
SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY OF PSYCHIATRISTS
PHILOSOPHY OF PSYCHIATRY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (POP-SIG)
CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
The name of the Group is the Philosophy of Psychiatry Special Interest
Group of the South African Society of Psychiatrists.
2. STATUS
2.1 The Philosophy of Psychiatry Special Interest Group is a special
interest group constituted in terms of Clause 7.4 of the Constitution
of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, which is a specialist
group affiliated with the South African Medical Association, which
is an Incorporated Association not for gain registered in terms
of the Companies Act under Registration Certificate No 05/00136/08.
3. DEFINITIONS
In this Constitution unless inconsistent with the context –
3.1 The Association shall mean the South African Medical Association
(SAMA);
3.2 The Society shall mean the South African Society of Psychiatrists
(SASOP);
3.3 Special Interest Group shall mean a Special Interest Group constituted
in terms of Clause 7.4 of the Society's Constitution;
3.4 The Group shall mean the Philosophy of Psychiatry Special Interest
Group of the (POP-SIG);
3.5 The Constitution shall mean the Constitution of the Philosophy
of Psychiatry Interest Group of the South African Society of Psychiatrists;
3.6 The Committee shall mean the Committee of the South African
Society of Psychiatrists as constituted in terms of Clause 7 of
this constitution;
3.7 Member shall mean a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists
as defined in Clause 6 of its Constitution;
3.8 Subgroup shall mean a Subgroup of the South African Society
of Psychiatrists established in terms of Clause 10 of its Constitution;
3.9 Sub Region shall mean a geographical area of the Republic of
South Africa, demarcated in terms of Clause 10.2 of the Society's
Constitution;
3.10 Group member shall mean a member of the Philosophy of Psychiatry
Special Interest Group.
4. AIMS
The aims of the Group are to promote, maintain and protect the common
interests of the disciplines of psychiatry and philosophy in ways
that serve the interests of psychiatric patients, the community,
psychiatrists, other mental health care workers, and philosophers.
5. OBJECTIVES
5.1 To enhance the effectiveness of psychiatrists and other mental
health care workers as practitioners, teachers, and researchers
by illuminating the philosophical issues embedded in these activities.
5.2 To advance philosophical theory by making the phenomena of psychiatry
more accessible to philosophers.
5.3 To value individual differences and respect diversity among
patients, societies, psychiatrists and other mental health care
workers.
5.4 To help build excellence in clinical services, research, and
teaching through rigorous philosophical work on the concepts guiding
mental health practice
5.5 To facilitate collaborative learning through exchange of ideas,
experience, knowledge and skills relevant to mental health practice
and philosophy.
5.6 To inform group members of national and international developments,
publications, conferences and events that are related to the area
of overlap between philosophy and psychiatry.
5.7 To debate responsibly contentions issues in mental health practices
in South Africa.
6. MEMBERSHIP
6.1 Membership shall be at the discretion of the Committee.
6.2 Membership of the Group is open to bone fide members of the
Society in good standing who apply for membership.
6.3 Membership of the Group is also open to non-psychiatrists who
are graduate mental health professionals or graduate philosophers,
and who apply for membership, and whose conduct agrees with the
aims and objectives of the Group.
6.4 The secretary of the Group shall keep and maintain a register
of all members of the Group.
7. THE COMMITTEE
7.1 The general direction and control of the policy and affairs
of the Group shall be vested in the Committee.
7.2 THE COMMITTEE
7.2.1 The Committee shall consist of the following Members.
7.2.1.1 The Convenor as elected in terms of the Society's Constitution
at each Biennial General Meeting of the Group at each Biennial General
Meeting of the Society;
7.2.1.2 A secretary as elected at each Biennial General Meeting
of the Group at each Biennial General Meeting of the Society;
7.2.1.3 An additional member as elected at each Biennial General
Meeting of the Group at each Biennial General Meeting of the Society;
7.2.2 The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members.
7.2.3 The Committee will be responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Group.
7.3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OFFICE
7.3.1 The term of office of all elected and co-opted members shall
be two years.
7.3.2 The maximum uninterrupted term in the same office shall not
exceed four years.
7.4 MEETINGS
7.4.1 The Committee shall, as far as possible meet once every six
months.
7.4.2 Meetings may be face-to-face meetings, telecommunications
or electronic mail conferences.
7.4.3 All these meetings, a simple majority of current membership
of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
7.4.4 The secretary shall record the proceedings of all meetings.
7.4.4.1 The minutes shall be submitted to the next succeeding meeting
for approval and be signed by the Chairman.
7.4.4.2 A copy of the minutes of Committee meetings shall be submitted
to the Honorary Secretary of the Society within 30 days of such
meeting for information and action, if necessary.
8. GENERAL MEETINGS
8.1 The Convenor, or, in his/her absence, a Committee member elected
by the Committee, shall chair all general meetings of the Group.
8.2 The Biennial General Meeting of the Group shall be held, as
far as is practically possible, during the Biennial General Meeting
of the Society.
8.3 A Special General Meeting of the Group may be held from time
to time and shall be called by the Committee in response to a written
request of six members of the Group.
8.4 20% of the current total membership of the Group shall constitute
a quorum at all General Meetings.
8.4.1 In the absence of a quorum, the Committee shall give notice
of a meeting not less than 14 days hence. Members present at that
meeting shall constitute a quorum.
8.4.2 No business other than that for which the original meeting
was called, will be conducted at the subsequent meeting.
8.5 The business of a General Meeting shall be set forth in a notice
convening the meeting subject to the following conditions:
8.5.1 The notice of the meeting shall be sent to Group members at
least twenty-eight (28) days prior to the meeting.
8.5.2 No business, other than that for which the original meeting
was called, shall be discussed without written notice thereof having
been given to the secretary at least seven (7) days prior to the
meeting. Any other matter for discussion shall only be considered
if sanctioned by two-thirds of the members present at the meeting.
8.5.3 The Convenor may table any matter of urgency.
8.5.4 The Convenor shall table a report setting out the activities
of the Group and its Committee since the last Biennial General Meeting
at each Biennial General Meeting.
8.6 The majority of members present and eligible to vote shall decide
all matters coming before any General Meeting. The Chairman may
exercise a deliberative vote and shall give a casting vote in all
equality of voting.
8.7 Voting at General Meetings shall be by means of a show of hands
or, if so requested by the majority members present at the voting,
by secret ballot.
9. MEMBERSHIP FEES
9.1 Annual membership fees is not required but Group members are
encouraged to pay their annual fees as a member of the Society when
eligible for such.
10. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSITUTION
10.1 Amendments and additions to the Constitution shall be approved
by a two-thirds majority of members present at a Biennial General
Meeting.
10.1.1. Proposed amendments and/or additions to the Constitution
shall be submitted to the Committee at least 30 days prior to the
date of the Biennial General Meeting.
10.1.2. Notice of proposed amendments and/or additions to the Constitution
shall be included in the notice convening such Biennial General
Meeting.
11. DISSOLUTION OF THE SOCIETY
11.1 Should the Society be dissolved, the assets of the Society,
including the assets of all Subgroup and Special Interest Groups,
shall be dealt with in accordance with a resolution adopted at a
General Meeting specially convened for this purpose.
11.2 Such disposal of assets shall be in the best interest of the
members of the Society.
12. BY-LAWS
12.1 The Committee may make, alter or revoke by-laws for the efficient
management of the Group.
13. ACCEPTANCE
This constitution is accepted on and effective from 24 September
2002 following such resolution by the general meeting of the Philosophy
of Psychiatry Special Interest Group of the Society of Psychiatrists.
|
|
|
