Constitution

Constitution

1. The Association shall be known as the British and Irish Paediatric Pathology Association (BRIPPA).

2. The object of the association is the advancement of perinatal and paediatric pathology in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland.

3.

• Membership of the Association shall be open to career-grade pathologists ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, with a substantial interest in perinatal and/or paediatric pathology. Scientific workers who give evidence of interest in the object of the association, e.g. in the form of relevant publications, may be proposed for membership at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the committee. Nominations for membership must be received by the Secretary in advance of the Annual General Meeting.
• Honorary (non-voting) membership may be offered to non-practising, retired members and persons who have made a notable contribution to perinatal or paediatric pathology.
• Trainee membership of the Association shall be open to Histopathology trainees who are training in the Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology Specialty. Once appointed to a non-training post, they shall be transferred to full Membership. Nominations for trainee membership must be received by the Secretary in advance of the Annual General Meeting.

4. There shall be a Committee which shall be elected by members of the association at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall consist of:- President Treasurer Secretary Education Officer Trainee Representative 2 further general members Other members may be co-opted by the Committee for specific tasks (e.g. website manager, EQA lead) The tenure of office shall be 3 years. The officers shall be elected at the AGM in the year prior to taking office. General members shall be take office as soon as they are elected. The Committee shall meet as often as necessary. At Committee meetings 4 shall constitute a quorum. In the event of a tied vote the President or Acting Chairman shall have the casting vote. The Committee may fill casual vacancies by co-opting an ordinary member until the next election is due for the vacant post. Nominations for the Officers and Committee members shall be sent, in writing (including email) to the Secretary one month prior to the Annual General Meeting. It shall be the duty of the Committee to carry out the general policy of the Association and (subject to any conditions imposed from time to timely the Association in General Meeting) to provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the Association.

5. The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held each year at such time and place as the Committee shall determine. Other General Meetings of the Association may be held at such times and places as may be determined by the Committee. A special meeting of the Association shall be called upon the written demand of at least 10 members or of the President. At least 21 clear days’ notice of all General Meetings (other than special meetings) and at least 14 days clear notice of all special meetings shall be given in writing (including email) by the Secretary to all members.

6. The President shall be chairman of all meetings of the Association and the Committee. If the President shall be absent from a meeting the secretary shall propose a chairman for that meeting.

7. The Treasurer shall administer the accounts of the Association and report on the financial position at the AGM. The treasurer shall propose the amount of the Annual subscription. The Treasurer will be the holder of the Association's bank account. The treasurer is responsible for submitting annual account statements to the charities commission.

8. The Secretary shall be responsible for the general administration of the Association, shall arrange the Annual General Meeting and circulate necessary paperwork. The Secretary shall minute Committee and General Meetings.

9. The Education Officer shall be responsible for co-ordinating the training activities of the Association and organising the academic content of the Annual Meeting.

10. The Trainee representative shall be elected by trainee members of the Association to represent them on the Committee and to liaise with the Education Officer to decide the topics for training events.

11. The general committee members shall be consulted on matters affecting the Association and can represent officers at meetings should the officers be unable to attend.

12. The quorum at meetings of the Association shall be one quarter of the voting members of the Association or such other number as the Committee shall determine from time to time.

13. The subscription for ordinary membership shall be decided by the Committee on the advice of the Treasurer and shall be agreed by a vote of the membership at the AGM. If the subscription of a member be more than one year in arrears that person shall cease to be a member until arrears have been settled.

14. The income and property of the Association whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the purposes of the Association as set forth in this Constitution, and no proportion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to any member of the Association. Provided that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any Officer or servant to the Association or the repayment of out of pocket expenses.

15. The Association may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at a meeting of the Association of which at least 21 days clear notice shall have been sent to all members of the Association. Such resolution may give instructions on the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of or in trust for the Association, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association but shall be given or transferred to such charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the object of the Association as the Association shall determine.

16. Notice of any proposal to amend or alter the existing Constitution or to make new Rules must be sent to the secretary not later than six weeks before the next Annual General Meeting. Such amendments be circulated to the membership by the secretary at least 21 days prior to the meeting and must appear on the agenda of that meeting. Changes to the constitution will require approval by a vote of a simple majority of the members present at the AGM, provided the meeting is quorate.

Revised: January 2018

Approved by AGM: 18th June 2018