Epidemiology Chapter Constitution

Title

The Chapter shall be know as the Veterinary Epidemiology Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.

Definitions

Throughout the constitution "Chapter" shall mean the Veterinary Epidemiology Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. "Executive Committee" shall mean the executive of the Chapter. "College" shall mean the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. All masculine references shall connote their female equivalents.

Organisation

The Chapter shall be under the general control of the Executive Committee.

Objects

The objects of the Chapter shall be:

  1. to provide a means of entry to the College for those specialising in veterinary epidemiology.
  2. to provide a means of accreditation of veterinary epidemiologists.
  3. to encourage research and application of veterinary ep idemiology.
  4. to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between veterinary epidemiologists.
  5. to further the professional education and training of veterinary epidemiologists.
  6. to encourage publications in the sphere of veterinary epidemiology, and,
  7. to acquire, maintain, employ and dispose of such real and personal property and to organise such services as will further the above aims.

Membership

Members of the Chapter shall be such persons who have been admitted to the Chapter from the Members and Fellows of the College and who are financial in terms of Section 8 if any subscription is required. They may enter the Chapter by examination or by invitation from the Chapter.

Examinations

  1. For Intending Members:

    2. The Chapter shall co-operate with the College Board of Examiners on the conduct of examinations for Membership and Fellowship in Veterinary Epidemiology. The Chapter shall assist the Board of Examiners of the College by nominating specialists examiners and in any other way the Board of Examiners may request.

  2. For College Members:

    3. The Chapter may conduct examinations for entry into the Chapter subject to the approval of the Board of Examiners and the Council of the College.

Courses Of Instruction For College Examinations

  1. The Chapter may institute courses of instruction in veterinary epidemiology for members of the College. College members undertaking such courses of instruction as a means of obtaining membership of the Chapter must pass an examination and receive the approval of the Board of Examiners and Council of the College.
  2. Subject to any special requirements of the Board of Examiners, the Chapter may prepare courses of instruction for veterinarians who are not members of the College. Such courses may be used as preparation for College entry by examination in veterinary ep idemiology.
  3. The Chapter may in consultation with the College Board of Examiners offer or recommend courses of instruction for entry to Fellowship by examination.

Subscription

  1. The Chapter may determine its own subscription for membership, and may determine the fee structure for courses of instruction and meetings.
  2. The Chapter financial year shall be from the first day in January to the thirty-first day of becember each year.
  3. The Annual Subscription shall be payable in advance to the Treasurer of the Chapter on the first day of January.
  4. The Annual Subscription may be waived in the case of: (a) Life Members of Life Fellows: or (b) on the grounds of great hardship.
  5. The Annual Subscription for membership of Chapter shall be such as the Chapter in General Meeting shall from time to time prescribe.
  6. Any member in arrears of subscriptions or other dues for longer than three months shall not be entitled to vote, hold office, or receive the notices and publications of the Chapter until all such arrears are paid in full.

Officers

  1. The Officers of the Chapter shall consititute the Executive Committee which shall comprise Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer, and other committee members up to a maximum of 4.
  2. All such Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Chapter.

Functions Of Committees

The Executive Committee shall:

  1. co-ordinate activites of the Chapter;
  2. act as an authoritative body of reference;
  3. keep the members of the Chapter informed on Chapter matters;
  4. exercise general control over the finances of the Chapter;
  5. acquire by purchase, gift, bequest or any other means such property real or personal and other assets as may concern the Chapter as a whole and dispose of same;
  6. promote the interests of the Chapter and its members, and;
  7. appoint and instruct sub-committees as may be required.

Meetings

  1. Chapter: A quorum shall consist of 7 members.
    1. The Annual General Meeting of the Chapter in such pace and at suc time as the Executive Committee may determine after consultation with the President of the College. (30 days notice of such meeting shall be given in writing).
    2. An Ordinary Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee in such place and at such time as the Executive Committee may determine. (30 days notice of such meeting shall be given in writing).
    3. Special Meetings of the Chapter may be called by the Chairman as required, or at the request of not less than 5 members of the Chapter. In the latter case, 30 days notice of the Meeting should be given.
  2. Executive Committee: A quorum shall consist of 2 members. The Executive Committee shall meet at such time as the Chairman may determine.

Amendments To The Constitution

The Constitution of the Chapter may be changed or amended only by a two-thirds majority vote in a postal referendum of all Members of the Chapter.

Voting

  1. All Members of the Chapter shall be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meetings, Ordinary Meetings, Special Meetings and in postal referenda.
  2. The Chairman of all meetings shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

Finance

  1. The Secretary/Treasurer shall open an account in the name of the "Veterinary Epidemiology Chapter, Australian College of Veterinary Scientists" in which all funds remitted shall be deposited and from which duly authorised disbursements shall be made.
  2. The Secretary/Treasurer and other designated member of the Executive Committee shall be authorised to operate this account subject to the approval of Executive Committee.
  3. The Executive Committee shall arrange an annual audit of its account books. A Treasurer's report and a report of the audit shall be submited to the Annual General Meeting of the Chapter and forwarded to the Honorary Treasurer of the College by 31 March, each year.