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Title [top]
The Association shall be known as the HEALTH CARE SUPPLY
ASSOCIATION (formally the Health Care Supplies Association)
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Status [top]
The Association shall be a Company limited by guarantee
and not having a share capital.
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Objects [top]
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.
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Eligibility for Membership
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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.
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Cancellation of Membership
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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.
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Branches [top]
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.
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Council of the Association [top]
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.
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Election of Council Members
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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.
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President and Officers of the Association
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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.
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Powers of Council [top]
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
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Minutes of Council Meetings [top]
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
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Annual General Meeting of the Association
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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.
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Special General Meetings [top]
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.
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Alteration of the Constitution [top]
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.
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Subscriptions [top]
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.
