Constitution of BAMSSA

Article 1. Name of the organisation

The name of this organisation shall be the Bangladesh Medical Society of South Australia (BAMSSA).

Article 2. Definitions

a. “Constitution” means the constitution of the organisation
b. “Society” means the Bangladesh Medical Society of South Australia (BAMSSA)
c. “Office Bearers” means members of the Executive Committee.
d. “Executive Committee” means the committee of management of the Society
e. “General meeting” means a general meeting of the members of the Society in accordance with the rules laid in the constitution
f. “Annual General Meeting” means a general meeting of the members of the Society convened once a year in accordance with the rules laid in the constitution.
g. “Act” refers to the South Australian Associations Incorporation Act 1985.
h. BAMSSA Logo will be as:

Article 3. List of Abbreviations

a. BAMSSA: Bangladesh Medical Society of South Australia
b. EC: Executive Committee
c. AGM: Annual General Meeting
d. GS: General Secretary

Article 4. Aims and Objectives

a. To bring together and to improve communication among the doctors of Bangladeshi origin currently residing in South Australia.
b. To promote the science and art of medicine and to represent the issues particular to the medical profession in Australia.
c. The association is organised exclusively for academic, scientific, cultural and charitable purposes.
d. To aid and assist Bangladeshi doctors residing in South Australia in preparation for the registration examination in Australia.
e. To conduct seminars and other educational programs related to newer developments in the field of medicine.
f. To provide mutual assistance and cooperation between this association and other organisations of a similar nature in Australia.

Article 5. Power of the Association

Bangladesh Medical Society of South Australia shall have all the powers conferred by section 25 of the South Australian Associations Incorporation Act 1985.

Article 6. Membership and Subscription

Bangladesh Medical Society of South Australia shall be composed of doctors who are Bangladeshi in origin residing in South Australia, irrespective wherever he or she is trained from.

Executive Committee will have the right to change the membership fee prospectively if the situation dictates.

1. Three Categories of Membership

a. Life Member:
Shall be offered to general members who have already paid at least AU$1000 at a time. This shall be a one-off payment. BAMSSA EC can increase the amount based on circumstances in future. Life members will not need to pay the annual membership fee.
b. General Member:
Can be any doctors whose ethnic origin is Bangladesh with the intention to reside in South Australia permanently who pay annual membership fees on time. General membership annual fees will be set by the BAMSSA EC each year. The amount may be based on members’ practising status. This change is retrospectively effective from the formation of BAMSSA.
c. Associate Member:
Medical School students studying in South Australia whose ethnic origin is Bangladesh can join BAMSSA as an associate member. The associate membership fee will be set by the BAMSSA EC each year. Practicing & Non-practicing dentist, pharmacist and other allied health professionals of Bangladeshi origin can join as an associate member and their annual membership fee will be set by the BAMSSA EC each year. The amount may be based on members’ practising status.
Associate members will not have voting power.

2. Resignations
A member may resign from membership of BAMSSA by giving written notice to the Secretary or Public Officer of the association. Any resigning member shall be liable for any outstanding subscriptions which may be recovered as a debt due to the association.

3. Expulsion of a Member
This will be an extremely unlikely possibility. However, the affected member will be heard. The decision will be made by the Executive Committee. The affected member will be provided written explanation about the outcome.

4. Register of Members and Minimum Membership Information
A register of members will be kept and contain:
a. Name, address and e-mail address of each member
b. The date on which each member was admitted into BAMSSA.
c. If applicable, the date of, and reason for, termination of membership.
d. The member details will be updated as per the member’s request.

5. BAMSSA Website, Doctors' Mail Group and Social Media
a. President and General Secretary shall be the moderator of all BAMSSA website, group mail and social media by position. More moderators may be nominated by the Executive Committee (EC), who may be selected from any EC member or general members who have IT expertise. In special circumstances, a non-member may be selected as the moderator.
b. Moderator, operator or administrator can be changed by the EC at any time in special circumstances.
c. EC will monitor & update the policies and fair use of these media.

Article 7. Executive Committee

1. Power and Duties
a. The affairs of the association shall be managed and controlled by an Executive Committee (EC) which, in addition to any powers and authorities conferred by these rules, may exercise all such powers and do all such things as are within the objects of the association, and are not by the Act or by these rules required to be done by the association in general meeting.
b. The EC has the management and control of the funds and other property of the association.
c. The EC shall have authority to interpret the meaning of these rules and any other matter relating to the affairs of the association on which these rules are silent.
d. The committee shall appoint a public officer as required by the South Australian Associations Incorporation Act 1985.
e. Notice of appointment and any change in the identity or address of the public officer are to be lodged within one month after the change (Form 10) with Consumer and Business Services (CBS), Chesser House, 91-97 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000; postal address: GPO Box 1719, Adelaide 5001.

2. Appointment
The governing body of the BAMSSA shall be the Executive Committee (EC) which will be composed of 11 elected members. The Executive Committee of the society shall consist of:
- President
- Vice President
- Vice President
- General Secretary
- Assistant General Secretary
- Treasurer
- Education Secretary
- Communication and Community Affairs Secretary
- Cultural and Sports Secretary
- EC Member
- EC Member

An Executive Committee member shall be a natural person.
The first Executive Committee of the association shall be appointed from the promoters of the association. The first Executive Committee shall hold office until the first annual general meeting after incorporation.

3. Procedure for the election of the new Executive Committee
a. The Executive Committee appoints an Election Commissioner. Any member who is not wishing to be a candidate to be elected in the Executive Committee will be eligible to be the Election Commissioner.
b. The election commissioner will declare the date, time and venue of the general election at least 2 weeks before the general election. Nominations for positions on the executive committee will be submitted to the Election Commissioner during the general election. If more than one candidature for a single position submitted then the election commissioner will arrange a ballot.
c. To be eligible for voting, a member must be up to date with the annual membership fee and must be a member for at least one month prior to election. EC can review the voting eligibility criteria.
d. The Executive Committee shall fill a vacancy of the Vice President, Treasurer, other Secretaries and Members as soon as it is practical by an election by a simple majority in EC Meeting.

4. Responsibilities and Functions of Office-bearers:
President
The President shall chair the Executive Committee meeting.
The president shall serve as the chief liaison between BAMSSA and other organisations.
The President shall be responsible to uphold the unity and integrity of the Society.
The President shall be responsible for the efficient administration and all the activities of the Society.

Vice President
The Vice Presidents shall assist President as required.
In case of resignation or leave of absence by the president, the Vice-president 1 shall act as interim President until next President assumes office. Vice –president 2 will then assume the position of Vice-president 1.

General Secretary
The General Secretary is responsible for keeping minutes and attendance of EC meetings.
With the consent from the President, General Secretary shall call the Executive Committee meeting.
The General Secretary is responsible for keeping of all records and documents of the BAMSSA.
Conduct and attend all correspondences on behalf of the organisation.
Moderate email group of BAMSSA and Website.
Keep appropriate records of membership of the Society.

Assistant General Secretary
Assist GS in executive activities.
In the absence of GS, work as Acting GS.

Treasurer
The treasurer shall maintain the account.
The Treasurer shall maintain all financial transactions of the Society, deposit such funds in a bank designated by the Executive Committee.
The Treasurer shall prepare an account statement for the Executive Committee for each EC meeting.
The Treasurer shall prepare both annual budget for presentation to the annual general meeting.

Community Affairs and Communication Secretary
The Communications Secretary is responsible for regular communication with the general members to keep them up to date about the upcoming missions of the organisation.
Community Affairs and Communication Secretary shall be responsible liaising with the community organisations and in need to arrange support related to health issues of the community.

Cultural and Sports Secretary
The Cultural and Sports Secretary shall be responsible to organize any cultural program as per decision of the executive committee.
The Cultural and Sports Secretary shall be responsible for organizing recreational sports activities for the member.

Education Secretary
The Education Secretary shall be responsible for academic sessions for the doctors who are currently in AMC pathway or general practice pathway preparing for registration examination.
The Education Secretary shall be responsible for organizing scientific sessions, seminars and other academic activities for the doctors.
The Education Secretary shall liaise with the appropriate organisations to attract CME/CPD points for the academic activities arranged by the society.

Executive Committee Members
Executive Committee members shall be responsible for assisting EC for executing any decision taken by the Executive Committee.

5. Proceedings of the Executive Committee
a. Executive Committee meetings shall be called at the discretion of the president, and in the absence of the President, the Vice President one can call the meeting.
b. Only the EC members can attend the Executive Committee meetings. 51% of the presence must be ensured to fulfil the quorum and to pass a decision.
c. There is no set number of EC meetings to be called. But at least five meetings should take place to ensure ongoing activities.
d. There shall be one general meeting (AGM) annually, which will be open to all the general members. Quorum of the AGM shall be the presence of 51% of members whose membership status is up to date.
e. AGM can be combined with the general election to elect the new committee.
f. In special circumstances, EC can call more than one general meeting.
g. At least 21 days' clear notice shall be given prior to organising an annual general meeting or a special general meeting to pass a resolution.
h. The General Meeting notice shall be circulated in group mail. Personal e-mail or letter may not be given.
i. Executive Committee meeting notice shall be given to the personal e-mail address.
j. EC, at its discretion, can invite others to attend EC meetings.
k. EC can form subcommittees on demand. Representatives for the subcommittees may include General members as considered suitable by EC.

6. Resignation from the Position
Any Executive Committee official has the right to resign from the position at any time. In case of resignation, the member must notify the president in writing about his/her wish. The resignation letter must be presented in the Executive Committee meeting for approval. Until resignation has not been approved by the Executive Committee, the position shall not be labelled as empty.

If the President wishes to resign from the position, he is required to submit his resignation letter to the Executive Committee for approval.

Resignation from the EC position shall not incur loss of general membership.

7. Disqualification of Committee Members
Executive Committee members who are remiss in their duties shall be notified of probation by the committee and also notified of removal from probation by the committee.
Three or more documented absences from required activities shall be considered negligence and thus grounds for probation.
Executive committee members who are on probation shall be subject to immediate recall at the discretion of the remaining members of the committee.
Any member of the Executive Committee can be recalled by a simple majority of the Executive Committee for negligence or wrongdoing.

8. Terms of Office
Terms of the office shall be for two years. The new Executive committee shall form in every 2nd annual general meeting.