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Constitution

Title • Status • Objects • Eligibility for Membership • Cancellation of Membership • Branches • Council of the Assoc. • Election of Council Members • President & Officers of the Assoc. • Powers of the Council • Minutes of Council Meetings • AGM of the Assoc. • SGM's • Alteration of the Constitution • Subscriptions

The Association is managed in accordance with its constitution; this is reviewed at the Association’s annual general meeting which is held at the annual conference in November.

  1. 1. Title
    The Association shall be known as the HEALTH CARE SUPPLY ASSOCIATION (formally the Health Care Supplies Association)

  2. 2. Status
    The Association shall be a Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital.

  3. 3. Objects
    The Objects of the Association shall be

    3.1 To promote, maintain and seek continuously to improve professional standards and training relating to supplies and associated services within the Health Care Sector.

    3.2 To establish and maintain a professional link with appropriate statutory bodies.

    3.3 To liaise with professional and other organisations.

  4. 4. Eligibility for Membership
    The Council of the Association shall have the power to accept or reject any application for membership.

    There shall be four levels of membership of the Association:

    4.1 Full Membership
    Persons employed in purchasing and supply within - the NHS, the outsourced NHS supply chain, related Government bodies and in private healthcare services.

    4.2 Honorary Members
    The Council shall have power to elect persons to Honorary membership in recognition of distinguished service to the aims of the Association. Nominations for Honorary membership may be submitted by Officers of Council or Branches for consideration by Council whose decision shall be final.

    4.3 Retired Members
    Members upon retirement may retain membership of their Branch.

    4.4 Associate Membership
    Persons who were previously employed in purchasing and supply within the NHS, related Government bodies or private healthcare services who have relocated to a post in purchasing and supply linked with healthcare services and wish to continue supporting the work of the Association.

    Associate members shall have no voting rights and may attend Branch meetings at the discretion of the Branch Co-ordinator.

  5. 5. Cancellation of Membership
    Council shall have power to cancel membership in the following circumstances

    5.1 Any member who, in the opinion of Council, is guilty of unprofessional conduct.

  6. 6. Branches
    Branches shall be formed as determined by Council.

    6.1 Each Branch shall have an appointed Branch Co-ordinator, and such other officers as it considers necessary for the efficient functioning of the Branch. These officers must be voting members of the Association. Offices may be combined if the Branch so desires. The internal organisation shall be decided by the Branch but shall not conflict in any way with the Constitution of the Association. Branches may meet formally during the year and the Branch Co-ordinator shall forward to the Executive Director of the Association, two copies of the minutes of Branch meetings. The nominated Branch Representative to Council shall present any matters referred to Council by the Branch at the next appropriate meeting of Council following the Branch meeting. Special meetings shall be held as required, to discuss matters of urgency submitted to Branches for Council consideration.

  7. 7. Council of the Association
    The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Council consisting of:

    7.1 The Officers of the Association.

    7.2 One representative from each Branch.

  8. 8. Election of Council Members
    Each Branch shall nominate biennially from amongst its voting members, one person to serve on the Council of the Association. This will normally be the Branch Co-ordinator. Each Branch shall name a deputy to attend meetings of the Council in the absence of the nominated member. Appointments to Council shall be operative from the first day of April in each second year.

  9. 9. President and Officers of the Association
    The President and Officers of the Association shall be:

    9.1 The President of the Association

    The Council of the Association shall appoint biennially a President of the Association. The appointment shall be operative from the first day of April in each second year.

    9.2 Executive Director of the Association

    The Association shall appoint an Executive Director who will have executive responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Association.

    9.3 Officers of the Association

    Officers of the Association shall be appointed biennially by members of Council. The Officers shall be the Chairman, Chairman Elect, Immediate Past Chairman, Executive Director, Treasurer, Education Co-ordinator, Conference Organiser, Minute Secretary and Membership Secretary, who shall act in these respective capacities on behalf of the Association and form an Executive Committee. The appointments shall be operative from the first day of April in each second year.

    The Chairman shall preside at meetings of Council, the Annual General Meeting, Special General Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings.

    9.4 There shall also be appointed an Honorary Auditor who will not be a member of Council.

  10. 10. Powers of Council
    The powers of Council shall be:

    10.1 To act on behalf of the Association in any matters affecting it.

    10.2 To set up an Executive Committee comprising Officers of the Association as identified in Clause 9.3 above who shall be empowered to act on behalf of Council and have executive responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Association in accordance with such rules and limits as defined from time to time by Council.

    10.3 To appoint such other officers as it considers necessary for the efficient functioning of Council.

    10.4 To set up such Standing Committees as are necessary for the efficient execution of the work of Council. Membership of the Standing Committees shall be drawn from the membership of the Association and the Standing Committees shall work within the rules prescribed by Council.

    10.5 To prepare its own rules for the conduct of business, provided:

    (I) A quorum shall consist of seven Council members including two Officers
    (ii) Fourteen days' clear notice of meetings shall be given by the Executive Director
    (iii) Not less than four meetings shall be held in each year
    (iv) Any six members of Council shall be empowered to convene a special meeting of Council, stating the business for which the meeting shall be called. Fourteen clear days' notice shall be given to all Council members

  11. 11. Minutes of Council Meetings

    A copy of Council minutes (unconfirmed) shall be sent to Council members and the Branch Co-ordinator of each Branch within one month of each Council meeting. Copies of minutes (unconfirmed) of Executive Committee meetings shall be sent to Council members within twenty-one days of the meeting

  12. 12. Annual General Meeting of the Association

    An Annual General Meeting shall be held, notice of which shall be given in writing to members at least fourteen days before the date of the meeting. At the Annual General Meeting Council shall submit a report in respect of the work of the Association, including the submission of duly audited accounts. Resolutions to be included in the Agenda will be those entered by Council or previously submitted to Council by Branches.

  13. 13. Special General Meetings

    Council may call a Special General Meeting of the Association if considered necessary and must do so upon receipt of a written request to the Executive Director signed by not less than fifty full members of the Association stating the business for which the meeting is required to be held. Fourteen clear days' notice of a Special General Meeting shall be given.

  14. 14. Alteration of the Constitution

    The Constitution of the Association cannot be altered except by resolution passed at the Annual General or Special General Meeting of the Association, convened under Clause 12 or 13 of the Constitution, showing a two thirds majority of the votes cast in favour of the resolution. Full members, if not attending, may vote by proxy seven clear days prior to the published date of the annual or Special General Meeting.

  15. 15. Subscriptions

    Subscription rates shall be determined as follows:

    15.1 The Annual Subscription, for individual members, shall be determined at each Annual General Meeting of the Association.

    15.2 Honorary and retired members shall be exempt from the payment of subscriptions at the discretion of the Council of the Association.

NOVEMBER 2006