British Chapter of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
By Laws
1. Purpose
The British Chapter of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) is an organisation of British and Irish Members of the ISMRM that carries out the functions of the ISMRM within the British Isles. The purposes of the Chapter shall be:(A)
(i) To promote communication, research, development, applications and the availability of information on magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and other related topics; (ii) To develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing educatio n and communication in the field; and (iii) To provide information and advice on those aspects of public poli cy which are concerned with magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and oth er related topics, and otherwise perform charitable, scientific and educational func tions with respect to magnetic resonance applications in medicine and biology and ot her related topics.
(B)
To work with or for, and to co-operate with local, regional and national governments and governmental and private agencies, organisations, firms and institutions in efforts to accomplish one or more of the above purposes. (C) To ensure that scientists and clinicians working in the field have equal and fair opportunities to contribute to it.
2. Membership
Any member in good standing of ISMRM or the Society of Magnetic Resonance Technologists (SMRT) who is resident in the British Isles (i.e. the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Norther Ireland or the Republic of Ireland) may be admitted to membership, on payment of the annual subscription.
3. Governance
(i) Committee
The Chapter shall be governed by a Committee of not less than seven nor more than ten members. Five members shall constitute a quorum. Decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of those present; the Chairman having a casting vote in a case of a tie. Committee members shall serve for three years, unless elected to the office of Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer. Members who are elected to the posts of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall then serve as Committee member for three years from the date of their election. One additional member may be co-opted to serve for one year by a majority vote of the Committee. All rules concerning periods of office may be varied, subject to a majority vote within the Committee, to achieve a suitable balance between continuity and turnover of membership during the first 5 years of the Chapter's existence. The Committee shall meet at least once each year, and shall hold an Annual General Meeting of the Chapter at which it will report the year's activities to the members.
(ii)Officers
The Committee shall elect from its number, whenever a vacancy occurs, a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Each of these officers shall serve for three years, unless he or she resigns or is otherwise deemed (by a majority of the remaining Committee members) to be unable to perform his or her duties .
(iii) Functions of Office
The Chairman shall chair all meetings of the Committee at which he/she is present. In case of contention procedural matters it will be decided according to Robert's Rules of Order. In the absence of the Chairman, the members present s hall elect one of their number to chair the meeting. The Secretary shall keep all re cords of the Chapter and of the Committee meetings, and shall convene meetings and organise elections. The Treasurer shall coordinate the raising of funds, hold any cash balances, authorise expenditure (subject to the instructions of the Chairman), maintain a list of the Chapter's members keep financial records, and s ubmit them to the Society each year, or whenever required.
(iv) Nominations and Elections
Election for vacant Committee positions shall be held each year, by a postal ballot to be organised by the Secretary. The Committee shall ensure that at least one member in good standing is nominated for each vacancy. Nominations may be made by the Committee itself or by a petition from at least five membe rs in good standing.
Subscription and Finances
The annual subscription shall be decided by a majority vote of the Committee. The Treasurer shall establish a bank account in the Chapter's name. Cheques drawn on it shall be signed by any two of the following officers: The Treasurer, the Chairman, the Secretary or the Executive Director of the ISMRM.
Modification of the By-Laws
These By-Laws may be modified by a motion passed by a majority of the Committee and ratified by a simple majority of those voting in postal ballot of the membership.
REVISED 9 JULY 1997
Last modified: Tue Sep 23 10:47:19 BST 1997