Constitution

Table of Contents
1. Title 2. Objectives 3. Membership 4. Election To Membership 5. Committee 6. Co-Option Of Members To The Committee 7. Duties Of The Committee 8. Voting 9. Dissolution 10. Meetings 11. Subscriptions 12. Referendum 13. Alterations To The Constitution
1.	Title
The Society shall be known as "South African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy" - SASREG
2.	Objectives
The objects of the society are to: Provide a forum for the discussion of problems relating to reproductive medicine. This field encompases the management of infertility, gynaecological endoscopic surgery, reproductive endocrinologcy, contraception and menopause management. The Reproductive Medicine Sub-Speciality is futher defined in the South African College of Medicine syllabus and Health Professions Council sub-speciality register. Improve service delivery to all patients who need fertility treatment or endoscopic surgery. Be the voice of the people the society represents with government (the National and Provincial Department's of Health), the Health Professional Council of South Africa, the College of Medicine of South Africa, the Pharmaceutical Industry and other providers of health care equipment and consumables, Health care Funders and other role players in Reproductive Medicine. Monitor the standard of care of Reproductive Medicine in South Africa, and issue guidelines to assist practitioners in the field. Collect data anonymously to audit fertility treatment nationally. To also liase with other International Data Monitoring Organisations such as ICMART. Improve training programmes for Reproductive Medicine Sub-Specialists / embryologists and gynaecology registrars / fellows doing their gynaecological endoscopy modules. Organise training workshops in gynaecological endoscopy for registered gynaecologists. Promote research in Reproductive Medicine. Organise conferences so that new ideas / developments are shared amongst professionals in the field of Reproductive Medicine. Accredit IVF units. To arrange collaborative multi-centre trials. To obtain the highest ethical and technical standards in the field.
3.	Membership
This is divided into three categories: Full members will be registered health personnel with an interest in either reproductive medicine and / or gynaecological endoscopy. Honorary membership may be offered to persons selected by the committee who have made an outstanding contribution in the field. Membership may be suspended at the close of the Financial Year if dues have not been paid, but may be re-instated on the payment of arrear subscriptions. During period of suspension, the vote will not be retained.
4.	Election To Membership
Members could be elected and admitted to the Society by the committee who must satisfy themselves of the fitness of each member.
5.	Committee
The elected standing committee will function with representation from members with an interest in reproductive medicine or gynaecological endoscopy The committee is to be elected by a ballot at the first meeting held in each year. The executive committee (chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer) will be elected from the standing committee. The standing committee will be represented as follows: 5 members with a focus interest in assisted reproduction / endocrinology and 5 members with a focus interest in gynaecological endoscopy. In addition there may be two sub-committees - one for ART (assisted reproductive techniques) and another for gynaecological endoscopy. Additional members may be coopted onto the subcommittee who can provide additional expertise or represent a region which is not represented by the standing committee.. The chairman of the subcommittee must be a member of the elected standing committee. The term of office shall be 3 years for all elected board members. The chairman from the previous elected term will stay on the committee as an ex-offico position with no voting rights, for advisory purposes.
6.	Co-Option Of Members To The Committee
The Committee shall have the power to co-op additional members for specific purposes and for specific periods.
8.	Duties Of The Committee
The Committee shall be responsible for the every day running of the Society, for promoting the objects of the Society. If the Committee deems necessary, it shall have the power to acquire funds for specific purposes through membership fees or by accepting donations, grants or requests or by any lawful means.
9.	Voting
All matters before the Society or before the Committee shall be decided by voting by show of hands or those present, except where any member request a secret ballot. A simple majority will suffice. If the voting has an equally split outcome, then the chairman’s vote shall decide the decision
10.	Dissolution
The Society may be dissolved by a resolution passed with a two-third majority of members present at any meeting.
11.	Meetings
The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held as far as practicable during the Annual Congress of the Society. The General Meetings of the Society may be held from time to time at the discretion of the executive committee and shall be called by the executive committee on the written request of three members of the Society. The quorum of a General Meeting shall consist of five members and that of the executive committee of three members.
12.	Subscriptions
The annual subscription of R50 shall be payable by members of the Society to provide funds for the carrying out of the work of the Society and shall be due on the 1st January of each year. A founder subscription of R100 has been instituted; the validity of the founder member is for the first year. It shall be competent for the amount of the subscription to be altered by majority vote at the annual general meeting of the Society.
13.	Referendum
It shall be competent for the executive committee to ascertain by referendum the opinions of members of the Society on any matter it considers important enough to warrant such action.
14.	Alterations To The Constitution
Any member wishing to move any alteration in the Constitution of the Society shall do so by giving notice of motion in writing at least one month before the Annual General Meeting.