Constitution

Title: THE SPECTROSCOPIC SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

OBJECTS:

    (i)    To further the exchange of knowledge on spectroscopy by means of conferences, meetings and publications.
    (ii)    To promote research, study and use of spectroscopy at universities, in research institutes and industry.

DEFINITIONS:

        "Spectroscopy" - all sciences relating to electro-magnetic and particle spectra.
        "The Society" - the Spectroscopic Society of South Africa.
        "The President" of the Society - the chairman for the time being of the committee.

MEMBERSHIP:

    I.    Ordinary Members
        Any person, without limitation by academic qualification, interested in spectroscopy who wishes to participate in the objects of the Society.
        (i)    Application for membership should be by letter.  No supporting recommendations or signatories are required.
        (ii)    Subscriptions will be payable as set out below.
    II.    Honorary Members
        Any person who, in the opinion of the committee, has contributed substantially to the science of spectroscopy and who is interested in the award of an honorary membership.
        (i)    No subscription payable.
    III.    Termination of Membership
        (i)    By resignation.
        (ii)    By failure to pay the required subscription.
        (iii)    At the request of the committee.
    IV.    Voting
        All members, ordinary and honorary, will be eligible to vote for, and for election to, the committee;  will receive notices of meetings, newsletters, and other publications sent out by the committee, and will be entitled to attend conferences and general meetings.

ASSOCIATIONS:

        The Society is associated with the South African Chemical Institute and the South African Physics Institute for purposes of closer collaboration between the various disciplines.  As a result of these associations the following benefits will accrue to members of the Society:
        (i)    Joint meetings may be arranged at lower registration fees.
        (ii)    Schools, symposia, etc., organised by the Institutes on spectroscopic subjects, may be attended at the lower registration fees available to institute members.
        (iii)    Advertising of joint meetings can be organised through the communication media of the bodies concerned.

FEES:

        (i)    The annual subscription fee will be payable at a rate determined by the committee from time to time.
        (ii)    In addition to the annual subscription, fees will be chargeable to cover specific purposes, such as conferences, attendance of guest speakers, etc.
        (iii)    The financial year of the Society will be from 1st June to 31st May.

DONATIONS:

        Donations may be made by companies, individuals, research organisations, or universities, which the Society is entitled to accept either for the purpose for which the donation was made, or for furthering the objects of the Society.

OFFICES:

        (i)    The affairs of the Society will be managed by a committee of eight, who will all be members in good standing.
        (ii)    The committee will be elected by members in a postal ballot conducted prior to a biennial general meeting, and will hold office for four years on a rotating basis in a ratio of four to four.
        (iii)    The past president, on resigning from the committee, will become a member of the committee for one year as a past-president with voting rights.
        (iv)    The committee will appoint from among its own members a chairman, secretary and treasurer.
        (v)    The committee will define its own rules of procedure and delegate powers to the secretary and treasurer with regard to opening and operation of a bank account, the signing of cheques, payment of accounts and honoraria for services rendered, and the keeping of proper books of account.
        (vi)    The committee will meet at least once a year.
        (vii)    The committee will have powers to decide on conferences (venue, scope, frequency, etc.), honorary membership, and membership fees.  The affairs of the Society will be conducted in a lawful, democratic and honest manner to the mutual benefit of the members, and for the advancement of the objects of the Society.
        (viii)    A quorum of the committee will be five, and the chairman will have, where necessary, a casting vote.

MEETINGS:

        A quorum for general and special general meetings will be those members present.   
    I.    General meetings of the members of the Society will be held biennially, notice of which will be given in writing at least one month before the date of the meeting.
        (i)    At each general meeting a chairman's report and a financial statement will be presented, reflecting the activities of the previous two years.
    II.    Special General Meetings
        (i)    Special general meetings may be called at the request of the committee, by giving notice in writing to members at least one month before the date of the intended meeting, stating fully the business to be transacted.
        (ii)    In the event of a change of Constitution being required, this will be proper either at a general meeting or at a special general meeting.
        (iii)    By-elections necessitated by resignation/death of a member of the committee may be conducted by postal ballot, the elected member to hold office only for the balance of the period of the committee member being replaced.
        (iv)    The Society may be dissolved by a resolution of the members at either a general or a special general meeting, when simultaneously a resolution should be made as to the disposal, to a body of similar objectives, of the assets of the Society.
    III.    Conferences
        At least one conference in two years should be held, either jointly with one of the associated Institutes, or independently.  Notice of conferences will be given at least two months before the conference.

LANGUAGE:

        The language of the Society will be the official languages of the Republic of South Africa, Afrikaans and English.