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British Society for the History of Medicine
Constitution |
The principal object of the Society is to represent nationally the various societies and groups active in the history of medicine and allied subjects within the British Isles. This representation applies especially to the International Society for the History of Medicine (hereafter referred to as "the ISHM").
The Society is the national body concerned with the history of medicine. It shall promote, organise, or sponsor, when desirable, functions on a national scale, co-operate with other bodies with related interests. The Society shall seek representation on any international bodies or committees where its interests may be involved, and on national committees appointed to consider matters touching on study, teaching or research in the history of medicine.
The affairs of the Society shall be governed by an Officers and Representatives Committee (hereafter referred to as "the ORC"). Each constituent society with a membership of fifty or less shall be required to nominate one representative to serve on the ORC. Each constituent society with a membership of more than fifty shall be required to nominate two representatives to serve on the Committee. Each representative shall be entitled to one vote. The ORC shall meet once per year, or at other times as necessary and as determined by the Officers. There shall be a quorum of five present and voting, which shall include at least two of the following three officers: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The ORC shall elect the following Officers: A Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a National Delegate to the International Society for the History of Medicine. At the beginning of the last year of the Secretary's term of office the ORC shall elect a Secretary elect, The ORC shall have the power to co-opt non-voting additional members to serve for a period of not more than two years.
The Vice-President shall serve for a term of two years, after which time, and without further election, he or she shall assume the office of President, who shall then serve for a term of two years. After which, and without further election, he or she shall assume the office of Past President, serving for a term of two years. The Secretary, Treasurer and National Delegate to the ISHM shall serve for a term of four years. The secretary elect will, without further election, assume the office of Secretary. Officers may not be immediately re-elected to the same office.
The funds of the Society shall be provided by a subscription levied on each constituent society and group, to be determined by the ORC from time to time. In the event of the dissolution of the Society, the funds shall be transferred to such other society or body that the ORC shall determine best serves the interests of the history of medicine.
This constitution may be amended at any time, provided that three months notice in writing is given to each member of the ORC, and that, when put to the vote, the proposed revision is approved by two-thirds of the ORC present and voting.
Copyright 2006, The British Society for the History of Medicine
The web address www.bshm.org.uk is redirected to www.hawgood.co.uk/bhsm/ on the website of David Hawgood who is maintaining the BSHM pages.
This page by David Hawgood
was amended 8 Dec 2007