HCSA 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 it's constitution; this is reviewed at the Association's annual general meeting which is help at the annual conference in November.
1
Title
The Association shall be known as the Health Care Supply Association (formerly
the Health Care Supplies Association).
2
Status
The Association shall be a Company limited by guarantee and not having
a share capital.
3
Objects
The Objects of the Association shall be:
3.1 To promote, maintain and seek continuously timprove professional standards and training relating tsupplies 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
Eligibility for Membership
The Council of the Association shall have the power taccept or reject
any application for membership.
There shall be four levels of membership of the Association:
Individual Membership
4.1 Persons engaged in purchasing and supply within the Health Care Sector. Applications for membership tbe submitted through Branches for consideration by Council, whose decision shall be final.
Honorary Members
4.2 The Council shall have power telect persons tHonorary Membership in recognition of distinguished service tthe 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.
Retired Members
4.3 Members upon retirement may retain membership of their Branch.Corporate Membership
4.4 Corporate Membership shall be available torganisations external tthe NHS wh wish tkeep themselves informed on developments in purchasing and supply in the Health Care Sector and take advantage of the benefits afforded by the Association. Corporate members shall have nvoting rights but will receive notice of, and may attend, Branch meetings.
5
Cancellation of Membership
Council shall have power tcancel membership in the following circumstances:
5.1 Any member who, in the opinion of the Council, is guilty of unprofessional conduct.
5.2 Any member whose annual subscription remains unpaid for a period of one full year and, following report of the fact tCouncil, shall at the discretion of the Council, cease tbe a member of the Association.
6
Branches
Branches shall be formed as determined by Council.
6.1 Each Branch shall elect a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Council Representative 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 sdesires. The internal organisation shall be decided by the Branch, but shall not conflict in any way with the Constitution of the Association. Branches shall normally meet on not less than twoccasions during the year and the Branch Secretary shall forward tthe Executive Director of the Association twcopies of the minutes of Branch meetings. The elected Branch Representative tCouncil shall present any matters referred tthe Council by the Branch at the next appropriate meeting of the Council following the Branch meeting. Special meetings shall be held as required tdiscuss matters of urgency submitted tBranches for Council consideration.
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 elected representative from each Branch.
8
Election of Council Members
Each Branch shall elect biennially from amongst its voting members one
person tserve on the Council of the Association. Each Branch shall nominate
a deputy tattend meetings of the Council in the absence of the elected
member. Appointments tthe Council shall be operative from the first
day of April in each second year.
The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Council, the Annual General Meeting, Special General Meetings and Executive.
9
President and Officers of the Association
The President and Officers of the Association shall be:
President
of the Association
9.1 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.
Executive
Director of the Association
9.2 The Association shall appoint an Executive Director whwill have
executive responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Association.
Officers
of the Association
9.3 Officers of the Association shall be appointed biennially by members
of the 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, whshall
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 the Council, the Annual General Meeting, Special General Meetings and
Executive Committe Meetings.
9.4 There shall alsbe appointed an Honorary Auditor whwill not be a member of the Council.
The powers of the 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, whshall be empowered tact on behalf of the 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 ttime by Council.
10.3 To appoint such other Officers as it considers necessary for the efficient running of the 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 the Council.
10.5 To prepare its own rules for the conduct of business provided:
(I) A quorum shall consist of seven Council members including twOfficers.
(II) Fourteen days' clear notice of meeting shall be given by the Executive Director.
(III) Not less than four meetings shall be held in each year.
(IV) Any six elected members of the Council shall be empowered tconvene a special meeting of the Council and state the business for which the meeting shall be called. Fourteen clear days' notice shall be given tall Council members.
11
Minutes of Council Meetings
A copy of Council minutes (unconfirmed) shall be sent tCouncil members
and the Secretary of each Branch within one month of each Council meeting.
Copies of minutes (confirmed) of Executive Committee meetings shall be
sent tCouncil members with 21 days of the meeting.
12
Annual General Meeting of the Association
An Annual General Meeting shall be held, notice of which shall be given
in writing tmembers at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.
At the Annual General Meeting the Council shall submit a report in respect
of the work of the Association, including the submission of daily audited
accounts. Resolutions tbe included in the Agenda will be those entered
by Council or previously submitted tCouncil by Branches.
13
Special General Meetings
Council may call a Special General Meeting of the Association if considered
necessary and must dsupon receipt of a written request tthe Elective
Director signed by not less than 50 full members of the Association, stating
the business for which the meeting is required tbe held. Fourteen clear
days' notice of a Special General Meeting shall be given.
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 Clauses 12 or 13 of the Constitution, showing a two-thirds
majority of the votes in favour of the resolution. Full members may vote
by proxy seven clear days prior tthe published date of the Annual or
Special General Meeting.
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 The Annual Subscription, for Corporate Membership, shall be determined by the Council of the Association.
15.3 Honorary and Retired members shall be exempt from the payment of subscriptions at the discretion of the Council of the Association.
