Constitution
- NAME
The name of the Society shall be “Society of Uganda Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons”
(here-in-after called “SUGES”). - ADDRESS
- MISSION AND OBJECTIVE OF THE SOCIETY
3.1 The Objectives
- a) to establish and provide an umbrella body to guide gastrointestinal health practitioners
and the practices of gastroenterology and endoscopy in general; - b) to create, formulate and design standards and codes of conduct to guide practitioners of
gastroenterology and endoscopy - c) to promote gastrointestinal health and endoscopic advocacy with the aim of promoting
access to proper gastroenterology health care, providing education, training and research,
and running short courses and/or workshops and seminars for gastrointestinal disease
management - d) to provide technical and advisory services relating to the treatment, cure and/or
management of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders - e) to improve and increase access to instruments, machines, implants, implements and other
specialised equipment used in connection with gastrointestinal surgery - f) to form and establish partnerships with and amongst gastrointestinal and endoscopic
surgery practitioners and other associations with similar objectives and purposes with the
aim of mutually benefitting from each other’s experiences, insights and connections; - g) To carry on any other business or activity which may seem capable of being conveniently
carried on in connection with any activity of the company or may seem to the company
calculated directly or indirectly to benefit the company.
3.2 The objects set out in article 3.1 shall not be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall
be given thereto, and they shall not, except where the context expressly so requires, be in any way
limited or restricted by reference to or inference from any other object or objects or from the terms of
any other sub-article or the name of the Company. None of such sub-articles or the object or objects
therein specified or the powers thereby conferred shall be deemed subsidiary or ancillary to the
objects or powers mentioned in any other sub-article, but the Company shall have as full a power to
exercise all or any of the objects conferred by and provided in each of the said sub-articles as if each
sub-articles contained the objects of a separate association.
4. DEFINITION OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY
Gastrointestinal surgery shall include hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery, colorectal surgery, esophagogastric surgery, bariatric surgery and colorectal surgery
Endoscopic surgery shall include all gastrointestinal endoscopic surgery as well as
laparoscopic and thoracoscopy surgery which may be broadened to include other
modalities of this form of surgery.
5. MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOCIETY
5.1. Full Membership:
Any medical practitioner who is registered with UMDPC as a gastrointestinal, colorectal, hepatopancreato-biliary surgeon, gastrointestinal surgery oncologist or minimal access surgeon shall be entitled
to apply for full membership of the Society, provided that the candidate is duly proposed and seconded by
two full members of the Society and the application is approved by Council
5.2 Associate Members
Any medical practitioner with a Masters in Medicine or fellowship (e.g. COSECSA) with interests in
gastrointestinal surgery shall be entitled to apply for associate membership of the Society, provided that
the candidate is duly proposed and seconded by two full members of the Society and the application is
approved by Council.
5.3 Trainee members
Any medical practitioner undergoing fellowship training in any of the modalities of gastrointestinal surgery and endoscopy shall be entitled to apply for trainee membership of the society, provided that the candidate is duly proposed and seconded by two full members of the Society and the application is approved by Council.
5.4 Affiliate members
Any other medical professional not eligible for associate or full membership (medical officers, nurses, allied health professionals) shall be entitled to apply for affiliate membership of the society, provided that the candidate is duly proposed and seconded by two full members of the Society and the application is approved by Council
5.5 International members
Any medical practitioner eligible for full, associate and affiliate membership of the society but not resident in Uganda shall be eligible to apply for international membership of the Society, provided that the candidate is duly proposed and seconded by two full members of the Society and the application is approved by Council.
5.6 Corporate Members:
Corporate bodies or organisations with an interest in gastrointestinal surgery shall be eligible to apply for corporate membership of the Society, provided the application is approved by the council
5.6 Corporate Members:
Corporate bodies or organisations with an interest in gastrointestinal surgery shall be eligible to apply for corporate membership of the Society, provided the application is approved by the council
5.7. Honorary Membership
The election of an honorary member shall be by the council. The council may from time to time elect an
honorary member who should be a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of
gastrointestinal surgery, endoscopic surgery or a related discipline.
5.8 Election of membership
Candidates for membership shall be elected by a majority of the Council of the
Society after being duly proposed and seconded in writing by any two full
members.
5.8 Termination of Membership
Every Member shall remain a Member until his membership is terminated eitherby his resignation in writing addressed to the Secretary, bythe decision of Council or by failing to pay the annual subscription for 2 years.The membership may be re-instated upon payment of the arrears subscription.
6. CONTROL OF THE SOCIETY
6.1. The general control and direction of the policy and the affairs of the Society shall
be vested in the Council of the Society.
6.2. In exercising control over the Society, the Council shall at all times abide by the
articles of association, the constitution and By-Laws of SUGES and shall promote the
wishes of members and the objectives of the Society.
6.3. The Council
the Council shall consist of a President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer and five (3) Members of
which one (1) will be Immediate Past President.
6.4. Ad Hoc and special committees
Council may appoint ad hoc and special Committees to attend to specific matters
on a permanent or a temporary basis as the need arises.
6.5. Election and Term of office Bearers
6.5.1. The President, President-Elect, treasurer, secretary and three (3) members shall be elected at an
Annual General Meeting of the Society and shall hold office for two (2) years.
6.5.2. The President will not be eligible for re-election but will automatically act as
immediate past President for two (2) years but will be eligible for election on any post 6 years after
serving as president.
6.5.3. For election, each office bearer will require a proposer and a seconder and the
official acceptance of the nominee prior to election which will be by majority vote
at an Annual General meeting.
6.5.4. Fifty percent (50%) of full members shall constitute a quorum for Meetings of
Council.
6.6 Duties of Council
6.6.1. Council shall meet at least once a month at such a time and place as Council shall
direct.
6.6.2. Special meetings of Council shall be held at any time upon call of Council or the
President by written notice to each member thirty (7) days prior to the meeting.
6.6.3. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society, presiding at
meetings of the Society as well as meetings of Council.
6.6.4. The President-elect shall perform all the duties and exercise all the powers of the
President in the absence of the President.
6.6.5. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Society and the
Council and shall conduct all correspondence in connection with the affairs of the Society. He shall
supervise the custody of official records. A
6.6.7. The Treasurer shall receive and take custody of all securities, funds and
monies due to and belonging to the Society. He shall make all disbursements
authorised by Council and shall provide at each Meeting of the council and Society, a Financial Statement
of the Society’s activities.
6.6.8. Whenever a vacancy occurs, the office may be filled by the Council until the next
election.
7. MEETING OF THE SOCIETY
7.1 The Secretary shall give at least fourteen (21) clear days’ notice of the time and place
of the Annual General Meeting by a mail-out to all Members
7.2. Extraordinary General Meetings for the Society may be held from time to time
and shall be called by the Council on the written request of eleven (11) full
members of the Society.
7.3. Voting at these meetings will be by ballot. Proxy votes will be allowed.
7.4. The annual Scientific Meeting may also be held at
any other time that Council may determine. Workshops and symposiums may
also be arranged from time to time.
7.5 The societies monthly meetings will be conducted every 2nd Friday of the month and may include
CMEs
8. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FUNDING OF THE SOCIETY
8.1. Funding of the Society for its operation and functions shall be derived from the
subscriptions of Members and from other sources.
8.2. The amount of the annual subscription shall from time to time be determined by
Council and presented to the AGM for approval.
8.3. Subscription to any journal of the Society may be included in the annual
subscription.
9. PROPERTY AND FINANCES
9.1. All property of the Society shall be vested in the Council, and shall be dealt with in
such manner as directed by the Society in an Ordinary Meeting.
9.2. The Society shall maintain a bank account. The signatories to this account will be the president, the
secretary and the treasurer.
9.3. All payments of the Society shall be made with approval from the 3 signatories above.
10. EMPLOYEES OF THE SOCIETY
10.1 The overall powers to appoint dismiss and discipline employees of the society shall be vested in the
council.
11. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
11.1 Any proposal to amend this Constitution must be received by the
Secretary at least ninety (90) days before the AGM and circulated to the Members
of the Society at least forty five (45) days before the AGM.
11.2. Amendments to this Constitution shall be effected only if passed by two-thirds
of those voting at a General meeting of the Society.
12. DISSOLUTION
12.1. The Society may be dissolved by resolution of a two-thirds majority vote of those
members present and voting at a General Meeting. If on the dissolution there remain
any monies or property, they shall be transferred to a cultural, charitable or
educational organization as the Society in a General Meeting may resolve.
12.2. The Secretary shall give at least fourteen (21) days’ notice of the time and place of
such a General Meeting by a mail-out to all Members.