1.

NAME

The Society is an official group of the Medical Association of South Africa and its name shall be the South African Head and Neck Oncology Society (hereinafter called "The Society")

2.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY

The objectives for which the Society is established are:

2.1.

To advance the knowledge of all aspects of Head and Neck Oncology relevant to the treatment, reconstruction and rehabilitation of patients with tumours of the Head and Neck for the benefit of both patients and colleagues.

2.2.

To promote the professional and legitimate interest of medical practitioners interested in Head and Neck Oncology.

3.

MEMBERSHIP TO THE SOCIETY

3.1.

Any person who is a registered medical practitioner within the Republic of South Africa and who is a member of South African Medical Association (SAMA) and non SAMA members of allied disciplines, are eligible for membership, provided that:

3.1.1.

His/Her professional practice is confined to the professional practice of the speciality of otorhinolaryngology, general surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, medical and radiation oncology, and pathology. Specialists in dentistry (e.g. maxillo?facial and oral surgery, oral & maxillofacial pathology, oral medicine, maxillofacial prosthodontics) and dental surgeons are also eligible.

3.1.2.

The nature of his/her practice is such as to give him a special interest in the subject of Head and Neck Oncology.

3.2

Candidates for membership shall be elected by majority vote of the Executive Committee of the Group after being duly proposed and seconded in writing by members of the Society.

3.3.

Every member shall remain a member until membership is terminated either by resignation in writing addressed to the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer or by a decision of the Executive committee of the Group. Membership may be suspended if after two years the due subscriptions have not been paid; but may be reinstated on payment of arrear subscriptions due. During the period of suspension a member shall not retain voting rights.

3.4.

The Activities of the Society shall be suspended it at any time its membership shall be less than 11 (eleven) members.

3.5.

Honorary membership may be granted to distinguished persons at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

4.

CONTROL OF THE SOCIETY

4.1.

The general control and direction of the policy and affairs of the Society shall be vested in the Executive Committee of the Society.

4.2.

In exercising control over the Society, the Executive Committee shall at all times abide by the Articles and By-laws of the Medical Association of South Africa.

4.3.

The Executive Committee shall hold office for 2 (two years) and shall consist of a President, Vice-President, an Honorary Secretary and/or Treasurer, and 6 (six) members. The method of election of members of the Executive committee shall be by popular vote of the Annual General Meeting of the Group.

4.4.

A list of office-bearers, together with a complete list of members of the Society shall be furnished annually to the Secretary General of the South African Medical Association within 30 (thirty) days of the election of such office bearers.

4.5.

The Honorary Secretary and the Treasurer of the Society shall keep records of all meetings of the Society and of its Executive Committee and shall conduct all correspondence in connection with the affairs of the Society. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys dues to the Society and shall make all disbursements authorised by the Executive Committee.

5.

MEETINGS OF SOCIETY

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society shall be held, as far as is practical, during the society's academic meeting or of a Congress of the South African Medical Association or a course offered by the Society, provided that these AGM's are not held more than two years apart. The quorum for the A.G.M. shall be 11 (eleven).

Extraordinary General Meetings for the Society may be haled from time to time and shall be called by the Executive Committee on the written request of 11 (eleven) members of the Group.

Voting by proxy according to the Articles of the South African Medical Association shall be allowed at General meetings.

6.

ACTION OF THE SOCIETY

The Society may take such action as may be deemed necessary in all matters affecting the legitimate interests of its members; provided that the Association as a whole be not involved or pledged to any action and that any action contemplated by the Society be in conformity with the policy of the Association for the time being in force.

Should the Society refer a matter affecting the interests of its members to the Federal Council of the South African Medical Association for action, it shall take no further independent action unless requested to do so by Federal Council.

7.

ORGANISATION OF THE SOCIETY

7.1.

It shall be competent for the Society to allow the formation of Sub-Groups of the Society within the frame-work of the Divisions or Branches of the South African Medical Association in order to further the interests of the Society. Such Sub-Groups may be allowed powers of independent action in local matters provided that such action is not in conflict with the general policy and rules of the Society, and of the South African Medical Association in general.

7.2.

Such Sub-Groups shall elect a Chairman, an Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, and an Executive Committee consisting of 3 (three) members annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Sub-Group, which shall be held 3 (three) month=s prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

7.3.

Reports of local action taken shall be submitted by the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Sub-Group to the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Society.

7.4.

Each Sub-Group shall have a minimum membership of 4 (four) full members.

8.

SUBSCRIPTIONS OF THE SOCIETY

An annual subscription shall be payable by members of the Society to provide funds for the carrying out of the work of the Society. The amount of the subscription may be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.

9.

ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE SOCIETY

The Honorary Secretary and Treasurer shall submit an annual report and a financial statement at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. A copy of each shall thereafter be sent to the Secretary General of the South African Medical Association within 30 (thirty) days of the meeting.

10.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Amendments to the Constitution shall be effected only if passed by a two-thirds majority of those voting at an Annual General Meeting of the Society. Any amendment to the Constitution of the Society shall be approved by the Federal Council of the South African Medical Association before becoming operative.

11.

DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of the Society, the assets of the Society shall be given or transferred to some other organization or organizations engaged in activities similar to those for which this Society was established. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for selecting the organisation or organisations in accordance with the stipulations of this clause provided that such organisation or organisations be a group within South African Medical Association.