Society for Research into
Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida

Founded in 1957
Registered Charity No 256115

 
Rules of the Society

RULE
1. The name of the Society is “The Society for Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida”, hereinafter called “The Society”.
2. The object of the Society shall be to advance education and to promote research into hydrocephalus and spina bifida and for this purpose only to bring together workers in different fields who have a common interest in hydrocephalus and spina bifida so that they may be aided in their joint endeavour to prevent, cure or alleviate these conditions.
3. The Society shall consist of Ordinary, Senior and Honorary Members.
4. Persons of distinction in medicine and related sciences who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge of hydrocephalus and spina bifida shall be eligible for election to Honorary Membership. The number of Honorary Members shall be limited to twenty. They shall be elected to the Society by the Annual General Meeting on the recommendations of the Executive Committee.
5. Ordinary Members, on reaching the age of 65 years or on prior retirement, shall cease to be Ordinary Members and shall become Senior Members.
6. Candidates for Ordinary Membership shall be nominated by two Members of the Society in writing.
7. The Executive Committee shall recommend candidates to the Annual General Meeting for election to Ordinary Membership from among those persons who have been nominated.
8. The Annual Subscription shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting.
9a. Those newly elected to Ordinary Membership by the Annual General Meeting will become members of the Society upon payment of the first subscription which becomes due on election.
9b. Failure to pay the annual subscription for one whole year after it becomes due, and without approval of the Honorary Treasurer, will result in withdrawal of the right to receive the Proceedings. Failure to pay the Annual subscription for two whole years after it becomes due, and without approval of the Honorary Treasurer, will result in termination of membership.
10. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President Elect, Secretary, Secretary Elect, Treasurer, up to two Publications Secretaries, and three other Members. These officials shall be elected from the Ordinary and Senior Members at the Annual General Meeting. Up to two Ordinary or Senior Members may be co-opted to serve on the Executive Committee without recourse to the Annual General Meeting.
11. The office of President shall be tenable for three years and shall normally be preceded by one year served as President Elect.
12. The offices of Secretary, Treasurer and Publications Secretary shall be tenable for three years and holders will be eligible for re-election.
13. The office of Secretary Elect will be tenable for the year prior to retirement of the Secretary.
14. Ordinary Members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for three years. Committee Members shall not be eligible for re-election for a period of two years after retiring from office.
15. At least two weeks before the Annual General Meeting the secretary shall send to each Member of the Society the names of the Officers who are due to retire and shall invite nominations for their successors.
16. There shall be at least one Meeting held each year and this shall incorporate the Annual General Meeting, which will be followed by the Annual Scientific Meeting. 
17. At least three months before the Annual Scientific Meeting the Secretary shall invite submissions of abstracts of intended presentations for consideration by the Executive Committee.
18a. The Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be arranged by the Secretary. Items for inclusion on the Agenda will normally result from the business of the Executive Committee, but Members of the Society may request that items be placed on the Agenda so long as this is done in writing at least four weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
18b. The Programme for the Scientific Meeting shall be arranged by the Secretary, deriving the content from the material approved by the Executive Committee.
19a. Notice of each meeting of the Executive Committee together with the Agenda shall be sent by the Secretary to each Committee Member at least two weeks before the meeting.
19b. Notice of each Annual General Meeting together with the Agenda shall be sent by the Secretary to each Member of the Society at least two weeks before the meeting.
20. The Secretary shall be responsible for ensuring that the minutes of each Executive Committee Meeting and the Annual General Meeting are duly recorded.
21. No alteration shall be made to Rules except at the Annual General Meeting and unless proposed by at least ten Members in writing to the Secretary at least four weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
22. No amendment shall be made to Rules 2, 24 or 25 without the written consent of the Charity Commissioners.
23. The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be fifteen members.
24. The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Society as set forth in the Rules, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit to the Members of the Society. Providing that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any Member, Officer or servant of the Society in return for any services rendered to the Society, nor prevent the payment of interest at a rate not exceeding four per cent per annum on money lent or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let by any Member of the Society; but that no Member of the Executive Committee shall be appointed to any salaried Office of the Society or any Office of the Society paid by fees, and that no remuneration or other benefit in money’s worth shall be given by the Society to any Member of the Executive Committee except repayment of out-of-pocket expenses and interest at a rate aforesaid on money lent or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let to the Society provided that the provision shall not apply to any payment to any company of which a Member and in which such a member shall not hold more than one hundredth part of the capital and such member shall not be bound to account for any share or profits he may receive in respect to such a payment.
25. If upon winding up or dissolution of the Society there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid or distributed among the Members of the Society but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution having objects similar to the objects of the Society and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Society under or by virtue of the last preceding Rule, such charitable institution or institutions to be determined by the Members of the Society at or before the time of dissolution and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such a provision, then to some other Charitable Object.