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BSSI Contitution

PREAMBLE

The British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) was founded in 1997 for the purpose of promoting research and exchange of knowledge of erectile dysfunction and other aspects of sexual function and dysfunction, in both men and women, throughout the UK scientific community. The principal orientation of BSSM is toward basic science of sexual function and dysfunction, and the clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of sexual problems in both men and women. The Society recognizes the importance of a holistic approach to understanding of human sexuality and its problems, and encourages research into all of its many aspects. The Society will encourage, foster and maintain the highest standards in clinical practice amongst its members, and promote the adoption of similar standards amongst UK health professionals in general.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the British Society for Sexual Medicine, hereafter, referred to as BSSM.

Section 2. The purposes of the BSSM are the following:

(1) To establish a scientific society to benefit the public by encouraging the highest standards of practice, education, and research in the field of human sexuality.

(2) To promote the cooperation and improve interaction between UK health professionals and scientists working in the field of human sexuality.

(3) To not engage in any business carried on for profit.

(4) To ensure that no part of the activities of this society should be of a political nature.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in BSSM shall consist of active members, honorary members and corresponding members.

Section 2. Active membership is open to all health professionals and scientists, who work in the UK, with specific interest in the area of human sexuality or related areas, who have an appropriate qualification in their discipline. The mechanism for appointment to membership is the responsibility of the Council. The candidate may be asked to show evidence that his/her training and professional activities embrace the field of human sexuality.

Section 3. Honorary membership may be conferred upon health professionals or scientists who have achieved prominence or have given outstanding service to the BSSM. These honorary members cannot hold office or vote.

Section 4. Corresponding membership may be requested by any health professional or scientist with specific interest in the area of human sexuality or related areas, who has an appropriate qualification in their discipline, but who is not working in the UK, or is in training with the intention of gaining an appropriate qualification. The mechanism for appointment to membership is the responsibility of Council. The candidate may be asked to show evidence that his/her training and professional activities embrace the field of human sexuality.

Section 5. Annual subscriptions may be charged in respect of the different categories of membership at a rate determined from time to time by Council.

Section 6. Any member in good standing may resign by writing to the Secretary.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS AND COUNCIL

Section 1. The management of this society should be vested in a Council composed of twelve elected members of this society, and the immediate past president of the BSSI, as an ex-official member.

Section 2. The officers of the BSSI should be the Chairman, the Secretary and Treasurer. All of the elected officers of the BSSI must be active members of the society. The officers will be elected by the duly elected Council members from among-st their number.

Section 3. The Chairman presides over all meetings of Council, and all Scientific Meetings. The Chairman receives reports of all committees and makes recommendations accordingly.

The Chairman is an ex-official member of all committees.

The Chairman is elected for a term of two years and cannot be re-elected for at least two years after completing their term of office. The term of the Chairmanship shall run from the end of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to the end of the following AGM.

In the event of death or incapacity of the Chairman, Council shall appoint an interim Chairman to fill the unexpired term.

Section 4. The Secretary shall receive and give timely attention to correspondence and keep accurate records of the same. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of Council meetings.

The Secretary is an ex-official member of all committees.

The Secretary term of office should be two years at the end of which time he can be re-elected for a further two years. No one may serve as Secretary for more than four consecutive years.

In the event of death or incapacity of the Secretary, Council shall appoint an interim Secretary to fill the unexpired term.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall establish and maintain bank accounts and keep accurate records of all financial transactions of the Society. All accounts will include the name “British Society for Sexual Medicine”. The Treasurer will normally dispense funds from the treasury only with Council approval. In order to facilitate the aims of the Society, they may dispense up to a sum determined from time to time by Council, without explicit Council approval, but must report such transactions to the Chairman and Secretary General at the earliest opportunity. In addition, such transactions should also be reported to Council members at the next Council meeting.

The Treasurer’s term of office should be two years at the end of which time they can be re-elected for a further two years. No one may serve as Treasurer for more than four consecutive years.

In the event of death or incapacity of the Treasurer, Council shall appoint an interim Treasurer to fill the unexpired term.

Section 6. Council is responsible for the administration of the society. The composition of the Council should reflect the professional disciplines engaged in sexual medicine. Council may co-opt additional members to fulfil this obligation. Co-opted members may not hold office or vote at Council meetings. A minimum of five Council members must be present to form a quorum to conduct BSSI business.

Council shall select or approve the time and place of each stated meeting. At least fourteen days notice in writing, by post or by electronic mail, to the Council members’ last known address, must be given of such meetings. Council shall approve all applications for membership. Council shall approve all changes in the by-laws before submission to the membership for final approval. Council appoints all committees for the next two-year period. Council shall give consideration to prior committee service in appointing the Chairman of said committees. Council shall receive the report of the Secretary on candidates for membership and shall approve it prior to submission at the time of voting at the AGM. Council may not transact business unless five persons eligible to attend are present or available by telephone.

At the 2001 AGM, four Council members will be elected for a three-year term, four will be elected for a two-year term and four for a one-year term. From 2002 onwards, four members of Council shall be elected each year by a postal ballot of active members in good standing for a three-year period, which will commence from the end of the year’s AGM. Members of Council can be re-elected.

ARTICLE IV

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Section 1. The Annual General Meeting of BSSI will take place in the second six months of each calendar year, usually at the autumn Scientific Meeting.

Section 2. The AGM shall receive the report of the Secretary on candidates for election to membership of the society.

Section 3. Election of new officers and new members of Council will be conducted at the AGM.

Section 4. The order of business shall be:

(1) Reading of minutes of previous meeting

(2) Reading of summary of Council actions

(3) Report of the Secretary

(4) Report of the Treasurer

(5) Old business

(6) New business

(7) Report on candidates for election to membership

(8) Election of Council Members

(9) Presentation of plans for scientific meetings in the forthcoming year

(10) Adjournment

SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

Section 1. There will usually be at least one Scientific Meeting of BSSI each year.

Section 2. The Scientific Meetings should provide opportunities for members to present their research and receive relevant presentations from nominated speakers.

The Scientific Meetings of BSSI are also an opportunity for workers in the field to get to know each other and exchange ideas.

Section 3. At the direction of Council, the Society may hold joint meetings with other organisations that share similar aims, if they feel that it is in the best interests of BSSI.

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Council may establish committees to facilitate the aims of the Society. Council will appoint the membership of all committees and will select a committee chairman. The chairman must be a Council member and will report on the committee’s activities at each Council meeting.

Section 2. Committees will act in advisory role to Council and will not have executive or policy-making powers. Committees should report to Council, usually through their chairman.

Section 3. The deliberations of committees are a private matter for the Society. Committees, chairmen and members will not make public statements and will only report through Council.

Section 4. Council may suspend the activities of committees at any time but must give good reason for doing so at the next AGM.

ARTICLE VI

DUES

Section 1. Council shall agree the annual dues upon recommendation of the Treasurer with approval by the membership at the AGM.

Section 2. Any person delinquent of dues for six months shall be declared an inactive member. Inactive members are not eligible to vote

ARTICLE VII

MATTERS OF DISCIPLINE

Matters of discipline regarding individual active members of the society shall be referred to an Ad-hoc Committee appointed by the Chairman, which will report its findings to Council for action. If disciplinary action involves a Council member, they may not participate in deliberations or votes connected with that action. If disciplinary action involves the Chairman, the immediate past chairman shall preside and act in their place.

Council has the power to suspend membership, and all associated membership rights, of any active, honorary or corresponding member for any cause. A record of these deliberations will be kept. The member may appear before Council to reply to any deliberations at that time. A suspended member may appeal the decision of Council to the membership at the AGM. Two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the active membership present is required to overturn the Council decision. Council may recommend expulsion of a member to the AGM. A simple majority vote of the active membership present is required to expel a member.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at the AGM. Any proposed amendment to these by-laws must be made available to the membership in writing at least seven days before the AGM where approval is sought.

Section 2. The by-laws may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members that are present at a stated meeting for a specific purpose.

ARTICLE IX

ADOPTION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

These by-laws were presented and voted for adoption at the AGM at the Autumn 2001 meeting in London.

Amendments

Amendment 1 incorporated as voted for at the EGM Wednesday 21 November 2001.  Amendment 1 clarified the term of office of BSSI officers.

Amendment 2 incorporated as voted for at the AGM Thursday 23 January 2003. Amendment 2 was to rename the Society from the British Society for Sexual and Impotence Research (BSSIR) to British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM)