1.1 The society is a sub group of the South African Medical Association, ”SAMA,” an association incorporated under section 21 of the Companies Act, 1073, registered No. 05/00136/08, and its name shall be The Dermatology Society of South Africa (hereinafter called “the society”).
1.2 The society may also be a member of other societies that looks after the interests of medical specialists.
The objectives of the society are:
2.1 To promote the science and practice of Dermatology.
2.2 To define and establish relationships amongst dermatologists and between them and the hospitals, public and private institutions, government authorities, medical schemes, the medical profession generally, and the public.
2.3 To promote the professional and legitimate interests of dermatologists.
2.4 To promote all matters related to the realisation of the foregoing objectives or any one of them.
3.1 Any Dermatologist who is registered with the Health Professions’ Council of South Africa shall be entitled to apply for membership and will have full voting rights.
3.2 Associated Membership
Persons registered with the National Medical and Dental Council of South Africa as supplementary health service professionals, shall be entitled to apply for associate membership provided that the professional body of which they are members does not object. Associate members shall not have voting rights in matters affecting the society, and their participation in activities of the society shall be limited to professional and technical matters.
3.3 Unattached Membership
Any person who is resident outside the Republic of South Africa shall be entitled to apply for unattached membership and shall not have voting rights or enjoy membership of any other bodies to which the society is affiliated.
3.4 Honorary Membership
The Executive Committee may confer honorary life membership of the Society on any person considered worthy of this honour, be he/she medically qualified or not. Such membership will enjoy all the benefits of the Society but shall not be entitled to vote, however, may take part in discussions. These members will be absolved from financial obligation to the society.
3.5 Life Membership
Life membership may be conferred on members who have reached the age of 70 years. Such membership will still enjoy all the benefits of the Society including voting rights, however, will be absolved from financial obligation to the Society.
3.6 Election for Membership
Candidates for all categories of membership shall be elected by a majority vote of the Executive Committee after application to the secretary or treasurer of the society, having been duly proposed and seconded in writing by any two fully paid-up members.
3.7 Termination or Suspension of Membership
Every member shall remain a member until his/her membership is terminated, either by his/her resignation in writing addressed to the honorary secretary/treasurer or by a decision of the Executive Committee or suspension by failing to pay the annual subscription, or special levies decided on by the executive.
3.8 Suspension of Society
The activities of the society shall be suspended if at any time its members shall be less than eleven.
4.2 The Executive Committee shall hold office for two years and shall consist of:
The election of the members of the Executive Committee shall be by popular vote at the Annual General Meeting of the society. Should an office-bearer resign during his/her term office, the Executive Committee may fill such vacancy by co-opting any eligible member of the Society. The Executive Committee has the right to co-opt such additional members to the committee as it sees fit.
4.3 A minimum of four regions must be represented on the Executive Committee.
4.4 The honorary secretary may call for postal nominations for a new Executive Committee. Notice of the election and a request for nomination will be dispatched at least twenty-one days before the Annual General Meeting. Each nomination must be referred to the honorary secretary and must be signed by the proposer, the seconder, and the candidate. The proposer and seconder must be fully paid-up members of the society. The closing time for the nominations will be noon on the day of the Annual General Meeting.
4.5 The honorary secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Society and of its Executive Committee and shall conduct all correspondence concerning the affairs of the Society.
4.6 The treasurer shall receive all moneys due to the Society and shall make all disbursements authorised by the Executive Committee.
4.7 Should there be no Annual General Meeting in an election year then the Executive Committee shall continue in office, until the following Annual General Meeting.
5.1 The Annual General mMeeting of the Society shall be held on a date determined by the Executive Committee.
5.2 Twenty percent of the Society’s voting membership is necessary to form a quorum at any meeting. For meetings of the Executive Committee, five members shall form a quorum.
5.3 Voting shall be by show of hands or secret ballots, unless specifically or otherwise requested by a member of good standing.
5.4 Voting on any matter, except the changing of the constitution, an ordinary majority will suffice.
5.5 Extraordinary General Meetings of the Society may be held from time to time and shall be called by the Executive Committee on the requisition of twenty percent of the Society’s voting membership.
5.6 Voting by proxy will be allowed, provided such proxy is duly signed and witnessed by two witnesses. Such proxies must be handed to the secretary before any vote is called.
6.1 It shall be competent for the Society to allow the formation of sub-groups of the Society. Such sub-groups may be allowed powers or independent actions in local matters, provided that such action is not in conflict with the general policy and the rules of the Society.
6.2 Such sub-groups shall elect a chairman, an honorary secretary/treasurer and an executive committee consisting of four members annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
6.3 An annual report and audited financial statements will be submitted by the honorary secretary/treasurer of the sub-group to the honorary secretary and treasurer of the Society and presented at the Annual General Meeting.
6.4 Each sub-group shall have a minimum membership of four full members.
6.5 Where insufficient members exist to form a sub-group, the Executive Committee may ask a senior member of the dermatologists practicing in that area to act as liaison officer between those dermatologists and the Executive Committee.
An annual subscription shall be payable by the members of the Society to provide funds for the executive of the work of the Society. The Executive Committee shall determine the amount of the subscription. Once-off special levies may be imposed at the discretion of the executive.
8.1 The President shall submit a report to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
8.2 The treasurer shall submit Audited Financial Statements to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
8.3 A copy of each of the above reports shall be sent to the secretary of the South African Medical Association within thirty days after the Annual General Meeting.
9.1 The society may organise Dermatological Congresses and scientific meetings.
9.2 The Executive Committee shall appoint an Organising Committee to arrange such a congress, yet retains the right to overrule the Organising Committee on any matter.
9.3 Any profit accruing from such a congress or meeting shall be paid over to the treasurer of the Society within two months after the conclusion of congress activity.
The society shall be competent to engage in fundraising provided that:
10.1 Authority in terms of Fundraising Act, 1978, has been granted by the Director of Fundraising;
10.2 Exemption from payment of income tax has been granted by the Commissioner: SA Revenue Service in terms of the Income Tax Act, 1962;
10.3 The following stipulations applicable to tax exempted bodies are strictly observed:
10.4. All decisions of the Executive Committee concerning disbursement and investments be immediately and properly minute in full detail;
10.5. Dedicated books of accounts shall be maintained in accordance with accepted accounting practices;
10.6. All books of accounts and Annual Financial Statements shall be inspected and certified by a Chartered Accountant annually; and
10.7. Clause 12 of the constitution of the Society will be strictly observed.
Any proposed amendments to this constitution shall be affected only if passed by two-thirds of those voting at the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
In the event of the dissolution of the Society, any remaining assets of the Society after all debts had been settled and all obligations met, shall not be paid or given to, or divided among the members of the Society but given or transferred to another special interest group. The members attending the final General Meeting of the Society, or Executive Committee of the Society, will designate such a group, provided that a group so designated shall be exempt in terms of Section 10(1)(cb)(i)(ff) of the Income Tax Act, 1962, from payment of income tax, or a charitable organisation nominated by the executive.
