1. Name
The society is called ‘The Scottish Microbiology Society’.
2. Aims
(a) Mission Statement
‘To provide a scientific and social forum for microbiologists in Scotland and through it promote and foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge from all sections of the scientific community involved in microbiology in Scotland’
(b) Object
The society will hold symposia/meetings/events and co-operate with other organisations.
3. Membership
The Society shall consist of Honorary and Ordinary Members. Only persons who are interested in the aims of the Society shall be eligible for admission as Ordinary Members. Any person of distinction who has contributed for to the advancement of microbiology in Scotland shall be eligible for election as an Honorary member.
(a) Ordinary Members: Admission to Ordinary Membership is at the discretion of the Committee, so long as such admission is not unreasonably withheld, and is subject to the receipt of the membership subscription annually.
(b) Student Membership: Students with an interest in microbiology may be admitted to Student Membership at the discretion of the Committee, so long as such admission is not unreasonably withheld, and is subject to the receipt of the membership subscription annually.
4. Officers and Committee
(a) The business of the Society shall be conducted by a Committee consisting of the Convenor, Secretary, Treasurer and three ordinary members.
(b) Four members shall form a quorum of the Committee of whom one shall be office bearers of the Society.
(c) Questions arising from any meetings of the Committee shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in the case of an equality of votes, the Convenor shall have a second or casting vote.
(d) The Committee shall meet at least once a year. The Convenor or Secretary shall be responsible for calling meetings of the Committee and shall send to members a note of the agenda. He/She shall, on receiving at any time a request to that effect from three Members of the Committee, summon an extraordinary meeting of the Committee.
(e) The funds so vested shall be administered by the Treasurer elected by the Ordinary Membership of the Society and by mutual consent of the Committee. Any income or benefit accruing thereto shall be applied exclusively towards the promotion of the aims of the Society as set for in its constitution. The securities for any funds invested shall be deposited with the Society’s bankers.
(f) The society’s accounts shall be audited annually prior to the Annual General Symposium by two Committee Members excluding the Treasurer. The accounts shall be accepted by the committee prior to the presentation at the Annual General Symposium.
(5) Election of Officers and Committee
Only members of the Society shall be eligible to serve as Officers or members of the Committee. Members of the Society will be actively encouraged to become members of the Committee.
The Society shall elect a Convenor who shall hold office for three years and shall then offer himself for re-election.
The Society shall elect from its members a Secretary and a Treasurer. These officers shall serve for a period of three years and shall then offer themselves for re-election.
There shall be three Ordinary Members of the Committee who shall serve for a period of three years after which they shall offer themselves for re-election.
Nominations must be made by full members in writing and must be in the hands of the Secretary, proposed and seconded members of the Society, before the Annual General Symposium. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be by a show of hands.
In the case of any incidental vacancy occurring in the Committee, the Committee shall fill this vacancy by the election of another member. This member shall only hold office for the remainder of the period of office of the member whose place he takes.
(6) Symposia
The Society shall hold symposia, the dates and place of which shall be decided by the Committee. An Ordinary General Symposium shall be held once every year at such time (not being more than fifteen months after the holding of the last preceding General Symposium) and at such place as may be recommended by the Committee and approved by the Society during an Ordinary General Symposium. This meeting shall be called the Annual General Symposium. All other meetings shall be called Ordinary General Symposia.
At the Annual General Symposium the number of the number of Ordinary General Symposia to be held during the ensuing year, their places and approximate dates, shall be determined: the Secretary, shall present his/her reports, the Treasurer shall submit his/her accounts, and the Office Bearers shall be chosen.
The Committee shall have the power to adopt and issue rules for the Society. Such rules shall come into operation immediately provided always that they shall be subject to review by the Society in General Symposia and shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
Alterations to the Constitution
The Constitution of the Society can be altered only at a General Symposium, and only after notice has been given in the a General Notice to the membership issued at least two month in advance. Such notice shall be included on the agenda of the General Symposium which shall be sent by the Secretary to all members of the Society at least one month beforehand. No alteration shall be made unless at least two-thirds of those voting are in its favour.
8. Dissolution
If the Committee, by simple majority, decide at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Society, it shall call a meeting of all of the members of the Society of which meeting not less than twenty one days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such a meeting the Committee shall have the power to dispose of any asset held by or on behalf of the Society.
Any assets remaining after all the liabilities have been met will not be distributed amongst the members but will be transferred to such charitable organisation or organisations having object similar to those of the Society as the Committee shall determine.
9. Notices
Any notices may be served by the Convenor or Secretary on any member either personally or by sending it thought the post in a prepaid letter addressed to such member at his or her last known address, and any letter so sent shall be deemed to have been received within 10 days of posting.
10. Additions to the Constitution
Subject to a positive vote at the next AGM held during 2003 the following statement will be added to the Constitution of the Scottish Microbiology Society.
Members of the Scottish Microbiology Society (SMS) agree to abide by their employer's code of conduct, by the constitution of the SMS, and by regional, national and international health and safety legislation whilst participating in SMS events or whilst undertaking SMS duties.
